Loppet Learning Series

Loppet Learning Series 2026

Name: Loppet Learning Series
Start: 2026-04-28T18:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-04-28T19:30:00+00:00
Location: The Trailhead

Theodore Wirth – A Visionary and Driving Force Behind the Minneapolis Parks System.

Tuesday, April 28th | 6: 00 – 7:30 p.m. | The Trailhead

Join us for a deep dive into the life of Theodore Wirth, an immigrant horticulturalist from Switzerland who served 30 years as Minneapolis Park Superintendent. Wirth is credited as the creator of the many Minneapolis parks we now enjoy, including the Lake Harriet Rose Garden, the Grand Rounds, and all those small city parks with playgrounds

Presenter: Mark Raderstorf is longtime Loppet community member, having served on the Loppet Board, various committees and presently is a coach for the Loppet Adventures program. He is passionately proud of being a 40 year resident of Minneapolis. In addition to being an avid skier and biker, Mark can be seen giving walking and biking tours of Minneapolis through his tour company, https://www.youbetchatours.com/. All of the proceeds from his tours are donated to the Loppet Foundation.

Register for the April 28 Presentation

Going Ultra – Considerations for Ultra-Distance Athletes from 50k-100 Miles

Monday, May 11th | 6: 00 – 7:30 p.m. | The Trailhead

Thinking about your first ultra – or ready to level up from 50K to 100 miles? This one-hour workshop breaks down what actually changes when you step beyond the marathon distance: fueling strategies, training volume and periodization, gear selection, mental frameworks, and how to build a race-day plan that holds up when things get tough. Whether you’re eyeing a local 50K or dreaming of a hundred-miler, you’ll leave with a clearer picture of what it takes and a roadmap to get there.

Presenter: Aaron Boike is the Owner and Head Coach at Performance Running Gym, a gym for runners and endurance athletes located in St. Louis Park, MN, and the Official Run Coaching Partner of The Loppet. He holds a B.S. in Kinesiology, is a Certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise, and holds a running and ultrarunning coach certification through UESCA. Contact him directly at aaron@3clickfitness.com, follow him on Instagram @trainerontherun, or learn more about Performance Running Gym at www.performancerungym.com.

Register for the May 11 Presentation

Past Loppet Learning Series Talks

Exercise as Medicine: How Little is Too Little and How Much is Too Much?

Monday, October 27 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Trailhead

Learn about Exercise as Medicine with Dr Kathryn Larson of the Mayo Sports Cardiology Clinic.

BIO: Kathryn Farni Larson, M.D., is a board-certified non-invasive cardiologist with expertise in echocardiography, sports cardiology, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She is also an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Dr. Larson completed her undergraduate degree at Harvard University and obtained her medical degree from Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Mayo Clinic. She completed her subspecialty training in cardiovascular medicine and advanced echocardiography at Mayo Clinic where she served as Chief Fellow. Dr. Larson’s clinical practice focuses on the evaluation and treatment of cardiovascular conditions in athletes and highly active people.

Training Technique: A Visual Guide to Improving Your Skiing

Monday, November 3 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Trailhead

Through detailed video analysis, learn how to recognize and fix fundamental technique issues commonly found in junior and senior level skiers.

Bio: Jake Stiele is the Head Coach for Team Birkie, the Minneapolis-based professional nordic ski team. Jake is from Prior Lake and is an LNR Alumnus. He raced at St Scholastica College and has coached with LNR Juniors and Adults, as well as being a certified Strength Coach. As Head Coach of Team Birkie, he works with both the World Cup athletes, and Regional athletes.

Bound by Nature, Empowered by Community

Monday, November 17 | 6-7:30 p.m. | The Trailhead

A BIPOC women’s journey to wellness, connection, and leadership in the outdoors. Listen as participants share their experiences from the Boundary Waters—stories of healing, growth, and joy—and learn why holding this space matters. Discover the next opportunity to participate and how you can support or fund future journeys.

Made possible in partnership with Wilderness Inquiry and Save the Boundary Waters.

Bio: DeAnna Smith is a lifelong community builder and current Adventures Director at the Loppet Foundation, where she guides programming that connects people to nature while promoting healing, resilience, and belonging. With more than 25 years of leadership experience, DeAnna has worked across nonprofit, education, and public sectors, including serving as Executive Director of the YMCA of the North, where she oversaw the North Community YMCA and YMCA Beacons.

A proud graduate of Minneapolis North High and Bradley University, DeAnna has dedicated her career to supporting women, girls, families, and communities through initiatives that bridge equity, wellness, and opportunity. She has raised millions in funding to sustain and grow programs, built strong partnerships across diverse communities, and mentored countless staff and leaders. At the heart of her work is a belief in the transformative power of connection — to nature, to self, and to community.