FUN RUNS BRING COMMUNITY TOGETHER
Variety of events for entire family scheduled this spring
It’s time to get your running or walking shoes on, tie them up and head to Riverfront Park in Pottstown for some fun, fitness and community.
First, be sure to mark Tuesday, May 25, on your calendar for the first of five monthly “Tuesdays in the Park Ice Cream 5K and Kids’ Fun Run” hosted by the RUNegades running club.
Already in motion, however, every Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. anyone is welcome to meet up at Keystone Running & Walking’s new location, at the intersection of High and Hanover streets, for a weekly 4-mile group run or a 2.3-3 mile walk on the Schuylkill River Trail.
“We are about building a running community and Pottstown has been very welcoming to us,” said Elissa Agar, a manager at Keystone. “We want to get people excited to come downtown and be a part of the community.”
Previously, when they were located off Route 100 in Chester County, they weren’t in a position to host group runs given they weren’t in close proximity to running trails like they are now. They started hosting the weekly runs/ walks in February.
Free to participate
When Agar is free from managing their Pottstown or Allentown location she joins the 25-30 people that attend the runs headed by Omar Abdali, a member of the RUNegades. There is no need to sign up and it is free to participate. All you have to do is show up.
“We have a lot who join us from the RUNegades,” Agar said. “It’s nice because it’s a place for everybody — we are happy to host regardless of what club you are in.”
In addition to many who join who live in the Pottstown area, some come from farther afield.
“We have runners coming from Pennsburg down,” Agar said.
All levels of runners and walkers are encouraged to participate. Beyond getting some exercise, it’s a chance for you to get to know more in the community. When Keystone’s weekly run/walk is over around 7:30 p.m., there is typically some time to socialize.
“We usually have water and might have food from the local pizza shop,” Agar said. “We might start going to different restaurants like J.J. Ratigan (Brewing Co.) and get a drink after since it’s starting to get nice.”
Rain or shine
The Monday meetups take place rain or shine.
“On rainy days we have diehards that come out,” she said.
Every week one of four different routes is posted on their Facebook group run page in advance of the weekly get-together. The public page enables runners and walkers to have their own discussions and arrange meetups outside of the Monday runs.
Sometimes a shoe rep will be at Keystone at the meetup time to enable people to take test runs with shoes if they are in need of new ones. Agar said the majority of Keystone’s
customers are trying to live without pain and live a healthy lifestyle.
“We have people coming in that were sent by doctors, physical therapists, podiatrists and chiropractors,” she said, referring to shoppers outside of their weekly running group. “We do a job to fit you up properly to what is going to work for you.”
She further explained that if you are enjoying physical activity and aren’t hurting, you are more likely to stick with it.
“We have a scanner that shows your pronation, which shows why we are choosing the shoes we choose for them,” Agar said, adding they factor in the amount of pronation, foot type, shape and arches.
Kids’ Fun Run
At the upcoming “Tuesdays in the Park Ice Cream 5K and Kids’ Fun Run”, there will be different reps from Keystone on site each Tuesday to enable people to try shoes on.
“They will also raffle off some things,” she said.
Last year, Agar’s 3-year-old daughter participated in one of the Tuesday runs.
“Kids get excited about the fun run and my daughter enjoyed it,“Agar said, adding the fun run is free for kids.
Agar said that, like them, the RUNegades are trying to build the community through the runs they organize.
“The way we put it on — the park, the ice cream, the giveaways, and the awards — we are all in the space together so it’s really welcoming,” said Tristan Edwards-Wright, one of the founders of the RUNegades with Mike Ragozzino.
The Tuesday runs have been growing in attendance annually.
“It’s family-friendly,” said Ragozzino. “Last year
was a really good year.”
In addition to ice cream, every child who runs the fun run gets a prize and every adult age 21 and older gets a coupon for a drink at Iron Gate Biergarten to socialize afterward.
Prior to the RUNegade’s first Tuesday 5K and Fun Run of the season, Keystone will have its official grand opening on April 15.
“We will have a ribboncutting with the Chamber, sales and specials,” Agar said. “You can visit us on Facebook for more details.”
Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming Group Runs/Walks and Events
Keystone Running & Walking Monday Group Run/Walk on the Schuylkill River Trail hosted by Keystone begins at their new store in Pottstown. 6:30 p.m. on Mondays 200 E. High St., Pottstown 610-327-4843
Keystone Grand Opening Event April 15 Follow on Facebook for more details:@keystonerunningstorepottstown
Tuesdays in the Park Ice Cream 5K and Kids’ Fun Run Hosted by the RUNegades on the fourth Tuesday of every month from May through August. Free ice cream to all the runners after the race. Prizes for all kids who participate in the kids’ run. Free beer coupon at a local pub to all runners age 21 and over. Sponsored by Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation and Creative Health Services. Dates: May 23, June 27, July 25, Aug. 22 5K: 7 p.m. start time Kids’ Fun Run: 6:45 p.m. start time For more information: www.runegades.com To register: https://runsignup.com/ Race/PA/Pottstown/PottstownsTuesdayInTheParkIceCream5kSeriesKidsFunRun
“We are about building a running community and Pottstown has been very welcoming to us. We want to get people excited to come downtown and be a part of the community.”
—Elissa Agar, a manager at Keystone Running & Walking