AORTA News: February 10th, 2025
Local Race This Weekend!
** No Group Run Saturday, Join Us For The Race! **

Feb 15th: Return to the Plains 5K
When: Saturday, February 15, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM (1-Mile), 8:30 AM (5K)
Where: Town Creek Park, Auburn, AL
Fee: $20 (1-Mile), $35 (5K)
Description: Celebrate the Auburn spirit and support a vital cause at the Return to the Plains 5K! Join us on February 15th for a scenic run through the historic plains of Auburn, Alabama, all while raising funds for the future Center for Mental Health, opening Fall 2025 in Opelika.
This state-of-the-art facility will provide essential mental health services to Lee County and beyond. Your participation helps make this vision a reality, ensuring accessible care and support for those in need.
Donate to Return to the Plains

Play a pivotal role in transforming mental health care in our community by supporting the Return to the Plains 5K, benefiting the new Center for Mental Health in Opelika. Your generous contribution will directly support the Center's mission to provide expanded mental health services in or region. For every $100 donated, you will receive a coupon code for a complimentary race entry. Thank you for helping us build a healthier, stronger community!
Local Upcoming Races

Feb 23rd: Auburn Run Fest
When: Sunday, February 23, 2025
Time: 7:00 (Half), 7:30 (5K), 10:00 (1-Mile)
Where: AU Campus, Auburn, AL
Fee: $105 (Half), $40 (5K), $25 (1-Mile)
Description: FRESHJUNKIE Racing, in conjunction with Auburn-Opelika Tourism and Auburn University are proud to present the 4th Annual War Eagle Run Fest. After gathering your commemorative medal, join us outside the stadium for our post-race tailgate and enjoy the music and food that Auburn fans have come to love with a little cajun twist this year. Whether you are staff, student, alumni or just a fan, join us and be a part of the War Eagle Run Fest.
Volunteer at the War Eagle Run Fest Water Stop!

Calling all AORTA runners! We need enthusiastic volunteers to help keep athletes hydrated and motivated at the War Eagle Run Fest on Sunday, February 23rd from 6:00 to 9:00 AM.
- Support runners as they take on this exciting course
- Enjoy the high-energy race atmosphere
- Represent Auburn spirit with fellow fans!
Grab your friends and join us for a fun-filled morning of cheering, hydrating, and making a difference!

Mar 8th: DOwn South Dash 5K
When: Saturday, March 08, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM (1-Mile), 8:30 AM (5K)
Where: Town Creek Park, Auburn, AL
Fee: $15 (1-Mile), $25 (5K)
Description: Join us for the DOwn South Dash: Steps for Hope 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run! Hosted by VCOM Auburn’s Via Wellness Club, this event is more than just a run—it’s a stride toward hope, healing, and making a difference. Choose between a family-friendly 1-mile fun run or challenge yourself with the 5K as we hit Town Creek Park of Auburn, AL to raise funds for the DOwn South Cancer Foundation, supporting cancer patients and their families in their time of need. Whether you're a seasoned runner, a dedicated walker, or just here for the fun vibes, this event promises a morning filled with purpose, community, and maybe even a donut or two at the finish line! Let’s come together to make every step count!
Mar 22nd: Colors for Children's 5K
When: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM (1-Mile), 8:30 AM (5K)
Where: Auburn High School Track, Auburn, AL
Fee: $15 (1-Mile), $25 (5K)
Description: This exciting event is not only a chance to lace up your running shoes and hit the pavement but also an opportunity to support a wonderful cause.
Benefiting the Children's Hospital of Alabama, every step you take helps make a difference in the lives of children in need. The race will unfold across Auburn High's campus and surrounding area, promising picturesque views and a sense of community spirit.
For those looking for a lighter challenge, our 1-mile Fun Run is the perfect family-friendly activity. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting out, there's something for everyone at the "Colors for Children's" event.Mark your calendars for March 22nd and join us for a day filled with colorful fun, fitness, and philanthropy. Together, let's make this event a memorable one for all while making a meaningful impact on children's lives. We can't wait to see you there!
Mar 23rd: Alpha Chi Omega 5K For DVA
When: Sunday, March 23, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM
Where: AU Student Center Green Space
Fee: $30
Description: Epsilon Zeta chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at Auburn University is hosting the 5k for DVA Race for the promotion of awareness, education and prevention of domestic violence. AXΩ is happy to share an event full of community spirit, integrity and fun that students of Auburn and members of the local community can participate in and look forward to. 100% of proceeds from the event will be donated to the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation and the Domestic Violence Intervention Center of Opelika.
Mar 29th: Book It For Drake
When: Saturday, March 29, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM (1-Mile), 9:00 AM (5K)
Where: Town Creek Park, Auburn, AL
Fee: $30 (1-Mile), $30 (5K)
Description: Registration is now open for Book It for Drake 5K and Fun Run, taking place Saturday, March 29 2025 at Town Creek Park. All proceeds will benefit Drake Middle School. Packet pickup will be Friday, March 28 at Drake Middle School from 3:45 (after bus dismissal) until 6:00, as well as at the Town Creek pavilion beginning at 7:00 am on race day. The fun run begins at 8:30 am, followed by the 5K at 9:00 am.
Mar 29th: Live. Laugh. Run. 5K
When: Saturday, March 29, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM
Where: Cater Lawn, AU Campus
Fee: $30
Description: The Pi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi will be hosting its annual Sarah Anderson Live.Laugh.Run. 5K on March 29, 2025. In November of 2009, Sarah Anderson lost her life in a tragic car accident. Sarah was a sophomore studying to go to veterinarian school at Auburn University, a piccolo player in the Auburn University Marching Band (AUMB), and a brother of Kappa Kappa Psi.
In honor of her memory, the Pi chapter will be using all proceeds to fund the Sarah Anderson Memorial Scholarship, a scholarship that is granted to a deserving band member at the end of each fall semester. The recipient will be someone who best exhibits the qualities of our fraternity and who shares the same positive attitude and love for life that Sarah Anderson had.
Sign Up for AORTA’s 600 or 1200 Mile Club Today!
1200 Mile Club
In addition to logging 1200 miles during the calendar year, members of the 1200 Mile Club must be paid members of AORTA, volunteer for at least THREE (3) AORTA supported races, and volunteer to cover at least THREE (3) Saturday morning AORTA water stops during the calendar year.
600 Mile Club
In addition to logging 600 miles during the calendar year, members of the 600 Mile Club must be paid members of AORTA, volunteer for at least TWO (2) AORTA supported races, and volunteer to cover at least TWO (2) Saturday morning AORTA water stop during the calendar year.
Link to 600/1200 Mile Club Signup
Have Gently Worn Running Shoes?
Are your running shoes past their useful running life? Most are normally good for 300 to 500 miles but can still have a lot of “sole” left in them! If yours are ready for retirement, bring your gently used running shoes to Love2Run, our local running partner store, where they’ll collect them for a fantastic organization called “Sneakers4Good”, a social enterprise that ships them to developing nations for micro-entrepreneurs.
When you bring them, please check for the following:
1) Gently worn means they are clean in usable condition and have no holes.
2) Soles are intact and not too worn, cracked, or breaking apart.
3) Laces intact, in good condition, not frayed, and tied together.
Weekly Whimsy

How to Get Faster, According to Experts
Kiera Carter, Runner’s World

** Summary of article **
Whether you're new to running and looking to increase your pace or aiming for a personal record on race day, there are essential strategies to improve speed. A combination of speed work and slower endurance training is crucial to developing both aerobic and anaerobic energy systems, says Greg Grosicki, Ph.D. Gradual and consistent training will lead to noticeable improvements, especially in the first few months.
4 Tips on How to Run Fast
1. Keep Challenging Yourself
Effective training plans progressively increase distance and speed while avoiding overexertion. The principle of progressive overload—gradually pushing your body beyond its comfort zone—ensures continual improvement. This approach helps prevent plateaus and builds endurance over time. Strength training also plays a key role in running faster, as it enhances power, reduces injury risk, and improves overall running efficiency. Beginners can start with bodyweight exercises and progress to weighted movements focusing on single-leg strength, core stability, and posture.
2. Balance Hard and Easy Days
While conventional wisdom suggests increasing mileage by no more than 10% per week, research shows that exceeding this guideline does not necessarily lead to injuries. However, sudden, drastic increases should be avoided. Paying attention to how your body feels is crucial—signs like irritability, poor sleep, and loss of appetite indicate the need for recovery. The best practice is to follow intense training sessions with one or two easier recovery days to prevent overtraining.
3. Practice Faster Paces
To improve speed, runners must train their bodies to sustain faster paces under fatigue. One method is integrating speed bursts into long runs. For example, increasing speed during the last minute of each mile or maintaining an easy pace for most of a long run before finishing with a few tempo-paced miles can build endurance and race-day readiness.
4. Repeat Your Speed Workouts
Consistency is key when incorporating speed training. A structured approach, such as running half-mile intervals with two-minute recovery periods and aiming to improve times weekly, can lead to measurable gains. If speed workouts feel overwhelming, beginners should first focus on building endurance with steady runs before gradually introducing speed intervals. The ultimate goal is to make running enjoyable to maintain long-term progress.
Link to Runner’s World article

Quote of the Week
It's not about
“Having” time.
It’s about
“Making" time.
Anonymous
Video of the Week
The Truth About Long Runs (22:49)
** AORTA provides this informational video to its members as a courtesy and does not endorse any particular product, process, or service.
Ongoing Events
RunGo For Turn-By-Turn Directions!
RunGo provides turn-by-turn navigation allowing you to just enjoy your runs without having to think about looking for street names and when you may have to turn next. Other great features include, audio cues with your running stats, split updates, the ability to share your runs via social media, and create new routes. Another great feature of the app is the ability to work offline. You can create and download your routes ahead of time, before your run so you don’t have to use data during your run.
Race Volunteers Needed!
As a runner, we know your time is valuable. But if you have a couple hours to spare, we could use your help for one of the upcoming AORTA supported or directed races! Assisting at a local race is a fun and rewarding experience. You are surrounded by health conscious individuals that, like you, are motivated fitness enthusiasts and appreciate the effort of volunteers.
Water Stop Volunteers Needed
Water stop signs and coolers are available at the following location: 1536 Professional Parkway, Auburn, AL. (Thank you Adahli Massey!). Coolers and signs can be picked up Monday-Thursday from 8AM-4PM and on Fridays from 8AM-12 noon. Items are in the room next to the back door. If you are unable to pick up supplies on these dates/times, e-mail clemster@aol.com to make alternative arrangements (we deliver!).
Forward any comments to the webmaster.