Meg Brooker

Years Running: 1998 – now

Hometown: Mullica Hill, NJ

Running History: Raced competitively in high school & college to now post-collegiately. I’ve raced everything from the mile to the marathon but cross country is my first love.

How many miles to run/walk in an ideal week: 50-70

Favorite Run: I love the”11 Miles to Paradise” trail race. It was one of my first trail runs in Montana after moving here in 2006. I’ve used it as a long run before my first marathon (running out and back), we run it every year for Easter, and my brother from Washington, DC came out and ran it with me

Favorite local route: North Hills trails

Best running memory: Running with my husband, Anders

Favorite shoe: It changes all of the time. Right now, I’m loving the Brooks Revel

Favorite piece of apparel: A lightweight Nike jacket I bought in 2012. It’s great for most seasons and super versatile.

Trail or road: Love both but run on the road more.

Running accessory you can’t live without: The Nathan Hipster. You can fit just about anything in this belt when you run. The best part? You can’t even tell it’s there when it is on.

Special talent: I’m great at eating anything peanut butter chocolate

Favorite Quote: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13

Tim Brooker

Years Running: Most my life. Had a curfew when I was young – the faster I ran the longer I could stay out.

Hometown: Duluth, MN.  Last 40 years in Sanders County, Montana

Best running memory: The first time my son beat me (Anders) – Buttercup Run in Arlee 1994. I did get my revenge 20 years later – New York Marathon!!!

Trail or road: Running is a great way to explore new country – especially the mountains.

Running Accessory you can’t live without: A running hat.

Special talent: Getting lost.

Favorite Quote: “I’d rather be in the middle of nowhere than any city on earth” – Steve McQueen

Vicky Mix

Years running: 10

Hometown:  Litchfield, MN/Missoula, MT

Running History:  I ran track in high school and took a long break and came back to get healthy, meet people and get a new job.

How many miles to run/walk in an ideal week: Anywhere from 20-40, but it depends on life and what it has to offer each week.

Favorite race: Tough question, I have been lucky enough to do some amazing races in amazing places, but the Missoula Marathon (1/2 and full) are my favorite because I get to run with family, friends and it is beautiful!  Eleven Miles to Paradise also has a soft spot in my heart!

Favorite local route:  I can’t say I have a favorite, I am an equal opportunity runner. If there is a friend, my dog or a view, I love it.

Best running memory: This is a tough one…Boston, Dublin, Moab, Grand Canyon, watching my mom finish a half marathon after lung cancer, running Missoula Half with my daughter, all of the old and new friends met while running. The list could go on forever.

Favorite shoe all time: Pearl Izumi Trail N2 (currently) and I still have my very first “real running shoe”, the Brooks Adrenaline.

Favorite current piece of apparel:  Nike Lux crops and tights. Extra spandex does wonders for me!

Trail or road: Trail. Its always an adventure!

Running Accessory you can’t live without: Colleen Smith, my sunglasses with built in cheaters so I can see my Garmin and my hands free dog leash.

Special talent:  Nothing special here, but I do give most things a good try.

Favorite Quote:  “You have to be a runner. You don’t have to be good at it or love it, but you do have to do it.”  – Anders Brooker

Forrest Boughner

Years running: 17

Hometown: Flagstaff, AZ

Running History: My mom made me go to the first few days of cross country practice in high school so I could “get in shape for basketball.” Really, I think she wanted me to have more friends. I got in shape, and more friends, and have been running since then.

How many miles to run/walk in an ideal week: 30-70

Favorite race: Mount Taylor Winter Quadrathlon (bike-run-ski-snowshoe-ski-run-bike), Grants, NM

Favorite local route: Stuart Peak Trail to Mosquito Peak

Best running memory: My first 17 mile long run was outside Sheffield, England. I ran out of the city towards an old Roman fort as storms blew in over the Peak District. It felt like I was running into a stereotypical Medieval movie and I didn’t want to turn back.

Favorite shoe all time: Adidas Adios racing flat from the early 2000’s.

Favorite current piece of apparel: The North Face Flight Pack 3/4 Tights

Trail or road: Mountain where the trail ends.

