Austin-Jarrow shoe store in Duluth is celebrating its 24th birthday on February 29th (this Friday). Stop by and enjoy free cookies and coffee all day. You will also receive 29% off all apparel items should you want to stock up for the upcoming running season.

Austin-Jarrow Info:

917 W Central Entrance

Duluth, MN 55811

218-722-1185

The Eel Pout Peel Out took place yesterday in Walker, MN. The 5k race was part of Walker's 27th Annual Eel Pout Festival. The race started at Walker High School, passed through downtown Walker, ran along the shores of Leech Lake, and finished back at the high school. It was a cloudy day with temperatures in the mid-20s. The festival included many other events, including a polar plunge, a rugby tournament, car races on ice, a karaoke contest, and ice fishing olympics.

Jenna Dean, of Bemidji, won the women's race. Jenna is a junior at Bemidji High School where she runs track and cross-country. Jenna starting running as conditioning for soccer when she was eleven or twelve. She runs year-round and hopes to eventually qualify for the state track meet in the 1600m or 3200m. Unless she finds another 5k in the next couple weeks, this was Jenna's last road race before the 2008 track season.

Ryan Evans, of Lino Lakes, took second place in the men's race. Ryan is a junior at Centennial High School. He also is looking forward to the 2008 track season and would like to someday earn all-state honors. Ryan runs numerous races throughout the year, but his favorite is the Golden Lake Gallop, his hometown race. If Ryan does the Peel Out next year, he will strongly consider bringing a pair of Yaktrax for some extra traction.

Husband and wife Eric and Kerri Nelson, of Bemidji, enjoyed participating in the Peel Out. The couple did not train specifically for the race and just ran it for fun. Eric has a radio show on Q107 and 104.9, and Kerri works at a veterinary hospital in Bemidji. The Nelsons enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities and are planning a Boundary Waters camping trip later this year.

Jason Howard made the trip from Duluth to participate in his first Peel Out. Like many other runners, Jason did not have any time goals for the race due to the snow and slush on the course. Jason also battled a slight headwind the first half of the race but was overall satisfied with his time. Describing Jason as an avid runner would be an understatement. On March 15th, he is planning on doing both the Steve Chadwick 5k and the Duluth Clinic Indoor Triathlon. Also, he will be competing in a marathon every other week in May and June, including the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego and the Cleveland Marathon. Jason enjoyed the feedback he got from spectators during the race. One group of people cheered for him and someone in a car called him a loser, so he feels like it averaged out in the end.

A press release from Medtronic, Inc.:

MEDTRONIC SEEKING LONG-DISTANCE RUNNERS WHO BENEFIT FROM MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

“Global Heroes” Will Receive Entry and Travel to The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or Medtronic TC 10 Mile in October

MINNEAPOLIS – Feb. 5, 2008 – Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) announced today it has initiated its recruitment of runners from around the world who benefit from medical technology to participate in the third annual Medtronic Global Heroes program. Up to 25 runners will be selected to receive a paid entry for themselves and a guest to the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or the Medtronic TC 10 Mile. Each Global Hero also will receive a travel package that covers airfare, lodging and meal expenses. The 27th Annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon weekend will take place Oct. 3-5, 2008. The deadline for applications is April 2, 2008.

In addition to providing race entries and travel expenses, the Medtronic Foundation will donate $1,000 to a select non-profit patient organization that educates and supports people who live with the Global Hero’s medical condition.

To qualify as a Global Hero, runners must currently be using a medical device therapy to treat the following disease categories: heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain, spinal disorders, or neurological, gastroenterology and urological disorders. Eligible medical devices include any pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), any spinal device, any neurological device, any insulin pump, or any heart valve. All runners with eligible medical devices are welcome to apply with no restriction on manufacturer.

To apply or nominate someone to be a 2008 Medtronic Global Hero, visit medtronic.com/globalheroes or email mtcm.globalheroes@medtronic.com. The deadline for accepting all applications is April 2, 2008. Runners will be chosen by a committee Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. Certain conditions may apply and applicants must certify that they have discussed race participation with their physician. Runners accompanying a Global Hero as a guest are responsible for their own travel expenses to the Twin Cities.

Medtronic Global Heroes was established in 2006 to recognize runners living with a chronic health condition whose lives have been improved by medical technology. “In 2007, 22 Global Heroes from around the world joined us for race weekend,” said Dr. Steve Oesterle, senior vice president of medicine and technology at Medtronic, and marathon veteran. “The program recognizes the personal accomplishments of these runners, while inspiring others to learn more about living with and managing these chronic health conditions.”

About Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon
Known as the Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America™, the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon is a three-day weekend celebration of fitness that includes the Medtronic TC Family Events and TC 5K, the Medtronic TC 10 Mile, and the marathon. Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. is the non-profit organization that directs race weekend as a community service for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Visit www.mtcmarathon.org for more information.

About Medtronic
Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology – alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world.

Pictures from the first annual Frozen 5k Run in Duluth on February 2nd.