the rock `n recap save the date start with walking costumes

2015
SAVE
THE DATE
2015 Race Calendar
is here! Page 6
THE ROCK
‘N RECAP
Revisit the Renfro
Rock ‘N Run in
photos. Page 16
START WITH
WALKING
Races not always about
competition. Page 19
COSTUMES
Racers get festive.
Page 22
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4-5121
CONTENTS
4
5
6-7 8-9 10-11
12 13 14 16 18 20 22 From the Editor
The Stride Elite Team Challenge
Countywide Stride 2015 Calendar
The Rundown
Survey
The Trailblazer
Walk It Off
Rock ‘N Run Photo Gallery
Races Photo Gallery
Girls on the Run
Q&A: Running vs. Cycling
All Dressed Up
Photo by Jana Bray
S T R I D E S PA G E 3
A publication of
Rockcastle Strides
magazine is published each
January and is distributed to
Countywide Stride participants,
Rockcastle County residents,
and others in adjoining
counties. It is dedicated to
the promotion of walking
and running as they promote
personal fitness and improve
community health.
Photography
Ruby Cline-Eaton
Susan Turley
Jana Bray
Graphic Design
Cathryn Hahn
On the Cover
Regina Griffin of Mt. Vernon
enjoys the Brodhead 5K.
Photo by Ruby Cline-Eaton
FROM THE EDITOR
I’ve often said recreational run/walks bring out the best in people.
For one, participants have chosen to crawl out of a cozy bed—usually early
on a Saturday morning—to push themselves to their limit simply to stay fit or
accomplish a very personal goal. Sometimes they’re reaching for something
no one else even knows about, and truthfully, might not even care about.
They know this, and they push on anyway. Almost by definition, it is mostly
positive people who put themselves through this, and they wear that energy
to a race like a new pair of Asics.
There’s another way these events bring out our best, and it is evident in the
selflessness of our volunteers. While the participants often are focused on an
internal goal, volunteers are there to make sure the participants’ needs are
being met.
At a race director’s symposium I attended last year, a volunteer coordinator
for the Louisville Ironman Triathlon played a video that highlighted the
dedication of the event’s volunteers. As the athletes in the video described
their appreciation, some almost began to cry.
These same people probably wouldn’t be getting choked up over, say, the
Salvation Army volunteer ringing the bell at Target. But races are different.
Whether we realize it or not, they are places where we become our best and
most perceptive selves. They make colors brighter, smiles broader, looks of
determination more intense, and our capacity to enjoy and appreciate more
profound. At these races we celebrate—even if subconsciously—the privilege
of physical movement, freedom from work and relationships, the openness of
a country road, and the gifts we are given.
Those gifts include communities where one person is willing to give up her
time so another can enjoy hers as she jogs down a Rockcastle County
country road.
In 2015, consider joining us for a Countywide Stride event. Whether you
prefer to run, walk, or volunteer, we want to see you at your best. Go to
rockcastleregional.org/race to learn more.
Dwain Harris
Editor, Rockcastle Strides
Coordinator, Countywide Stride Race Series
“The Countywide Stride is just a great thing for walkers and runners.
You don’t meet a stranger there. If you go to a race and don’t know
anyone, you’ll come home with five new friends. I’m one of those people
who doesn’t like to go to a gym – I find it intimidating. The races are relaxed
and there are all kinds of people there – you’ll likely find someone at every
race who’s doing their first one. It’s just an awesome group of people.”
-Kara Canterbury, Rockcastle County native,
EKU senior, Lexington resident
PA G E 4
STRIDES
INCENTIVES:
Complete seven races
Complete 7 races for a long-sleeved dri-fit Countywide
Stride T-shirt
Try for 10!
Complete 10 races for a dri-fit long-sleeved T-shirt and
a $25 gift certificate to John’s Run Walk Shop
Complete all 12 races
All 12 races for dri-fit long-sleeved T-shirt, $25 gift
certificate, and a personalized commemorative plaque
Photo by Susan Turley
ROCKCASTLE 5-MILE RUN/5K WALK
July 11, 8 a.m., Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
For those who want a bit more of a challenge than a traditional
5K, we offer the third annual Rockcastle 5-miler. We like this
race because it’s pure. No frills, no fancy names, no obstacles.
