If you missed
our 2015 Winter RUNway show check out all the fashions (and personalities) that
rocked our RUNway right here. Thanks to Carly Danek for her incredible
photography! Additionally, we are going to continue collecting new deodorant, underwear & socks (men's & women's, large sizes best) for YouthLink at Mill City Running through Saturday, so there is still time to donate! Now, on to the show ...
Kid Fun - Sylvie & Cora Clark
Our first two
models are the incomparable Sylie & Cora Clark, junior friends of the
store!
Core is 4, loves to eat carrots,
and is in pre-school at Neighborhood Children’s House in North East. Her
favorite animal is the pig because it’s pink, duh! In her free time Cora enjoys singing, playing
pirates, and delighting the customers at Mill City Running, where she purchases
all her favorite t-shirt fashions!
Sylvie, her
big sister, is 7 and in second grade at Yinghua (ing-wah) Academy in Northeast
Mpls. A whiz on the monkey bars, she came in second in her class’s half-mile
popsicle run. Sylvie enjoys drawing, writing stories, and repping her Dad’s
favorite store, Mill City Running! Thank you ladies!
Rainy Day Woman – Gabe Grunewald
When you’re a
professional distance runner, you don’t take the day off because it’s crappy
outside. So it is for our first model Gabe Grunewald, the 2014 Indoor
National Champion in the 3000 meters and a member of Team USA Minnesota. She’s
agreed to slow things down to a walk for us tonight, modeling looks from her sponsor Brooks. When the forecast calls for the dreaded “wintery mix”, Gabe runs
her 800m repeats under the cover of her Brooks Drift Shell constructed
with water- and wind-proof materials to keep her dry, and featuring hidden
waterproof pockets to keep her gadgets dry. Full of reflective strips,
any oncoming cars will be sure to spot Gabe on dark & stormy nights, even
as she zips along faster than the unaided eye can see. While her shell
keeps her warm enough to be worn alone, every woman on the run knows you can’t
go without the most important apparel piece of them all – a sports bra. Gabe
models Moving Comfort’s newest addition, the Uplift Crossback combining
wide, flat shoulder straps with a flattering cut for a comfortable, stable
& cute package. This isn’t your Granny’s sports bra! (Though shout
out to any grannies in the house in sports bras!) Moving along here, Gabe
sports Streaker Capris by Brooks for just the right amount of
warmth for fall, and the Greenlight Headband to protect her
ears from strong gusts of wind on a blustery fall day. Finally, Gabe doesn’t
circle the track in less than a minute lugging around bricks for shoes. Her Pureflows
weigh just 7 ounces and help keep her on her toes – and ahead of the
competition.
Rainy
Day Man - Mark Mallman
Our next
model goes by many monikers. Known to some as Mall Man, Mall-borg, or Mr.
Serious to others, tonight he’s the Marathon Man. This indie superhero is
famous across America as a recording artist and also for his musical marathons,
playing up to 180 hours of music non-stop. His upcoming album is titled
“The End Is Not The End” will be released early in 2016 and you can support it
on kickstarter in the coming weeks. Please
welcome to the stage, Mr. Mark Mallman!
Like any elite performer the Marathon
Man knows there are no days off, that includes when a hard rains gonna
fall. Mallman keeps his guns dry in the Mizuno Breath Thermo Windtop jacket. Boasting a wind and water resistant
Impermalite shell and Breath Thermo interior, this top generates heat when you
sweat and wicks the moisture away to keep you dry. Mark lets it all hang out in
the Fast Track Short, part of
Saucony’s new Life On the Run collection, exclusively found at Mill City
Running. Featuring a wide set leg opening
and constructed of four way stretch warp knit fabric, this short is versatile
enough for everyday runs or to wear on ‘leg days’ at the gym. Keeping his feet dry and adding a sought
after splash of style are his Stance
fusion socks. This wicking sock brings
together style and function in an unlikely place. That hat that Mallman is
doffing to the crowd is the Ciele GoCap. This lightweight, fast drying COOLwick cap
keeps the rain out of your eyes while providing reflective detailing for those
late, post gig runs.
Cool - Heather
Kampf
Please welcome former NCAA National
Champion and current Queen of the road Mile Heather Kampf to the runway! Tonight Heather is featuring exclusive looks
from her sponsor Asics. A native Minnesotan, Heather knows the
value of staying warm when the temp beings to drop. That’s why she relies on the Asics Thermopolis half zip jacket to
keep out the chill. With its soft
brushed fabric and mock neck Heather is protected from the elements. The Thermopolis half zip features a back zip
pocket, thumb holes at the cuffs, and reflective details to keep runners safe
in low light conditions. An elite middle distance runner is
only as good as her legs, and with that in mind Heather keeps hers warm and
loose in the Asics PR tight. This
versatile everyday tight has Heather going the distance with ‘stay put’ grip
tape leg openings and featuring a reflective logo for added visibility. Heather’s shoe of choice for all her
daily mileage is the Asics Gel Cumulus
17. Featuring a seamless upper and
Asics famous Gel cushioning the Cumulus has been a runner favorite for nearly
two decades. What’s that dance party on her shoe you ask? That’s Nathan’s Light
Spur, keeping her visible to cars at all hours no matter how quickly she zips
by. When you move as fast
as Heather things heat up quickly. Asics
Everyday Liner Glove offers just enough warmth to keep her fingers
protected & dry, and feature rubber grips that make logging her mile splits
effortless.
Cool
- John Storkamp
Next to the runway is Trail and
Ultrarunning institution John Stormkamp!
John wears multiple hats, including 3 time champion of the brutal
January sufferfest, Arrowhead 135, and also as race director of the state’s
most iconic trail races, including Superior, Endless Summer and Afton Trail
Runs. Tonight we’re putting John through
a different kind of anguish, having him strike a pose at our 2015 RUNway show!
When not winning 135 mile races in January, John also likes to run in more
moderate temperatures between 32 and 50 degrees. Tonight, he represents our ‘Cool’ look.
As the saying goes, the devil’s in the
details, and John applies this to his accessories of choice. To keep his extremities warm John relies on
the ultrasoft Prana Organic Cotton
Headband in Black and Merino wool Smartwool
liner gloves, which happen to be tech compatible. Because John likes to
race for days – literally – he needs to take his hydration along for the ride.
In winter months Nathan’s Icespeed
Insulated bottle keeps his hands warm but his water cold. Perhaps the most
important extremity of them all, John keeps his toes toasty with SmartWool’s light cushion mid-crew socks.
John sports the Brooks Dash ½ zip
top, with a soft, heathered tech fabric that provides an extra layer of warmth
on a chilly run. The half zip allows for
customizable ventilation as temps change throughout any upcoming 22 hour, 100
mile runs. When you’re the type of runner who finds marathons just 14 miles too
short, you need the targeted muscle support of the CWX pro tight. Offering the
patented support web, these half tights offer not only warmth, but a suspension
system for the hamstrings, reducing workload during runs. Finally, John wears
the Adidas Energy Boost 2 as his
race day shoe. This highly cushioned
trainer performs as well at Afton State Park as it does on the sidewalks of the
North Loop. Be sure to support John’s races, found at Rocksteadyrunning.com.
Cold – Kate Raddatz
We all know Minnesotans
pride themselves on toughing it out in cold weather, and runners are no
exception. But when you’re a TV reporter who needs to get her run started
well before the sun rises, sometimes your safest bet is to hit the gym’s dreadmill.
Such is life for this model & WCCO reporter Kate Raddatz, who sports Oiselle’s
KC Tights, a full-length tight that’s lightweight enough for indoor
workouts. Her Newton Motion shoes have “pop” technology that
encourages a midfoot strike and keeps bulk to a minimum. Their low profile that makes them easy to
pack into her convertible Lole “Lily” tote, which boasts a specific
compartment for your running shoes! What else can you pack into this bag? Your
laptop, yoga mat, lunch, and a puppy named Joanie. When her workout is over
Kate snuggles into this super cozy hooded sweatshirt from Lole and
heads back out into this frigid tundra we call home. Speaking of frigid
tundra, those contraptions on Kate’s feet are NOT Skechers Shape-ups but rather
the new high-cushioned, lightweight boot
from Hoka. The “Tor” is designed for hiking but with its grippy Vibram outsole and
waterproof Gore-Tex upper it’s also perfect for trudging through the slushy
streets of a mid-winter Twin Cities. Completing
Kate’s look are Lole’s Ski Down Mitts, the warmest, softest mittens
you’ll find, and the Burnout Headband by Prana, which holds back her
hair at the gym but can cover her ears when she heads outside to scope out her
next scoop.
