Caity Healy | Editor-in-Chief

For those looking to get active with low commitment, to get to know their community or simply wanting something to do two nights a week, the Independence Community Engagement Manager, Ramón Martínez, has the answer. He has spearheaded a group called the IndyMo Runners, a group meant for people in both Independence and Monmouth to come together, socialize and run or walk together.

“It’s a social group,” Martínez said. “It’s not about ‘who can finish the route first?’ It’s something where people can just come out, step out the door and do something fun with the community. It’s a great way to meet folks that you don’t see on a day-to-day basis.”

Originally, the group was titled the Indy Brunch Runs. Martínez, who is also the HEAL coordinator, which stands for Healthy Eating Active Living, established the Indy Brunch Runs when he realized the community was lacking a running club. However, an idea was proposed by someone in the group to also include Monmouth in their activities. So, as a way to bridge the two communities together through running and walking, he decided to change the name and add an additional running spot in. Thus, IndyMo Runners was born.

“I definitely want to emphasize this … all levels are welcome to our group,” Martínez said. “You don’t have to have prior running experience. You can start of walking, or you can do a run-walk combination. And something else I want to emphasize is that no one gets left behind in our group.”

For those that are interested in checking it out, Martínez wanted to make it clear that the group is both very inviting and supportive. Ultimately, the goal is to make those there feel comfortable and welcome.

“If folks have never came out to our group, we want to make sure that they’re very well-versed in the route. And … we want to be able to help them build up to their goals,” he said. “You don’t have to have all the fancy running gear … just come out with some comfy shoes.”

IndyMo Runners meets twice a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m. by Main Street Park in Monmouth, and Saturdays at 10 a.m. by Riverview Park in Independence. To stay updated on what they’re doing, visit meetup.com/IndyMoRunners, or contact IndyMoRunners@gmail.com.

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ramón Martínez