Our Buckeye Striders blazed through the hot summer with weekly walks but also a number of races including (but not limited to) Emerald City, Berlin 10K, Put-in-Bay Race, Heartland Half, Scheneider's Donut Run 5K/10K, Josephenium 4 Miler, the John Glenn 5K at the airport, Cat Caper, Run Like a Girl, Big Bad Wolfe, and the Heritage Trail Endurance Race.  

The river overflowed the banks of Griggs Reservoir last Saturday! Despite sections of the road being closed to car  traffic, we were able to get in enough miles -- until we reached this part.

Despite the not so ideal walking conditions, Tom found a valentine.

The Buckeye Striders were contacted by students from the Gahanna High School theater program for help with an unusual fundraiser -- they were collecting old shoes. (Is there a better group to contact for old shoes than a walking club?) About 11 students from the theater group are invited to Scotland for a theater conference in 2018. I'm not sure how these old shoes will help them, but we gave them a couple laundry baskets full of shoes.

The students were so thankful for our donation, they met us at Sharon Woods on a cold Saturday morning with a special thank you. Pictured with us are two of the students.

Break a leg in your Scotland performance!

The Buckeye Striders were hosted at a private event at the Columbus Running Company Dublin Store Sunday, November 12. Jim Jurcevich (an owner) talked to us about shoes and answered tons of questions for us. Outreach Coordinator Lisa Dillahunt helped plan the event and did a great job pointing us to winter clothing she has tried and recommends. Rachel and Brock were also very helpful!)

Thanks to all of the Buckeye Striders who brought snacks! It was fun!

The Striders had a great time at this year's Cat Caper 5K. It was fun having a tent and talking to other walkers and potential members. Jim and Sharon did a great job promoting the Striders while the rest of us raced.

Speaking of racing, we did great! Gerry was first male walker and Steve was third. Cindi was first female walker and Nancy was second. These mugs are great prizes! It's great that this event has a separate walking division.

Several Striders also won amazing raffle prizes. This is definitely a fun event supporting a very good cause -- Cat Welfare!

It was so great that Pat came to Ohio this weekend to visit the Buckeye Striders -- and enter the Emerald City Half Marathon. We had a fun dinner at Brio Saturday night and several of us also did Emerald City. (Though the rest of us did the quarter, not the half.) We've missed you, Pat! 

A bunch of us raced in the New Albany Independence Day 5K, and we were awesome! Gerry took first place in the walking division. Laura was right behind Gerry to be the second finisher overall and to be the first woman. Steve was second man overall. Several of us (pictured with pies) won age group awards. Gotta love a race that has walking awards!

Summer unofficially kicked off Memorial Day weekend with a bunch of Buckeye Striders entered in the Field of Heroes 5K race in Westerville, OH. The finish of this race winds through the field of 3,000 American flags dedicated to past and present members of the armed services.  It's a fun race and we always leave feeling so patriotic! A couple Striders missed the group photo.

The 40th Annual Hoka 10K is one of the oldest races in Columbus. Held on June 4, it was just a week after the Field of Heroes.A couple members won age group awards including Steve and Laura. It was a really nice course along the river. Eventually we will get Sharon A. in one of our pre-race group photos.

Several Buckeye Striders entered the 10th Anniversary of the Run For Home races in New Philadelphia, OH the weekend of April 1 and 2. We took advantage of a special price available only on October 10 of last year -- each race was only $10. Several of us signed up for more than one race -- the 10K on Saturday and either the 5 miler or half marathon on Sunday. Those who finished the 10K and the half marathon also received a special jacket.

The 10K started at 10:00 a.m. and it was still pretty chilly! It was a little bit warmer on Sunday for the half marathon that started at 11:00.

Congratulations to Gerry on his first half marathon! Congratulations to Catherine, Elaine, Laura and Sharon for winning age group awards!