The 2010 MDRA Lake Johanna 4 Mile

  A pack of runners headed to the finish.  Photo: Steve Stenzel.

Saturday, March 20th was the 50th annual Minnesota Distance Running Association's (MDRA) Lake Johanna 4 Mile Race.  It was a sunny, brisk, 40 degree morning - a GREAT day for a run!  Check out the slideshow of images at the bottom.

According to the blog Run Minnesota, in 1971 all of the racers (except for the lead runner) got stuck at a railroad crossing - that was one of the reasons the race was moved to it's current location at Lake Johanna the next year.  And in 1972, the men ran the 4 mile race, but the women only ran a 1 mile race.

This year, 140 runners showed up to do a lap around Lake Johanna.

The Top Male Finishers in 2010:

Digger Carlson, 48, 21:54
Chris Denucci, 30, 22:01
Brian Davenport, 35, 22:02
Rob Economy, 46, 22:28
Andrew Carlson, 19, 22:41

The Top Female Finishers 2010:

Kelly Ramacier, 48, 26:00
Kari Brown, 32, 26:26
Johanna Kertesz, 29, 27:30
Kathleen Miller, 50, 27:37
Lisa Valdez, 37, 28:41

(Click here to read my full race report of the Lake Johanna 4 Miler on my blog.)

The Lake Johanna 4 Mile is the first of 3 free races for MDRA members.  

According to the MDRA's website, "The mission of MDRA is 'To promote participation and safety in running and to serve as an information resource.' One of the most visible ways MDRA carries out this mission is by providing a variety of training programs led by certified and experienced coaches."

A family membership to the MDRA (which is good for the entire household) is only $40, and that gets you the Running Minnesota Annual (a training log and MN race schedule), free entry into 3 MDRA races, free admission to the annual part in January, and 10-20% discounts at local running stores.  In addition, those funds help keep winter "Dome Running" open, which is a great resource to year-round runners!