ABOUT US

Queen City Running Co. is locally owned and operated in Marquette, Michigan by a family that has been fitting shoes since 1946. 

KEVIN THOMSEN

Queen City Running Company Owner/Operator

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.

PAIGE DU BOIS

General Manager/Event Coordinator 

Originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin, Paige attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth where she achieved All-American status in Track and Field before transferring to NMU in the fall of 2018. She competed for both the Cross Country and Track and Field teams throughout her college career, having specialities in the 400, 600 and 800 meters. Paige etched her name into both UMD and NMU's record books in 5 different events. She graduated from NMU in May of 2020 with a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology and Minors in Pre-Law, Physical-Education and Coaching. Following her "retirement" from collegiate running, she found a new love for road racing, as well as pacing races around the country, and ultramarathons. Outside of running, Paige enjoys coaching her High School Cross Country and Track athletes, pacing full and half marathons with ONPaceRace hiking, spending time with her cats Nova, Luna, Kota and Tino, and reading with a good cup of coffee in hand. Paige's favorite shoe is the Saucony Tempus!

JOHN THOMSEN

Staff

John joined QCRC after a 45 year career as owner and operator of the iconic Johnson's Sports Center in Marquette. John is truly one of the best, and believes in good customer service. With his wealth of experience and knowledge John takes much pride in going above and beyond to find the perfect fit for his customers. When John is not at the shop you can find him out for a long walk, rain or shine, along the bike path with his wife Sandy, dog Taffey, and possibly one of his grandchildren. He loves local sports and can be heard in the morning on his daily radio sports talk show or in the evening broadcasting from a local hockey, basketball, baseball, or football game. Stop by and say hi to John anytime, he loves seeing all of his old customers and familiar faces! John's favorite shoe is the Brooks Adrenaline.

Sydney Broberg

Sales Associate

Sydney Broberg, originally from Minneapolis, MN, moved to Marquette in 2017. Sydney has been an avid runner for over a decade and has just begun to enjoy trail running. She enjoys racing all distances from the 5k all the way to the marathon and hopes to compete in triathlons some day. In her free time she enjoys knitting, reading, riding her bike on the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, and participating in activities with the community. Sydney’s favorite shoe to run in is the Hoka Arahi!

Anna Vanderhoef

Sales Associate

Anna Vanderhoef grew up in Madison, Wisconsin and came to Marquette in 2021 to study computer science at NMU. Anna is an avid runner and has run half marathons and is training to run her first marathon. In her free time she enjoys crocheting, reading, hiking, being outside and painting. She also loves cross country skiing and participates in the American Birkebeiner every year. Anna’s favorite running shoe is the Hoka Clifton! 

Anni Skillicorn

Sales Associate

Anni Skillicorn hails from Winona, Minnesota, and transplanted to Marquette for her freshman year of college at NMU. Now entering her third and final year as a student pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability with a minor in Political Science, Anni is exploring her love of the outdoors by way of trail running, mountain biking and cross country skiing. After a recent transition to a more recreational schedule, following a lengthy competitive career for high school cross country skiing and participating as a member of the NMU cross country and track and field teams, Anni looks forward to connecting with the Marquette community through her role with Queen City Running Company. Look for her out on the trails, and feel free to introduce yourself! *especially if you’re the owner of a cute pup ;)*

Morgan Lyon

Mason Granger

Sales Associate

Mason Granger graduated from Negaunee High School in 2018 and ran varsity track and field my 4 years there where he was an All UP finalist for the 110 and 300 hurdles. Went to NMU and ran club track right out of high school. He ended up going into nursing at Finlandia university on a football scholarship. After a semester at FU, he found his two biggest passions in life, distance running and the science of medicine. He made the switch back to NMU where he is currently a pre-medical student, studying Neuroscience and aspiring towards a future career in neurosurgery. Living in Marquette has made Mason an advent trail runner! His favorite shoe is the Hoka Tecton!

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Matthew Johnson

Sales Associate

Matthew is originally from Manchester, MI. After graduating from the University of Michigan, he moved around a lot from Ann Arbor to DC, then Nome, AK, and finally moved to Marquette in the fall of 2021. During that time he has gone through ebs and flows of running, and is excited to be back in a place where he can run (mostly) year round. Matthew enjoy races of all distances, but has stuck mostly to the roads until this year as he is training for the Marquette Trail 50K, with goals of eventually running a 100 mile race as well as qualifying for the Boston marathon. Matthew's favorite shoe is the Brooks Glycerin GTS! 

Luke Janofski

Sales Associate

Luke Janofski, a Marquette local, was raised running iconic Marquette races such as the Blackrocks 5k. He graduated from MSHS in the class of 2022, and is now competing collegiately, running cross country and track and field at Davenport University and majoring in marketing. He has been involved with Marquette athletics his entire life, running, Nordic skiing, and playing hockey and soccer. Outside the shop you can find Luke shreddin’ on the disc golf course, or in the computer labs messing around on photoshop. Luke’s favorite shoe to run in is the Hoka Clifton 8!