What makes someone a runner? Is it the first time you run a mile without stopping? Or is it after you make your first trip to Rapid Transit to get your first pair of running shoes? Or once you’ve completed your first 5k? Or your first half marathon? Or your first marathon?
I first became a runner in the summer of 2012. After making some serious lifestyle changes and dropping triple digits worth of weight, I was looking for an evening activity to help burn off the table scraps I ate after my son refused his portion of chicken nuggets. I really did not want to have to drive to a gym and pay for a membership, frugality is a common theme with me. I really didn’t want to have Shaun T leave me in another pool of sweat from another Beachbody Insanity workout.
But it dawned on me, I could run. So I downloaded a run tracker app, put on my sneakers, and famously told my wife, “I’ll be back. I’m just going for a run.” And about 10 minutes later, I had completed the first, ugly, sweaty, why-did-I-think-this-was-a-good-idea run of my life that did not involve a phys ed. requirement.
When I got back to my house, completely out of breath, I couldn’t believe people did this for fun. And worse off, there are people that PAY to run races?! What is wrong with them?! Well, a year later I ran my first 5k at the Bellefonte Cruise. Seven marathons, including this year’s monsoon of a Boston Marathon, and 10 half marathons later, I guess you can say I am fully infected with the runner’s bug.
So regardless if you run/jog/walk/crawl around the block once a week or go on daily 10 milers, you ARE A RUNNER. And from my observations, there are a lot of runners in this community.
While the State College running community is one of the finest I have ever been a part of, I’ve noticed there is a lack of coverage for runners. When high school track and field meets happen, I usually find the results out by talking to students in class or reading an out-of-Centre County news source. Some areas make a big deal about their local runners when they run the Boston Marathon. Around Centre County, not much gets said unless you are a lucky guy who gets chosen to run it as part of a national team of teachers sponsored by Hyland’s (stop your cramps, not your race).
My hope for this running column is to feature local runners who slip between the cracks. From the ordinary to the extraordinary, I hope to showcase some of the running accomplishments this area has to offer.
I also hope to highlight local races which may not get much publicity. Hopefully, finding out about these races, which typically support some very worthy causes, will motivate you to put on your sneakers and tell a loved one, “I’ll be back. I’m just going for a run.”
Race Calendar
• 4th Fest Firecracker 4K and 4 Mile Races, 9 a.m., July 4th, PSU Campus. Start your 4th of July off with a little cardio workout. Runners and walkers of all skill levels and ages are encouraged to participate. https://www.4thfest.org/firecracker/
• The Sue Crowe Memorial 43rd Annual NVRC Arts Festival 5K, 10K , and kids races, 8:30 a.m., July 15th, Medlar Field. Enjoy the final day of the Arts Festival by running in this historic race. Proceeds benefit the Nittany Valley Running Club to help fund local running events and youth running programs. https://nvrun.com/index.php/racing/club-sponsored/arts-festival-races
• Houtzdale Days 5K Run/Walk & Fireman’s Challenge, 7:30 p.m., July 27th, Houtzdale. This challenging, yet fun, course starts and ends at the celebration so you and your family can enjoy the festivities. The Fireman’s Challenge follows the same course but participants must wear or carry turnout gear for the entire race. https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Houtzdale/HoutzdaleDays5kRunWalkandFiremansChallenge?remMeAttempt=
• Flutopia 5K, 8 a.m., July 28th, Tom Tudek Park. The most musical 5K in town! The race benefits Centre Volunteers in Medicine and Doctors Without Borders. A Flutastic 50 yard dash for children 10 and under will take place following the 5K. https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=130000
