[ad_1]
With clocks falling back an hour on Sunday, Nov. 5, this means it’s time for a higher level of safety for runners on the roads in and around Pottstown.
While most runners have all the gear they need to participate in many of the organized races this fall season, many are heading to Keystone Running Store in Pottstown to add some accessories to their running wardrobe.
Elissa Agar, a store manager at Keystone, said that these days, whether you’re doing your daily run in the morning or the evening, you’ll likely be running in the dark.
“Safety is the biggest thing this time of year with the darkness,” she said. “We see too many people out there not being safe.”
Their reflective gear includes lit-up vests, handheld lamps, and waist lights.
“We have a group run at 6:30 p.m. on Monday and we require you to have reflective gear on so you can see and be seen,” she said. “We want everybody to be safe.”
Diehard running group
The group runs all year on Mondays and only cancels if too slick on the roads or in the event of lightning.
“We are a diehard group and will meet no matter what,” she said.
They are working on building their running community, which currently has about 20 coming out weekly. Agar said there are benefits to running with the group as the weather starts getting colder.
“You feel safer and you are not suffering as much in the cold if you’re with other runners,” she said “We suffer together.”
On Halloween, their Monday running group was encouraged to come in costume.
“I’m going to be an 80s girl,” Agar said.
Anyone can join
In advance of each weekly run, they send out a reminder, the route and any theme that might require a costume.
“Anyone who wants to join us can just show up at the store,” she said. “There is no fee or waiver.”
They also end their run at the store with snacks and water afterward.
“We hang out after and like any excuse to celebrate,” she said. “Sometimes people bring snacks for everyone.”
Runners of all levels can participate in the running group.
“You buddy up with somebody at your pace, so nobody is alone,” she said, adding the runs are usually four to five miles and that there is also a group that walks two and a half to three miles. “All paces and faces are encouraged to come out.”
Active race season
This active race season has Agar seeing many runners in training for weekend races both locally as well as the New York and Philadelphia marathons.
“One coming up in Pottstown is the Funky Santa 5K on Dec. 3,” she said. “It’s at Riverfront Park in Pottstown and put on by the RUNegades.”
For the race, most participants dressed up in festive Santa-themed outfits. Agar said that the holidays are a really fun time for them at Keystone.
“We are doing fun events for Christmas and holiday events,” she said. “We are participating in Small Business Saturday, which is usually the Saturday after Black Friday and we’ll have specials, drinks and food with that.”
Weekly Group Run with Keystone meets Mondays at Keystone Running Store, 200 E. High Street, Pottstown, at 6:30 p.m. Runs are free and all levels of runners and walkers are welcome. A smaller group run is also held on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. starting at the store. For More Information, visit www.keystonerunningstore.com or call 610-327-4843.
[ad_2]
Source_link
