They meet at the steps of city hall bright and early each Saturday morning.
Dave Mabee, a certified resilience coach and marathoner, has started the R.I.S.E. Running Club. The group heads out from the downtown core at 7 a.m. for a weekend run.
Mabee said the R.I.S.E. acronym stands for run, inspire, strive, empower.
“Running has been a transformational force in my life for the five years I have been doing it…it’s been amazing to find out what I am capable of.”
The group founder started out running a mile each morning. He has run two marathons in recent months, turning running into an impactful part of his life.
The Saturday runs are open to everyone. The baseline run is about 4K with a route around the Avon River. Seasoned runners can add on some hills or extend the route while newcomers can take their time to complete their run.
“It’s going to be an opportunity for people to challenge themselves…and bring us together as a community.”
Mabee said runners can find out what they are capable of and it could, “illuminate all kinds of possibilities in life.”
