Today we’ll continue with a series on the Montana Running Ranchers relay team. The team will be participating in the Ragnar 200-mile relay event in Hawaii, October 14-15, 2016. The team uses this event as an advocacy opportunity to share the message of beef in a healthy diet and Montana ranching with runners and athletes from across the country. Click here to learn more about this year’s event and team. To support the team or have your brand on the team vans, visit our Square store to donate today.
Today’s featured Montana Running Rancher is Ian Morse. Originally from Columbus, MT, Ian is a graduate of Boise State University and now lives in Spokane with his wife, Joni, and their daughter, Elouise (2). You can find Ian on Instagram as @ian9morse.
How many years have you been on the team and what is an accomplishment you have in running?
This is my first year on the Running Ranchers team. For longest run, I recently won the Peaks to Prairie Duathlon from Red Lodge to Columbus, MT (a 9.3 mile run followed by a 49-mile bike).
How are you and your family involved in the ranching community?
I’m kind of a black sheep here as a Mechanical Engineer in Spokane. Both my parents were raised on Montana Centennial ranches that are still in the family after 120+ years. My mom (Mina) was raised on the TG Voldseth Ranch (est. 1877) near Lennep and my dad (Joe II) was raised on the Martin-Morse Ranch (est. 1894) on the other side of the Crazy Mountains south of Two Dot.
My in-laws are involved with agriculture too, but not in Montana. My father-in-law, Steve Woodworth, is President/CEO of the nonprofit Idaho Youth Ranch serving troubled children in Idaho. My mother-in-law, Cherie, still puts in quite a bit of work at her family’s Weatherford Ranch south of Arlington, Oregon (another 100+ year family ranch).
How did you become interested in running?
I had some pretty good track coaches at Columbus High School. I went from a short chubby freshman to a competitor at the Montana high school state track meets over the next 3 years. I then joined the triathlon club at Boise State University and have continued to run since.
Sign up to join Team Beef Montana today, or contact your state’s Beef Council to learn about Team Beef programs in your area. Join Team Beef USA on Facebook.
Like what you see here? Sign up for my newsletter to be notified of future stories and weekly headlines. Click here to sign up.
