In this edition of Get To Know Your Running Clubs, we chatted with Mishka Vertin about Mill City Running, a running store and group based in Minneapolis.

Want to learn more about them? Read on!

©️ Carly Danek

Hey Mishka! Thanks for chatting with us. So, tell us a bit about your role at Mill City Running.

I send our community off running to solve riddles, drinks beers, and scoff donuts - occasionally in costume… AKA the Event's Director.

How long has the club been around?

Mill City Running opened as a specialty running store in Northeast Minneapolis in the summer of 2013 by Bekah & Jeff Metzdorff, avid runners in the community. Always intended to be a hub & meeting space for runners, our free group runs started as soon as our doors were open. An all-levels racing team was established in 2014.

Sweet! What runs do you put on for your group? What level of runners do you cater to?

We have three group runs each week, including a beginners-specific run on Tuesday evenings, a Wednesday evening "beer run" and our famous Friday "flapjack run" - we cook up pancakes for everyone post-run. We also host one long run each month. All of our runs are free and open to all levels of runners, and attendance ranges from 40-80 runners (depending on the run - and the weather!) so we have a wide variety of paces.

Pancakes and beer, we’re sold! Any race teams for those who like to compete?

We also have a race team, which is also open to all levels. The race team competes with other area clubs in the USATF Team Circuit race series. While our team is competitive - our men's team placed second & women's team placed third this year overall - we also have many runners who are beginners & join for the social aspect. Our race team gets together for post-race brunches & even has an annual prom! Our 2016 team had over 200 members.

©️ Carly Danek

Where and when does your club meet for your group runs?

Our weekly group run schedule is as follows: Beginner's Run, Tuesdays 6pm, Wednesday Night Beer Run (all levels) 6pm, Flapjack Five Mile Fridays at 6:30am. Long Runs are the second Saturday of every month at 8am, 5-20 miles with aid stations. All weekly runs start & end at the store, range from 2-7 miles, and are free & open to all! The only exception is the first Wednesday of the month we start & end at Fulton Brewery (our Race Team beer sponsor!)

And what parts of the city does your group usually run in?

Our home base is Northeast Minneapolis, across from Downtown & just a few blocks from the historic Stone Arch Bridge & Mississippi River. Our runs meander up & down both sides of the river, with the various bridges giving us several options for mileage. Long Runs take us along the river to St. Paul & back, or to the Cedar Lake Trail and Chain o'Lakes.   

Is there any cost to be a member?

Group runs are always free. Race Team Membership is $45/year & includes a team singlet. You do not have to be on the race team to come to group runs, or vice versa!

Does your group put on any special events?

Mill City Running is known for its creative & well-attended events! These include the Donut Run (twice yearly), the Beer Mile (annual), The Fast & The Curious (scavenger hunt race, annual), and Ladies' Trail Camp (annual) as well as monthly Yoga for Runners, a monthly evening series called Tuesday Talks, and seasonal fashion shows.  

©️ Carly Danek

Awesome! Any cool routes to run in your city that you would like to recommend to other runners?

If you're new to or visiting Minneapolis, the bike/run trails along the Mississippi are must-dos. If you prefer to get out into nature, Afton State Park is a short drive away and offers technical routes with beautiful scenery. Or for a trail you can run to, take the Cedar Lake bike trail to Theo Wirth Park on the edge of Minneapolis.

Do you have any favourite local races?

We love the Team Circuit series, and of course, Minnesota has two world-class marathons - Grandma's Marathon in Duluth & the Twin Cities Marathon - many of us run these year after year. If you're more of a speedster, the TC 1-Mile just across the river from us is a blast.

Want to learn more?

Want to connect with Mill City Running, or just learn a bit more about them? Check out their information below:

Mill City Running Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Find more runs around Minneapolis

Looking for runs in and around Minneapolis? The RunGuides Minneapolis race calendar can help you find upcoming runs and running races in the area - www.runguides.com/minneapolis/runs