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Dina Miller is one of those members who perfectly encapsulates what Run Wild Missoula is all about: showing up, challenging yourself, connecting with others, and having a whole lot of fun along the way.
What is a questions you wish more members would ask each other?
“Do you want to run with me?”
Dina was born in Long Beach, California, but considers herself a lifelong Missoulian. Her family moved to Missoula when she was six years old, and aside from a nine-month stint as a nanny in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, after high school, Missoula has always been home. Growing up, Dina always wanted to get into running. She dabbled here and there, but for a long time, running was sporadic. “From middle school to early adulthood, I would try to run and just do little three-milers here and there, but I didn’t have the resources to do it often.”
That changed in 2010, when circumstances, timing, and a little encouragement from a friend led Dina to sign up for the Missoula Marathon Training Class and eventually run her first half marathon.
What is a hobby or interest you have that surprises people?
“I love to build Legos!”
“When I joined RWM, I was raising my kids and doing the day-to-day with them, and then I thought, ‘I need to do something for myself,’ because so many of us get caught up in our kids. I enjoyed running a little before, so I was excited to finally start.”And once she started, she really started. Dina has now run seven Missoula Half Marathons and well over 100 races. She’s also a running ambassador for Run Rabbit and has raced in all 50 states. Most of those races have been half marathons, with a few full marathons and the occasional weather-induced 10K thrown into the mix.
What’s your spirit animal?
“A Pug. They find joy in life’s quirks and keep a light hearted attitude. They are very loyal creatures. I have two, Frankie and Zoe.”
Between 2020 and 2025 alone, Dina went from having raced in 10 states to completing all 50, many alongside her good friend Christy Von Lanken, whom she met through another longtime RWM member, Brenda Shimek.
“My first half in Missoula, I realized how much I love to race, and I have not stopped since,” Dina says. “Still to this day, I love a challenge. I wish I could slow down a little bit, but every race I just can’t help but put everything I have into it.” That drive extends far beyond the finish line.
Dina currently works two jobs: during the day at Missoula County Treasurer and Motor Vehicles, and a few evenings each week at the non-emergency desk for the police department. But what stands out most about Dina’s work isn’t necessarily what she does — it’s how she connects with the people she meets along the way. “I work with a lot of people, and I always try to encourage them to choose what they want to do. I always ask them, ‘What do you do for fun?’ and they say things like, ‘Oh, I used to do this,’ or ‘I used to go camping,’ and I’ll say, ‘Why aren’t you doing that now?’ I want to encourage people to just go and do it and stop waiting for the right moment.” It’s a philosophy that feels right at home in the Run Wild community.
If your running shoes could talk, what would they say?
“It’s okay to take a day off.”
Dina’s favorite RWM program is the Saturday Breakfast Run, and when she isn’t traveling for a race, you can count on finding her there most Saturday mornings. For her, running has become about much more than miles and finish times. It has helped her find confidence, friendship, and a willingness to connect with the person running beside her.
“I remember in the training class one time Tim Mosbacher saying, ‘Slow down a little bit. Chat with the person next to you.’ So now that is what I try to do,” Dina says. “Since joining RWM, I have built confidence. I feel better about myself, I am not as shy, I’ve learned how to talk to more people, and I have made so many friends.” Sixteen years into her RWM membership, Dina still carries that lesson with her. “I like to know where people are from, their hobbies, their family. I don’t necessarily want to talk about work. I want to know about their day-to-day.”
What’s your personal mantra?
“Choose to live in the present. Do what makes you happy NOW.”
So, if you find yourself next to Dina at an event or decide to join her for a Saturday Breakfast Run, there’s an easy way to get the conversation started: ask what she’s training for. Chances are, there’s something on the calendar. “I’m usually training for a race, and I feel like I have a huge background with running. I have lots of experience navigating a race. I like to help people who are starting to run.” And once the conversation gets going, chances are it won’t stay focused on running for long. That’s part of what makes Dina such a special part of this community: the miles may bring people together, but she genuinely wants to know the person running them.
One of Dina’s biggest recent accomplishments came at the Dog Days Ultra in August, where she completed 100K. But even more meaningful than the distance was who shared the experience with her: her son, Reilly. “The fact that I got to do it with my son Reilly was really special,” Dina says. “I am so inspired. In the last four years, he’s run a marathon, multiple halves, and soon he’s running the Indianapolis Half Marathon with me and a few of my friends. I encouraged him to run, but he’s done it all on his own. We’ve been traveling together, running races — it’s been great.” Then, in true Dina fashion, she adds: “He hasn’t beat me yet though.” And Dina certainly isn’t slowing down. In the next two months alone, her race calendar includes the Chicago Half Marathon, Amsterdam Half Marathon, New York City Marathon, and Indianapolis Half Marathon.
What is a podcast you recommend?
“Your Diet Sucks.”
After more than 100 races, all 50 states, countless Saturday morning miles, and 16 years with Run Wild Missoula, Dina’s advice to other members is refreshingly simple: “Have fun. Meet new people. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Focus on positive things on your run, and don’t fixate on the negatives.” For someone who once needed a little encouragement to finally give running a real shot, Dina has certainly returned the favor. These days, she’s the one encouraging others to stop waiting, try something new, talk to the person next to them, and see where the miles might take them. Because sometimes, all you really need is someone to ask: Why aren’t you doing that now?