Moms RUN This Town Takes Off

Sue Tate never ran without her iPod.

But Tate wanted more human interaction. She wanted running partners, friends to chat with as she took to the streets for exercise. The answer was Moms RUN This Town.

Tate is now leader of the Alexandria/Arlington Chapter of Moms RUN this town, a national organization to motivate and support moms in their running, jogging or walking ventures. It’s a “moms-only” running club, started and managed by moms, and women who run with the club make fast friends.

The Alexandria/Arlington chapter already boasts 235 members. They run every weekend and plan to add a weekday evening run with the return of warmer weather.

Tate, a runner of 18 years, said the club is beneficial for getting stay-at-home moms out of the house and keeping fit.

“It’s been phenomenal motivation for me, and I actually started the group because I moved here and didn’t know anyone and was looking for running partners. … I decided to bite the bullet and do it, start one up, and I have to say it was seriously that best thing I have done ever, besides having my children.”

Beginners are welcome, and Tate will slow her pace and walk with newcomers. No one is ever left behind. The group has run all over Northern Virginia, including the Mount Vernon Trail, across the Roosevelt Bridge, the Washington & Old Dominion Trail and Burke Park. Some runs are short, at about three miles, while others are 10 miles or more.

“I think its a good motivator to meet people who are like like-minded, with children and families, to bond over something like this,” Tate said.

The group also holds events, like an injury prevention workshop with Valens Physical Therapy in Old Town and meet-and-greets.

Runner Emily Chuma, who lives in Cameron Station, has been with the group about four months. Running has helped her bounce back after the birth of her son in September, she said.

“It’s also having a group of moms to say, ‘This is taking a while. It’s taking longer to bounce back than I had expected to,’ and getting that support,” Chuma said.

Amina Carmean of West End Alexandria has been with the group for about four months.

“I was an athlete in high school and was always on some sort of team, and I get that again from this group,” she said. “There’s a sense of sisterhood, and when you have to run nine or 10 miles, someone to talk with and motivate you is incredible.”

To join the group, visit momsrunthistown.com/alexandriava and click on “Join Our Chapter."