It is 5 miles of running (or 5K of walking) in July morning heat,
straight out one beautiful country road that meanders through
sun and shade by a cool trickling stream, and then back to the
finish. Proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.
ROCKCASTLE REGIONAL RUN, BIKE OR HIKE
BITTERSWEET 5K RUN/2-MILE WALK
Oct. TBA, 7:30 a.m., downtown Mt. Vernon
This tradition-rich 5K has been the measuring stick of fitness
for many participants for more than 20 years. It kicks off
Saturday-morning activities of the Bittersweet Festival, and
takes you down Mt. Vernon’s historic Main Street. It’s usually
cool and the course finishes on a nice and easy downhill – it’s
a good race to try for a personal record.
RENFRO ROCK ‘N RUN HALF MARATHON AND 5K
Aug. 22, 8 a.m., Lake Linville
Now in its sixth year, this event is designed to offer variety for
our Countywide Striders. It’s our only race where cyclists can
get in on the action. It features a 2-mile walk, 5K run, or a
challenging duathlon (5K run, 17-mile bike ride, 2.2-mile run).
It’s staged beside one of the area’s most scenic lakes, and
attracts participants from all over Kentucky. And this year, the
event will feature a corporate challenge. (Look for details on
our Facebook page)
Nov. 14, 8:30 a.m., Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
Runners and walkers come from far and wide and can’t say
enough about the homespun flavor of this race, the challenging
but scenic course, and the enthusiasm of the volunteers.
Heck, the race even had its own theme song. Whether
they ran the half marathon with its views of the lake and
countryside (and one mean hill), or sprinted through the 5K,
which benefitted Girls on the Run, most left saying they’d be
back. Proceeds from the Half benefit the Christian Appalachian
Project.
LIVINGSTON LEAP 5K
JINGLE BELL 6K
Sept. 5, 8 a.m., downtown Livingston
Talk about scenery – this course takes you near the Daniel
Boone National Forest on some of the prettiest roadway you’ve
ever seen. Livingston, one of Kentucky’s few designated
“Trailtowns,” embraces this race and welcomes participants
with open arms. Proceeds go to the Livingston Homecoming
Committee.
Dec. 5, 8:30 a.m., Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
Put your bells on, hope for snow, and expect some special
Christmas surprises as we work to make this race—
Rockcastle Regional’s oldest—special every year. Proceeds
go to Rockcastle Regional’s Miracle Fund, which benefits our
respiratory care residents.
GO TO ROCKCASTLEREGIONAL.ORG FOR MORE RACE DETAILS.
S T R I D E S PA G E 7
BY THE NUMBERS
RUNDOWN
2014 COUNTYWIDE STRIDE INCENTIVE WINNERS
Participants as well as partners and volunteers were honored at
the year-end Countywide Stride awards night in December. Above,
CWS coordinator Dwain Harris presents appreciation plaques to
Mt. Vernon Police Chief Brian Carter (for keeping races running
smoothly and safely), Selena Thompson (for three years of service
to the Girls on the Run program), and to Cork Haberek (Volunteer
of the Year for donning the “Rocky the Health Hound” costume at
nearly every race). Not pictured were Citizens Bank (Sponsor of
the Year), Mt. Vernon Volunteer Fire Department (Volunteer Group
of the Year), and Climax Water (special appreciation for consistent
donation of water for many years).
RACE
Snowball Express
4K for Heart Health
St. Patrick’s Day 5K
Fairview Run for Missions
Brodhead Hustle
Fit Family Run
Rockcastle 5-miler
Run, Bike or Hike
Livingston Leap
Bittersweet
Renfro Rock N’ Run
Jingle Bell 6K
PA G E 8 S T R I D E S
DONATIONS TO
CHARITIES
$2,508
$863
$1,081
$2,700
$503
(food drive)
$679
$1,015
$447
$600
$4,000
$700
TOTAL PARTICIPATION,
ALL EVENTS: 2,047
PARTICIPANTS
270
158
149
184
105
86
119
158
109
159
405
145
Photo by
Ruby ClineEaton
Photo by Ruby Cline-Eaton
This group represented some of the 22 who completed all 12 CWS races and received incentive prizes at the year-end
awards event. Pictured are, from left, Ann Abney, Emily Sanders, Tara Mink Boone, Walter Norris, Rhonda Luckett, Karen
Parrish, Nickie Navarre, Carolyn Collins, Audy Faulkner, Tabitha Bell, Shari Proctor, and Gayle DeBorde.
