PG Road Runners - a matter of lifestyle

By Kelly Sharp

 PG Road Runners register for 5 K run at Masich Place Stadium

It is 26 years and counting for the Prince George Road Runners Club, a club formed in the spring of 1981. The annual Labor Day Classic, (formerly Prince George to Boston foot race) was the only local road race for the purists of middle distance running until a small group of avid runners organized a series of races to satisfy their pursuit of competition. The club has evolved over two decades to reflect today’s running community. The once- male dominated club has welcomed a healthy balance between men and women participants. Race walking was a welcomed discipline scheduled for each series event. “It’s in my blood, I can’t quit,” laughed 66 year-old Tony Prazma, who has been a member of the PG road runners for over two decades. When he turned 55, Prazma honed his race walking skills to become a gold medalist many times over at the BC Seniors Games.

“I was somewhat apprehensive about competing, said first-year road runners member Mary-Ann Gilday. But that apprehension quickly faded with all the encouragement she received from participants at her very first road race.

“I think runners are one of the most democratic groups,” said Dick Voneugen, one of the co-founders of the Prince George Road Runners.

“Runners don’t care, there is not the clique of the elite, there are no poor runners, every body is treated equal, and they all expect everybody to do the best they can ands that’s good enough.”

Mary-Ann, who was introduced to racing at the Stride and Glide all-women running clinic, admits she is already setting goals for her next road race event.

“There are always new people and fresh faces each race.” said Prazma.

“It’s about lifestyle.”

Members of the Prince George Road Runners will be well represented Sunday  at the Prince George Y half-marathon plus 10 and 5 K runs.

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