Meet the Team - The Runners Edge

Meet the Runner’s Edge Team

Meg Brooker

Hometown:
Mullica Hill, NJ

Years running/walking:
Since 1998

Words of advice to a new runner/walker:
Have fun!

Favorite local route:
The backside of Waterworks!

Best running/walking memory:
We run the 11 Miles to Paradise course each year over Easter. On Easter of 2013, I had the chance to run with some of my best friends and eat dinner with my parents, who traveled in from NJ. It was 2 days before I had a malignant tumor removed in my brain and I felt so blessed to be with people I loved.

Favorite post-run brunch spot or meal:
After a long run, you can’t go wrong with a glass of Kirkland orange juice & avocado toast.

Erin Forde

Hometown:
Fargo, ND

Years running/walking:
Since 7th grade so I think that was 2006.

Words of advice to a new runner/walker:
Just keep putting one foot in front of the other!

Favorite local route:
Running the half marathon route from my house.

Best running/walking memory:
While coaching at Hellgate, I’ve got to see so many young runners crush their goals and run for something bigger than themselves. It’s pretty special!

Favorite post-run brunch spot or meal:
Anywhere with a damn fine cup of coffee

Sarah Knutson

Hometown:
Union, Illinois

Years running/walking:
I’ve been running since I was on a club team called Road Runners in the third grade.

Words of advice to a new runner/walker:
Run because you love to run.

Favorite local route:
There are so many trails I like to run in Missoula! I think MO-Z, Barmeyer & Sousa have been my recent favorites.

Best running/walking memory:
Running with my dad.

Favorite post-run brunch spot or meal:
Yogurt, Cereal & Peanut Butter

Adam Peterman

Hometown:
Missoula, MT

Years running/walking:
13 years

Words of advice to a new runner/walker:
Start out slow and commit to being active every day!

Favorite local route:
Anything up on Sentinel and University Mountain. There are a ton of different trails and loops that you can do and you hardly ever see anyone.

Best running/walking memory:
Winning the State 3200m title in high school is probably my best memory from running. It was my final race as a high schooler and it had been something that I’d been working towards for 4 years. My friends and family were all there after the race, and I just remember we were all so excited.

Favorite post-run brunch spot or meal:
I love breakfast burritos. Usually homemade, but the Catalyst has the best in town. And they are massive!

Scott Lindley Davis

Hometown:
Spokane, WA

Years running/walking:
Probably a little over 20. My elementary school had youth cross country, so I started young.

Words of advice to a new runner/walker:
Whatever pace you start running at, go slower. You can always go faster if you feel good, but 9 times out of 10 when you first start getting into running, you’ll go out way too fast.

Favorite local route:
On the roads – I have a loop from my house that goes from the bitterroot trail down to Kim Williams trail along the river around the University and back. I have some variations on that route when I want to go different distances. On the trails – probably running up/around Sentinel. So many cool ways to the summit!

Best running/walking memory:
Any PR is a good feeling, so it would be easy to just pick one of those highlights. So instead I’ll give you a great memory that is not a highlight. The Rut 28k in 2019 was maybe the hardest thing I’ve ever done. The climb up Lone Peak made me question whether I ever wanted to run again, and I got blisters on my feet so bad I lost like half the skin on each of my heels. But the next day, walking on my toes to avoid anything touching my heels and watching the 50k finishers, it was easy to forget how miserable I’d been… And I guess that’s what trail / ultramarathon running is because I’m doing the 50k this year!

Favorite post-run brunch spot or meal:
I love making breakfast burritos. Spicy. Breakfast. Burritos.

Kristie Ruttenbur

Hometown:
Deer Lodge, MT

Years running/walking:
11 years.

Words of advice to a new runner/walker:
Stick with it, it gets better.

Favorite local route:
North Ridge up Sentinel (lots of bang for the buck).

Best running/walking memory:
2010 Missoula Marathon. A longer story involving a deployment, a dog and a budding friendship with other women.

Favorite post-run brunch spot or meal:
Catalyst.

Jeff Mogavero

Hometown:
Havertown, PA

Years running/walking:
Since 2005

Words of advice to a new runner/walker:
Stick with it, running will get way for more fun than you ever imagined possible!

Favorite local route:
The Pengelly Double Dip course is a blast! But in the springtime, nothing beats the trails and flowers on the Jumbo Saddle.

Best running/walking memory:
Finishing my first 100-miler was perhaps the best feeling in the world. I’ve never appreciated what my body could do more!

Favorite post-run brunch spot or meal:
I love a big ol’ egg scramble filled with veggies and cheese. For a really long run, all of that on top of pancakes 🙂

Asia Riel

Hometown:
Waupun, WI

Years running/walking:
Seven years.

Words of advice to a new runner/walker:
Just get out the door! To the running extent, Tuesday track or even to the store! Its intimidating at first but the entire community is so friendly and encouraging!

Favorite local route:
Sound of Music with friends or Deer Creek Sneak so I can bring my dog.

Best running/walking memory:
Any time I was finishing the Missoula Full or Half Marathon on the Higgins Bridge. The energy and happiness is indescribable!

Favorite post-run brunch spot or meal:
Burn St. Bistro has all of my post-run happiness.

Sam Van de Velde

Hometown:
Dana point, California

Years running/walking:
17 years

Words of advice to a new runner/walker:
Practice positive self talk often. It helps in life too!

Favorite local route:
Smokejumper trail and all things Jumbo .

Best running/walking memory:
Receiving my first NCAA All-American honors after a season riddled with hiccups and hurdles. There really is no other feeling like experiencing work ethic meeting accomplishment.

Favorite post-run brunch spot or meal:
Breakfast tacos!

Mike Foote

Hometown:
Jefferson, OH/Missoula, MT

Years running/walking:
37 years.

Words of advice to a new runner/walker:
Enjoy the process. There is no finish line.

Favorite local route:
Sheep Mountain Trail.

Best running/walking memory:
Long runs in Glacier National Park.

Favorite post-run brunch spot or meal:
My kitchen with a smoothie and waffles.

Michael Jahnke

Hometown:
Springfield, Missouri

Years running/walking:
11 years.

Words of advice to a new runner/walker:
Keep moving forward.

Favorite local route:
Farting around on Waterworks/North Hills.

Best running/walking memory:
A solid tie between running the Bass Pro Half Marathon with my mom and getting her to PR and running the 40th anniversary Stockholm Marathon on a trip to Sweden.

Favorite post-run brunch spot or meal:
Burns St Bistro all day.

Tim Brooker

Hometown:
Duluth, MN

Years running/walking:
68 years.

Words of advice to a new runner/walker:
Don’t ever stop moving.

Favorite local route:
The North Hills.

Best running/walking memory:
Having my mother standing in the rain watching my track meet.

Favorite post-run brunch spot or meal:
Chocolate, banana, and peanut butter milkshake.