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About Us
Copper Country Running Company is locally owned by a family that has been fitting shoes in the Upper Peninsula since 1946.
Whether you’ve run a marathon or never run a block, nothing makes us happier than helping our customers find the right shoe for their feet. We enjoy working with any customer looking for a good pair of shoes – whether you’re a runner, a walker, a triathlete, or someone who just needs a comfortable pair of shoes. Our staff includes a variety of people, as some of us are recreational runners and some are competitive racers. Our job is to find the shoe that fits your foot and your needs!
Kevin Thomsen
Owner
Kevin Thomsen grew up in Marquette, MI graduating from MSHS in 1998. Kevin’s love for athletics and helping others was established working at his family’s iconic sport shop, Johnson’s. Kevin graduated with his Bachelors from NMU in 2004. In 2015 he decided to branch out and open Queen City Running Company. So what is his happy pace? Running of course, you can constantly find Kevin running the trails and bike path around Marquette. He has to stay on his game to keep up with his blessings, daughters Anna and Aili, sons Charlie and Teddy, and his dachshund Coco Puff.
Aubrey Friedrich
General Manager
Aubrey Friedrich came to Marquette in 2018 to attend and compete for Northern Michigan University. She ran both Cross Country and Track for the university and graduated with a BS in Environmental Science with a concentration in natural resources. Outside running, Aubrey enjoys all things outdoors, especially skiing, cycling, hiking, and traveling! Aubrey’s favorite shoe is the Hoka Clifton!
Matthew Oujiri
Staff
Matthew Oujiri likes to run, play disc golf, play ultimate frisbee! His favorite event is the 1600 and he runs in the New Balance 1080v10!
Maddie Lukens
Staff
Maddie Lukens is originally from Oxford, MI and went Michigan State University for a year then transferred to Michigan Tech. She is currently in her third year. Maddie is studying Applied Ecology and Environmental Science. She enjoys trail running, downhill skiing and mountain biking.
Clayton Sayan
Staff
Clayton Sayan is a 5th year student-athlete at Michigan Tech! He graduated in the Spring of 2022 with a B.S. in Engineering Management and Marketing. He is currently enrolled in the MBA program and will graduate in the Spring of ’23. Clayton is also the captain of the Cross Country and Track and Field teams at MTU. He has two school records on the track as well as All-American honors. He really loves the sport and chose CCRC as a way to interact with more members of the running community. Aside from running, he likes to spend time with friends, play other sports, play cards, and disc golf.
Luke Moore
Staff
Luke Moore has been a runner since 2010 and is currently the Assistant coach of the Track and Field / Cross Country teams at MTU. He was a former MTU XC/TF athlete who loves running, mountain biking, hiking, skiing, snowboarding and disc golf. If you see him in the store, share your running experiences with him!
Hogan Nemetz
Staff
Hogan Nemetz was born and raised in Marquette, Michigan and now attends school at Michigan Tech as a 3rd year Undergraduate Student in the Mechanical Engineering program. He ran track and cross country throughout his middle and high school years as well as playing hockey, baseball, and golf. Now he enjoys sports and running in his free time as well as the Keweenaw’s own Guts Frisbee! Hogan has been a friend of the store in marquette for years and decided to join the team in Houghton! He also loves to explore the unique outdoors of the Keweenaw so stop in and let him know of any cool spots you’ve found.
Cody Tuftee
Staff
Cody Tuftee grew up in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin and came to Houghton, Michigan in the fall of 2018. He currently studies Biomedical Engineering at Michigan Tech and competes on the university Track and Field team. A long time member of the Pole Vault squad on the team, he enjoys running fast and jumping high. In recent years he has also picked up the javelin throw and now competes for both events. Cody also pursues research at Michigan Tech in addition to his love for 3D printing and tabletop wargaming. You can catch him in an intense game of foosball or struggling to remember the score in a game of pickleball. He shares a healthy love for traveling and his favorite place is Glacier National park
Connor Steer
Staff
Connor Steer, born and raised in Marquette, MI, is a 3rd-year mechanical engineering student at Michigan Technological University. During his schooling, Connor graduated from Marquette Senior High School in 2020 and was a member of the hockey, baseball, and cross-country teams. His other hobbies include disc golf, hiking, and hanging out with friends. His favorite part of running is the community aspect and going on group runs. Connor’s favorite shoe to run in is the Saucony Guide 15.