Runner Spotlight - Christina Simms

“What’s not to love about dogs in costumes!”

How and why did you get into running?

I began running in high school by joining Cross Country.  I really loved traveling across the state to parks and schools for meets every weekend. During the off season I would register and compete in local road races, my favorite was always the Iroquois Thanksgiving Day Run. I moved away from Louisville for College but still continued to run in my free time.  I always felt running was a great workout and the perfect way to manage daily life stresses. I also loved that the running community is so welcoming to everyone, no matter how skilled you were.  As I got older I spent less time in my schedule on running and more time walking my dogs.  My current dog is a 5 year old dalmatian named Copper.  When he turned two I thought I would give running together a shot. I didn’t take him long to learn, he may even love it more then I do! I do not think he appreciates all the costumes I put him in, but at least he is a good sport and tolerates them well.  We walk/run through our neighborhood every evening and we now enjoy mixing it up by being a part of the different River City Racing events. The dog specific runs are our favorite events, as there are more fellow four legged friends for Cooper to socialize with. 

Favorite distance:

For racing I prefer the 5K.  This is a more manageable distance for Cooper when running.

Do you have any running/walking advice you'd like to offer?:

My advice is just go for it.  You don’t have to run the entire distance to call yourself a runner! Pick a realistic goal and work your way up.  Once you hit your goal choose another one.  Celebrate what your body can do!  It doesn’t matter if you run a 5 minute mile or a 15 minute mile.  You are doing great and should be proud of yourself.  You showed up, made the commitment, and stuck with it when so many others don’t make the effort to even start.  Most importantly HAVE FUN.

Why do you like running River City Races events?:

On a whim I registered for Bark in the Park 2022.  I was looking for a fun event for Cooper and I to try, and I was not disappointed.  The event was well organized and we had a wonderful time.  I signed up for the Pupkin Spice race next.  What’s not to love about dogs in costumes! After that we were hooked and registered for the remaining races of the season. We like to dress up in crazy costumes and make people smile.  We have made so many new friends by participating in River City Races.  Not only are the fellow runners fun to compete with, but the spectators are amazing as well! There is always tons of encouragement as we are passing by, a few have even photographed us and sent us the photos after the race is over. It is always fun meet new people, and catch up with those we already know.  Running and walking has always been a solo hobby of mine, it has been a nice change of pace to have a whole new community to be a part of.   I also love that River City Races raises money for a variety of organizations and offers something different from the standard T-shirt participation gift. River City Races is well rounded and offers something for everyone !

Anything else you'd like to share?:

Thank you to all the volunteers who make every event so special!  You are so welcoming to every participant and I appreciate everything you do to make each event enjoyable.

Runner Spotlight - Noah Vasilakes

How and why did you start running and how many years have you been running?

I started running in 6th grade as part of the Woodford County Cross Country Team and continued running throughout Middle and High School. Some of my best memories and best friends were made running on the cross country course or through town. I have been running off and on since high school but have been taking things a little more seriously since 2020. That year I made a goal of running 500 miles, and surpassed it by September, and then in 2021, I made a goal of running 1000 miles and barely finished in late December. My wife and I had our first child in 2022, so my training and mileage have been less since then, believe it or not.

Why did you decide to do the Polar Bear Grand Prix?

My father was a really good runner in the late 80's/early 90's but got injured and had to step away from the sport. He recently picked running back up and we both ran another race in the fall during which he got first in his age group. He signed up for the Polar Bear Grand Prix and invited me to do the same. Unfortunately his injury flared up again and he wasn't able to compete. I went ahead and signed up for the Grand Prix anyway. Having a race to train for is a great way to keep motivated, especially in the winter months when it's tough to get yourself out the door.

Favorite distance?

I have always enjoyed the 5K. Its short enough that you can push the pace or tough it out (depending on the day) and its a distance that doesn't take a serious toll on your body. The final race of the Grand Prix, the 4 miler, was great too, though. It was my first race of that distance; it was fun to do a race that still felt fast but with a little more grit.

Favorite place to run?

Anywhere new. If I had to choose a place near home, it would have to be the breezeway/bikelane on Castlewood Avenue that connects Barret with Tyler Park.

Favorite or most unique race you have run?

 In August of 2020, I did my first trail race, a 10 mile run. There may have only been 3 runners in the category, due to pandemic restrictions, but I had a blast pushing myself and tromping through the woods.

Favorite thing about running?

My favorite thing about running is being outside, and seeing nature or the city. Keeping in shape and challenging myself to improve are two other benefits.

Do you have any running/walking advice you'd like to offer?

I would encourage anyone to set concrete running goals for themselves. I find its the best way to keep motivated and improve.

Why do you like running River City Races events?

The Polar Bear Grand Prix races were my first with River City Races but definitely won't be my last. It was fun to run in somewhat smaller races, against other runners in the community, and to get to compete with many of the same people each race.

Anything else you'd like to share?

When I'm not running my legs, I'm running my mouth. My other hobby is hosting a history podcast called 202 Decades of Western History. While not directly related to running, I do mention the Marathon.