COMPLETED AT LEAST 7
RACES (33 PARTICIPANTS)
COMPLETED AT LEAST 10
RACES (29 PARTICIPANTS)
FINISHED ALL 12 RACES
(22 PARTICIPANTS)
Abigail Browning
Charles Bullen
Dylan Bullen
Kevin Bullen
Nikki Bullen
Rhonda Childress
Barbara Congleton
Emily Denny
Taylor Elam
Neal Godbey
Susan Haney
William Haney
Tommy Hayes
Jones Hiatt
Ramona Hiatt
Patrick Jenkins
Jeannie Kendrick
Matthew Kendrick
Valerie Kendrick
Tiffany Kincaid
Monica Martin
Jennifer Mattingly
Jontai McQueen
Kelly Quintin
Mary Robinson
Craig Shearer
Isabelle Shearer
Matthew Sherrow
Harper Smith
Macon Smith
Sue Stickley
Selena Thompson
Harold Woodall
Richard Birney
Teresa Blair
Precia Bowling
Holly Bryant
James Bullen
Twila Burdette
Charon Burton
Shannon Burton
Marcia Cain
Rachel Cain
Doris Caldwell
Jerry Cox
Hannah Davis
Paula Davis
Barbara DeChambeau
Regina Elam
Kimberly Hamilton
Becky Hardwick
Dreama Hedrick
Rodney Hines
Stephanie Hines
Cheryl McClure
Jimmy Osborne
Melinda Osborne
Bobbie Perkins
Roger Proctor
Kristi Reynolds
Renee Turner
Janet Wells
Ann Abney
Dackery Larkey
Tabitha Bell
Annette Lawrence
Rhonda Luckett
Tara Boone
Courtney Browning
Cheryl Mullins
Carolyn Collins
Rodney Mullins
Nickie Navarre
Justin Crouch
Kristin Crouch
Walter Norris
Gayle DeBorde
Karen Parrish
Audy Faulkner
Shari Proctor
Trevor Hemsley
Emily Sanders
Chelsen Larkey
Karen Wilson
Photo by
Ruby Cline-Eaton
S T R I D E S PA G E 9
53 SURVEYED
42 RUNNERS
4 WALKERS
7 RUNNER/WALKERS
1 DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS YOU GO THROUGH BEFORE A RACE?
Our
Favorite
Answers
• 60 push-ups
• A good warm-up & a prayer or two
• Do a flyover of the race course on Google Earth
• Get up early to walk around a lot and use
bathroom multiple times
2
• Have to have my "racing" socks!
• I always put a fresh piece of orange sour patch
kids gum in before race time.
• Just some light stretching and a family photo!
• Yoga
WHAT DO YOU MOST OFTEN THINK ABOUT
WHEN YOU RUN OR WALK?
• Being skinny
• How far I have come and blessed to
be able to participate
• How many people have passed me
• How much further do I have to go
• How much I love it
• My friends who can’t
• Passing the person in front of me
• Setting small goals along the run
• Hope there’s not a lot of traffic. Wish I was faster.
Hope that dog doesn’t bite.
3 FAVORITE RACE THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS?
Renfro Rock ‘N Run
Iron Horse Half Marathon
4 HOW DID YOU GET STARTED RUNNING OR WALKING?
Our
Favorite
Answers
“I started out one night walking when I was aggravated. It was getting dark and I ran the last little bit home.
It about killed me. I tried it again a few days later. A little bit farther each time and now I'm up to half
marathons a few years later.”
“Health. I want to see my children grow.”
“My friend brought over some Runner’s World magazines”
1.85 = AVERAGE
1EXCELLENT
2
3
4
5 POOR
5 RATE YOUR OVERALL HEALTH: (1 IS EXCELLENT; 5 IS POOR)
42% ANSWERED “1”
PA G E 1 0 S T R I D E S
6
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR
FAVORITE RUNNING QUOTES?
