MOMS ON THE RUN

When Debbie Campbell spied a group of women working out at a local park, she immediately told her husband she wanted to join them. She also distinctly remembers stating she 'hoped they weren't a running group.' Of course they were. She signed up anyway.

"I fell in love with this inspirational and accepting group of women at my first class," Debbie recalls, "and fell in love with running shortly after." That was just over a year ago, and now Debbie, a member of Eau Claire (WI) Moms on the Run, will tell you joining Moms on the Run has changed her life.

​Read more about our conversation with Debbie and learn why she's our inspiring member for November. 

Jacksonville Moms on the Run member Larissa Faulkner is a woman whose story exemplifies hard work and determination. After joining Moms on the Run three years ago, she's taken on goals outside her comfort zone — and lost 120 pounds in the process. 

Larissa's story and uplifting demeanor have inspired several to nominate her as inspiring member. Fellow member June shared: "The person who inspires us in St Johns is Larissa. She is one of most focused, determined women I have ever met and does it all with poise and a quiet confidence. Amazing woman." 

Jacksonville Franchise Owner and Coach Amy Magdalein agreed. 

"Larissa is amazing," she remarked. "She is a mother of two and her hubby travels a lot for work so she handles all the kid and house duties and didn't take time for herself for a long time. She started running with MOTR in 2019 then took a break during the pandemic but she rejoined us recently and she is killing it! She was overweight and knew she was unhealthy and wanted to get stronger for her babies. She decided she wanted to lose the weight and set her sights on getting healthy and that's exactly what she did. She is one of the hardest working women in our group. She doesn't complain or stop EVER. She keeps moving and challenging herself to do a little more than she did the class before. She is truly an inspiration to us all!"

Read more of our Q & A with Larissa and learn why she is October's inspiring member.

More than 250 runners joined us for this year's Moms on the Run 5K/10K and Kids Run at beautiful Lake Phalen in St. Paul and online virtually. For our in-person event, the overnight rain moved out and we were greeted with perfect temps for a race! If you ran with us, you can find your race results here. We also have a Google photo album to which you can upload your race photos for us to use and maybe find a photo of you! 

The race featured fun for the whole family. The kids were able to take part in face painting, crazy hair and sign making (yay, moms!), before their own 1/2 mile "Run with an Olympian" and kiddie dash. Our after-party included prizes courtesy of Run n Fun, Rachel Baar with BeautyCounter and Norwex, Author and Coach Gabe Cox, UCAN and new Moms on the Run merchandise. We loved the fun food trucks: Inferno Wood Fire Pizza, Powl (smoothies and acai bowls), and Cookie Dough Bliss.​ And a big thank you to all of our volunteers who helped make the event run smoothly. We're grateful for you!

When Moms on the Run hosted its first destination run in Clearwater, FL, this past January, Jacksonville Moms on the Run member Chan You not only crossed the finish line of her first marathon, but celebrated her 39th birthday.

It was literally an uphill battle — both physically and mentally, Chan recalls, including facing several bridges and getting lost in a neighborhood. She persisted, telling herself not to give up, knowing that her Jacksonville MOTR teammates were waiting for her at the finish line.

​It is that accountability — and her teammates running with her the final three miles — that ultimately propelled her across the finish line. Read more of Chan's story and find out why we chose her as May's inspiring member. 

Woodbury's Mindi Dupont was a true Moms on the Run ambassador: A member for 10 years, she loved to run and she loved her team.

​Mindi's journey the last seven years was not an easy one. In October 2015, Mindi was diagnosed with breast cancer. Exactly one year later, she finished her first marathon – crossing the finish line of the Twin Cities Marathon — cancer free. That same month, we featured her as our Inspiring Member. (Read that article here.)

In Fall 2020, Mindi's breast cancer returned, and on Feb. 25, she crossed life's finish line. Her life is marked by her profound optimism, love of life, God and her family, willingness to bring someone their favorite baked treat, and for being an avid runner and ultimate teammate — making her "MOTR girls" (as she would refer to them) an extension of her family.