Runners club will hold open house for all

Sparta — The Sparta Runners Club will host a free open house from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, at the Pavilion in Station Park to celebrate National Running Day. At this event, members of the club will be greeting participants and providing information on running, run/walk, and other run related topics for beginners and experienced runners. The club will also lead participants on a run/walk for beginners and a longer run for experienced runners starting from the Pavilion at 6:30 p.m. Water and Gatorade will be available to participants. National Running Day is a new initiative whereby many major organizations within the running industry are joining forces to nationally and locally promote running as a healthy, easy, and accessible from of exercise. From New York to San Diego, the day will celebrate the benefits of running as part of a healthy and active lifestyle aimed at combating some of today’s most pressing health issues. “During these times, we all could use a good run,” said Pamela Conlan, president of the Sparta Runners Club. “Running is fun, inexpensive, easily accessible and perfectly targeted at some of the biggest health issues we’re facing, like childhood obesity, heart disease, and stress. Best of all, you don’t have to be an experienced runner to participate. Whether you run for five minutes, 15 minutes or 45 minutes, every little bit counts.” Anyone interested in joining the group run should be at the pavilion by 6:15 p.m., and wear comfortable exercise clothes and sneakers. For more information on the event, visit www.spartarunners.org.