In the past five years at the University of Missouri, several people have tried to start a running club and failed. Every year, attendance would fall just as fast as the temperature each time Winter arrived. After years of seeing no success, a small group of five runners decided to begin racing to encourage people to attend practice and keep them motivated. Using the NIRCA Fall Cross Country season meets as a common goal, the group of five grew instantly. Two years and thirty active members later, the Mizzou Running Club can say it’s been a contender to host the 2009 National Championship, held a cross country meet (in conjunction with Washington University), and collectively run over 140 miles in NIRCA cross country meets last year.

The secret to their recent success has nothing to do with budget, huge attendance numbers, or coaching. In fact, the group has no coach; two club members volunteer by creating training plans for the entire team. Club officers constantly take on multiple duties-- managing training, races, racing, and fundraising. They take advantage of every opportunity they get from the university (for funding) as well. Above all, suggestions are welcome. The club is completely student-run, and officers are glad to improve the club by constantly taking feedback and comments from its members.

Mizzou’s club officers value the team atmosphere above all else. The Mizzou Running Club has many activities for its members– both running and non-running. Current favorites include pasta dinners (of course, followed by showings of Prefontaine), camping trips, working at football games, and above all, taking a big road trip to Nationals 2008 at Penn State. After all, spending 17 hours in a car with fellow runners is the best way to create the bonds that keep the team together!

NIRCA asked Mizzou for some tips on how to grow (or keep growing) a successful club. President, Jenn Ewan, tells us her three secrets, from her perspective:

• Don’t be afraid to travel. It forms close relationships among the team and also allows opportunities for networking and learning what other clubs have to offer. “You can travel pretty cheap if you look hard enough and plan far enough in advance,” she says.
  
• Be flexible. Most clubs run the spectrum of talent and levels of motivation, so find activities that runners of all abilities can enjoy. The Mizzou Running Club meets five times weekly with no attendance requirement. Members show up to club runs and events to have fun and run, so plan team events after practice.
  
• Race. A common goal, such as Regionals or Nationals, can help to add motivation and increase retention of club runners. It also helps that groups of people are running similar and focused workouts, too. If there are no races in the local area, the solution’s easy: host one!
  

The Mizzou Running Club is certainly one to watch out for in the future; they have certainly come a long way in only one year since they got involved in NIRCA. The club has already figured out how to network (a la WuZou Invitational), found a way to travel to both Regionals and Nationals last year, and is one of the most active, enthusiastic clubs NIRCA has ever seen. Still not impressed? This club once traveled for 17 hours - straight - in a car together.

So Mizzou, I like your stride.