Wednesday 3 September 2014

Running & Cross fit… The New Hit!

In Jamaica, the place of my birth, upbringing and where I live, running is who we are, it’s part of our culture. Most kids start running from as early as when they start learning their ABC’s and 123’s and every kid aspires to one day participate for their High School at the prestigious Boys’ and Girls’ Championships at the National Stadium. Here, there is no bigger stage to perform on, even representing Jamaica pales in comparison to what it means to represent your school and run at these Championships.

What is ironic though, there is a small percentage of the thousands of athletes who compete at Champs (as it’s affectionately referred to), who go on to do the sport professionally and represent Jamaica. So I asked the question, what has happened to all this budding talent over the years? Most of us go on to lead very successful and productive lives in our chosen professions, but in so many cases (like my own), we get so badly out of shape through weight gain. It is frightening how many friends I come across daily that we use to run together and they no longer even own a pair of sneakers anymore.

Alfred 'Franno' Francis
A few years back, a few good men I like to call them started running again, this time road running, men like; John Lieba – Attorney At Law, Alfred Francis – Businessman, Allan Beckford – Business Executive, Maurice Wesney – Educator and of course, the Jamdammers Running Club. It would also be remise of me not to give mention and credit to Running Events Limited, who are the chief organizers and race facilitators in Jamaica, they currently have a calendar of (21) races through the year that they manage and execute, that is almost one race every other week of the year.

Patrice - President
Through the work of these people, today running and cross-fit training is the fastest growing adult lifestyle activity in Jamaica and people like myself and so many others, have rekindled our passion for running in pursuit of a healthier more full-filling way to relax and exercise.

So when Patrice Wilson-McHugh said that she wanted to start her own running club, I immediately knew I wanted to be part of the experience she was about to create with this her newest venture. Patrice is an Entrepreneur that has built her business (Bars-To-Go Group of Companies) from the ground up by being relentless, fearless and creative. No one who knows her is surprised that she has absolutely done the same with Sonic Steppers Running Club. I grabbed her for a quick sit down to talk about Sonic Steppers.

Below are excerpts of that chitchat:

DW:  Why did you form Sonic Steppers Running Club?

Steppers - Tuff Warrior
PWM: I saw the need for a Club that caters to the running needs of all runners that wanted to participate in the local racing calendar, it didn’t matter if these were 5k’s or marathons as long as the Club could provide a support systems for these runners to have regular activity to properly prepare to compete.

DW: There are many running clubs in Jamaica, how have you been able to position Sonic Steppers to differentiate what you do from other clubs?

PWM:  Sonic Steppers Running Club is the newest of many recreational running clubs in Jamaica. Unlike most however, our mission is to provide runners with varying levels of fitness (beginners to advanced pros), as long as like us; they are committed to achieving a healthy lifestyle while having fun through friendly competition.

DW: What is your vision for Sonic Steppers Running Club?

Sonic Steppers 
PWM: With recreational running and cross-fit training being the fastest growing adult activity in Jamaica, we are excited about the prospect of being Jamaica’s premier running club through the continued promotion of a healthier Jamaica across all the socio-demographic groups.

DW: How does one become a member of the Club and what is the price of membership?

PWM: If you are reading this and always wanted to be a part of a movement that is built on friendship, fun, laughter and a commitment to achieving excellence through fitness, let us hear from you: sonic.steppers@gmail.com it is that easy to become a member. Membership fees are $2,000.00 per year.

DW: $2000.00 for the year seems very low considering there are so many activities and races on the official racing calendar, how are you able to sustain this?

Andi - Stepper of the month - Aug
PWM: Firstly, this was never designed or intended to be a money making venture, I just wanted an outlet to give support to the running community and particular for those persons who felt left out or left behind because they didn’t feel they could do it. Secondly, the fees are a minimal contribution to the club administratively to manage the weekly activity schedule and general communication on a daily basis. In addition to the fees however, runners cover their own race registration costs.

DW: Surely, membership has its benefits. What would some of those be?

PWM: Of course, membership has it's benefits, we have many corporate entities that have come on board already to support what we do, these include; Jamaica Yellow Pages, Designs by Marc, Opa, JMAX Hair & Nail Club, Digicel, Spartan Health Club, Body by Trainer Tony Powell and Toss & Roll Salad Bar. With these partners, our members compete every month for special awards. These include: Most Consistent Stepper, Most Improved Stepper and Most Inspirational Stepper. 

DW: The Club is very popular and does seem to be gaining traction everyday, how big is the membership and how do you plan to expand, if at all?

PWM: The phenomenal thing about the rapid growth of our running club has been that we embrace and treat each other like a family in every sense of the word. Today our paid up membership is in excess of 150 persons and growing. In the coming months we will look at expanding more aggressively into cross-fit training for our members and extend the club remotely into other parishes of Jamaica.

DW: Finally, is there anything new with Sonic Steppers you want to tell me about?

PWM: There are a number of opportunities for us in the planning stages that will enhance the overall experience of our members and their membership to the club. Also we are ready to release our monthly newsletter titled Sonic Steppes HQ. It’s and exciting publication that will be distributed electronically and will keep readers informed of our activities monthly, milestones for our members, tips for runners, Tips for healthy eating, local race calendar activities plus a whole lot more.

Anyway gang, check out issue number one of the Sonic Steppers newsletter Sonic Steppers HQ - Vol #1. You can also check out their Facebook page Sonic Steppers Running Club

I have to go running now so we catch up again soon.

One Love as always.

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