Roadrunner, Roadrunner - Goin' Faster Than Miles An Hour

You have to get up pretty early to even catch a glimpse of the Roadrunners -- no, not that speedy little desert bird -- a group of passionate runners of a certain age in the Lamorinda area.

Based out of Orinda and born back in 1974 when the fitness movement was gathering steam, the Roadrunners boast a membership of about 70 dedicated athletes, many of whom run to keep fit. The brainchild of Jerry Wendt and former Miramonte teacher Bob Campbell the group likes to hit the road for exercise -- but what they really love to do is compete.

The Roadrunners have chalked up thousands of miles in hundreds of marathons over the years all across America and Europe, but nothing was as thrilling as their participation in the Athens Greek Marathon, “The Ultimate Marathon Experience,” as it is called. The race runs the eight fabled miles from Marathon to Athens and is the runner's experience, I am told. To celebrate their participation in The Greek Marathon 30 years ago, the Roadrunners gathered at Thursday to swap stories and remember the good old days.

They reminisced about all manner of things of interest to runners: weather, injuries, victories and some tales I am sad to say I can not repeat in this article, but it is safe to say the Roadrunners will remember Greece not only to be their first marathon together, but also as their best.

And don't count them out, as the group still regularly participates in half-marathons. This coming Sunday, November 6, about a half dozen members are running in the Save Mt. Diablo Run at Castle Rock Park.

It's been almost 40 years since the Roadrunners were formed, and while many of the members are now in their 70's, they still plan to keep running, biking and hiking for years to come.