Three times a week, almost every week, for the past year and a half, the Auburn City Parks and Recreation Stride Walkers Club have met to complete their 2.5 to three miles.

The group is coming out of its winter sessions April 1. During the winter, members meet at 11 a.m. After the first of April, the group will hold its meetings at 9 a.m. The meetings held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday are open to anyone.

There are no fees and no obligations. You are not required to be an Auburn University student or Auburn resident.

“Put on your sneakers, grab you some water and come join us,” Melissa Weldon, youth enrichment manager for Auburn Parks and Recreation, said.

Good running shoes and your own water are about the only requirements needed to join the club.

Weldon said that a majority of the members are female, but they do have males who attend some of the meetings. The ages range from people in their 20s to seniors in their late 70s. Some are college students and residents, and there are others who have moved to Auburn.

“It is a good way to get out and meet people,” Weldon said

She said that it has helped many newcomers to Auburn make friends, learn about the city and discover new activities. The group has also helped Auburn residents and college students make connections and explore the city.

Weldon said Stride Walkers is like a free exercise program. She said that the only time the club does not meet is when it is raining.

“On cold days, wrap up,” Weldon said.

The team has their meeting dates and places listed on the parks and recreation Web site at http://www.auburnalabama.org/PARKS/stridewalkers.asp. The schedules are updated monthly and published in local newspapers.

There are 13 to 14 different routes that the group uses, Weldon said. They are always welcoming new locations.

The program was started and is coordinated by Dee Watson and Weldon. The idea for the club began when a person approached the Auburn City Parks and Recreation about having a walking group. In October of 2007 the club was formed.

Apart from being an enjoyable activity, the program has assisted locals in their medical and health needs. Weldon said that the program has also helped members participate in the “Scale Back Alabama” program.

Running and walking is done at the member’s own pace. There are fast, medium and slow walkers at every meeting, Weldon said. Members also choose their distance.

“We have a couple of ladies in their 60s that move like gazelles,” she said.

Mothers and grandmothers have been known to bring their babies and toddlers out in strollers to exercise.

The event encourages locals to get to know one another.

“You are never walking by yourself,” she said. “You always have someone to talk to.”

The meetings usually last no longer than an hour.

“Most of the things you read recommend an hour of moderate exercise,” Weldon said.

She said she believes that Stride Walkers is an excellent way of doing that while getting outside, meeting new people and having a good time.

“We’ve made some really good friends,” Weldon said.



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