Runner Spotlight - Felix Gravatte

2022/2023 Polar Bear Grand Prix 9 & Under Champion

How and why did you start running and how many years have you been running?

I started running for my school cross country team in Kindergarten. We took a year off for the pandemic, but stayed active. I'm in 3rd grade now and last season I ran for my school and a local club cross country team.

Why did you decide to do the Polar Bear Grand Prix?

I was sad cross country season ended and wanted to keep running.

Favorite distance?

I like running the 5k.

Favorite place to run?

My favorite place to run is at Joe Creason park during the Parkrun on Saturday mornings.

Favorite or most unique race you have run?

I enjoy the Halloween cross country races where we can wear costumes.

Favorite thing about running?

I like being outside in the parks with my friends.

Do you have any running/walking advice you'd like to offer?

Make sure you are having fun.

Why do you like running River City Races events? 

The awards and the pictures.

Anything else you'd like to share?

I like to travel and see new places.

Runner Spotlight - Kelly Frederick

2022-2023 Polar Bear Grand Prix Female Master Champion

Why did I start running?

Wow, I just turned 50 and I’ve been running my entire life! Running has just been a part of me.

I remember when I was little, I always wanted to run places with my friends or run along side them, if biking. Once sports started in middle school, I ran distance track and really enjoyed competing. Going into high school, the cross country coach asked me to run. I had no idea what cross country was. I was surprised when our first practice was at a park not a track. High school running has so many good memories for me. College, running became more recreational. Now with husband and kids, running has become more of a “get away” for me.

Running has always been a part of me but the meaning of my running has evolved and changed as my life has evolved and changed.

Why did I decide to run the Polar Bear Grand Prix?

This series is one of the most fun and the distances are a great build up to the Louisville Triple Crown of Running. I decided to run the Polar Bear Grand Prix as a start to my Derby Mini Marathon training.

My favorite distance? 5K

My favorite place to run? Really any park, Tom Sawyer, Seneca, Egg Lawn.

Favorite thing about running? Being outside in the fresh air, listen to music.

My favorite and most unique race?

My favorite race is the Derby Mini Marathon, I love running through Churchill Downs!! My most unique race is coming up. The “3 way challenge with cheese”, part of the Flying Pig series in Cincinnati. This will consist of a 1 mile race Friday night, 10K Saturday morning, 5K later Saturday morning, half marathon Sunday morning, all the same weekend. I’m nervous but excited for this.

Why do I like running the River City Races?

I love the River City Races! This is such a great group, great races, and great newsletters with advice. I have been running River City Races for many years now.  They are always well organized with great participation. They always have many levels of runners, beginners to advanced. It’s a great way to compete or to get a slower run or walk in with some friends.

GREAT!!

My advice for runners?

HAVE FUN!!  It doesn’t matter the distance or pace, just get out there and do it!

Final thoughts.

I want to say THANK YOU to my husband, Doug and my three boys, Alex, Morgan, and Jack for their support and encouragement. They always have nice things to say or give me the push I need to just get it done.

I love them more than anything!

I also want to give a “shout out” to the Trinity High School cross country coaches for helping train my boys. Watching my sons run helps keep me running.

Runner Spotlight - John Reesor

One fast Galloping Geezer - Polar Bear Grand Prix 70-74 Age Group Winner

After graduating from law school in 1975 I began a fulfilling but sedentary career in corporate tax and accounting. I soon took up running as a way to get regular exercise. That quickly led to road racing in the 25-29 age group. I'm now in the 70-74 age group and retired from my career but with no plans so far to retire from running.

 Not being a fan of treadmills, I run outdoors year round. Getting out the door in the winter has required less effort since 2012. That was when I started running Polar Bear Grand Prix races. They make winter running more fun and those Scenic Loop hills make getting out to train more of a priority.

 On Saturday mornings when I’m not racing I usually run with some other not-so-young guys at Pope Lick Park. In races with team entries, like the Polar Bear races, we run as the Galloping Geezers. Seneca Park is my “home course” but I also run a lot in Cherokee Park and in my neighborhood.

 Most of my races have been in the 5K through half marathon range. Longer races and the higher training mileage they require tend to turn running into a chore for me. That’s why I’ve run very few marathons and might partly explain why I've had very few running injuries.

 Competition, whether against myself in setting PRs or against other guys in my age group, has always made racing more fun for me. It motivates me to train with a little more intensity than I need just to finish and that seems to enhance my overall fitness.

 My favorite River City Races event is the Downtown Doubler 15K on the Ohio River Greenway. One of the photos I’ve submitted is of me at the finish of that race in 2022. The other is of me in 2021 with my grandnephew Lucas, an obvious non-runner at the time who has since taken up toddling.

 I highly recommend RCR events to anyone looking for a way to combine outdoor exercise with fun. They’re well organized, quite casual, and not overpriced. You can walk if you can’t run, no one will care if you’re slow (whatever that is), and you’ll get tasty treats at the end.