The inaugural year of Park’s new club is set to begin connecting current and past Park students, faculty and staff through their love of running.

The concept for the Park University Running Club was organized last year by University Director of Alumni Relations Julie McCollum, University Associate VP of Constituent Engagement Erik Bergrud, and University Track and Field coach Brian Renshaw.

Their goal is to spread the clubs reach across all Park campuses to connect members of the Park family for marathons and runs across America.

“It was brought to our attention by a number of people,” McCollum said. “People would run into each other as Park people, or wearing park shirts, so we thought to informally take advantage of it.”

The club is informal by nature which meaning it relies solely on communication and planning of events through its own members. There is a $15 cost to purchase a custom-made running club shirt, which is the big symbol behind the initial idea.

Aside from track athletes and an annual 5K run, which came to an end three years ago due to construction on campus, Park has never had an experience like this available to it’s community members before.

“Students, alumni, faculty, staff and anyone who wants to be apart of this across all campuses is welcome,” McCollum said. “No matter where you are, you can get your shirt and its part of our Park pride.

“The t-shirt is the main piece to it all. It gives you access to all the other benefits we’re creating, such as running tips and advice from Coach Renshaw, as well as planning runs and events with other members through email and our Facebook page. Our members and alumni can help us share and spread the knowledge of Park University, and this is a great new way they can promote their alma mater,” she said.

The club has gained interest in its first few weeks of establishment. There is not a definitive start date set but McCollum and the rest of the club organizers have their sights set on a March or April run in the Kansas City area.

The club could be the perfect fit for anyone who loves to run, who wants to start running or who wants to connect with old or new Park community members.

“We want to start running sometime in late March and maybe even enter the Brew-to-Brew relay race,” McCollum said. “Anyone who likes Park, and likes to run can get your t-shirt and run with other Park people and get involved and connected.”

For all questions and inquires about the Park running club, contact Julie McCollum at the Alumni House on campus or via email at [email protected]. You can also go to www.park.edu/runningclub for sign-up information.