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These are the staple of club activities occurring every Tuesday throughout
the year. In winter they start at the Long's Park for roads or behind the
Villa Nova for trails. In spring they’re at various locations around the county
and from June through October they’re usually at club members’ houses.
The club tries to hold the runs throughout the county. Immediately
following every Tuesday run is a social gathering.
Here’s a little Q&A primer to understand a little more.
Q. Where are the fun runs held?
A. Winter - in general, at Long's Park for roads or behind the Villa Nova for trails. Note: Long's Park has had an on again ("gee, we'll raise a ton of money", off again ("gee we didn't raise a ton of money), on again ("gee, we forgot that we we didn't make any money, let's try again" light show - when it's on, the alternate location is at the Gibraltar Restaurant/Franklin & Marshall pool parking lot.
A. Summer - different
locations, see the above "schedule" for a link/look at where.
Q What’s the starting
time of a fun run?
A Usually 6:30, though in the fall start times are 15-30 minutes sooner for
sake of sunlight in the evil months.
Q How long are the runs?
A Run distances are usually between 3 and 9 miles. Those that lay out the courses
usually provide a short and long option. Running “out and back” is always an option
to those choosing to run shorter than the short option.
Q Who can attend the runs?
A Anyone interested in running.
Q Are fun runs races?
A No Runners of all abilities run the runs. Finding someone of “like speed”
is usually not too difficult. If Khalid Khannouchi shows, he may be running
solo.
Q Are fun runs for road runners, trail runners or walkers?
A Anyone. Talk to 20 fun run attendees and you’ll talk to some road runners,
some trail runners, some walkers and some that dabble in all 3 pursuits.
Q What does
“Part 2” mean?
A Food after the run. Though strictly optional, all run
attendees are welcome to get together after the run to socialize and eat.
Discussions range from anything between running and world politics. Curious
about a race, how to deal with an injury or how to train? Odds are one of
the club members has done the race, experienced the injury or knows a thing
or 2 about training.
Q Where are the Part 2s?
A At a roadhouse or
someone’s home. If at roadhouse: pay for what you eat and drink plus tax
& tip. Don’t forget that a few glasses of wine add$$$ up.
Q "I’ve
been to some clubs and elitist and cliquish atmosphere prevails. Is this
the case with the LRRC?"
A No, running can
never be confused with golf and the fun runs don't ever start at the mall.
Show up and people will engage in conversation and try to be welcoming to
anyone. Though some runners tend to be quiet, it's certainly not an
attempt to be stuck up or exclusionary, it's because they’re shy and this
is the only way this should be taken by anyone thinking about the topic; end of
story. Talking about a race or how to train is the easiest icebreaker
around-infinitely better than weather talk. Don't worry if things aren't
absolutely perfect the first time, it's not like getting married or something a
mother in law thinks about 10 years in advance. Keep coming around
and you’ll end up talking to anyone and everyone. Don't forget
that people do this for fun. If it wasn't fun, it wouldn't happen.
Walk around with this thought in your head: if your main interest is in
running, then you've found the right place.
Q Regarding runs
that take place at people’s houses, who can attend and do they cost
anything?
A All are welcome. There is no cost. Please keep in mind that the host is usually opening up their home and providing a picnic to hungry and thirsty runners. The host volunteers time and resources necessary (this does not come out of the LRRC's coffers) to provide a run course and a picnic following the run. Also also also Please be mindful of the host’s home and thank them for their efforts. Ask 'em if you can give them a hand at all. Moving a picnic table or helping with where folks should park goes a long way.
Q. "I'm known around the area as a fairly elite runner, how do I fit into the LRRC?"
A. Yes of course you win races, run the fastest times/etc, but know that you're a leader in the running community. Your fellow runners look up to you because you train hard and achieve high goals.
Q Why are fun runs held?
A Why not? Fun runs improve the quality of life quotient in the Lancaster area.
Those living in Atlanta, Manhattan or LA may have a bit more culture and ethnic
food but they also experience associated headaches like gang land violence,
smog, serial killers and 4 lane commutes for 5 dollar milk. The running
community in Lancaster is quite strong and fun runs certainly contribute to
the cause.
