Become a Run Mentor

Run Mentors are runners of all abilities, speeds, and motivations with one thing in common - the desire to spread the transformative power of running. Run Mentors have the opportunity to motivate and support new runners by committing to showing up to their team. one day of the week for the duration of one four-month cycle.

If you’re interested in becoming a Run Mentor, please view the full position description here and read more about our current team sites below.

Mile in My Shoes is committed to actively seeking mentors from key communities underrepresented in traditional running spaces. These include, but are not limited to BIPOC, body types that are not included in conventional images of “runners”, LGBTQIA+, and people with personal and/or professional experiences in the facilities with which we run. For that reason, we prioritize Run Mentors who reflect these diverse backgrounds.

We'll begin accepting applications for the season January 15, with priority deadline of February 10th. We will begin to announce team placements for the season the week of February 16. Though we will continue to accept Run Mentor applications on a rolling basis, most roles will be filled prior to the start of each cycle (March and July). Other opportunities will be filled as they become available.

Apply to be a Run Mentor Here

Become a Resident Member

Resident Members are folks who join Mile in My Shoes to be supported in their running journeys. Typically our Resident Members are people who have experienced housing instability, incarceration, are in recovery, or are veterans. Resident Members receive benefits including new running gear when they join Mile in My Shoes and free race entries as they train with teams. Resident Members are most often (though not always) new to running or are returning to running after a hiatus, and will be paired with a Run Mentor at each team run. If you are curious about becoming a Resident Member, please email our Program Coordinator Matt: matt@mileinmyshoes.mn.

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If you are unable to run with us, but are interested in getting involved in other ways please email volunteer@mileinmyshoes.mn. If you are interested in running with MiMS but aren’t able to be a Run Mentor, please join one of community pop up runs open to all. These runs take place around the Twin Cities - join our Community Facebook page for event info.

Mile in My Shoes 2026 teams:

Team Roseville - Volunteers of America Residential Reentry Center

Team VOA Roseville is a Residential Re-entry Center (RRC) that provides re-entry services for men and women who are allowed to complete part of their prison sentences in the community. This allows them to restore community ties, obtain employment, and pay a portion of their care and supervision to the state or federal jurisdiction which has authority over them for the period of their stay in the RRC. The staff at VOA believe that Mile in My Shoes offers two vital components to a resident’s re-entry plan - the opportunity to get hooked on a healthy habit (physically & emotionally), and a support network of community members. Team VOA Roseville is located in Roseville near the border of St. Paul and runs Tuesday & Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings.

Team Sally - Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center

Team Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) is a long-term, residential program, providing services for men in the areas of alcohol and drug addiction recovery, as well as rehabilitation services to break cycles of incarceration. Team Salvation Army ARC is located in the North Loop and will run on Tuesday & Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings.

Team Challenge - MN Adult & Teen Challenge

Team Challenge is an all-female team located at MnTC’s recovery and treatment program. MNTC provides services including outpatient treatment, short-term treatment, long-term recovery, aftercare, and alumni services. This team runs with women in the long-term recovery program, located in Northeast Minneapolis, and runs Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Please note, that due to MnTC’s licensing, Run Mentors on this team will also need to complete MnTC’s volunteer process, which includes a background check. We’re happy to answer any questions you have about this process before you commit to this team.

Team TC South - MN Adult & Teen Challenge

Team TC South is similar to Team Challenge, except this location serves men in the MnTC long-term recovery program. This team runs with men in the long-term recovery program, located in the Lyndale neighborhood of South Minneapolis, and runs Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings.

Team UGM - Union Gospel Mission

Team UGM is located at Union Gospel Mission Men’s Campus. UGM houses several hundred men each night between its emergency shelter, transitional housing, residential recovery, and long-term Discipleship program. UGM staff are looking forward to MiMS bringing a crucial physical fitness component to their programming, but are even more excited about what these new community connections will mean for their clients as they navigate the transition from homelessness and addiction. This team is located right outside Downtown St. Paul and runs Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings.

Distance Crew- Saint Paul (Twin Cities Motion Center)

The Distance Crew is a team composed of MiMS Alumni and Run Mentors training specifically for the Twin Cities Marathon (Oct) and/or City of Lakes Half Marathon (Sept). The Distance Crew will have one in-person weekend run per week from May through early October, with runs taking place at MiMS Office located in the Twin Cities Motion Center, and individuals will train on their own throughout the week following a predetermined training plan. Experience with distance running is preferred for Run Mentors on this team.

Trail Team- Minneapolis (Loppet Trailhead)

The MiMS Trail Team is a team composed of MiMS Alumni and Run Mentors training for a variety of trail races through our partner, Rocksteady Running. The team will meet for one in-person run per week on Saturday mornings from May through early October, with runs taking place at the Loppet Trailhead. Participants will follow a predetermined training plan throughout the week, with the weekend run serving as the primary in-person connection and long run opportunity. Trail running experience is preferred but not required for Run Mentors on this team.