The Mile Makers Are Gearing Up For The Fall Season!

Run clubs are popping up all over town, and we are here for it! Each club has its own unique flair, but what they all have in common is people coming together to be part of a community while exercising. Some people prefer to get in their miles alone, but for many of us, running, jogging, and walking is more enjoyable in the company of others. The miles really fly by when you get engaged in a conversation, and we all know that just showing up is half the battle — so it certainly helps to have a group of folks to help hold you accountable.

There’s a new club in town!

One of the newest clubs in town is The Mile Makers, a collaboration between Sports Backers and Jacob’s Chance. Kate Mardigian, the Executive Director at Jacob’s Chance, and I met to learn more about each other’s work and explore what a partnership could look like. I learned that Jacob’s Chance is a local non-profit that empowers individuals with disabilities through sports, enrichment, and social programs that promote personal development, positive relationships, and healthy lifestyles. At the time, Jacob’s Chance hadn’t yet offered a running or walking club, and that just so happens to be an area of expertise for us at Sports Backers. The seed was planted at that first meeting, and we kept watering it until The Mile Makers program bloomed this past spring!

Each Monday evening, for six weeks in March and April, our program met at a different park around the area. Participants and their volunteer buddies formed a big circle as Coach Kristy and I led them through a warm-up, and then we set out on the pre-marked loop to start racking up miles. While walking and jogging, participants and buddies did what we do best at run clubs — they socialized while simultaneously getting their heart rates up and putting their muscles to use! Each session wrapped up with a group cool-down and stretch.

The Joy of being on a team

As a wrap-up to the spring season, we hosted a Fun Run on the VITA course at Byrd Park. It was a blast to see everyone rocking their Mile Makers shirts, pushing themselves to do the best they could do, and smiling from ear to ear as they crossed the finish line and earned their medals. They also learned that freeze pops are quite the tradition within the running community — and that, yes, it’s absolutely okay to have more than one!

While the Fun Run was certainly a fun way to wrap up the season, what really stood out that day was that no one was ready for the season to be over! Everyone wanted to know when The Mile Makers would be back. We promised to bring it back in the fall, and that’s exactly what we plan to do.

And while we know that physical activity is important and that the Mile Makers is providing an opportunity for folks to improve their cardiovascular endurance, what we love the most is all of the other benefits we know this club is bringing to our participants. “What I love most about The Mile Makers is watching our participants build genuine friendships out on the course,” said Kate Mardigian, Executive Director of Jacob’s Chance. “The physical activity is wonderful, but it’s the confidence, the sense of belonging, and the pure joy of being part of a team that make the biggest difference for the people we serve.”

Join us this fall!

This fall, The Mile Makers will explore a whole new set of parks as we train for our Halloween Fun Run. Participant registration is open to ages 13–40, and we’re also looking for volunteers ages 13 and up. The program launches September 14th, so don’t wait to sign up!