Community Support- Reston Runners

Anna Bradford addresses over 150 runners and crew, all part of Reston Runners' great JFK 50 Miler training and support effort.

Dave, Andrew and I are the running portions of Crazy Craig's Climate Challenge but there are so many people behind our effort here at National Wildlife Federation and beyond that give us the inspiration, the motivation, skills, laughs and knowledge that will put us over the finish line late Saturday afternoon on November 18.

Outside of our own families-- personal and NWF-- there's a third family that is helping us out too, Reston Runners. All over the country, there are clubs that support people interested in getting outside and moving. The uncatalogued health benefits of what they offer their communities are really substantial. Whether you're a walker, a casual or competitive runner, a triathlete or a head-for-the-mountains-and-trails ultramarathoner, there's a club with a program for you.

Reston Runners, with over two thousand members in the northern Virginia area, has an incredible number of great activities that it offers to anyone interested. When Dave Strauss indicated that we'd be doing a 50 miler this fall (or was it when I suggested to Dave that we try something longer than a marathon so he'd have a chance of getting to the finish line before me?) I recalled hearing about a great training plan Reston Runners was offering.This was right after finishing a local 5k race Reston Runners had supported for a local nature center.

This Saturday, 70 Reston JFK Runners supported by almost 40 crew will be in Boonesboro for the start of the JFK 50 Miler. Reston Runners' record of support is so good that 95% of their runners finish.

I was placed on the Reston Freshmen team-- I haven't been a freshman for a long time. Andrew is a Reston Veteran-- he's done this race before. Dave is a Wildcard; no, he's on the Wildcard Team. Apt.

If you live close enough to Reston to join them in some of their walks and runs every week of the year, DO IT! You won't regret making the friends and getting into better shape than you were and who knows, maybe in a couple of years, you too will be running the JFK 50 Miler!

Crazy Craig