Runner of the Month: Red

Did you see Red running in the Catch Me If You Can 5k/10k race this month?  Who is this spandex-clad man clocking in a 5k time of just under 25 minutes while waving to everyone he passes?  Say no more, fam – let’s introduce you to him!

Red is the official mascot for Red Truck Beer Company’s new beer, “Crafty Lager – A Great Truckin’ Beer!”  The newest beer from Red Truck Beer Company debuts as an insanely crushable 5% American Lager to be found in liquor stores all over town.  On the can you’ll find of course a red truck, but also Red waving out the window getting ready to share a drinkable Crafty Lager.  While Crafty Lager – A Great Truckin’ Beer! Is brewed to be enjoyed as an any time, any day, porch pounder of a beer, Red is known better for his kind-hearted, goofy, approachable good nature. Check out some of Red’s antics on Instagram by following @crafty_lager to see what he’ll be up to next!

Volunteer of the Month: Greg Kuchta & the Lead Cycling Team

Have you ever noticed the team of cyclists at all our running races? This group of volunteers always includes Green Events Ambassador, Greg Kuchta, who has never run one of our races but knows each course better than most of us. Ron Kennedy, who seems to ride his bike everywhere in all weather conditions imaginable and still manages to always be smiling. And this month for the Catch Me If You Can race we were happy to see Ron’s wife Linda Kennedy, Steve Hyland and Kurt Wiek back out volunteering for the event as well.

You might think the lead cyclists are only there for the top runners in the race, but they do much more behind the scenes that benefits all the participants. They arrive early, before most of the runners arrive, to get their gear ready and take their first tour of the race course. They have reviewed the course days before the event and first thing on race morning they ride the routes to make sure they know the course, the setup is correct, everything is coned and the correct signage is in place. During the winter months they usually need a break to get warm again but then they go back out and pre-ride the course again closer to the start of the race to look for any potential hazards and make sure nothing has happened to the setup. Just as the race is about to start they appear at the start line ready to lead out the race and guide the front runners through the course. Not only does this help the front runners but it means the rest of the race will follow on the correct course. They are the first alert to traffic control, police officers and volunteers on the course to ensure safety. After finishing with the front of the race they go back out and check on all the participants still on the course and then finally after a couple hours and 4 laps of the course they come back to enjoy the post-race festivities with all the runners.

New in the past year we have started to certify most of our race courses. Greg Kuchta has been very involved with this process and has helped measure many of the race routes.

Thanks to these amazing cyclists who are always willing to come out and support runners!

Ambassador of the Month: Alex Prigge

A cookie lover with a running problem, Alex Prigge is this month’s Green Events Ambassador. We are not sure which she likes more, baking the cookies or enjoying the cookies with her Green Team friends? But we will continue to try and find out.

As an elementary school PE teacher and high school swim team coach Alex is set on inspiring the next generation through fitness. A former competitive collegiate swimmer, Alex knows all the benefits that come with regular exercise. She loves to run for the exercise, and to explore new places by foot. You might also see her out on her bike, participating in triathlons, repping for Nunn Hydration at local events, or racing on the Runners Roost team. When she is not running you can find Alex baking cookies, hiking, camping, or hanging out with her dog Barley Mae. We love having Alex around and that’s not just because she bakes us cookies. Give her a shout or high five at one of the upcoming races but you’ll have to keep up because she’s quick!