His story: Native Minnesotan who was 2 time Cross Country All-American at Mankato St. Member of Team USA MN, an Olympic development program for elite runners. One of the stars of the GEAR Running Store racing team, he does much of his training alone on the trails at Murphy-Hanrehan State Park.

Kurt just recently finished 29th in the 2001 New York Marathon (12th American ) with a time of 2:22.11. He won the 2001 Brian Kraft 5K and was second at 2001 Bjorklund 1/2 Marathon. He enjoys spending time with Angie and his kids Owen and Ian, and also taking the neighborhood kids "to school" in all sports. Has a soft spot for hot fudge malts from the Convention Grill, which is the preferred fuel of most guys who run 130 miles a week.

Favorite Shoe: 1999 Adidas Equipment Ride, Men's size 11

"Warm Blooded": Kurt wears shorts 10 months out of the year. His cut-off tempature for pants is around 15 degrees. The thick fur coverage on his legs acts as a nice insulator in the winter months, however, summer heat forces the Bear out of bed at pre-dawn hours for training.

His story: Oft injured and aspiring track star with a 28:44 10K PR, transient running shoe store employee (3 stores, 3 states, 6 months), freelance graphic designer and illustrator... perpetually broke, perpetually single and looking for women to take him out to dinner. Like Kurt, Jason is also a member of Team USA Minnesota and likes most food items that feature partially-hydrogenated soybean and/or cottonseed oil as a major ingredient. Unlike Kurt, tempatures below 30 degrees in the winter often force him either inside or to New Mexico.

Favorite Shoe: 1999 model of Adidas Equipment Ride in a women's size 11 (Yes, women's size 11. It fits his narrow foot better. He has no shame)

Extra Areas of Expertise: World's foremost authority on aqua-jogging and "Ben and Jerry's" flavors.

Like GEAR's website? Jason designed it. Check out his side business.

His story: The veteran of the GEAR employees, Lin is our resident triathalete star. After a high school 440 career with former Olympic hurdler Hayes Jones as coach, Lin drifted away from running. Twenty seven years later, he rediscovered his love of the sport and has been circling Lake Harriet early in the mornings ever since. He has run 2 marathons and more 10k's than he could ever remember.

He is now concentrating on the triathalons, where last year he won his age group in his favorite race, the Heart of the Lakes Triathalon. Lin also enjoys rollerblading and cross country skiing.

Favorite Shoes: The old Asics-Tiger Epirus, the Saucony Shadow 6000 and the Asics Cumulus.

Raving Fan: To everyone else's disgust, Lin exuberantly cheers for his native Michigan Wolverine football team on Fall weekends while at the store.

Her story: Another member of the elite Team USA Minnesota, the 24 year old from Annapolis, Maryland. Kristen was an All- American at Villanova, where she posted Personal Record times of a 9:24 3000m and a 4:43 mile. This year, she moved up to the 5,000m and in just her second effort at the distance ran 16:15

We've talked to Kristen's agent/publicist about the possibility of reproducing her image on the web site. Due to the high volume of similar requests, we haven't heard back from anybody.

Favorite Shoe: Asics Nimbus, size 7

Favorite Running Route: Hyland Hills Park

The "Sitter": Kristen is really great with kids and has become a favorite babysitter of Mike's and Kurt's kids.

Her story: A seasonal GEAR employee, Mary runs track at Columbia University in New York City. Mary was a stand-out 200 and 400 meter runner for Benilde-St. Margret's in St. Louis Park, and holds a number of school records there. As if her wicked speed, Ivy League smarts and tastefull fashion sense weren't enough, she can wow you with tales of the "time when she served Prince at the TCBY drive-through".

Favorite Shoe: Asics Kayano

"Side" job: Mary's 'real' summer job is sunning herself on friends' boats in Lake Minnetonka. All other activities are scheduled around it... Additionally, she refuses to introduce to Jason to these female friends that own the boats, which is disappointing to all parties involved.

His story: Dave came out of school early in search of big signing bonuses, and GEAR was lucky enough to woo him by promising him multiple shifts a week with Mary. Going into his senior year in high school, the running shoe prodigy knows more about dual-density midsoles and carbon-rubber outsoles than many shoe store veterans twice his age. At Hopkins, Dave ran 4:16 this year in the 1600 finishing 4th in the state meet, and he led his team to a state cross country championship...

Favorite Shoe: Asics DS Trainer, size 9.

Favorite Workout: Hill repeats at Hyland Hills Park

Important note: Dave's sweet boy-band hair styling requires much less maintenance than it looks like

Favorite Shoe: Employee X has no specific shoe-alliegance, and wouldn't tell you if he did.

Favorite Running Route: Employee X's running routes are numerous and varied. His steps are rarely re-traced.