The annual Half Fast half marathon, 10K and 5K runs are tomorrow, February 12, 2022, in Vadnais Heights, MN. FrontRunner will there as the timer/results company. Information on this fun event is at https://www.mmraces.com/half-fast-half Hope to see you there!!

If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend, February 7, check out the BEAR’ly Open golf tourny on the north end of White Bear Lake. This event is put on by the White Bear Rotary Club and all proceeds go to the White Bear Emergency Food Shelf. Thanks you Ken Galloway for all your energy and time organizing his annual event. Check out the video of putting the course together https://www.facebook.com/greatnorthdrones/videos/333041658736129

Securian Financial embraces what Winter Carnival is all about – enjoying Saint Paul’s great outdoors, all year long. Gather up your thermal underwear and neck warmers and start training today for the 36th annual Securian Financial Winter Run! NEW this year, runners have the opportunity to run the 5k around Lake Phalen on January 30th at 8:30 a.m. OR to participate virtually in the 5k, 10k or Half Marathon.

All proceeds from this event supports the Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, proud producer of Minnesota’s Iciest event, the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. By participating this this run, you are supporting the continuation of Saint Paul’s oldest and coolest community events and traditions. Whether you choose to participate in our in-person 5K around a wintery Lake Phalen or choose your own race date, location and time, you’ll enjoy an ultimate running experience. Register now, before its too late!

This event is organized by Anderson Race Management and more information can be found at http://www.andersonraces.com

Looking for a great Run/Walk/Kid’s Run this Saturday, October 19? Come to the Run for the Apples 5 Mile Run/Walk and 1/3 Mile Kid’s Fun Run at Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake.  The 5 Mile Run starts at 9:00 a.m. and the Kid’s Fun Run starts at 10:15 a.m.
The 5 mile course will take you through the pumpkin patches, strawberry fields and apple orchards.  Pine Tree Apple Orchard is at 450 Apple Orchard Rd, White Bear Lake, MN.  Registration information can be found at FrontRunner Events website.  There will be raceday registration for all events starting at 8:00 a.m.  Online registration will close at midnight Thursday, October 17.  Hope to see you there!

The 33rd annual Run for the Apples is Saturday October 19th this year. The event’s host opens for the season on Wednesday October 21. Come out to Pine Tree Apple Orchard for the best apple pies, donuts, apples, and many other apple goodies – And put the Run for the Apples on your schedule.

Registrations are open for 2019 Jump to It and the Run for the Apples

Registration is now open for the Jump To It 5K/10K/Kids Fun Run and the Run for the Apples 5 Mile/Kids Fun Run.

The Jump to It s May 4th in White Bear Lake. and Run for the Apples is October 19th at Pine Tree Apple Orchard

October 20, 2018

Join us at the Run For the Apples 5 Mile Run and 1/3 Mile Kids Fun Run at Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake.

It may be strawberry picking season right now but it won’t be long til the apples are ripe, the pumpkins are huge and the trails throughout the orchard are ready for the runners and walkers.  Plan on being there.  Sign up today for either the run/walk or the kids fun run

Vacation Sports

The Evolution of a Business

What to expect at FrontRunner in 2018

I was talking to a friend this past weekend, who had just sold his business. I brought up the subject of how FrontRunner/Vacation Sports, Inc. had changed over the past 25 years. His comment was not how the business had changed but how the bank account had changed. As I reflect of how FrontRunner has changed of the years, I must also admit that the checkbook balance has also.

I started Vacation Sports in 1994 and looking back at that year’s tax return I had a total income of $650. Renting bikes and canoes didn’t make me much money.

Run for the Apples was our first event, starting back in 1986. Our first triathlon was in 2001 with the creation of the Square Lake Triathlon. Events grew in numbers and in size over the first 10 years. During the mid 2000’s, Vacation Sports had more than 40 events and was managing another dozen races for local groups. Our triathlons were filling with over 500 participants. Those were the days when only a handful of triathlons were held every summer. Now there are that many on any given weekend.

At one point in the late 1990’s, I looked at the numbers of t-shirts we were purchasing and decided we could print our own shirts for less money. The intention of starting a screen printing business was not as part of the business plan but soon a local church mission trip asked if we could print some shirts for them. Another school group asked and then a large race asked the same thing. Before you knew it, we had a successful screen printing business. I sold the screen printing business to an employee a year ago and he and his wife are doing great. They would love your shirt business.

Next – in the fall of 2008, right as the economy was tanking, Vacation Sports purchased Midwest Events, a company that was an early entry into the online registration business and a local magazine that was a strong promoter of multi sport events in the Midwest.  In the overall plan, Midwest Events was a great addition to our business. I soon discovered that I had bitten off more that I could chew and ended up selling Midwest Events to Brigid and Terry Thompson a few years later. Midwest Events couldn’t have landed in better hands.

We made a name change somewhere in those years to FrontRunner to better reflect all the varied services we provided.

There were other business activities added over the years. We had our own timing equipment and still provide timing/result services for many area races. We discovered how much we could save if you produced our own medals and awards so we bought the equipment and saved thousands each year. We still produce medals and awards for a number of local events. We entered the promotional event business after some screen printing customers asked about putting their logos on a pen or coffee cup but discovered that we just didn’t do enough to justify the additional expense it took.

Back to the bank account. As I said, that first year a total of $650 went into that account. During the peak years, it was about a million. Not a huge business but respectable. 

This next year, FrontRunner will produce 2 events. The Jump to it 5K/10K May 4th in White Bear Lake and the Run for the Apples 5 Mile on October 20 at Pine Tree Apple Orchard. We will also be providing timing/result services for about 25 other events. It is a far cry from the hay days but still enjoyable and will help pay some bills.

People have asked why I have cut back. They ask about their favorite event that I no longer put on. What I can tell them is that I loved what I did and did well with my business over the years. It was hard work and involved most weekends. It was time for me to make a life change. Other people have picked up many of the events we no longer do and I will post information on them in the future.

Besides the FrontRunner activities, I am selling residential real estate for Edina Realty here in White Bear Lake. I would love your help and referrals making this new venture work. 

Both my friend and I were correct after owning a business that lasts more than a couple years. Things change and a business evolves to grow and stay alive. If you do it right, so does the bank account.

Thanks for reading.

Randy