Road Runners picking up speed

By Scott L. Miley

May 08, 2008 05:37 pm

— 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.
The course starts at the Anderson Town Center at 12th and Meridian streets, heading north into the trail system along White River before coming back downtown.
In previous years, there were 300 volunteers needed to assist runners — more than usual because the course went on the Anderson Speedway — much like the Indy 500 Mini-Marathon courses circles the Indianapolis Motor Speedway track.
The revised route should encourage last year’s volunteers to run or walk, said Frankie St. Phillips, president of Anderson Road Runners.
In previous years, the race drew hundreds. Organizers are hoping to again draw those numbers, as entries this year are expected to be more than 100.
The run will also be tied into other activities at the Town Center on May 17.
St. Phillips seems to get more energy from watching the Thursday night runs.
“I’m personally proudest of the fun run,” said St. Phillips.
The Thursday evening run — open to any youth in the area — has seen as many as 133 kids in one evening. Participants get a ribbon and treat each week.
And it signifies the purpose for the club in St. Phillips’ eyes.
“What we’re here for is the next generation.”
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Anderson Roadrunners events for 2008
• White River Run
May 17, 9 a.m. 10K run and 5K walk, 8:30 a.m. fun run
Town Center Park, 12th and Meridian Streets
$15 (if pre-registered by Saturday)
$20 (after that date)
• Fun Run Series
Every Thursday
5:30 p.m. walk, 6 p.m. run
Shadyside Park volleyball court
Kids and teens invited
• Run the Mounds 5-mile race
Nov. 2
Mounds State Park
Info: www.andersonroadrunners.org

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