Team Run/Walk Club

How has this idea enhanced your club's operation, etc.?

In February of 2016 our Fitness Supervisor was tasked with setting and creating a 5K course for our Member Running event benefiting our Club Foundation. With the goals that the course would be challenging and scenic, she enlisted the help from a few colleagues by joining her for a couple of mock runs.

Little did we know that the mock runs would jumpstart club that happened on its very own—Congressional’s Walk/Run Club. The club meets year-round (excluding when there is snow on the cart paths) at 6:30 a.m. every Thursday and treks out on a 5K path touring the beautiful Championship Blue Golf Course which has 214 Feet of total elevation and ends with a step .1 mile uphill finish. The Walk/Run Club received its very basic title because it includes team members of all levels of athleticism and ability, running is not required!

The Run/Walk Club has inspired Team Members to lose weight, get active and set larger goals. In two years of the Club’s existence, results have included:

• Over 30lbs. in weight loss
• Over 100 miles run on the course
• 13 Team Members completed 5K Runs
• 11 Team Members completed 10K Runs
• 6 Team Members completed 10-mile Runs
• 2 Half Marathons
• 1 Marathon

Still to come:

• 1 Marathon
• 1 Half Marathon
• 5 10Mile Runners
• Countless more miles!

The Walk/Run Club has not only allowed for individuals to pursue their fitness goals, it has brought the team closer, allowing us to get more work accomplished.

How was this idea implemented, and what have been the club members' reactions?

The Walk/Run Club initially caught on by word-of-mouth and has continued to do so. We send out the informal invitation to our team via our Congo Press (team news email), verbal invite, and casual conversation. The Club has sparked healthy competition, created a form of exercise accountability, and strengthened comradery among different team members from all departments. Because the Club meets so early, it never interferes with golf play. The team has experienced many sunrises together, and continues to produce exciting results such as those listed above.