Runner Spotlight - Derek Ingersoll

I grew up in Southern Indiana and started running in junior high to get in shape for basketball. I quickly realized I was much better at running—and that it was a lot more fun than sitting on the bench. I continued running through high school and college, where I attended the University of the Cumberlands.

Running, and helping others through it, is still a huge part of my life today as a co-owner of Pacers and Racers Family Footwear in New Albany and Jeffersonville.

Favorite distance

Any distance on trails or on the Milwaukee Trail in Bedford, IN (my childhood hometown)

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

I always think that running can wear different hats in your life. For me it’s been a source of competition, stress relief, health and wellness and a way to socialize. It’s one of the few sports that can be different things when you need it to be. 

Why do you like running River City Races events?

The excitement at the finish line is always great. There is usually someone yelling your name and that makes you feel pretty special. 

Anything else you'd like to share? 

If you like true crime with a positive twist, check out a podcast series that my friend Nick and I are releasing Feb.2nd. It’s something you can listen to while you run!

Apple podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/.../are-you.../id1866398407

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5dzoUXMWIxaFuFNgCiFfTP

Runner Spotlight - Meet Ellie Rugan

I started running in 2019 during that classic “post-college graduation lull.” You know, when life suddenly shifts gears and you’re like, “Cool… so what now?” I was drifting, low on motivation, searching for something that felt like mine. Running became this simple, grounding way to move my body and actually invest in myself. Six years later, I’m still here — and honestly, I’ve fallen completely in love with the sport.

My favorite distance? Definitely the marathon. It pushes me right past my comfort zone, into that wild space where everything in you is screaming to stop — and somehow you grow anyway. That edge is addictive.

In Louisville, my heart belongs to Frankfort Avenue. Every long run somehow wanders its way there. Saturday mornings on Frankfort feel like a secret club where everyone’s out there putting in the work, no matter their pace, and I adore that energy.

The most unique race I’ve ever done was the Kintyre Way Ultra Relay in Scotland. I ran it with my dad and my brother-in-law, and it was this magical mix of family, adventure, and miles through the Scottish Highlands. Genuinely unforgettable.

My favorite thing about running is how much it’s given me that you can’t measure — grit that doesn’t shake, mental strength that hits different, and a stubborn little flame of hope that shows up even on the days I don’t want to. It’s never been just miles to me; it’s how I learned to hold myself together and push forward when quitting looked way too tempting.

My biggest piece of advice? Get involved with your local running community. There’s so much collective wisdom, support, and friendship in those groups. It changed everything for me.

And truly — I love how fun and creative the River City Races are. The vibes are immaculate, the people are kind, and it’s a space for all paces and all faces. Exactly how running should feel.

Runner Spotlight - Christopher Nielson

How and why did you start running and how many years have you been running? When I was 18 (I’m 57 now) my uncle invited me to run a 10k on thanksgiving in Kenosha WI. I was playing tennis and basketball regularly so I thought I could run 6 miles no problem. I ran hard for 2 miles and walked the rest of the way. I finished lay in my age group. I could barely walk for three days. That experience gave me a respect for running that I have never lost 

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

The Polar Bear Grand Prix is a great way to stay motivated during the winter months.

Favorite distance? The half marathon is my favorite. You can work your way into it without having to go crazy at the beginning 

Favorite place to run? Right out the front door and through the neighborhood

Favorite or most unique race you have run? We’ve been to San Francisco a few times and I love the run from Fisherman’s Wharf to the Golden Gate Bridge and back 

Favorite thing about running? For me is meditation. No phone. No music. Just running I love it!

Why do you like running River City Races events? River City Races are just fun! The people and the volunteers are awesome! I love seeing old friends and making new ones 

Anything else you'd like to share? Just keep running and racing. I’m 57 now and my goal is to be the fastest 90 year old one day. 

Runner Spotlight - Sarah Summers

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

I started running in 2017. I went to Planet Fitness to start my health journey and saw the triple crown was posted in their bathroom and I thought "What a way to challenge myself" so I signed up for the 5k, never running before. CRAZY I know haha. Well, I worked my way up to that 5k then ran the 10k and 10 miler that year. From there I fell in love with running. During COVID, starting in 2019, I took a few years off and started back running in 2023. I dont think I ever realized how much I missed it and the community. 

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

I decided to do the Polar Bear Grand Prix for a few reasons. One to keep moving and working towards something in the winter. Another reason is that I love the challenges that Cherokees hills bring to the table, I LOATH hills haha, so it's a great way to keep me facing them. I also love getting out in the community seeing friends, meeting new faces, and celebrating what our bodies are capable of with each other. 

Favorite distance? My favorite distance is probably a 10k. It keeps fun going for more than a 5k without feeling the need to heavily train for a half marathon. 

Favorite place to run? I love this question, because I do most of my runs on a treadmill, I know most people think I am crazy. However, my favorite place to run is probably Cherokee. As I said before I love facing the challenges of the hill. It also holds beautiful scenery. 

Favorite or most unique race you have run? My favorite race every year is the big run. It is a day that we celebrate running globally and that is something so special. 

Favorite thing about running? It's not possible to have just one. The joy that running brings me is unmatched. One thing that really stands out though is the community. I am a part of "She Runs This Town Louisville" and meeting such amazing ladies, getting to know them, and meeting amazing friends through the community is unreal. The running community is so kind. Every race and it specifically stood out during the Grand Prix, everyone cheers each other on, as you pass at a turnaround point everyone is saying "Good job", "you're doing great", "Keep going you got this." The encouragement and kindness are extraordinary. 

Do you have any running/walking advice you'd like to offer? I focused so long on being fast, but that's not what it's about. It's about celebrating your body and enjoying every mile you're in. 

Why do you like running River City Races events? I love River City Races because they are community-based and focus on bringing our community together. I know in this interview I talked a lot about community, but it is honestly so important to me. 

Our babies are watching us, and I think it is so important to not only keep ourselves healthy for them, but to create healthy habits for them as well. There are so many little kids at a lot of these races including my son. It makes me so happy to see that we can use running a way to teach our children healthy habits and spend quality time with them as well. 

Running Club Spotlight - Ten20 Running Club

In September of 2021, my Thursday night run club was started with the support and partnership of Fleet Feet Louisville and Hi-Wire Brewing. Over the course of the next 4 years, we celebrated birthdays, babies, holidays; we hosted numerous themed runs and demo events; we logged more miles than we could count; we laughed until our cheeks hurt, and we did it all as friends and members of a wonderful community. A couple months ago we got word that Hi-Wire would be closing its Louisville location, so almost exactly 4 years to the day of our first run, we hosted our final run from Hi-Wire. We had close to 100 current and past run club members join us to say farewell to our first home and welcome in a new era.

We were lucky enough to quickly find a new home with TEN20 Craft Brewery located at 1020 E. Washington St. in Butchertown. They have welcomed us and our group with open arms and are just as excited as we are about what the future holds. TEN20 has more than enough room for all of us runners, they even have pizza, tacos and drink specials for run club participants! As always, run club is every Thursday at 6:30pm. We have 1-, 3-, and 5-mile route options available and ALL PACES ARE WELCOME! Our last big, themed run of the year at run club will be our Ugly Sweater Run and Holiday Party on December 18. Looking ahead to 2026 we will be having a themed run or event at least once a month and we will also be introducing the TEN20k (10.2k) challenge! The TEN20k challenge will be taking place the last Thursday of each month (and there will be prizes).

Please check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/ten20runclub or Instagram @TEN20RunClub. We post event announcements and updates as well as our weekly routes on both platforms. Come out and join us!