Salisbury Rowan Runners’ slogan is “There is a place for every pace,” and I agree. Many times, people I talk to say, “Well, I am not really a runner because I am really slow.” My response is no matter how slow you are, be proud of yourself for just going out and running at whatever pace is comfortable for you. Running is great for your health, you can do it pretty much anywhere at no or low cost, you can do it with a group, a friend or alone, or in my case (after I am released from my neck surgery to run) with my dogs.

This community has really become a running community and I know Salisbury Rowan Runners is a big reason for that. Even looking at our youth cross country team with the JF Hurley YMCA, our first year we had 7 cross country runners, 15 the second year and this year, our third year, we have 29 cross country runners, from ages 6 and under all the way up to high school. I am loving it. Finally, something a family can do together (willing/able parents help with the training runs) to become active and healthy. We are already in season for cross country, but for the ones interested in starting a running program, Salisbury Rowan Runners, in conjunction with Novant Medical Center and Salisbury Parks and Recreation, is hosting its fall beginners running program. So many runners I have spoken to have gotten a great start with this very successful beginners program led by David Freeze.

This fall program started last week but still has spots available and David loves to have you join them now. The purpose is to provide training and coaching for new runners. This group is so dedicated that they will have you run a 5K in just 8 weeks. That is a great accomplishment and a 5K might even be something on your “bucket list.”

This class meets at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center, and you enter in the main lobby (park in the parking deck). They meet Tuesdays at 6 p.m. where they have 30 minutes of classroom instruction followed by 30 minutes on the streets around the hospital. The cost is $60, which includes one-year membership to SRR, a club T-shirt and an entry fee for one of the SRR 5K races. For more information, you can call David Freeze at 704-310-6741 or Steve Clark at 704-216-2709.

Even if you consider yourself a couch potato, they can help you to go from nothing to a 5K. As a coach but also as a fitness specialist, I have seen so much progress in weight loss due to running (and, of course, a change in eating habit). A running program is also beneficial in keeping the weight off as well. If running is something you have always been interested in, check it out and I hope to see you at one of the 5K races.

This upcoming Friday evening, Sept. 20, BB&T and United Way are hosting the Sunset Run 5K where all funds raised go to Rowan County United Way.

Downtown Salisbury, NC

• 5K Run/Walk and Novant Health Tot & Kid’s 1/2-mile Fun Run

• Tot Trot (ages 4 and under) and Kids Fun Run (ages 12 and under) starts at 7 p.m.

• Entry fee: $10

• BB&T Sunset Run 5K starts at 7:30 p.m.

• Early registration fee through Sept. 17 – $25

• Race day fee: $30

•Race day registration available from 5:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. Registration will be located at the Rowan Public Library, 201 W. Fisher St. Salisbury

For more information, email Jacky Harris at jharris@rcunitedway.org

I hope you at least check out the beginners running program if you have any interest, or just wonder if you could do it. I am still recovering from neck surgery and I miss running tremendously. It is great not only for the body, but also the mind and the spirit.

Ester H Marsh ACSM Cpt