The Roadrunners Club is holding its Celebration 5K race on September 20 in Raleigh, and women who want to get in shape for the event now have some help.
The Women's Beginner Running Club is helping its members get ready for the race, starting now. The group is part of the larger Roadrunners Club, and is taking things slowly. Women who are new to running start with run/walks, which are slowly increased in intervals and distance on a weekly basis.
The club starts the training by dividing the women into four groups, A through D, based on their ability. This separation takes place within the first week, with advanced or fast runners going into Group A, intermediate runners to Group B, and women who are fit but have no raced before going into Group C. Group D is for women who are not in tip-top shape, and have never run.
This group was first established in 1998 by Georgia Hagens, since there were few running clubs for women in Raleigh then. The class first met twice a week, and usually had fewer than 15 women taking part. However, as running became more popular, the club increased and at one time had 120 women members. Membership is now capped at 100.
Group officials could work with brochure printers to create a handout describing the club. The upcoming 5K will be a perfect place to distribute them.
