Uniting Runners Across Sioux Falls
https://www.keloland.com/news/eye-on-keloland/uniting-runners-across-sioux-falls/
Thanks to Karlee Phillips for joining us for a run and writing up such a great story about the SF Run Club!
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Every Thursday at Good Earth State Park, you’ll find a pack of runners on the trails. Jess Walhof is one of those runners.
“I’ve been a member of the run club since 2016 when I moved to town. One of my high school friends told me about it because we both started running after high school and she told me about the group runs,” Walhof, a run club host, said.
The Sioux Falls Area Running Club was started in 1988 by people looking to run together as a group in town. Today, that once small idea has expanded to over 200 active members. Group runs typically take place on the trails that overlook the outskirts of Sioux Falls.
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“A lot of our runners do run year-round out here or on the bike trails in town,” Trail Series Race Director Nathan Schwab said.
Experience level is no barrier.
“You maybe only run a mile a day or maybe you go out and run hundreds of miles. We will take anybody. Maybe you run a 5-minute pace or you run 15-minute paces,” Walhof said.
Schwab said it’s also a great way to get running and race advice from others.
“If you’ve done some 5Ks or maybe you haven’t run at all and you’re looking to do 5k or a half marathon, just coming out here on Thursdays and talking to some people on a run and asking ‘how do you do this’ and ‘how do you do that?'” Schwab said.
But there’s a bigger picture to the club than just training.
“It keeps you inspired, and you get to learn about other people and their experiences. And everybody’s got a different running story, which is really neat,” Walhof said.
A lot of early-on friendships have stretched for miles for members.
“I’m still friends with a lot of the people I started running with back in 2016, but I’ve also made a lot of new friends since then, and there’s always new faces coming out here too, which is great for the club and great for just people exploring new trails and new places,” Walhof said.
That’s why she’s giving back and taking on the role as the run club host- to inspire others to lace up their running shoes.
“I make sure nobody gets left behind on the trails and everybody has a good experience out here,” Walhof said.
“It just brings people together. It’s a great way to meet people, especially like-minded people and learn,” Schwab said.
The running club meets every Thursday at 6 p.m. at Good Earth State Park. Their next trail race is July 27th. To learn more about upcoming events and how to get involved, click here.
