Runner Spotlight - September 2023

Matt Bundt

​Meet Matt Bundt! Matt was born in Pontiac Michigan, but grew up in Toronto, Canada. He and his dad moved to Norton Shores when he was around 9. In Canada he learned to play hockey and played for about 10 years until he was in High School. Matt attended Mona Shores High School and graduated in 2006. He then attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio, as his mom was a professor there. After college he started working for a local company called The Andersons, and has been working there for 10 years, most recently as an IT Operations Manager. He and his family moved back to Spring Lake, MI during the later COVID Years and they have loved every minute of it. Other hobbies outside of running include Golfing and Backpacking. Short term goal is to thru-hike the John Muir trail in California.

As a part of our Runner Spotlight, we also asked Matt to answer a few fun questions:

1. How long have you been running?
I ran track and Cross Country in middle school, but I only started distance running about 3 years ago.

2. Do you race? If so, what is your most memorable race experience?
I've only recently started racing. Bayshore this year was my first and only race I've done. So pretty easy to say that this one was the most memorable for me.

3. Ever run in a costume? If so, what?
No but I'll have to come up with something.....more to come on that one!

4. Only running shoes for me are…
Saucony. I used to hike and run Salomons, and they've always given me issues. The shoes I currently own (which are in horrible shape) are my first pair of Saucony shoes and I love them.

5. What is your worst running-related injury?
Knock on wood I've never had a running related injury YET, but I've had tendonitis while backpacking as well as rolling my ankle numerous times.

6. Hot or cold weather runner?
Easy, Cold running all the way.

7. What is your motivation for running?
I love the mental battle with yourself and seeing how far you can push yourself. I almost exclusively run alone so it's always a battle against myself to see how far or fast I can go, and I love seeing how far I can push myself. I also think it's incredible hearing about what other people can do when it comes to running, ultra marathons like Barkley Marathons, Badlands 135, etc.

8. If I didn't run I....
Would probably golf more.

9. I can't run without…
Knowing my time/pace.
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10. What's the farthest you have run at one time?
I've run 18 miles a few times the past few months. I'm currently training for the Detroit Marathon, so hopefully more miles to come!

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