Active Central MN

Have you ever heard of (or participated in) the Earth Day Run 5K? How about the Apple Duathlon in Sartell? The Clearwater Graniteman Triathlon? All of these are organized by our friends at Active Central MN. But Active Central MN is about more than a single race event. And it’s about more than five race events each year. Active Central MN exists to promote well-being — individual and community well-being — throughout Central Minnesota.

Active Central MN was incorporated by Bill Corcoran in 2018. Prior to Active Central MN, Bill was the founder and president of Graniteman, Inc. Bill, who had developed a passion for the triathlon — and challenging his body and mind — saw there was an opportunity to bring the sport to Central Minnesota. Through his personal time, energy, grit, and determination, Bill initiated and managed the Graniteman Triathlon series that began in 2004. Other multi-sport athletes were excited about the prospect of local events and eventually became diehard fans of the events. Graniteman was a for-profit corporation, and Bill later wished to move it to a non-profit corporation structure to engage a broader set of community organizations, so the race management organization transitioned its brand and assets to Active Central MN in 2019. In 2020, to sustain its legacy, the long-running Apple Duathlon followed suit and transitioned its brand, assets, and operations to Active Central MN. In 2021, CentraCare contracted with Active Central MN to manage the Earth Day Run. Today, Active Central MN manages this five-event series and is positioned to deliver and promote more active lifestyle events across the year.

Active Central MN’s mission is to promote well-being through community-wide support of healthy, active lives. “As a St. Cloud, Minnesota-based nonprofit, we envision a year-round series of fitness experiences,” Corcoran said. “We see active people enjoying Minnesota’s great outdoors, leading healthy lives, and contributing to a vibrant community.”

Active Central MN is supported heavily by volunteers. Rick Bauerly, founder and CEO of Granite Partners, serves as volunteer board chair, and Brad Konkler, of CentraCare and Bill Corcoran serve as volunteer directors on the Active Central MN board, guiding overall governance. Bill Corcoran (bill.corcoran@activecentralmn.org) leads the organization as its volunteer president, Heather Corcoran (heather.corcoran@activecentralmn.org) serves as race director for Apple Duathlon and the three events that make up the Graniteman Triathlon Endurance Series, Heather Rothfork (heather.rothfork@activecentralmn.org) serves as race director for Earth Day Run, and Alisha Brust serves as course manager. The team is supported by a variety of volunteer organizations and hundreds of volunteers each year.

“Central MN’s business community is incredible. Organizations and their leaders understand that building a thriving, vibrant community where people want to live, work, and ‘be active’ requires collaboration,” Corcoran said. “The business community has really begun to rally around Active Central MN, and for that we are grateful! Active Central MN is partnering with a variety of people and organizations who have an interest in a community full of healthy, active people.”

Active Central MN has three main pillars of partnership in our communities including Employers, City Officials & Collaborators, and Clubs.

Employers: These are businesses and other nonprofit organizations coming together to support Active Central MN events. Some are taking it a step further and taking Active Central MN’s Team Wellness Challenge — encouraging their team members and families to participate in active lifestyle and fitness events and providing funding (partially or fully covering registration fees) for employee participation in select Active Central MN events. To name just a few, these organizations are enabling Active Central MN events:

• Bernick’s
• Capital One
• CentraCare
• Central McGowan
• Coborn’s
• DeZURIK
• Granite Partners
• Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation
• Mahowald
• Rolga
• Sentry Bank
• Sherburne State Bank
• Viking Coca-Cola
• Williams Integracare Clinic

City Officials & Collaborators: These are area cities that support and enable Active Central MN events. “We thank the staff, leaders, and volunteers from the cities of Big Lake, Buffalo, Clearwater, Sartell, and St. Cloud for their partnerships.”

Clubs: Area clubs that support active lifestyles, like DuTri, The Gators, the Master Swim Program at the Y, and the St. Cloud River Runners are also a big part of Active Central MN’s success.

“The well-being of Central MN people and communities is our primary driver. Many influences lead to a thriving community of active people enjoying healthy lives,” Corcoran said. “In Central MN, individuals are making a commitment to health and fitness. Employers are supporting the well-being of their team members. Local clubs and nonprofit organizations are promoting active lifestyles through events and volunteerism. And leaders and staff from area cities are helping to make it all possible. We invite you to join us!

“To people of Central MN: Your well-being matters. Enjoy the great outdoors, enhance your physical and mental health, and take part in our great Central Minnesota community. Active Central MN is proud to help you find, participate in, and promote active lifestyle and fitness experiences.”

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