This spring, Midwest Dairy laced up its sneakers to connect with thousands of runners, athletes, and nutrition-conscious consumers through two signature events. Both events highlighted dairy’s vital role in fueling active lifestyles and the care that goes into producing it.
Goldy’s Run
Now in its second year, Midwest Dairy’s partnership with Goldy’s Run brought together University of Minnesota Golden Gopher athletes and thousands of runners to highlight shared values: dedication to care and performance.
Gen Z consumers are increasingly curious about cow care, making it a key focus in this year’s digital campaign. Through engaging content, Gopher athletes drew powerful parallels between what cows need to thrive and what runners need to perform at their best.
Athletes featured in the campaign included:
- Mallory Heyer, Women’s Basketball – on rest and recovery
- Rhett Koenig, Men’s Wrestling – on proper hydration
- Ella Huber, Women’s Hockey – on a balanced diet
The campaign generated over 25,000 impressions, with messaging also included in the digital race packets sent to more than 8,000 participants. On race day, Midwest Dairy hosted interactive cow care trivia, connecting dairy’s nutritional value with its origins in responsible animal care.
40th Annual Milk Run
Over Memorial Day Weekend, Midwest Dairy celebrated the 40th Annual Milk Run at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, part of the Kickoff to Summer festivities. The sold-out event welcomed 2,000 runners and cheering crowds of family and friends, many of whom joined the fun at Midwest Dairy’s interactive booth.
The booth featured a spin-to-win dairy trivia wheel that taught participants of all ages about sustainability, cow comfort, and milk’s post-workout recovery benefits. Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Rachel Visser, helped kick off the race and posed for photos with fans.
After the race, runners were treated to chocolate or white milk, courtesy of Prairie Farms—a delicious, protein-packed recovery drink loaded with electrolytes and nutrients perfect for rebuilding energy. Whether a collegiate athlete training year-round or a weekend warrior crossing a 5K finish line, dairy supports the body with a powerful combo of protein, hydration, calcium, and care. These events demonstrate that dairy isn’t just a smart choice, but a meaningful one, and that is why Midwest Dairy shows up to events like these.