Redbud Classic gives Oklahomans chance to exercise for a good cause
Chris Loeffelholz got into running later in life than most. He was in his mid-30s when he caught the bug.
At the time, he was living in the Edgemere Park neighborhood of Oklahoma City. Loeffelholz eased into the sport, doing 1-mile runs at the local park. After a couple months of building up his endurance, Loeffelholz decided he was ready for something more challenging.
“Then I thought it was time to do a 10K,” Loeffelholz said. “And I thought that there was none better than the Redbud.”
Loeffeholz ran his his firstever 10K race at the Redbud Classic in 2004. A lot has changed for him since then. He’s now got a couple dozen long races, including 10K runs, half-marathons and marathons, under his belt.
And he also calls a new place home.
In 2010, Loeffeholz, a lifelong Oklahoma City resident who attended Casady and Putnam City West, relocated to San Francisco for a job with the FDIC.
But 12 years after he ran his first 10K, Loeffelholz, 50, is returning to Oklahoma City this weekend to participate in the Redbud Classic, an event that allows Oklahomans of all ages and abilities to run, bike, roll and walk for a good cause.
The 34th annual Redbud Classic, which starts Saturday and concludes Sunday, features eight different events that will benefit Peppers Ranch, a local foster care community for children who have been abused or neglected.
The events include 10-, 33and 50-mile cycling events and a 1-mile kid’s fun run on Saturday. On Sunday, there are 5K and 10K runs, a 5K wheelchair race and a 2-mile walk and baby stroller derby.
Loeffelholz’s event this weekend is the same as it was 12 years ago: the 10K run.
However, this time he’ll have plenty of company from family members throughout the weekend. Loeffelholz’s brother-inlaw, Steve, will run with him. Loeffelholz’s mother Virginia, sister Cathy, niece Cianne, her husband and their two young children will participate in the 2-mile walk and baby stroller derby.
All told, Loeffelholz will have seven family members participating in the Redbud Classic who range in age from 2 to 80.
“My brother-in-law Steve is newly retired,” Loeffeholz said. “We figured it would be great to get him out on the walking trail and my sister as well. We thought we would just make this multi-generational. Then I asked my mom. She’s an avid walker. She probably puts in five to 10 miles a week, too. Then we thought we’d just include the kids as well. So it’s truly a family event.”
The cycling events start at 7 a.m. at the Waterford Complex located at the corner of NW 63 St. and Pennsylvania Avenue.
The 1-mile kid’s fun run is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Saturday. The run begins at Nichols Hill Plaza at the corner of N Western Avenue and Avondale Drive. Children up to age 12 can participate.
The activities Sunday start at 1:30 p.m. at the Waterford Complex on Waterford Boulevard.
Registration for any of these events can be completed online at redbug.org or in person from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday at Nichols Hill Plaza.
The running and walking events cost $35 per person, while the cycling events cost $40. Participants can also sign up on race day for an extra $5. The kid’s fun run is free.
“What better way to enjoy a nice spring day in Oklahoma?” Loeffelholz asked.