New running club ready to step off

Friday, June 1, 2007

DePauw University has teamed up with both Greencastle middle and high schools to bring local runners a new opportunity this summer - it's called the Greencastle Running Club.

Kori Stoffregen, DePauw's head track and cross country coach, Pat Babington, DePauw's exercise physiologist, Mike Schimpf, boys' head track and cross country coach at Greencastle High School, and Stacie Stoffregen, girls' head track coach at Greencastle Middle School, are collaborating as a team of coaches to kick start what Kori Stoffregen calls "a good opportunity to meet other runners and go for a run."

Starting June 4 and running until Aug. 11, Greencastle Running Club plans to meet three times a week. It is being currently run through the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department.

"It was my idea; I wanted to just provide something for the community," Stoffregen said.

The club will be utilizing the DePauw Nature Park's trails to run on during its meeting time each week.

After paying a $25 membership fee, which provides runners with a club T-shirt, drinks, snacks, and running journal, members meet up at the park, are able to pose questions to the coaches, and then organize a run throughout the park.

"It's my hope that one or most of us are there to answer questions," Stoffregen said. He said questions could range from what shoes to buy to "Why does my leg hurt?"

Stoffregen said it can be difficult to find people to run with, and the club will offer an excellent opportunity to socialize with other runners, as well as offer a chance to train and prepare for upcoming track and cross country seasons.

Members can also come and go as they please throughout the summer-wide schedule, he said.

When asked about his expectations for the club, Stoffregen said, "We're going to show up and go from there. We're excited about doing it. If six people show up, great. If 100 people show up, that's awesome."

The Greencastle Running Club will meet every Monday and Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and every Saturday at 8 a.m. at the DePauw Nature Park. Registration forms are available at Greencastle City Hall, Putnam County Library, Bright Futures, and the Putnam County Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

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