RUNNING IS HERE TO STAY

Perhaps you thought that was obvious; but within recent months there have been many articles lamenting the idea that running in America is going to the dogs. The reason given are many and varied: 1. That running has changed from an elite sport to a recreational activity hampered by dogs and baby joggers. 2. That many seem more interested in drawings, refreshments and entertainment than they are in anything that even approaches serious running. 3. That most racing events have simply become fund raisers for various charities. And maybe most important (4.) That American runners are placing lower and lower in world competition.

While we understand some of the concerns of elite runners, grassroots running is at an all time high. Furthermore, I believe this speaks well for the future of our sport. In fact, this is something that is quite unique to America.

I have run in some remote areas of Jamaica; and the round eyes of startled children lets you know that a white man running on a mountain road is about as close to a pink elephant as they ever expect to see! Jamaica has produced some good runners for world competition; and they treat them like royalty; but all the running of the average person is to something or from something. They equate running only with the training of their military or preparing for the Olympics; and, apart from a few tourist areas, they cannot conceive of anyone running just for the joy of running.

I spent some time in Ukraine on a mission trip and tried to run each day that I was there Many of their people walk most everywhere they go, so that paths and walkways were often filled with people; but in two weeks time I did not see a single runner. Their people are physically fit and they have some good national runners; but it is not considered as being for the average person. Even in their larger cities both the police and the military look with suspicion on a runner. When you get away from the border and removed from certain tourist areas, the same thing is largely true of running in Mexico.

In contrast, in the States 400,000 people participated in 300 marathons last year! In fact, a number of these racing events have become so large that they have had to set a maximum number that they will accept. Women and high school students are taking up running in record numbers. Almost every school has a cross country team composed of both boys and girls. Even more startling to me is that you can hardly leave home day or night without seeing people running; and this includes from long before daylight to well past midnight. Undoubtedly this is a remarkable increase even from one year ago; and it speaks well for running as being for everyone in America.

The records have also continued to fall. Not always by Americans to be sure but falling nevertheless In the marathon alone this has been almost unbelievable. For example, IN THE 1999 LAS VEGAS MARATHON THERE WERE 573 PEOPLE WHO WOULD HAVE BEAT THE GOLD MEDAL WINNER IN THE 1904 OLYMPIC MARATHON!!! (Where T.J. Hicks of the USA took Gold with a time of 3:28:53.) A 2:23:03 took Gold as late as 1952; while the world record has now been dropped just last year to 2:05:42. Now that is a real difference, isn't it???

It is true that Americans are struggling in world competition. The best American marathon time was set by David Morris in Chicago at 2:09:32. None of our American women are running nearly as fast as when Joan Samuelsen set the U.S. record almost 15 years ago at 2:21:21. These are naturally concerns on the world scene; but they do not reflect at all on the expansion of running locally. In fact, the growing numbers of runners at younger ages may (over time) have an impact on what we are doing nationally.

Our focus continues to be on the two thirds of Americans who don 't exercise at all. On the 95 percent who couldn't run a mile without stopping. On the life style that keeps our children in front of a television set or scanning the internet, rather than engaging in any; type of physical activity. With those who seldom walk anywhere, except to shop in stores. Is it any wonder that these find it difficult competing with those who have walked or run more than five miles every day just to get to and from school? Or those who have engaged in hard physical labor since they were small children? To be a competitor with these may require life style changes that moat Americans are unwilling to make.

Our present running boom is more mellow than before. It emphasizes fitness, stress reduction, weight loss, running for charities and feeling good about yourself. But it is very real; and it is here to stay. We're so glad that you are a part of it!