Cbus Pacers History
The Cbus Pacers officially had it's first run
on January 23rd, 2010. However the group has roots you can trace
back through the Columbus running and walking scene for years.
The Cbus Pacers was founded by the Columbus
Running Company Co-owners with the intention of being a social
running club and training group that offers runs, events,
training, coaching, and pace group leaders for weekend runs.
At the end of 2009, the Columbus Running
Company was involved with the Columbus Running Club, organized
bi-annual training groups, and offered open group runs from
store locations. However they were all separate entities, and
confusing to explain the details of each individual group to a
new runner. Thus, we decided to combine the best qualities of
each group and put a new spin on things. To keep things simple
and true to what we believe, the group is free to join and easy
to dive into.
Here is a look back at the key ingredients
that enabled the Cbus Pacers to become what it is today.
Columbus Running Club
The Columbus Running Club's mission was as
follows: To provide a progressive and beneficial venue for
individuals to meet other runners in the Central Ohio area. The
Club and its members strive to foster an environment of
fellowship and goodwill and exemplify key attributes of being
friendly, professional, and morally supportive of other runner's
goals and achievements.
The club had been thought to be in existence
since pre-historic times. The discovery of fire was a turning
point that greatly enhanced post-run socials as depicted in
local petro glyphs. Some historians argue, however, that it was
actually founded in 2001. Rob Wagner is widely credited in these
circles and being the founder of the Club.
Over time a key contemporary tradition and
local newsworthy event developed in the group- the annual awards
banquet held at the end of the year. The Cbus Pacers carry on
this tradition by presenting the same awards to new individuals
each year. On top of that tradition, the Tuesday night Antrim
runs continue with the Cbus Pacers, which was a main staple for the club. It consists
of a run up and down the bike path beginning from Antrim park,
followed by a trip to a local eating establishment for a drink
and some food.
The Columbus Running Club featured many
friendly faces who were and continue to be staples in the local
Columbus running scene. Many of their members are now a part of
the Cbus Pacers. I'm sure over a beer they'll tell you all about
'the Original Columbus Running Club'. It's mainly the social,
laid back, and friendly aspect of the club that the Cbus Pacers
hopes to embody as we go into the future.
Columbus Running Co. Training Groups
Since 2005, the Columbus Running Company has
hosted, in some form or another, bi-annual training groups
groups for people of all abilities training for full or half
marathons. It was a great way for us to get new runners involved
and to accomplish their goals. The opportunity to train people,
to PR or just to finish, fit in well with the CRC Co-Owners. It
was fantastic to see how people developed and got hooked on the
sport. Some of these training sessions became mini-clubs
themselves, fostering new friendships and in a couple cases,
marriage! Some of the most active people in the Cbus Pacers
group are from our first small but fantastic training group,
pictured to the right. (coming soon)
With the Cbus Pacers we hope to keep a
welcoming feel for novice runners, and a place for them to grow
as a runner, and as a member of the group. Of course getting
runners and walkers to achieve their goals is a high priority
for us. We feel the combination of pace groups, coaching
options, and fresh ideas from experienced group members is a
perfect example of the potential the Cbus Pacers has for it's
members.
Columbus Running Co. Open Group Runs
Yes, we've been having open and free group
runs from our store locations since the dawn of CRC time. The
majority of these runs now fall under Cbus Pacers group runs. It
was the logical thing to do, right? They're still runs. They're
still free. However now we added pacer group leaders to some of
them. Hopefully they'll continue to grow with the Cbus Pacers!
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