By GERRI GRADY
CHEROKEE RUNNERS
The Cherokee Runners had a busy month in January. It started off with the New Year’s Day 5K in Cullowhee and ended with a group run at Round Bottom that was anywhere from two to eight miles long.
Cherokee Runners on a recent Sunday Long Run (left-right) include: Samantha Ferguson, Elnora Thompson, Marlene Arch, Stephan Swimmer, Gerri Grady, Angel Squirrell, Thomas Benedict, Priscilla Squirrell and Sean Grady (Not pictured: Robin Swimmer, Jimmy Oocumma, Brian Driver and Skye Littledave). (Photo courtesy of Gerri Grady)
During the month, Elnora Thompson ran the Frosty Foot 8K at Tsali Campground while other members volunteered to man aid stations. Several members ran the Hot Chocolate 10K in Asheville as well as volunteering at aid stations. Coming up is the 7-mile Trail of Tears run in Cleveland, Tenn., and group runs are being held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Board of Directors held their first meeting in January to set goals for the coming year and the group is excited about starting the New Year with a solid plan.
The Smoky Mountain Relay will take place April 20-21. The race is 207 miles from Brevard to the Nantahala Outdoor Center and the Cherokee Runners will have two teams if enough people are interested. Each team is 12 members and registration fees are around $90 each. If anyone is interested in participating in this event, please contact the Cherokee Runners at gerrgrady@yahoo.com.
Group runs are being held each Tuesday and Thursday starting at the entranceway sign to the GSMNP (the Flame) at 5:30pm. Anyone can run or walk with the group – just show up in your running shoes!
The next regular meeting will be held on Feb. 2 at 7pm at the Age Link Conference Room. There is no fitness level requirement to join the Cherokee Runners – just a willingness to participate either walking or running. Have fun while getting fit!
