March 16,
2020
| Danielle Eaton
DanielleE@thereminder.com
AGAWAM – An Agawam resident is working to bring local runners together for a fun and social way to get their exercise.
Wayne Ball told Reminder Publishing he’s been an avid runner for “quite some time,” and has even completed several ultra-marathons. Ball explained ultra-marathons are races that extend more than 26-miles.
Ball, who owns Anytime Fitness in Agawam, realized there was no form of running group in town, so he started one on his own. “I just thought it’d be a good idea to have a running club in town, there’s not anything like it,” he said.
The first meeting of the Agawam Runner’s Club was held on March 6 and Ball said there was a total of 18 people, including himself, that showed up. “I think it’s pretty good for the first time,” he said.
He said there was a varying demographic of residents that showed up, including some under the age of 18. “Three youth showed up, even a dog showed up,” he said. Ball emphasized that while dogs were welcome, it was state law that they must be on a leash.
Not just runners are welcome at the club. Ball said people interested in getting outside and walking are also welcome. “If you want to walk you’re more than welcome to walk,” he said. Ball added that “about half” of attendees at the group’s first meeting ran, and “half walked.”
The group, which meets at 5:45 p.m. on Mondays, uses the sidewalk in front of the gym on Silver Street for running and walking. Ball said he “put out markers every quarter mile” so people can go whatever distance they’d like. He described it as a “free for all.”
Ball said he plans to continue to host meetings of the group as long as interest and the weather permits. However, he said he doesn’t think interest will dwindle as “there’s about 30 or so people that seem interested” in the next meeting.
He said at this time he plans to continue meeting through the summer and into the fall. “Typically in the fall is when I’d wind this down,” he said. Ball added that if he wasn’t available to lead the group his wife, Marie, would take over.
Ball emphasized that the group was “open to anybody” and “100 percent free.” He said people did not need to be a member of the gym to join, and any minors interested in joining must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The group meets at 5:45 p.m. in front of the gym at 200 Silver St. Ball said as he is not a certified coach they currently have no group warm-up coach, but people are welcome to do their own warm-up routine if they have one. The group officially begins running at 6 p.m.
Anyone interested in joining the group should call Ball at 342-1234.
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