“The miracle isn’t that I finished.
The miracle is that I had the
courage to start.” –John Bingham
“The greatest gift in life
is doing what people
say you cannot do.”
“They will run and not grow
weary, they will walk and not
be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
“I just felt like running.” –Forrest Gump
7
“It seemed like a great
idea 6 months ago.”
“I really regret that
run,” said no one ever.
Anything James
Bullen says.
TELL US YOUR FUNNY/INTERESTING
RACE STORIES:
• About 50 yards to the finish a guy started to pass me. I said "I can't let you beat
me". He said "let's go" and we sprinted to the finish! He beat me, but it was a fun race
because I had someone to sprint with to the end. We shook hands and chatted after it
was all over.
• I heard dogs coming up behind me barking very loudly, I screamed just to find out they
were in a truck passing me.
• I ran a race in Jamestown, Ky. The cast of Wizard of Oz was in full costume cheering us
on in the street downtown by the theater. An elderly gentleman was dancing in the street
to a live band. As I ran by, he looped his arm in mine and twirled me around in the street.
Said I was the first "girl" he caught in a long time.
• Running next to Elvis for 7 miles in Vegas
• Some things you just can’t share for fear of retaliation from those you run with.
8 WHAT RACE PERFORMANCE ARE YOU
Our
Favorite
Answer
“
MOST PROUD OF AND WHY?
Rock ‘N Run -- I hadn't trained for this race at all and planned on walking at least half of it. Just when
I was about to switch from running to walking the first time I saw a sign with my daughter's names on
it saying I was their hero. That made me run the entire race. Not the best time I've had, but no walking!”
9
11
HOW MANY MILES A WEEK DO
YOU RUN OR WALK?
Average: 18.7 miles per week
High: 45 miles per week
10
HOW MANY RACES DO YOU
EXPECT TO COMPLETE IN 2015?
Average: 16
High: 60
WHAT’S YOUR BEST ADVICE TO A NEW RUNNER?
There are a lot of wise athletes doing the CWS citing injury risks. More than half
advised new runners to
start slow and build up gradually
12
ANY RUNNING OR WALKING-RELATED INJURIES?
Twenty-four of 49 respondents reported some type of injury this year.
Average time affected by injury: 7 weeks.
S T R I D E S PA G E 1 1
FEATURE
THE
TRAILBLAZER
By Dwain Harris
CWS REGULAR COMPLETES RACES
IN EVERY KENTUCKY COUNTY
We’re not sure if Leo McMillen has a nickname. But we’re
going to call him The Trailblazer, because we figure that not
since Daniel Boone has one person traveled so much of
Kentucky.
McMillen, a Countywide Stride regular for years, gained
statewide fame when he finished his quest to participate in
at least one organized run/walk in every Kentucky county.
The final race was the Furry Run 5K in Crittenden County on
October 4.
McMillen, 78, of Lexington, began running in 1992, and
got the idea to lace up in every county after reading a book
called “Run, Kentucky, Run” about 15 years ago.
Most Countywide Striders will recognize him as the eversmiling speed walker who often wears some sort of
“Kentucky” tee-shirt and is fast to make new friends.
Before his two knee replacement surgeries, he was quite
the runner. He once did the Black Cat 5K in Frankfort in 21
minutes, 15 seconds. He finished the Chicago Marathon in
an impressive 4:02:00. The self-effacing McMillen laughs as
he recalls seeing the marathon winner nearing the finish line
at Grant Park at around 2:02:00. Leo was also arriving in
the park. “But I still had 13 miles to go,” he said.
Some might assume he would relax for a while after
notching the 120-county accomplishment, but readers of
this publication will not be surprised to learn otherwise.
Among many other races, he competed in November’s
Rock ‘N Run 5K and our Jingle Bell 6K in December.
And he plans to do the Stride series again in 2015.
“I can’t stop now,” he said. “I’m afraid something might
catch me.”
PA G E 1 2 S T R I D E S
Photo by
Ruby Cline-Eaton
WALK
IT OFF
By Dwain Harris
FOR MOST,
RACES AREN’T
ABOUT
COMPETITION
Many hear the word “race,” which is how 5Ks
and other recreational run/walks are often
referred to, and lose interest in participating. The
idea of competing with others in a public setting
is not for everyone.
