My running year with store owner Greg Koch

Hi Friends,

It sure has been awhile. As 2018 comes to an end I’ve got a lot to be thankful for here at 605 Running Company. I wanted to take some time today to look back at what a great year it has been and what we have to look forward to in 2019. I’ll be sharing some personal stuff on my running year and some business stuff for the shop.

Humor me while I walk though my year in running.

• My year started with the slippery mess we called the Irishman, completing all three races the 5 mile, 5k and the 1 mile.
• A couple of weeks later on a “brisk” Saturday morning I got my cheeks chilly volunteering as the lead bike for the Chilly Cheeks 5 mile race.
• Then we produced the 605 Half Marathon and let me tell you; you haven’t lived until you drive around in Grant’s minivan at 4am with Benson setting up aid stations!
• Next was an Easter trip to Omaha, Nebraska for the Early Bird 10 mile. A great tune-up for my upcoming marathon. I'll never forget the phone call I got from Coach Jacqui following that race!
• My greatest running achievement for the year happened at the marathon in Fargo. A 14 minute personal best time. I’m forever thankful to my running buds Scott Kennedy and Chris Anderson for that experience.
• Sticking around on the PR train I traveled with Benson Lang’at and Dylan Slaba to Green Bay Wisconsin for the Bellin Run 10k. My first ever 10k included breakfast with Meb!
• On a quick camping trip to Big Sioux Rec. I joined in the Sioux Falls Area Running Club Trail Series 4 miler. The Prairie Vista Hill still has pieces of my soul on it, but it was a fun experience!
• During the summer I jumped back on the bike to ride lead for the 605 Summer Race Series
• I also had a train wreck of a half marathon in Amana, Iowa in mid-August that I’d prefer to forget.
• September led me to the Sioux Falls Marathon where I volunteered in the information booth during packet pick-up and at mile 26 on-course during race day. The 605 Staff brought tears to my eyes as I watched the whole team cheer on the final finisher of the day; including handing the runner their medal and finisher food personally!
• I joined staff members Ben Devlin and Kat Howard at the Chocoholic Frolic Race. It wasn’t breakfast with Meb, but I did set a new PR in the 10k and earned 3rd place overall!
• Next was another surprise run (we signed up the night before) with Jacqui Meadors and Kelly Marshall in the Jack 15 – new distance which means another PR!
• Because the theme of signing up the day before for odd distance races that you’ve never done before worked so well at the Jack 15 I decided the Newton Hills 20k was a great idea – and wouldn’t you know it – BOOM another fun experience – 5th overall and a PR!
• I finished up my race year volunteering at the Christmas Tree Skirt Dash!
• In 2019 I’ve signed-up for the LA Marathon and hope to gain another personal best!

In total I’ve run over 1,460 miles this year. Made some amazing new friends and witnessed some pretty amazing accomplishments by members of our running community! Personally, this has been a GREAT running year.

Enough about me, let’s talk about 605 Running Company. This has been a watershed year for our little business. We continue to be thankful for this great community. I’ve said it a thousand times before, but it still continues to be our driving force; we are a business built on building a community. We do that by supporting local races and causes.

The following list is the events, clubs and groups we supported in 2018.

• Prairie Striders Running Club including: The Jack 15, Indoor 5k, Beef and Eggs 5k and Longest Day Run
• The Sioux Falls Area Running Club Trail Series
• Glacier Hills Ultra
• Christmas Tree Skirt Dash
• Frostbite 4 Road Race in Beresford, SD
• River Rat Half Marathon
• Run For Wine
• Sioux Falls Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k and 5k
• Chilly Cheeks 10 mile, 5 mile, 5k and 1 mile
• Coastin’ for Cancer w/Coast-to-Coast Gym
• University of Sioux Falls Homecoming 5k
• Turkey Day 5k in Brookings w/Swim Club
• Parent Advocates for Spanish Immersion 5k
• Chocoholic Frolic 10k and 5k
• Run for Food benefiting the Banquet of Sioux Falls
• NAMI of South Dakota
• Great Plains Lutheran High School
• Falls Area Bicyclists (FAB)
• Falls Area Single Track (FAST)
• EMBE (Girls on the Run)
• Sanford Champions Team for the National Kidney Foundation
• Zombie Walk of Sioux Falls
• Feeding South Dakota
• University of Sioux Falls Fall Choir Fundraiser
• Sanford Children’s Miracle Network
• Children’s Home Society
• St. Francis House
• Brandon Valley Ice Cats
• The Banquet of Sioux Falls
• Sioux Falls Women Run
• Sioux Falls Area Running Club

What an amazing list. Just typing this out brings back happy memories of our experiences with these groups and events. I also probably missed some and for that I apologize.

In 2019 we are excited to be co-producing the Sioux Falls Skedaddle with our friends at Pink Gorilla Events. We truly believe that our wonderful running community is ready to host a top-tier spring running event that is recognized regionally. For the 4th consecutive year we will also be producing the 605 Summer Race Series!  

In the shop we will be introducing new brands to the store and doubling down on our commitment to being the best local running outfitter in the 605. You will see the best shoes and apparel available on the market for every level of running including: road, trail, cross country, track and walking. Our team has grown to three full time employees, five part-time employees, one group run liaison and three private running coaches.

As 2018 draws to a conclusion I’m so humbled by the opportunity to work here in Sioux Falls. Running has truly changed my life and the support from our community has helped make my dreams come true personally and professionally. Thank you for supporting my business. Most importantly I need to publicly thank my beautiful bride Chelsea Koch for her unending love and encouragement to pursue my dreams.

You truly must be a die-hard fan if you’ve made it to the end of this blog post. We have a lot of exciting things happening in 2019 and by far and away for me personally the most exciting thing will be becoming a father. Next year my list of accomplishments will look a lot different, but I’m sure ya’ll will be here with me for the journey.

See you all in 2019!

Happy Running,
Greg Koch