RWM members remember your discount when you register! You can find your RWM coupon code when you log into your RWM account under "Discounts and Freebies" in the Membership section of runwildmissoula.org. Get signed up - July will here before you know it and it's great motivation to keep running during the winter months! 

Register by January 31 before the fee increases. Click here to register. Also, for your family and friends, now is a great time to get hotel rooms and flights booked. Extra flights are available into Missoula in the summer but don't chance missing out. Check out options at www.missoulamarathon.org 

The Run Wild Missoula mission promotes and supports runners and walkers of all ages and abilities.  We at the BOP are grateful to belong to a club with open, pace-neutral arms.  We are also pleased that RWM is continually working to make its events more welcoming to slower runners and walkers. The club is sincere in moving its mission beyond lip service into reality. In pursuit of that goal, we recently decided to experiment with the role of BOP Buddy to support RWM Race Directors with developing and staffing BOP-friendly practices. Read more here about BOP Buddies and how you can help out!

We are just days away from RWM's 1st race of the year! What better way to work off that Valentine's dinner than a 5K! Avoid the price increase and sign up early.  Online registration closes at noon on February 14th. There will be prizes galore including the famous post-race drawing where you must be present to win. Read more about this fun race here.  

Nathan Howard (photo courtesy of Eileen Robbins)

It's generally accepted that some of the best stories from any marathon can be found as those in the back of the pack cross the finish line. There you find people who've battled illness, injuries, weight, and every personal demon you can imagine. Their successful finishes are rightfully celebrated. Run Wild Missoula thinks something else should be celebrated, too: The gutsiness it took those people to start - to take that first step, as slow-running advocate John "The Penguin" Bingham notes in his book, "The Courage to Start." Each month, Run Wild members nominate runners they find particularly inspirational when it comes to that sort of courage. Nominees are interviewed about why they started - and why they keep running. We think you'll find their answers as uplifting as we do. This month's nominee is Nathan Howard, 46, of Missoula. Click here to read about Nathan and his accomplishments due to his courage to start.