But Countywide Stride run/walks are as much
about gathering to have fun and get in some
exercise as they are about competing. Many of
our partipants are walkers—in fact, nearly onefourth were in 2014. Though we give awards to
the top finishers in the “walker” category, the vast
majority of walkers do not compete. Most walk for
the exercise or just as a way to enjoy the day and
help raise money for that month’s charity.
Nickie Navarre started walking for exercise in
2013.
“I just wanted to get in better shape,” said Nickie.
“I wanted to set a good example for my kids.”
She completed every run/walk in 2014. They
gave her something to look forward to every
month, and kept her walking on her own in
between run/walks. She plans to walk every
Stride event again in 2015.
Emily Sanders began the series when she was
encouraged by her friend Precia Bowling, who,
Wed. April 1, 2015
11am–1pm
NO EARLY BIRDS PLEASE
Renfro Valley
Entertainment Center
as featured in Rockcastle Strides in 2012, used
the run/walks to help her quit smoking and lose
weight.
Emily began at the 2012 Jingle Bell 6K, “and I’ve
been doing them ever since,” she said. She also
completed all 12 Stride events in both
2013 and 2014.
The events regularly help her
keep weight off. It also “gives
you energy,” she said. “And
emotionally, they give you a
sense of accomplishment.”
But Emily also likes to
compete—with herself.
“It’s a challenge to try to
beat my time from the
last race,” she said.
For good information
on how to begin a
walking program,
go to: runnersworld.
com/the-starting-line/
how-to-start-walking
Nickie Navarre began doing run/walks
to set a good example for her kids.
Photo by Ruby Cline-Eaton
FREE to the first 400 walkers:
• Tote Bag
• Subway Lunch
• Gift Items
• Health Checks
• Redbud Seedlings • and More!
For more information call 800-252-6685.
S T R I D E S PA G E 1 3
FEATURE
PHOTOS
THE 2014 RENFRO ROCK ‘N RUN HALF MARATHON AND 5K
Photos by Selena Thompson
The 2nd annual Renfro Rock ‘N Run was again the Countywide Stride’s
biggest event of the year, attracting 405 participants from Kentucky, Indiana,
Ohio, West Virginia and a number of other states. Participants braved a
sub-30 degree morning but were rewarded for their effort with a warm
reception from the locals, not to mention hot coffee, hot chocolate, and tasty
sausage biscuits at the finish line. Many, such as Katie Duvall, were running
the RRR for the first time. “I just wanted to say thank you for a great race on
Saturday,” she wrote. “My husband and I ran the half marathon and we both
got personal records on the beautiful course. The scenery was great, the
volunteers were so nice… This was our first time in Renfro Valley but it won’t
be our last because we hope to run it again next year!”
PA G E 1 4 S T R I D E S
THE 3RD ANNUAL
Half Marathon and 5K
ember 14th, 2015
v
o
N
The only half marathon with its own song!
You won’t believe running 13.1 miles
could be much fun!
www.renfrorocknrun.com
Find us on Facebook
We want to see the Countywide
Stride grow! Back for the third year...
RUN+1
Introduce a friend to February’s
4K for Heart Health race, and your March
race, the St. Patrick’s Day 5K, is FREE!
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:
You, the recruiter, must have participated in at least one 2014 Countywide
Stride event or the January 2015 Snowball Express.
Recruit a runner or walker who did not participate in any 2014 Countywide
Stride races or the January 2015 Snowball Express.
Both you and your recruit will register separately for the 4K for Heart
Health race. When you register, there will be a space for you to fill in the
name of your new recruit.
After the race, we’ll verify that you both completed the race, then we’ll
send you a voucher to use at the March 15th St. Patrick’s Day 5K.
