Our community
The passion for running is what unites our community. Together, we want to share the fun of running in training and get better together. In line with our motto "ambitious together", we want to show that running doesn't have to be an individual sport.
Our aim is to offer ambitious runners a space where they can find each other without inhibitions and regardless of club affiliation. We also want to offer running an attractive stage, spark enthusiasm for running and draw attention to this ambitious sport.
In addition to our ambitious goals, our joint training sessions and events focus on fun and serenity. We welcome everyone who can identify with our idea - regardless of club, gender, origin, skin color, religion or sexual orientation.
The founding history
The idea of the community emerged in 2019 from a cross-club group of runners. The fact that we trained together despite our different performance levels and club affiliations was something of an exception at the time. We had observed that in traditional club sports, inhibitions had to be overcome in order to join ambitious running sports and that many small groups remained among themselves. This gave rise to our vision of a running community that sees running as a modern and attractive group activity.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began at the start of 2020, our idea began to take shape. Not because it was a good time to do sport together, but because we suddenly had time to concretize and implement our vision. This is how our name, logo and vision came about in a democratic process.
The association
In September 2020, we founded an association, although we are a community that is organized across associations. Why did we do this?
In order to realize our vision of joint events and training, we have to be officially represented and need an organizational backbone. Some Milers also wanted to run "officially" in Milers kit.
The association is there to organize the community and gives members the opportunity to actively shape community life. Optionally, a DLV starting pass can also be applied for. However, members of the community are not obliged to join the association or to buy a starting pass.
Commitment
These are a few of the heroes who work in the background and ensure that the community runs smoothly - in the truest sense of the word. You can turn to these people with specific questions.
Yannick - "El Presidente"
As Chairman of the Board, Yannick ensures that the club sticks together like a sole and a running shoe on a daily basis. His background in sports science and his passion for all things running make him the perfect running nerd that any club could wish for to set the pace. Whether on the track or behind the scenes: Yannick embodies our vision of a community that is more than the sum of its running steps like no other.
Leon - "Maker loves endurance"
Inspired by long-distance running and the fascination of marathons, Leon joined the Milers. Now he brings new momentum to the board. With ideas and passion, he gets stuck in where he's needed. We are curious to see how far his legs will carry him.
Marco - "Ultra-Marco"
Marco's training starts where everyone else has long been unable to. He passes on his passion for endurance sports to his athletes every day as a coach and also puts his heart and soul into organizing numerous Milers events. As a master of the balance between sport and pleasure, Marco also conjures up the best pizza in the whole of Cologne.
Jan - "Prehab & Rehab Professional"
Running is fun, but it is also a challenge for our bodies. Jan knows this all too well from running fast on the track and road. As a sports therapist, he is not only our expert when we have a "pinch", but he also helps us to prevent injuries with his professional athletic training.
Thomas - "Master in word and writing"
Anyone who has Thomas in their ranks can count themselves lucky. He has been supporting us on the Board since the very beginning - our mouthpiece when things need to be legally nailed down. When he needs to get out, he likes to get on his bike and head off into the distance - the sky is the sky!
Alex - "The marathon mathematician"
As a doctor of mathematics, our treasurer Alex manages the club's finances with the precision of a Swiss watch. Swabian and level-headed, he manages to combine his passion for running with the demands of work and family life. Alex's always approachable and humorous manner makes him a valued mentor and pillar of our community. He is also a permanent starter at the Cologne Marathon and a serial winner of the Kölschmeile costume competition.
Anna - "Smiler at heart"
Anyone who experiences Anna doing sport and especially running should be warned. Her humor and smile are highly infectious! Anna shows you with ease that you can be a cool sock as a competitive athlete and aspiring doctor. She is also a co-founder of the community and has been on the association's board since 2022.
Jonny - "Local legend of the Vorwiese"
When he's not busy conquering new Strava crowns, he skillfully juggles posts and hashtags on the Milers Instagram page. Even though Jonny has already ridden for Germany in the national jersey, his favorite jersey has the Milers logo on the chest.