A Blog Mostly About Running in Durango by DRC President Tim Funk
A blog? What is this, the year 2000?
Since taking over as president of the Durango Running Club in June of 2024, I’ve been trying to figure out the right platform to get out what I believe to be pertinent info to the members. I thought initially about a podcast, but that’s frankly too time consuming. I’m also just too damn old and uncool to ever start a Youtube Channel. So sorry, a blog is the best you are going to get with a Gen X and unpaid president.
First a disclaimer, everything I post in this blog are my opinions only and do not necessarily reflect those of the DRC board of directors or the membership at large.
Blog Entry #1, The State of DRC in 2025
February 2, 2025
Membership and Attendance
Heading into 2025, we currently have about 420 members. This number fluctuates with memberships expiring and being renewed daily. This is as high as our membership has ever been and attendance at our runs and events is also at an all time high. To those somehow reading that aren’t members, at $25/person or $39/household per year, DRC membership remains one of the only good deals in Durango. Even though it’s cheap there are some members still not getting their money’s worth. I believe about ¼ of the Club is actively involved and the other ¾ are mostly not. Hopefully the info below encourages the members that are not maximizing their memberships to do so.
Inclusivity
First, I want to talk about the main reason I care enough about this club to want to be its president, and that is to make it as inclusive as possible. The low price of membership is one way we remove barriers to entry. The other way is to try to accommodate runners of all abilities. I often still hear that the DRC is just too fast for folks. Then they show up and discover that there are typically folks that run at their speed. Accommodating runners of all abilities isn’t just my responsibility as the president. It is something I hope all of our regular runners will think about. 99% of the fast runners in Durango are already members. The only way we grow this club and therefore get to do even more awesome things is to attract new members. If you care about this club then keeping this ethos is also your responsibility.
Lastly, I want to assure all potential runners that everyone is welcome in this club, regardless of race, ethnicity, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, etc. The only people not welcome are those that aren’t tolerant and respectful of others.
Board of Directors Turnover
The composition of the DRC Board of Directors is very different than it was going into 2024. This is normal and in my 5 years on the board I’ve observed that all turnover has always been good turnover. Being on the board is a 100% volunteer effort. Folks step aside when they recognize they no longer have the time/energy to give their best to the Club and folks that want to join decide beforehand that they do have the time and energy to commit to this labor of love.
The first new addition to the board was Stephanie Barnett, who accepted the entirely new position of Events Coordinator. Recognizing that this club does a lot more than just meet to run, the Board voted on the need for this position, which is responsible for the winter party, summer party, campout, pool party, etc. Next, Liz Haubert has taken over as our new Communications Director and is already doing an amazing job. Recognizing that this club no longer has an offseason, Liz has started sending out the newsletter weekly (even in the winter) and is getting info out on social media as well (follow us on Facebook and Instagram if you don’t already to see some of Liz’s great work). Anya Kuznestova has accepted the position of Community Partnerships Coordinator. She will be working with all of the Club’s sponsors as well as other important organizations to the Club such as Durango Trails and La Plata Search and Rescue. The most recent change is that Bill Benac is now the Club’s treasurer. As one of the founders of the unofficial “Durango Morning Runners” group, Bill will be coordinating all of our Thursday morning runs moving forward. Bios of the entire board are on our website here: https://www.durangorunningclub.org/board-bylaws
I want to sincerely thank outgoing DRC board members Avery Sheldon, Robert Marks, Karis Morall, Lorna Cambell, and Shea Rivers for their contributions to the board and the Club. This club doesn’t run itself. It takes a lot of hard work from a lot of dedicated volunteers.
Winter 2025 Activities
For those new to the club, we have 2 different schedules: a winter schedule from November 1 through the end of March; and a summer schedule from April 1 through the end of October.
Tuesday Winter Workouts
Every Tuesday at noon are professionally coached speed or hill workouts. These are free to members and coaches are paid through your dues. So use this service! The workouts are for anyone that wants to get faster, regardless of ability. And they work. If you only run slow and easy you will only get good at running slow and easy. Locations vary so stay tuned to the newsletter or social media for the location. Pro runner Kyle Curtin (see Kyle's CT FKT) has coached these mostly solo for the last several years, but we are super excited this year to also have local pro runner Robyn Lesh as a coach every other week (Robyn's bio).
Photo Courtesy of Robyn Lesh
Wednesday Pub Runs
When I joined the Club, the Pub Runs were every other week and typically attended by 5-10 people, maybe less depending on the weather. Now the runs happen every week and turnout is typically at least 20-25 people. Runs are still 4-5 miles at a conversation pace followed by drinks at rotating local establishments. Longtime board member Matt Griffis still organizes the pub runs, but I want to shout out new board member Anya Kuznetsova and her husband David Herrig for leading a lot of the runs so far this year. Due to the popularity of the runs, it would be great to also get a sweeper for these runs as it’s getting harder to keep a group that size together. If interested in sweeping, please sign up to be an additional guide here: Signup Sheet
Thursday Morning Runs
If mornings before work are better for you than evenings, there is a regular group of DRC members that meets every Thursday morning to run about 4 miles at a conversation pace from the parking lot of Sage Fresh Eats (old Zia North location) every Thursday at 6AM. Snow, shine or extreme cold, this group will be there and is usually about 5-10 people in size. In the summer, some of these runs may switch to trails depending on what the volunteer leader wants to do, but in the winter they will be on pavement.
Photo courtesy of Kara Hellige
Upcoming DRC Races
Vallecito Lake Heavy Half Marathon
This race is directed by yours truly (with the amazing Kara Hellige as a co-director) and will occur on May 17 this year. This will be the 5th year of the event and we think this year will be the best year yet as we keep finding things we can improve upon. In a post-COVID world of outrageously expensive race entry fees, this race costs only $65 (until March 1) and DRC members get 10% off. I’m confident you won’t find a better race at that price anywhere in the country. But if you want to run it, sign up soon. It will sell out. Last year the race generated $4,000 for the Vallecito Community Center Scholarship Fund and we anticipate we’ll be able to do that again this year. Sign up here: Runsignup. As always, I need some great volunteers to pull this race off. Let me know if you can help.
The Narrow Gauge Races
There will be a new race director this year in my good buddy and long-time DRC member Victor Ruggiero. Established in 1978, the Narrow Gauge 10 Mile Race is the longest continuously run road race in Colorado. There is also a 5K and 1-mile kid’s race. Amazingly, this race is even cheaper than Vallecito. The race will take place on Sunday May 25, the day after the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic and two days after the Narrow Horse 1500 Meter Swim. Long-time Durango endurance athletes shoot for this unofficial triathlon every Memorial Day Weekend, although swimming and biking first are not required to run.
Podcast Appearance
Lastly, I was recently invited to be a guest on the Empowered Running Podcast. Check it out here: Episode 3: Tim Funk