Cold – Jose & Johnnie
Please welcome our
next models, Youthlink Street Outreach workers Jose & Johnny. Along
with reaching out to young people on the streets of Minneapolis, Jose is the
coach for a soccer team made up of homeless youth called UP TOP Street Soccer
Minneapolis. Keeping in great shape is crucial to soccer success, so during
winter months Jose wears Saucony’s Nomad Jacket to shield him
from the bitter winds and Mizuno’s Breath Thermo Wind Pant, which not
only protect from the wind but actually heat up along with Jose’s
moves. While Minneapolis is a long way from Jose’s birthplace of
Costa Rica, things can get pretty tropical beneath his jacket with Craft’s
Active Comfort baselayer, which keeps Jose nice & toasty.
Everyone knows soccer players have a flair for the flash, and Jose is no
exception in his Craft Brilliant Hat in green. He
matches it to his Salomon Speedcross trail shoes, whose
soccer-cleat-like lugs are perfect for gripping the icy roads of winter, and
water-resistant upper protects Jose’s feet from the winter elements.
Jose is joined on the
streets – and on tonight’s runway – by Johnnie, a 23-year old peer outreach
worker at Youthlink. Johnnie offers young people on the streets resources AND
advice from someone who has “been there, done that” . But one thing that
Johnnie has NEVER done? Worn tights! So let’s all give it up for how great he
looks! (woohoo!) Those tights Johnnie is sporting are Asics Light Show
tights, which will help keep Johnnie not only warm but highly visible when
he’s running around at nighttime. On top Johnnie wears the Pearl Izumi
Fly Softshell Hoodie, a lightweight but extremely warm run jacket with
built-in convertible mitts perfect for those in-between temps. When the
weather calls for something more drastic, Johnnie can snuggle into Smartwool’s
neck gaiter which, when paired with
its matching wool headband, transforms into a full-on balaclava, protecting
his nose from frostbite & warming his breath for easier breathing.
Because the young kids like to move fast, Johnnie models the
just-released New Balance 860v6, a highly-stable ride that is both
lighter & more cushioned than its previous versions. Let’s make some
noise for our men in tights!
Minnesota Cold - Jana
Shortal
Our next
model is known as one of the most versatile television personalities in the
Twin Cities, what you might not know is she was once a collegiate distance
runner for the University of Missouri Tigers. Please welcome to the stage, Ms.
Jana Shortal! This Missouri native now calls Minneapolis home and she’s here to
show you how to dress for “Minnesota cold”.Jana stands out in the urban jungle
with the Nike Lotus Epic Run Tight. The all over animal print provides a bold
look while the soft brushed dri-fit fabric wicks away moisture and keeps out
the chill. Three pockets provide ample
storage and subtle reflective hits keep you visible in low light. But why stop with just one animal print when
you can have two? Never one to back down from a fashion challenge, Jana rocks
this look down to her toes with Nike’s newest print on the classic cushioned Air Pegasus. Jana plays the role of
officiant in the marriage of style and function shown in the New Balance Heat Hybrid quilted jacket. This lightweight jacket combines New Balance
HEAT Technology with Polartec insulation to capture warmth and wick
moisture. Sleek quilting and stylish
seams offer a figure flattering silhouette.
Keeping Jana looking hot when temperature is cold. Whether out on a sub-zero run or out on assignment this reporter
keeps her digits warm in the Saucony Run
Mitt, a wind and water resistant mitten that’ll keep your hands toasty on
the coldest of Minnesota mornings. Don’t
look past those soft fleece nose wipes! Frosty weather is no sweat for Jana
with the Saucony Drylete neck gaiter,
featuring a vented panel for ultimate breathability. Her look is topped off
with the ultra-techy Hi-Fi Smartwool
headband, keeping her dry & visible even in blizzardy conditions.
Jacob
Frey
Let’s welcome to the catwalk a man
who’s represented the US at the Pan Am games and now represents the City of
Minneapolis’ 3rd ward, your City Councilman: Jacob Frey! The unrepentant cold of his adopted home
state of Minnesota doesn’t keep this Virginian hiding in the skyways in
January. Jacob has a plan to defeat the
incumbent ‘old man winter’, and he hopes he can count on your support. As any
elected official knows, it’s all about covering your ass. Jacob keeps his bottom toasty with the Saucony Nomad pant in true black. The wind and water repellent FlexShell
coating keeps the nasty weather at bay.
