MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- A new fitness club is on station to offer residents an opportunity to participate in group activities and events. The Iwakuni Roadrunners is a nonprofit organization focusing on getting runners, young, old, new and experienced, out together into the community to share in the spirit of camaraderie and fitness while helping the community in the process. The Roadrunners completed its second group run here Aug. 24.
“The purpose of this club is to build a community of runners and encourage beginners and experienced runners who want to improve their abilities,” said Staff Sgt. Paul S. Mancuso, Roadrunners co-founder.
The Roadrunners will also raise funds to donate to local charities, Mancusso said.
The group meets every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in front of the Crossroads Mall before proceeding out the main gate at 7 p.m. The run and the route vary in length from week to week.
“I wanted to do something different with my Marines,” said Staff Sgt. Bryce C. Good, Special Reaction Team training staff noncommissioned officer in charge. “If you stay at the same distance, you’ll plateau. You’re not going to get better if you plateau.”
Turnaround points are also set up at various points along the run if a participant feels they cannot finish the entire run.
The group is open to anyone interested in improving or maintaining their current fitness level. New club members, or those interested in signing up for the club are encouraged to use the experience and knowledge of fellow club members when participating in the runs.
“There’s internal mentorship,” said Mancuso. “There are a lot of experienced runners here who can help the beginners. It provides a community atmosphere where people can exchange ideas and find running partners.”
The runners perform the run as a group. Those who are of the same ability level are encouraged to continue running on their own time.
“This group run is built to get runners together, find who’s around the same skill level, branch off and do your own runs,” said Mancuso.
Running is a requirement for Marines and sailors service wide. It is integral part of the overall fitness of every Marine and sailor. Running and other physical training activities are considered commonplace to encourage unit cohesion and weight management. Spouses do not have the same opportunities as their respective service members.
“If a Marine is out of shape, they have the Body Composition Program to help them get back in shape,” said Christiana M. Sanders, Roadrunners member. “It’s for them. There’s nothing like that for a spouse. So I’m ecstatic about this.”
Sanders said there is always a positive mental attitude with the club.
Maintaining physical fitness may be difficult at times. When a service member trains alone, it’s sometimes hard to push themselves past their physical limits.
“If you ask someone to go PT by themselves, they’ll likely come up with an excuse,” said Good. “If they’re with people who will help push them, then they are more likely to show up. This helps me push myself to get better.”
The club hopes to expand in the upcoming months to where it will eventually become a permanent fixture on station.
If anyone is interested in joining the Roadrunners, send an e-mail to iwakuniroadrunners@ gmail.com or search Iwakuni Roadrunners on Facebook.com. A $35 membership fee includes a Roadrunners T-shirt, a sticker, free entry into all Roadrunner sponored races and events, and recognition in its 100-mile and 500-mile club. The races will also serve as the Roadrunners’ fundraisers.