While runners are mostly solitary by nature, Nathan Schwab says they all yearn for community, friendship, and enjoy being around like-minded people—that’s why the Sioux Falls Area Running Club was born.
“This is especially needed these days, where our lives are lived online and we are pulled in a million different directions from daily life,” he said.
The Sioux Falls Area Running Club started in February of 1998 when members of the former Total Fitness Club held a meeting and adopted the current name. In March that year, the group launched its first newsletter with information about a local race and early interest about the Sioux Falls Marathon/Half Marathon.
That summer, another newsletter announced the club had joined the national organization Road Runners Club of America, which it is still affiliated with.
“In the early fall newsletter, it stated that the group formally incorporated and registered with the South Dakota Secretary of State as a non-profit corporation,” recalled Schwab, who is the current president and trail series race director.
The main mission is to connect, support, and encourage runners of all abilities in Sioux Falls and the surrounding area. This is accomplished through social events, group runs, volunteer opportunities, and round table discussions.
Sioux Falls Area Running Club’s website calendar is curated to find local running races and opportunities.
“We are a resource for those traveling to town and looking for groups to run with or places to check out,” said Schwab. “Our no-drop group runs (where no runner is left behind) are welcoming and a great way to meet new people. We use our expertise to help anyone reaching out to the club for support.”
This month, weekly group runs occur on Wednesdays at Great Bear Reaction Park at 5:30 p.m. and Thursdays at Good Earth State Park at 6 p.m. A members’ picnic will take place at Great Bear on July 22 after the group run (more details to be announced).
“When you surround yourself with other runners, you can’t help but be inspired by the amazing things you see them accomplish,” said Schwab.
Find out more about the running club and the people behind it.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING PART OF THE GROUP?
Seeing the impact on the community that the run club supports. We’ve donated $27,500 to Falls Area Single Track (FAST) to build all-purpose trails in Sioux Falls from our Trail Run Series proceeds. I’ve seen hundreds of runners cross the finish line of their first trail race. I’ve seen thousands of kids run our free races (some smiling, some crying) but all happy to get a popsicle. I’ve seen people’s lives changed by running. It’s a beautiful thing.
WHAT MAKES THE SIOUX FALLS AREA RUNNING CLUB STAND OUT?
We’re an inexpensive way to meet new people and support your community. Ninety percent of our events are open to everyone, member or not, and our membership fee is very inexpensive ($15 single or $25 family).
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PLACES AND TRAILS THE RUNNING CLUB HAS EXPLORED?
Sioux Falls and the surrounding area has no shortage of places to run. The paved bike trail around the city is a true gem I think we take for granted. The amount of use the trail gets is amazing. Our Trail Run Series has gone as far as Camden State Park in Minnesota, which is an absolutely beautiful park. The club has put on a race at Newton Hills for 25 years held every second weekend in October. It’s peak fall at that time, and has always been my favorite race.
WHAT ARE YOUR MOST POPULAR EVENTS?
We are very excited to be celebrating our 10th anniversary of our Trail Run Series. These races are our most popular events for members and runners of our surrounding communities. There are distances for everyone from as short as two miles to as long as 12. We have very inexpensive pricing for kids 18 years old and younger to encourage families and the younger generations to participate. Trail running is laid back, entertaining, and everyone comes away with a smile and some cool swag.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MEMORY FROM BEING PART OF THE RUNNING COMMUNITY?
One of our members, Lance Smith, is always coming up with different, unique runs. Last year we raised $15,000 for Feeding South Dakota and ran to seven different Kwik Star locations in Sioux Falls. This spring we ran to six different B&G Milkyway locations. We’ve ran/walked a mall marathon a couple times in the past, raising money for LifeScape. These quirky runs where everyone is just out having a blast,enjoying each other’s company is truly where it’s at.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT RUNSIOUXFALLS.ORG+
