For the past few years, runners, families, and supporters have come together in a small Minnesota town for an event that’s about more than just miles on the road. The Mill Towns Race Series, founded in part by Amy Nugent in honor of her mother, has grown from a heartfelt grassroots initiative into a vibrant annual tradition.

While the race raises awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer through Project Purple, it also welcomes anyone who wants to run, whether for personal fitness or the joy of participating. Amy’s story of dedication and resilience continues to inspire everyone involved, and you can read her full story here.

Celebrating 2025’s Success

The 2025 Mill Towns Race Series was a standout year for both participants and organizers. 187 runners crossed the finish line, and together, they raised more than $12,500 for Project Purple.

Drawing participants from 18 states and numerous Minnesota communities, roughly 34% of the participants were racing their respective distance for the first time, highlighting the event’s reputation as approachable, welcoming, and fun for runners of all levels.

To date, the series has raised approximately $25,000 for Project Purple in its four-year history.

Part of what makes the Mill Towns Race Series so appealing is its approachable nature. “It is a small race, and some people just don’t like the hype of major marathons,” Amy says. “And, it’s affordable; it’s not very often you can run a marathon for under $100.”

One story that captured the spirit of the event was Stefan, a 17-year-old with no personal connection to pancreatic cancer. He chose to participate not just to run his first race, but to make a difference by fundraising for Project Purple. While the idea of asking friends and family for donations felt intimidating at first, Stefan quickly discovered how empowering it could be, ultimately raising over $500 and showing how even a small effort can make a big difference.

The Mill Towns Race Series makes this option accessible for anyone: participants who raise $250 or more have their race entry fee waived, giving runners the opportunity to fundraise directly for Project Purple beyond the basic entrance fee, while still enjoying the race itself. Stefan’s experience illustrates that the event is for everyone. Whether participants are motivated by supporting the cause, pursuing a personal challenge, or simply enjoying a welcoming community, there’s a place for them at the race.

Amy and her race committee take pride in intentionally growing the event incrementally, while maintaining its friendly, stress-free environment. With a flat, looped course and thoughtful planning, the race continues to attract both first-timers and experienced runners year after year.

A Race With Heart

The Mill Towns Race Series began during the pandemic as a way for Amy to honor her mother, who had passed from pancreatic cancer. After the Chicago Marathon she had trained for and raised money for Project Purple was canceled, Amy felt driven to keep her promise to her donors, which led her and a friend to create a local race of their own.

“I felt an obligation to my donors to still run a race,” Amy recalls. Hosting the event allowed her to combine that commitment with supporting a cause that had deeply affected her life.

Her mom’s memory continues to inspire the race every year. “She was such a driven advocate for the community,” Amy shares, “she was all about making a difference, so I want to continue making a difference with this race.”

At first, honoring her mother was the main motivation for creating the event. Over time, however, Amy noticed the event growing into something bigger. “It’s less about me and more about everybody who comes to run,” she says. The focus shifted to giving participants a great experience, all while raising money for Project Purple.

Amy takes pride in the fact that the race benefits so many, from the participants to the running community to Project Purple, and she values that the event has become a shared experience, rather than just a personal project. Hearing the stories of participants and supporters affected by pancreatic cancer keeps her motivated. “There is hope, progress is being made, and someday we will be able to save people,” she says.

She began directing the Mill Towns Race Series while still running competitively. After a hip replacement ended her ability to run, though, Amy continued leading the race and found new purpose in supporting both the event and the community it serves. The race is still hosted by her running club, Your Pace or Mine, which keeps her connected to the community she loves even though she no longer runs.

“For me, this is a way that I can continue to fundraise for Project Purple even when I can no longer join a team,” Amy says. “It’s a way I can give back in a meaningful way, and though how I connect with the organization now is very different from how I connected with them when I first started, it’s a good thing.”

Her perseverance is reflected in the small, meaningful moments: cheering on first-time runners, connecting with families, and hearing the personal stories of participants. Through it all, Amy remains deeply involved, proving that even when circumstances change, dedication and passion can keep you at the heart of the community you love.

Looking Forward: 2026 and Enhancing the Experience

With 2026 on the horizon, the focus is on keeping the Mill Towns Race Series friendly, manageable, and a joy for everyone who takes part. “The course is a looped course, it’s flat, it’s fast, and everything is all in one spot,” Amy notes. “We just want to keep focusing on improving the runner experience, and that’s what we’re working towards every single year. Word of mouth continues to grow this race, so we just keep growing incrementally and very intentionally.” To maintain that experience, the 2026 race will cap participation at 225 runners, up slightly from this year’s 200, ensuring the event remains manageable and welcoming.

The committee has also taken lessons from past years to enhance the experience even further. Amy shares, “We have learned to communicate more. We have learned that there are some things we need to do to enhance the experience, but also improve safety.” This includes clearer day-of communication, improved signage, and additional volunteers to support runners throughout the day.

Outside of the race itself, 2026 will also bring a more festive atmosphere at the start and finish line, with family-friendly activities and opportunities for the community to gather and celebrate.

Amy hopes to continue partnering with local businesses and organizations to highlight the mill towns of Dundas and Northfield, and strengthen the event’s connection to the wider community. And, looking ahead, Amy also hopes to one day welcome a Project Purple team to the race, further deepening the event’s connection to the organization it supports.

Join the Race and Make an Impact

What began as a “one-time thing” during COVID has now grown into an event she envisions growing to 500 participants one day. Amy recently earned her Race Director Certification, a step she “never would have dreamt of doing,” but one that has given her, as she describes, “more purpose in life.”

Through the Mill Towns Race Series, Amy shows that “one person can make a big impact. It starts with something small, and you never know where it’s going to lead.”

Registration for the 2026 Mill Towns Race Series opens January 1st at 12 AM CST; runners of all levels can sign up and fundraise for Project Purple while enjoying a fun, community-focused event here.

And, if you’d like to organize or take part in your own event to support Project Purple like Amy did, visit our events page.