Community involvement
Charlottesville Running Company understands that our Community is part of who we are. By supporting local events, initiatives and local charities, we build a stronger and more energetic running community.
Here are some of the ways Charlottesville Running Company supports the local running community:
Christmas Prizes: Every Christmas, Charlottesville Running Company awards great prizes to CRC customers. The customers submit stories about running, and a winner is chosen each week. Here are some of the most recent submissions.
Winner for the week of 12/21
Alice Simpkins
| Jane Beall | Kate McDowell | Casey Houseworth | Alice Simpkins | Michelle Stanislaus | Dwayne Jones | Delia Lunsford |
| I think my favorite run would have to be the first run I actually chose to do. I had played competitive sports since the age of five, culminating in four years of varsity field hockey at Washington & Lee University. I had never run because it was fun or because it was my choice - I ran because my coaches told me I had to, whether it was 400 meter repeats or timed three mile runs. It was never my decision to run and it wasn't pleasurable. After my last game as a General, I thought I was through with running for good. I was tired of being told to run. I did in fact take a few months off, but then Lexington's beautiful spring weather coaxed me out to the road again. And for once, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it because every step I took was one that I had chosen - because I wanted to take it, not because it would give me an edge in the waning minutes of a game or help me win a lose ball. I could stop whenever I wanted to, not when I heard a whistle. And the funny thing is, I haven't stopped running since. | My favorite running route here is my current weekly long run - I go downhill two miles to Riverview Park, where I can see the river and run on a path free from cars and with ever-changing scenery. It doesn't hurt that it's fairly flat! It's easy to add on miles, as it hooks up with the "trail" part of the Rivanna Trail, and there's even a short loop. Then I tackle an uphill climb back towards downtown Charlottesville and run past the farmers market. There's always a lot of activity there and it peps me up for the rest of the run. Afterwards I can run around grounds a bit (the "Alderman Loop" past Ohill and the Track is another favorite of mine) and finally head home. My favorite run of the week, of course, is the CTRC group run. I love hanging out with other runners in the area, and I always have great conversations with other members. What better way to get motivated and inspired than to run with Eric, who just finished an Ironman, Bob and Gerard who kicked butt at the NYC Marathon... the list goes on and on. Everyone's so nice and we sometimes even get to go on "field trips" to Sherando or Walnut Creek. I love the CTRC group runs and I will be so sad this summer when I head back to Maryland for work. | Dear Charlottesville Running Company, My favorite run was actually my most recent race, the Charlottesville Fall Classic. I almost backed out at the last minute because of the weather, but I decided to go. I arrived really early in the blustery wind and rain and thought again how nice it would be to go back home to bed. But I forced myself out of the car to find the starting line. I found the warm welcome of the Charlottesville Running Company store, and everyone inside was cheerful despite the weather. "Maybe this won't be so bad, even if I do get soaking wet," I thought. I started warming up and getting excited about the race. I love the camaraderie of a race, and this was no exception. I hadn't run the course before, so I was eagerly anticipating what it would be like. It did not disappoint. The gradual hills at the beginning through the neighborhoods made the race so interesting, and then we came to the river trail. How gorgeous, even in the yucky weather! What made it even better was that I discovered a new playlist on my iPod at the start of the race. It was titled, "10K music," and it had been created by my husband the night before while I was sleeping. He started it with "Eye of the Tiger," and it got better from there, timed perfectly to each mile (he knows my slow pace!). What fun to see what he picked to motivate me; I was practically dancing through the course. No, I'm not a fast runner at all, and I don't have lofty goals of ever winning one of these road races, but I love running. I had a wonderful time that day, and I loved the cheers as I finished. My six kids asked me if I won when I got home, and I laughed. "No, I said, "I didn't win, but that's not always the most important thing. I loved running today, and I'm thankful to be able to do it." |
