June 25, 2009 10:54 am
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The idea for a Tri-County running club formed gradually, over the years, during the long and lonely treks Chris Jones took as a long distance runner. And it came to fruition last month, when the Falls Road Runners held its first organizational meeting.
In just a few weeks, the organization has garnered close to 50 members, Jones said, but they’re looking for a few more. The Runners are sponsoring a free showing of the documentary “Spirit of the Marathon” at 7 p.m. Friday at the Redhound Theater at Corbin High School. It’s an opportunity for anyone — from seasoned runners to beginners — to get inspired and get advice for running their first marathon, half-marathon or 5K at the Indianapolis Marathon on Oct. 17.
The film follows six people as they train for and run the 2005 Chicago Marathon — from an Olympic medalist to a first-time runner. After the movie, audience members will have the opportunity to join the Falls Road Runners and get a customized training plan, from Jones, to compete in the Indianapolis event of their choosing.
“We don’t want to be personified that we are a bunch of elitists and that this is a racing club by any means,” Jones said. “... You don’t have to be able to run two miles or a five-minute mile or anything like that... There’s much more normal and novice runners than there are elite.”
The film kicks off the club’s training practices, which will be at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the Corbin High School track and Saturday mornings at Falls Road Plaza for long distance runs.
Jones said there are a lot of runners in the area, “but everybody’s kind of off on their own, doing their own thing.”
After competing in the Nibroc two-mile race and other local events over the years, Jones said he started to wonder, “Where are all these people and where are they training?”
He took the results from Nibroc and other local races and put together a data base with about 150 contacts. He sent out letters inviting those runners to join the Falls Road Runners, which is a 501c3 and member of the Road Runners Club of America.
Jones said about 50 people have signed up so far, and he’s hoping for even more after Friday’s film.
“We could easily have over 100 (members) by the end of the year, which would make us the second largest running club in the state of Kentucky,” he said.
The Falls Road Runners plans to be a true Tri-County organization, with members representing the area’s four communities and events planned not just in Corbin but London, Williamsburg and Barbourville.
“We’re looking at supporting the local races that are already in existence... as well as filling the gaps in our local race calendar,” Jones said.
Jones is also planning the Moonbow Marathon, a 26.2-mile race that would be held along the trails of Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.
Jones has been running for 17 years and has completed four marathons. He advises beginners “not to get caught up in comparing yourself to everyone, to start small and stay consistent, and once you do that for a while, you’ll love the way you feel... you’ll get hooked on the endorphins without any prompting from me.”
For more information about the Falls Road Runners, contact Chris Jones at tchjones@yahoo.com or 606-521-2187.
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