The Michigan Running Club, better known as MRUN, is the official running club of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Started in 2004, the club has grown from a few members to over 200 members, making it the largest club sport at the university. Initially dedicated strictly to serious running, the club has taken more of a social tone in recent years and invites runners of all skill levels to come and participate. While this has drastically increased the popularity of the club, serious competitors are still encouraged to join and are quite active in the club. In the 2010 season, the club won the national title at the National Intercollegiate Running Club Association's national championship. In recent years the club has expanded from just 5-10Ks to everything from sprint events to marathons.
Events
The Michigan Running Club has participated in many events but has created two events of distinction. The first is the Galactic Relays first held in April 2009. The event was designed as a means to introduce the club into track & field in addition to its traditional role in cross country and invited school from the mid-west including Michigan State University and Illinois University. It was held again in 2010 but cancelled in 2011 so the club could take a more active role in planning a larger, regional meet.
The second and much more successful event is the Race Across Michigan, which raises money for the Special Olympics. Conceived by Elliott Manzon, the event challengers a group of runners to run from Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan to Lake Michigan in South Haven, Michigan in under 24 hours. First run in 2009, the event was barely completed by a group of Michigan Running Club members. The second year of the race, the ante was raised when two other schools were invited including their rivals, Michigan State University. Finally in 2011 the event was scaled back down to one school.
At NIRCA Nationals on November 16, 2013, then president of the Michigan Running Club, Greg Sollish, formally lost the #BetterSollish dance off contest to younger brother, Jonathan Sollish, of the Michigan State Running Club. The elder Sollish brought shame to his club while the younger Sollish has been held up as a hero ever since. Despite the outcome of the contest, Greg has stated that "while him and Jonathan can debate who is the better Sollish all day long, younger brother Will is without a doubt the "Best Sollish."