Last week I wrote about local Running Stores as the backbone of the running community. Running Clubs also have tremendous influence across our state. There are 16 Michigan clubs that belong to the Road Runners Club of America and a hundred more that are local grass roots organizations looking for camaraderie and support of a healthy lifestyle through running and walking.
Clubs vary in size, from the two dozen or so Brighton Area Road Striders "BARS" to the Ann Arbor Track Club with over 600 members. They vary in activity too. Some just meet to run and go home, a few are more of an affiliation with discounts for participating in club races and others meet after weekly runs to eat and drink beer. Many of them put on races to support club functions.
Almost every day of the week in the metropolitan Detroit area you can find a club to run with. Some are listed in the Free Press Health and Fitness guide every Tuesday. Many clubs now advertise their activities on web sites. Larry Frontera, president of the Stoney Creek Runners promotes that his club has scheduled runs five days a week. They range from long runs, to track, to trail runs. Over 100 runners show up for their Tuesday track runs. They also are involved in several volunteer programs including Toys for Tots.
A key component of running on a club is getting recognition for participating in races and volunteering activities. The Redford RoadRunners and Downtown Runners put on lavish Christmas banquets with dinner and dancing. The Stoney Creek Running Club and Motor City Striders host an annual picnic. All of these clubs give out special awards that range from most improved runner to coveted recognition such as best buns or GQ runner of the year.
Several of the RRCA clubs compete for the best monthly newsletter. This is another facet for providing information and recognition for its members.
The average age of a club is almost forty years old and women are slowly becoming half of the membership. There hasn't been a lot of growth in the size of the clubs. It seems as if they reach a certain size then stay there. Members come and go each year and founding members are looked at like family members. One notable exception is a new group out of Ann Arbor called the Goddesses. It's an all women's gathering that identifies themselves with a special piece of jewelry and meet at a member's home once a month for a potluck dinner.
Tip of the Week: With the warm weather now upon us it becomes especially important to stay hydrated. Keep a water bottle in your car, at your work desk or at home. Try using Gatorade or your favorite sports drink after long runs to help replace some of the electrolytes you lose through sweating.
Race of the Week: Saturday May 12th, 8 a.m.; 24th Annual River Bank Run in Grand Rapids; 25km and 5km. For more information contact: 616.771.1590 or 1-800-652-2657, ext. 1590 or email:
