Introducing the EARC Blog!

Well, it's about time...

As more and more people become interested in running in the Ebensburg area, it has become more and more necessary for us to find ways to get the word out. So, we humbly offer to you the EARC blog.

Here, we hope to post about everything from training runs and local races, to running advice and random thoughts. So please bookmark this page, or sign up for e-mail updates.

For this first post, we thought that it might be helpful to address some frequently asked questions. So off we go...

Wearing this shirt makes you run faster

What is the Ebensburg Area Running Club?

We are a club for runners, walkers, and joggers in the Ebensburg area. We hope that our club can become a magnate of sorts, drawing in anyone interested in the sport, whether they are casual joggers or experienced racers.

What does EARC do?  

Our most notable project has been the Ebensburg Turkey Trot. Now entering its fourth year, this 5k has grown beyond any of our expectations. When we first imagined the race, we had hoped to attract 100 runners. Much to our surprise, nearly 300 participated in the first Turkey Trot, despite miserable weather. The race has grown every year since, and we have made every effort to make it a memorable experience. From live music along the course, to Vale Wood ice cream as prizes, the Turkey Trot has quickly become a Thanksgiving tradition in Ebensburg.

The success of this race indicated that Ebensburg could be a vibrant running community. To help build this community some more, we started a Beginning Runners Group.  In the summer of 2012, we used the popular Couch to 5k Program to prepare people for the Ebensburg Homecoming 5k.  Much like the Turkey Trot, response to the Beginning Running Group exceeded our expectations. The 2013 turnout has been no different. Currently, we have over 70 new runners in the group, and we are in our fifth week of training. Each one of them has been an inspiration to us.  We look forward to seeing them cross the finish line.

Track Night: It's not a workout. It's an experience.

The Beginning Running Group meets on Wednesdays, at 6:15pm at the Central Cambria High School track. At this same time/place, we also have a training group for more experienced runners. These folks do a track workout that ranges anywhere from 2-3 miles of quality. So a typical workout might include 8-12 400-meter repeats, with :60-:75 rest. It must be noted that interval work is not just for elite runners.  EVERYONE can benefit from some raising the intensity level. Plus, track night is a great social event!

How do I join EARC?

The "EARC pose"=hand on hip

We are a "club," but only in a loose sense. We don't have an annual fee, nor much of a hierarchy of officers. "Joining" EARC, then, is quite simple... come out to our events. Join us at the track, and bring a friend. Run or help with the Turkey Trot.

Or if you're feeling REALLY ambitious, help us do something new. Everything that we do now is the result of someone taking the initiative to bring an idea to life. So let us know if you have ideas for a training group, local race, destination race, novelty run, etc. At the very least, we'll help you get the word out.


I think we can stop here with the FAQs, but if you have any more questions, please post in the comments or find us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also send us an e-mail.

Happy trails!