Never Done a Road Race? You Can do the Bellin Run

March 24, 2010

Participating in a road race can be an intimidating feat, even for seasoned veterans. But the Bellin Run shouldn’t be intimidating in any fashion, even for those who have never run a road race before, organizers say.

The 34th annual Bellin Run is scheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday, June 12. The 10K (6.2-mile) run/walk snakes through the city of Green Bay and the village of Allouez. It drew a record 16,746 registrants in 2009.

The race traditionally welcomes participants of all skill levels – world-class competitors as well as casual runners, joggers and walkers.

“We have a great mix of participants,” says executive race director Randy Van Straten. “This race historically has been all inclusive. Our goal generally has always been to encourage people to adopt healthier living though fitness and better nutrition. The Bellin Run acts as a catalyst for such lifestyle changes as people train for the event and begin following a course of physical activity that is conducive to healthier living.”

And anyone can complete the Bellin Run 10K, even first-timers, Van Straten said.

“It’s an attainable goal and you’ll be in good company with at least 16,000 other participants. There is no pressure to have a particular finishing time,” he said. “For a first-timer, just participating in the Bellin Run is a huge victory. Finishing the event is icing on the cake.”

Those still on the fence about participating can sign up for the free Run a Better Bellin class. The class helps train prospective participants for the June 12 run/walk. Sessions are held every Wednesday evening at 6:30 right up until race week. Each week the class will start off with a 5-10 minute informational session and warm up, followed by a run or walk. Routes will start at 1 mile and gradually build up to 6 miles.

The Run a Better Bellin class takes place at Bellin Health’s Green Bay Health & Athletic Performance Center, 1630 Commanche, Green Bay (near the airport). Participants are asked to meet in the west reception area.

“You can complete the Bellin Run,” Van Straten said. “To a first-timer it may seem like a daunting task. It isn’t. Put in some training time and prepare for the run. Once you line up in your designated wave on race day and the excitement of the crowd washes over you, you’ll know that you made the right decision. You can do it.”