The amount of people participating in road races has increased significantly over the years and that isn’t a surprise to Cal State Long Beach students who have made running a part of their life.
Participation in road races has increased from 1,199,250 to 6,929,000 from 1990 to 2010, according to the Running USA website. Student organizations like CSULB Triathlon Club have contributed to this significant jump.
“Running is a great sport for students to start because it’s a low buy-in,” said Derick Smith, CSULB Triathlon Club vice president.
Smith said he thinks more people are doing races because they have a good support system.
“It’s very nurturing to be out there with all the other people,” Smith said. “That’s why it’s good to join a club as well. We help motivate each other.”
David Avalos, Long Beach Runners Club president, said that people start running for different reasons.
“I started running in high school because of softball practice,” said Nancy Martinez, a junior accounting major. “Now, I still run three times per week. It gives me energy.”
The Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) offers runners an indoor one-eighth mile track made from Mondo material.
“The Mondo indoor track is better for joints than running on concrete and is more stable than running on grass,” Associate Director Sean Del Rossi said.
He said the SRWC reverses the direction of running every other day so that people do not injure themselves.
“Running the same direction constantly can put strain on joints and muscles,” Del Rossi said.
Pre-nursing junior Nicole Peterson runs at the SRWC almost every day of the week.
“In 2008 I made a commitment to lose weight and get healthy,” Peterson said. “I was getting sick all the time and running actually boosts my immune system.”
Junior music major Daniel Cropp said his goal is to lose weight and get in shape.
“I started running with a partner because it helps me stay motivated,” Cropp said. “I haven’t really seen any results yet, but that’s why I’m going to keep on doing it.”
Cropp said he is thinking about doing a half-marathon or full marathon in the future.
“Students come to the running club to stay fit, join a running community and so that they can train for bigger runs,” Avalos said.
Avalos said some students in the club are planning to run in the Long Beach Marathon in October. He said anyone is welcome to club practices and all they need are running shoes, water, snacks and a good attitude.
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