Run Muskegon - Board of Directors

Meaghan Finnegan - Treasurer

Hi! I'm Meaghan Finnegan. Originally from Massachusetts, I moved to Muskegon a few years ago, where I knew only my husband. I immediately started showing up at Run Muskegon's Wednesday night runs to explore my adopted hometown and to exercise, but most importantly to meet people, and I'm so glad I did! I started running leisurely in college and got into long distance running in a pretty unusual way. After studying in Ireland for a semester in college, I was desperate to return for a visit. But as a young person living in New York City, I had no money to travel. I got creative and made a deal with my Dad - he agreed to fund a family trip to Ireland if I agreed to run (and train for) the Dublin marathon. It was my first race longer than a 10K and my love for running grew immediately after crossing the finish line. Since then, I've run 7 more marathons and countless other races spanning a variety of distances. Although my training has taken a backseat lately (for the best reason - I now have an 18-month old daughter, Maeve), I know that running will always be a part of my life in some form or another. Lastly, what I love most about running is the running community, and I look forward to running with you on Wednesday nights!

Sidney Long - Member at Large

A week before I started the 5th grade my mom informed me that I would be joining the cross-country team. She dropped me off at practice and I never looked back. After years of 2-mile and 3-mile races I graduated high school and ran my first half marathon at the end of my freshman year at the University of Illinois. I kept running, mostly on my own, but was excited to find a group to run with again when I moved to Muskegon. Since joining Run Muskegon my training has become more serious and I’ve now done a few marathons and an Ironman. I love that there is space for everyone at Run Muskegon and I always look forward to Wednesday night runs!

Jack Mueller - President

After years of coaching and officiating soccer, and our boys growing up and moving on, my story of running began with a challenge from my wife Becki to run the Seaway 5K. Time, longer distances, and additional disciplines later, we now both enjoy multisport training and competition. My route to Run Muskegon was similar. It took a big nudge from Becki to get me to attend the group runs. What I didn’t expect was the knowledge and networking that I found talking to experienced runners that I met during the Wednesday night post-run social hour. I hung around long enough that I was asked to volunteer for the board and then was appointed to the Treasurers position, where I served for the previous 4 years. It’s a privilege to represent and lead the Run Muskegon board and club as the president. I rely on our membership with the Road Runners Club of America, who provides the club with a wide variety of services from insurance to education for clubs, directors and boards, along with programs such as coaching and race director certifications to give direction to our club.

Amanda Wendell - Secretary

Hi, I’m Amanda! Growing up, I HATED running! But in 2007, I was asked to coach for Girls on the Run and realized that I actually enjoyed it! In 2011, after running on and off for the past 4 years, I was diagnosed with a handful of autoimmune diseases that caused extreme fatigue and pain. Needless to say, I quit running. A couple of years later, a friend talked me into doing some run/walks with her. She was a regular at Run Muskegon and talked me into going. It took a few weeks to work up the courage, and, man, am I glad I did! I was greeted and welcomed into the family immediately. I found people to run with, give me advice, and offer support. I also got talked into signing up for my first half marathon after a Wednesday night run. I am excited to be one of the people now that can give that back (and hopefully talk other people into stepping outside their comfort zones!). I’ve run all distances from 5k up to a road marathon and a trail marathon. I’m a middle of the pack runner. Definitely not a “rabbit” but can sometimes place if the race is small. I’m happy to run any distance and any pace and I look forward to running with you!

Alana Brower - Vice President

I'm Alana! I started Run Muskegon back in 2011 when I moved to Muskegon and was looking for a run club. Muskegon didn't have one....so I made it! I am a certified running coach and LOVE meeting and helping newbies fall in love with the sport. I've raced all distances, but my favorite distance is a 10-mile run that takes me from downtown Muskegon to the Pere Marquette beach and back. When not running, you can find me running around at work (Pigeon Hill Brewing), walking my dogs or out supporting local businesses and events.

Tim Lopez - Member at Large

BIO COMING

Cathy Cantu - Member at Large

I did not begin running until my late 20’s after years of negative self-talk around my lack of athletic abilities. I began with running to a driveway, walking to a driveway, and back and forth until I was finally able to run my first 5K without walking when I was 27; a year later I ran my first half marathon! After a few long breaks to have my babies, I was back in the saddle (or running shoes). In 2017 a friend finally convinced me to run my first Ragnar Michigan, which is how I found Run Muskegon. It took a bit to start making Wednesday night runs a regular occurrence when I didn’t have a buddy since I have a bit of social anxiety, but I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and am so glad I did! With the camaraderie, encouragement, love, and support of my Run MKG family, I have gone from run a driveway-walk a driveway, to countless races, including two marathons and counting. It has also become a safe space and community for my kids and me to embrace our new normal when I became a single mama and still wanted to run with the club even on my nights with kids. I am excited to give back to the club that kind of held me together!