(Limit one free voucher per person)
S T R I D E S PA G E 1 7
FEATURE
Photo by Ruby
Cline-Eaton
Everyone knows running, walking—or getting fit by any means—can build
confidence and self-esteem, and that’s the idea behind Girls on the Run. The national,
volunteer-driven program, in its fourth year in Rockcastle County, teaches elementary
school-age girls life lessons while encouraging them to become runners. The 12-week
program culminates in a 5K, which gives the girls a capstone event to train for. “It’s really
all about growing as people while becoming more physically fit and confident,” said Selena
Thompson, who in 2014 completed her third year as GOTR coach. Her 16 girls finished the
program in style at November’s Renfro Rock ‘N Run. Photos by Selena Thompson
PA G E 1 8 S T R I D E S
Safety First! We say to our children daily, we practice
it in our jobs, yet we don’t always adhere to it when
we have that few extra minutes to take a run. Safety is
essential.
• Never run alone, especially if you are on an open road
or in a rural area. Not only is it safer to run with friends,
it is far more enjoyable and you might find that you go
farther and faster. There is always safety in numbers!
• You and your friends must always be visible.
If you are not, then you are in danger. Wear bright,
reflective clothing. Don’t run at night. You may think
that just because you know the area, that it’s safe. This
assumption puts you at risk.
• Limit what’s going on around you.
If you are using your iPod or phone and it’s a busy
street, you might find yourself more concerned with
changing your song than the oncoming traffic. You
can’t control the person behind the wheel, but you can
control how quickly you have the ability to respond.
So, the next time you think to yourself that this may not
be safe, it probably isn’t. Ask yourself, “Is it worth the
risk?” When in doubt, go to a gym, find a treadmill and
keep running!
For more safety tips, visit:
www.active.com/women/
Articles/6-Running-Safety-Tips
S T R I D E S PA G E 1 9
QRUNNING
&A
FEATURE
VS.
CYCLING
The Countywide Stride Series has introduced
dozens to walking and running. Over time, some
look for something different to break up the
routine. Whether it’s swimming, kayaking, or
weight training, varying your exercises will make
you more likely to keep fit in the long term.
Our Run, Bike or Hike, held each August, features a duathlon, which involves
a 17-mile bike ride in addition to running. We’ve seen many runners take up
cycling and put their new skills to work in the duathlon.
We asked our friend Andrew Crown-Webber of Danville Bike and Footwear to
contrast the two sports, and to talk about the transition from running or walking
to cycling. Here is what he had to say.
Q
: Do you get many new cycling customers who are runners looking to do
something different?
A
: Runners who transition to cycling are often athletes looking to challenge
themselves in a new discipline. Some take it up with the goal of eventually
completing a duathlon or triathlon. Some are runners who look to cycling for an
“off day” cardio option as part of a broader training regimen. Some are runners
who, for health or injury reasons, have been advised to switch from the relatively
high-impact exercise of running to lower-impact cycling.
Q
: In terms of an activity for both fitness and fun, what are some of the
advantages/disadvantages of cycling and running?
A: Running puts more strain and shock on your joints. A properly-fitted bike
will put little to no strain on joints or tendons. Modern bike designs have many
different posture possibilities so virtually everyone can find a comfortable fit.
Personally, I love running because it’s ‘quick and dirty.’ You put on your
shoes and go. Within 20 to 30 minutes, you’ll have had a nice cardio
workout. Biking does take more preparation, as you need to make sure not
only your body but your machine is fit for the road. But, once you’re out
there, you get to see much more of the countryside at a pace that still allows
you to take it all in. You can vary your workout from intense to relaxed or even
coast for a bit to take a break yet still make progress down the road.
Q: Other than a bike, what are the basic necessities a new cyclist
will need and how much could they reasonably expect to spend?
A: Just as wearing a seatbelt is wise when you’re in your car,
wearing a helmet is a necessity on a bike. When it’s not saving
your life in the rare event of a crash, modern helmets are so light
and well-ventilated that you will forget you’re wearing it. No-frills
helmets start around $25 and the lighter, more-ventilated and fitable kinds start around $40.
Also, you will eventually find it is worth putting some padding
between you and your seat and handlebars. Good bike gloves start
around $20 and full-blown padded shorts are in the $50 range, though
there are cheaper, more thinly-padded ones out there.
Photo: Charles Bullen, a longtime CWS runner, took up cycling in 2014 and
competed in the Run, Bike or Hike’s duathlon. Photo by Ruby Cline-Eaton
PA G E 2 0 S T R I D E S
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afilled
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Your
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will
thank
you!
teeth
will
thank
you!