Running Accessory you can’t live without: Garmin

Special talent: I can reach the high up shoes in the shoe room.

Favorite Quote: “Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.” -Groucho Marx

Erin Forde

Years Running: 12 years and counting

Hometown: Fargo, North Dakota

Running History: One day I decided to join cross country in 8th grade. I hated it because it felt so hard, but once my coach asked if I would be coming back the next year, I couldn’t say no… I continued running high school and then in college and will hopefully run the rest of my life!

How many miles to run/walk in an ideal week: 60-70

Favorite Race: How do you pick just one?! From high school to now, every race I’ve got to compete in with my family of teammates.

Favorite local route: Running to and through the Rattlesnake from my house
Best running memory: When my husband, Eric, and I ran our first half marathon
together (Missoula Half Marathon)

Favorite shoe all time: Right now, the New Balance 1080! But I can always count on the Nike Pegasus

Favorite piece of apparel: Whatever Vicky tells me I should buy because she
knows it best!!

Trail or road: Road Trails are fun too

Running accessory you can’t live without: My Garmin watch!

Special talent: I can touch my tongue to my nose

Favorite Quote: “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” – Robert H. Schuller

Patrick Murphy

Years running: 20

Hometown: Kalispell, MT

Running History: I realized my enjoyment of running in middle school, competed in high school, and have been a lifelong runner ever since. Today, I enjoy the

How many miles to run/walk in an ideal week: 50-60 miles

Favorite race: Anything high, long and scenic.  Standhope, Bridger Ridge Run, The Rut 50K

Favorite local route: Pengelly Ridge – accessible year-round, and right out the door-step. Perfect way to get that quick adventure for the day in, without much time commitment.

Best running memory: Doing the ‘Midnight Run’ on Glacier Park’s Going to the Sun Road with buddies.

Favorite shoe all time: Brooks Launch for road, Saucony Peregrine for trail

Favorite current piece of apparel: Brooks Sherpa 2 in ones

Trail or road: Trail

Running Accessory you can’t live without: Nathan pack-2.0 liter

Special talent: ?

Favorite Quote: “Get out there and do what you love!” -Kara Goucher

Jeff Dohn

Years running: 35+

Hometown: LaMoure, North Dakota

Running History: High School Track sprinter, running since college to keep healthy both physically and mentally, High School Track Coach for 30 years.

How many miles to run/walk in an ideal week: 15 – 25 miles.

Favorite race: The Rut:  I have not done this (yet) but am in awe of those that have.

Favorite local route: Mount Sentinel Fire Road.

Best running memory: Finishing the Missoula Marathon.

Favorite shoe all time: Hoka Conquest

Favorite current piece of apparel: Merino wool Feetures running socks.

Trail or road: I love them both!

Running Accessory you can’t live without: My Garmin.

Special talent: I can bake caramel rolls from scratch….best ever.

Favorite Quote: “That’s badass!”  -Anders Brooker

Anything special you would like to add: It is a pleasure to work at the Runner’s Edge. It is rewarding to see the smiles on customers’ faces when those new shoes feel just right.

Anders Brooker

Years Running:  As long as I can remember

Hometown: Plains, MT

Miles run per week: 0-50

Favorite race: I can’t choose between Bloomsday, the John Colter Run, and Evaro Mountain Challenge. These events were an annual tradition for my dad and me growing up.

Favorite local route: Spring Gulch in the Rattlesnake

Running memory: The 3200m race at the Montana State Track Meet in 2013. I was lucky enough to coach 5 athletes that made State Track in the 3200m that spring. They all had a great day including Paige Gilchrist who won the girls race and Adam Peterman who the boys race. Adam also set an All Class State Record. We had a fun night celebrating with my wife, Meg, coaches, and friends!

Favorite Shoe of All time: This is an easy one. The Brooks Launch.

Current favorite apparel piece: SAXX underwear

Trail or road: Cross Country

Favorite accessory: The Garmin Fenix lets me know how slow I am running

Talent: Laser tag

Quote:  “Go fast and take chances”