Running for fun with friends and family
Posted: August 29, 2012
A group of community members in Clermont has committed to a healthier lifestyle while enjoying each other's company each Wednesday night.
The community fun run was started by John and Lorna Chapman of rural Clermont. The local couple have brought their kids into town on several occasions to walk or ride their bikes.
"We like to be active as a family," Lorna said.
John had the idea to invite others along on the evening exercise, so the family began to contact others they knew shared their interest in fitness.
"He thought it would be fun to get a group of community members together," Lorna said of her husband.
The group, which averages 25 people each week, began meeting in the Clermont City Park every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. The group loads up on the Chapman bus with bikes and water bottles and heads to one of two points along the new and old trails outside of Clermont.
"We're just trying to promote fitness and use the trails. Once you start using them, you realize just how nice they are," the local woman said.
Although members of the Valley cross country team have joined in the summer run, Lorna assured that anyone, at any fitness level, is invited to attend.
"There are people who run it, walk it and ride it," she noted. "It is totally up to the individual what they want to do."
She also mentioned the peak in motivation when exercising with a group.
"Sometimes you only get that one run in if you're busy, but if you know you'll be running a group, you might get a few more in that week," she noted.
The community event is also a way the Chapman's have continued to instill into their children the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
"You really have to make it a part of your routine for your whole life in order to live healthy," Lorna explained.
Promoting fitness, family time, and making memories is what this group will continue to do each week. As school starts up, the group hopes to keep meeting. Join the community fun run at 7 p.m. Wednesdays in the Clermont City Park.
"We hope you can make it, and bring a friend!" Lorna closed.
Source: Jessica Duren, www.newspapersoffayettecounty.com, August 22, 2012.
Tag: activeliving