I was running out near my house in Albermarle County a bit before dusk on a cool late spring day. I was on gravel Dick Woods Rd near 250. It was getting late so I figured I would run a quick three miles, 1.5 out and 1.5 back. I was about one mile into my run and I noticed ahead of me there was something in the middle of the road about a half mile up. Since it was getting darker I pressumed it was simply a car on the side of the road that had broken down. As I edged closer to it I realized that it was a bull standing in the middle of the road! It had strayed outside of the fenced in farm land and it was starring at me. I quickly started to jog backwards for a few yards, then turned around and sprinted all the way back to the car. Never have I had such a rush. | This is so easy for me. I am 48 years old and was really out of shape. It was the first year I did the Woman’s 4miler training program. Prior to that I never ran at all. What was special is my two daughters (18 and 20 years old) did the training with me. Both girls are very athletic. We really enjoyed the training together. They were both very encouraging to me. Now for my favorite run, it was the day of the 4miler fun run. I told my girls to go on and run their best, which they did. I struggled at time over the 4 miles but I was determined to finish. I was coming over the bridge that goes over the railroad tracks by U-Haul pretty beat. I saw my daughter at the finish line. She was crying as hard as I had ever seen. I was in a panic not knowing what had happened, with whatever strength I had left I ran to her and asked her what had happened. She hugged me and just said between the tears how very proud she was of me. She was crying out of joy and pride. I don’t think I will ever have a better ran than that day. | My favorite run was last January on perhaps one of the coldest days of the year. After coaxing two running buddies to join me on a 16 mile trail run through Big Levels, we set out from Stuarts Draft with 12 degrees displayed on my truck’s thermometer. Since it was my idea to do a trail run that day I carried the pack with water, gel packs and a map. At the second creek crossing all three of us slipped momentarily below the frozen surface dampening our trail shoes but not our resolve to keep running. Ice crystals formed over the toes of my shoes, yet another sign the temperature was dropping as we ascended the trail. Finally at the crest of Bald Mountain we stopped for fuel and water but to my surprise the water bottles were frozen solid and the gel packs had become sticky popsicles. After several futile attempts to melt the water bottles we headed down the mountain. We stopped for coffee at a nearby convenience mart still decked out from head to toe in running gear. After several strange looks from the cashier she inquired: “Are you guys hunting today?” My running buddy said “no we were just out for 16 mile trail run”. She replied “why would you want to do that?” He quipped “seemed like a good idea four hours ago”. Single digit temps, frozen water bottles, ice laden shoes and four hours in the mountains with your running mates– what could be better? | My favorite walk is down at Riverview Park. This section of the Rivanna trail has everything from the roar of traffic to the almost quiet of the forest to the sounds of the river. Between the birds (including a flock of geese), cicadas and the regular deep croak of a bullfrog, it’s never a quiet place, especially in the summer. The views are astounding: glimpses of the river, flowering undergrowth coupled with the rear entrances of businesses and derelict panel trucks that stare right at you. All of that is forgotten when you enter into the unusual sounds and sight of the 250 bridge. Best of all I love the bit of that "runners high" I get towards the end, an end that always feels like the beginning of something new and refreshed. |
The Water Cooler: every Saturday morning, CRC offers cold water and Gatorade to any runner or walker passing by. The coolers are set outside of the store at 7A.M. and remain there until the middle of the day. Thousands of runners now use our cooler as one of their refueling stops.
Soles for Souls: Our customers can recycle their used athletic shoes, and, in turn, they receive 10% OFF on any purchase. CRC then ships the shoes to Soles for Souls, who distributes all over the world to areas in need. Every summer, CRC partners with SLN for the summer shoe drive. Last year, we collected over 1,200 pairs of shoes for Soles for Souls in less than a month
The Doggie Bowl: Every day, CRC offers cool water to thirsty walking or running pooches by putting outside our doggie bowl.
Event Volunteering: Charlottesville Company Employees volunteer at most of the local running events at water stops (Charlottesville 10 miler), packet pickup (Martha Jefferson 8K, Women's 4 Miler, Charlottesville 10 Miler) and as coaches for training programs (Women's 4 Miler Training Program). They are also often involved in pre-race preparations or post-race clean up.
Event Support: CRC supports many local organizations who want to hold a running race. The support involves help in designing flyers and applications, legal advice for waivers and insurance, providing supplies such as cups, coolers and fluids and by donating prizes for the top or age group winners.
Donations: CRC donates thousands of dollars each year to local races in the form of monetary or in-kind donations.
Collections: Throughout the year, CRC holds in-store drives for food (for the local Food Bank), batteries and toys.
Going Green: CRC cares about the environment. At CRC, we recycle all our cardboard, paper, plastic, glass, aluminium, batteries and any used electronic equipment. We also limit our energy use as much as possible by turning off all computers and appliances at night.
