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Get Moving with Duke Run/Walk Club

Registration is open for the Aug.13 season start for staff and faculty at all fitness levels

Duke Run/Walk Club is free for staff, faculty and students and includes fitness and nutrition classes.
Duke Run/Walk Club is free for staff, faculty and students and includes fitness and nutrition classes.
Jonathan Black @WorkingatDuke

When Ben Miller saw an advertisement for Duke’s Run/Walk Club a couple weeks after starting work at Duke, he knew the club would fulfill two goals: meeting new people and working out regularly.  

During his time with the club, Miller worked his way up from walking to running two laps around the 1.6-mile trail that borders Duke’s East Campus wall. Miller felt so motivated by others in Duke Run/Walk Club that he joined some of them in running the Jingle Bell LEAP 5K last December on the American Tobacco Trail. 

“For me, the accountability of having a group and them expecting you to show up is a huge motivator,” said Miller, a communication strategist for Duke Clinical & Translational Science Institute. “It was really nice that a lot of us eased in together to start and finished the year with a race.” Ben Miller, far right, with other Duke Run/Walk Club members at the Jingle Bell LEAP 5K.

Miller will be back with the Duke Run/Walk Club when the fall season resumes Aug. 13. The 12-week program meets through Oct. 31 for low-pressure workouts. Duke Run/Walk Club is free for staff, faculty and students and includes fitness and nutrition classes. 

Organized by LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke’ employee wellness program, the club meets at the following locations:

  • East Campus: 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Meet at the section of the wall across from Whole Foods on Broad Street. (beginner and intermediate walkers and runners)
  • Duke Raleigh Hospital: 11:30 a.m. Thursdays at Duke Raleigh Hospital in front of the gardens (walkers and beginning runners)

Christian Kennicott, LIVE FOR LIFE fitness specialist, said the Run/Walk Club provides a warm and inviting atmosphere for first-timers and experienced runners. 

“Run/Walk Club is a great chance for Duke employees to meet new people, relieve stress and work on their overall fitness,” he said. “The program caters to anyone and everyone regardless of their fitness level.” 

Fides Regina Schwartz, associate in research for Duke Radiology, joined the Run/Walk Club in February after moving to Durham from Switzerland. She typically runs about four miles three times a week but wanted a chance to meet new people. 

“It’s more fun to run with other people,” Schwartz said. “You can chat with people and work on your endurance at the same time.” 

Duke community members can also participate remotely by tracking progress online. All members of the Run/Walk Club receive weekly emails with tips, motivation, information about races in the area and local discounts.

Staff and faculty can also get a discount on upcoming races through LIVE FOR LIFE. Use the discount code DUKERUNS and get 15 percent off the Bull City Race Fest Half Marathon or 5-Mile Run. Employees can also use the discount code 20_dehp_18 and get 20 percent off the RDC Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K.

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