Bozeman Magazine

Famed ultra-runner Nikki Kimball will answer questions following a free screening of “Finding Traction,” a documentary about Kimball’s quest to become the fastest person in history to run Vermont’s 273-mile Long Trail. The screening is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, at Montana State University’s Procrastinator Theater. Kimball, who lives in Bozeman, is considered one of the best technical trail runners in the world. Her career highlights include membership on 14 U.S. National Teams across three running disciplines, three-time winner of both North American and USA Track and Field Association’s Ultrarunner of the Year awards, several National Championship titles and a World Cup team gold medal in 100K road racing. Jaime Jacobsen, producer and director of the film about finding and reaching one’s true potential, will also be at the event to answer questions about the film. The film precedes the public conference, Gender Equality and You – Fostering Gender Equality in the Workplace, which is set for Saturday, March 25. “(The film looks at Kimball and) her way of encouraging women and girls to take an equal place for themselves in professional sports,” said Thomas McGrath, student associate of the MSU Leadership Institute. “In addition to providing an inside look into the journey of an elite athlete, ‘Finding Traction’ gives viewers a new perspective on the endurance of the human body and spirit, and informs us all, regardless of our sex, of our true potential and inspires us to reach it.” Gender Equality and You is sponsored by MSU’s Leadership Institute, ASMSU, Office of the Provost, MSU Athletics, Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship, Office of Student Success, Office of Health Advancement, Women’s Center, Diversity Awareness Office, VOICE Center, Powerhouse Montana, Launch Cats, Treeline Coffee Roasters, Bridgercare, Backcountry Squatters, The HEART Initiative and the Body Project. For more information about the film or to sign up for the conference, call the MSU Leadership Institute at (406) 994-7275 or visit www.montana.edu/leadership or facebook.com/MSULeadershipInstitute.