A soft, ultra-breathable fleece liner wicks moisture and is soft to the
touch. Reflectivity on the front and
back keeps Jacob visible in the bustling streets of Minneapolis. A native of
the east coast, Jacob knows nothing says ‘hey buddy outta my way!’ more than a
vibrantly colored jacket. The New Balance Heat Hybrid jacket in Gold
Rush keeps Jacob visible with a quilted ripstop nylon shell with a subtle
reflective detailing. Minnesota cold
stands no chance as Polartec Alpha insulation puts an immediate end to any cold
streak. Jacob keeps the chill off his neck with the versatile Craft multi-function neckwarmer. With the ability to transition from a
turtleneck, to a neck gaiter, to a full on balaclava, this is a tool that no
Minnesota runner should be without. When one’s job duties include shaking hands
and kissing babies, you need to keep your hands warm and protected. The councilman keeps his toasty with the Craft Keep Warm glove. Hi-Viz detailing and a terrycloth nose wipe
on the thumb are two ‘must haves’ in the midst of any cold weather run. The
final ingredient in Jacob’s five-point plan to taking back winter are his Gore-Tex Brooks Ghosts. This popular neutral-cushioned shoe gets the
winter treatment by wrapping itself with a high-performance gore-tex membrane.
The same great shoe but with a waterproof, breathable upper gets Jacob’s vote
this winter.
Brent Nelson & Mari Steinbach – Athleisure
Last but not least we present our final
models, celebrities in the world of the Mill City Race Team and our resident
sweethearts, Brent Nelson & Mari Steinbach. While these two can be
spotted repping their Mill City Singlets at just about every road race in town,
today they’re testing out their gear to cheer! Both Mari & Brent are
rocking the comfiest pants known to man which are so new we don’t even
have them in stock yet! From Saucony’s exclusive Life on the Run series,
the Speed Demon Jogger Pants may be technical enough to run
in, but we’ll be honest – slip into these babies and all you’ll want to do is
relax on the sidelines.
Because the sideline is not a place Brent is
content to be he tops his look with the New Balance Heat Hybrid
Jacket in black, a sleek & sexy piece that grabs attention both on a
run and on the runway. Brent layers the jacket over the Nike
Element hooded long sleeve, made with the softest of fabric for extra
warmth on those days when you just don’t want to sacrifice style for substance.
Even in wintertime bright sun rays can be blinding. Brent wears Tifosi sunglasses with mirrored lenses
that repel water & sweat to ensure he'll spot his sweetie on the race
course. And on days when his primary activity is supporting his runner Brent
kicks around in a pair of Saucony Originals. The Grid 9000 offers
a throwback to 1990s style but with the cushioning you need when you’re, er,
not a teenager anymore. Thank you Brent!
Now let’s head back to Mari, whose
long-sleeved Fitsana top by Asics has a cut that’s flattering
enough for casual wear, but whose breathable mesh panels cool her down when
this cheer squad starts to heat things up. For standing on the sidelines
of mid-winter races, Nike’s superlight Polyfill vest keeps
Mari’s core toasty warm while allowing her arms the freedom to set a High-5
PR. Need a mid-race gel handoff? No problem! Mari’s warmed one up
for you in her Flip Belt, so light and flat you don’t even
notice you’re wearing it, but with enough space to store your phone, keys, and
cash so you can keep both hands free for fist pumps. As she races around
dishing out high-5s and Mill City love Mari fears no patch of ice nor hairpin
turn thanks to her Pearl Izumi M3 Trail
shoes, a favorite winter running shoe thanks to characteristics that are a
lot like Mari herself - soft in the sole but aggressive where it counts! Finally, Mary never misses an opportunity to
rep her team no matter the temperature, and this Mill City pom hat makes that easy!
Now at the end of the day, you can have the
hat, you can have the fist bumps, but the real key to being a successful
cheerleader is having someone special to root for – and a
killer sign. So you two - let’s check out that sign:
Looks like a
successful sign – and another successful RUNway show! Thanks to Fulton Brewery
for hosting this event, to our community partner YouthLink, to all of tonight’s
volunteers – especially model coordinator Jered Tucker - and all our models for
your help in making this happen. See you all in the spring!
-Mishka & Jeff
