ANDERSON — Debbie Smith and Ron Harmening ran into their marriage last week.

The Anderson couple finished the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon, rested briefly and hopped onto a flight to Hawaii where they got married.

They met through Anderson Road Runners, a club known for its longtime support of runners, joggers and walkers.

“I’ve lost several people in my family due to heart disease,” said Debbie. “I decided it was time that I had to do something for myself, so I picked up running. I do it for my heart and lungs.”

Not every run leads to marriage.

But most members find friendships.

Steve Bowers, of Anderson, rattled off a list of people he’s met since rejoining the club last year. He participates in the club’s Thursday night runs open to the public.

“It’s something to look forward to and you know you’ll be welcomed,” Bowers said. “You don’t have to beat anybody. You can just run for yourself. And they help each other to do it.”

Members recently had a post-Mini-Marathon get-together at a tent not far from the finish line at the 13.2-mile race Indianapolis.

They munched on fruit and gulped energy drinks next to a tent decorated with a Hawaiian theme. Each wore a lei to honor the Ron and Debbie wedding.

Clubs help ease the solitude of lonely distance runners.

“It really makes a difference when you can have a friend out there with you while you’re running,” said Matt Soverns, 14, a student at St. Mary’s in Anderson. “It gives you something to keep going.”

Resting next to him after also running the 5K race was his 21-year-old brother, Pete Soverns, who attends Purdue University.

“It’s really valuable to the community to have a place to go,” said the older Soverns. “Running is kind of a lonely thing, and you can be with the crazy people who like to do this as much as you do.”

Most of the Road Runners are getting ready for a 10K run and 5K walk on May 17.