10/18/2026
Check out Club President David Freeze latest article.
Beginning Runners Come Home Again and Fish Fry Results
On Tuesday evening, we held the sixth meeting for the current group of beginning runners who are meeting in the Salisbury PD training room. Our fall groups are usually smaller than the spring ones, but the percentage of those who complete the class is higher than the spring classes. Spring participants look for a quick fix and for the eight weeks to be easy. The fall participants are usually better at getting their homework (running at home) done and enjoy the cooler weather toward the end as the miles get longer.
Last Tuesday was the first 2 ½ mile run for the fall class on the way to 3.1 miles in two weeks at graduation. 6-8 possible graduates remain with nixed results so far. I was asked by text early on Wednesday if most of the graduates from the spring class could join in. I knew they were still running and doing well, but what an impressive group they were as they walked into the PD training room after already having run 4 miles and ready to join in for 2 ½ more. All of them wore the bright yellow safety training shirts they earned in class.
The current class finished up our discussion on nutrition. Everybody then hit the bathroom and the water bottles and out to the streets for a group run involving the more veteran spring class and those in the current fall class. The more experienced runners mixed in and encouraged the newer ones to the delight of everyone.
Seems the spring class has a team name, the Good People Run Club. Group leader Ashley Medina said, “After BRC ended, we all wanted to continue running together. We had gotten used to meeting every week, encouraging one another, and holding each other accountable. Since Tuesdays had been our regular running day, we decided to keep it going!” Attending the BRC for Good People were Medina, Soila Medina, Andi Herion, Rebecca Iddings, Carol Scivyer, Crista Stubbs, Hannah Mayhew, Rebecca Fischer and Loryn Alston.
Medina continued, “Not long after that, we started attending another local run club on Saturdays, where we connected with Loryn, who started the Good People Run Club. The opportunity to continue growing the club kind of just fell into my lap, and here we are! For many of us, running was something completely new. We started out unsure if we could even run a mile, and now we're training for races, setting new goals, and celebrating each other's accomplishments.”
As a group, they have completed several races, including the Run for the Greenway 5K, China Grove 5K Main Street Challenge, Around the Crown 10K, and Salem Lake 7-Miler. Medina said, “We're currently planning to train for the Skechers Hot Chocolate 15K in February 2027 and the Cooper River Bridge Run 10K in April 2027. I'm sure there will be plenty of other races in between!”
Then Medina summed up the Good People’s effort, “There's something really special about having a group of people who show up for you, cheer you on, and help you believe you can do things you never thought possible. We've grown so much together, both as runners and as friends, and I'm excited to see where we go from here!” Meanwhile they will be back to support the fall class’s graduation 5K run on October 27th.
Good People would love to have others join in and be a part of their group. They can reach Medina through Instagram@goodpeople_runclub or by text at 704-787-0971. The group meets every Saturday morning at Bell Tower Green on the Church Street side.
Not actually running news, but important to me and worth sharing is the Grace Lutheran Church annual fish fry results to this point. Despite ongoing rain and wind last Saturday afternoon and evening, the church members have raised just over $60,000 for the support of their proceeds recipient with POTS and various other ongoing issues. Donations can still be made by calling Mike at 704-213-1262, Cody at 704-798-3224 or the church office at 704-857-8641.
Next Saturday at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, their 5K kicks off at 9am and will use another rural course. Proceeds benefit two church members with serious medical issues.
On Sunday afternoon at Catawba College, the festive Spooky Sprint 5K and Fun Run kicks off at 2pm. Proceeds benefit Rotary projects. The popular Grants Creek Greenway course will be used, just ahead of the costume contest for participants.
Look for these and other events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org