Your
teeth
will
thank
you!
Your Your
teeth
will
thank
you!
Bright Smiles Coalition
Bright Smiles Coalition
Bright
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Smiles Coalition
Coalition
We care for
your vision—
so you can
focus on
what’s
important.
205 Richmond Street
Mt. Vernon, KY
606.256.3937
Serving Rockcastle,
Madison, Laurel and
Pulaski Counties
since 1988.
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Eye Care
S T R I D E S PA G E 21
ALL
DRESSED
UP
FEATURE
When Duffy Sutton was
asked to wear a turkey suit
by a race director a few
years ago, he didn’t think
much about it. He just did it.
Gladly.
Something must have clicked during that race.
Duffy now wears costumes at most races,
which now totals 76 since his first in 2009.
“If it makes people smile, it’s worth it,” said
Sutton, a Somerset resident who is retired from
the Kentucky State Police. “You don’t know
who’s had a bad day, and if it makes people
feel better for the time being, then why not?”
He’s been everything from Santa, to a reindeer,
to “Green Man” for St. Patrick’s Day.
The disadvantages of wearing costumes are
few, he says. Do they ever slow him down?
“They do to some degree,” he said, “but it’s not
like I’m racing for prize money.”
Incidentally, he often finds himself in the running
for race costume contest awards. “I think I’ve
won $200 in gas cards,” he said. That’s more
than enough to pay for a typical costume —
the most he’s shelled out for his get-up was
$40, but often he can piece one together for
$12.
Had he known about the 2014 Renfro Rock N
Run’s costume contest, which was created and
announced just a few days before the race, he
would have found himself competing against
the eventual winner, Evelyn Barker. Her musical
themed number was difficult to miss – she calls
it her “Guitar Dress” — and when her photo
was posted on the race’s Facebook page, she
got lots of views and compliments. Like Sutton,
she often runs in costume and would like to
see more people get into costumed racing.
“I hope in future races, others will join me in
adding costumes to their racing attire,” she
said. “Costumes: that’s just how I roll.”
Not everyone who wears a costume is a
runner. The 2014 CWS series was fortunate to
have Cork Haberek, a.k.a. Rocky the Health
Hound, as a mascot at nearly every race.
Cold or hot, at a 2-miler or half marathon,
Rocky was there to add fun, character and,
most importantly, encouragement to each
event.
And who knew it was an opportunity that Cork,
a longtime public school educator (and father
of Rockcastle Regional community relations
director Jana Bray), had been waiting for?
PA G E 2 2 S T R I D E S
“When I was a teacher at Ashland Public Schools,” Cork said, “I always wanted to dress up,
just once, as the high school mascot for a basketball game, but I never had the opportunity.”
Cork, an avid, competitive swimmer and former high school swim and volleyball coach,
knows how important encouragement is to an athlete. He was thrilled when his daughter
approached him about being Rocky.
“It really was a dream come true,” Cork said. “You see, being Rocky is very therapeutic for
me. At my age (57), I realize that life is short and every moment is a blessing. I realized this
after I had full right hip replacement in March of 2014. By doing this, I get to do something
that I really like – I get to help people.”
But the “helping” goes both ways.
“If as Rocky, I can encourage a
runner to take that extra step and
forget the pain, it’s priceless,” Cork
said. “But as I am encouraging
others, I actually get something
in return. I get fueled by the
excitement from the participants.
The crazier they react, the more
energy they give me.”
Page 22, left: Cork Haberek, dressed as Rocky the Health Hound, mascot of Rockcastle Regional Hospital. Page 22,
bottom left: Duffy Sutton gets into the holiday spirit in one of his many costumes. Page 23, above, from left: Selena
Thompson, Ramona Hiatt, Jones Hiatt, and Sutton after the St. Patrick’s Day race at Renfro Valley. Above right, Evelyn
Barker in her winning “Guitar Dress” at the Renfro Rock ‘N Run. Photos by Ruby Cline-Eaton
S T R I D E S PA G E 23
Read more about our upcoming
events and community health
initiatives at rockcastleregional.org
145 Newcomb Avenue
Mt. Vernon, KY 40456
606.256.2195
Promoting Wellness and Prevention