#MilesforMichael Memorial Bench

Funds will be used to purchase a memorial bench for Michael Rettinger, an avid runner and outdoor enthusiast, who collapsed and died suddenly after a run in August of 2019. The bench will be located either in the twin cities region, where Michael lived, or in Western Wisconsin, where he is from and where his children and family live. Because he frequently ran along state trails and parks, the bench will likely be in one of the public parks. The cost to purchase and install a memorial bench is $2,500 for a refurbished bench and $5,000 for a new bench.

This fundraising effort is being organized by his friends from the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Rookie Class of 2017. Michael was an incredibly positive and inspirational person to all runners in the group from the time we all decided to register for our first marathon until the day he passed. By that time, he'd been promoted from Facebook "friend," to family. 

Thank you for considering a gift -we hope the bench will be a place of comfort for his family and also serve as an inspiration to other runners along the trails.