Compass Communications

Story by Eli Parker

It’s no secret that regularly running can help contribute to a healthy lifestyle. “There’s no bad side effects to running. Everything about it is good,” said Mark Hamm, an active local runner. “It doesn’t cost hardly anything to get into. You just lace up your shoes and go out and do it. It’s something that [someone of] any fitness level can start with. I really think it’s almost the perfect exercise.”

Yet the challenge that often comes with running is finding the motivation to do so. For Hamm, however, his motivation stems from the companionship with his fellow runners. For over twenty years, running has brought together a group of men ranging from forty to seventy years old.

Despite growing older, these men continue to push themselves into maintaining an active lifestyle, whether it be running at local races or out-of-state marathons or just in the early hours of the morning for practice and exercise. “We have people in a group that are in their seventies that are probably healthier than most forty-year-olds,” said Willie Dick, another member of the group.

“This group kind of got together and started running primarily for health in general,” Hamm added, “but, certainly, I think their goal at the time was to create this group that ran local and regional races, and their ultimate goal was to qualify for [the Boston Marathon] and most of them have.”

Not only do these men find respect in the field of running, but in their respective professions as well, as the group consists of medical professionals (deemed the “mentors” by the others), business owners, technicians, and those in other various occupations. “It’s not often that you put a group of high-performing guys together and they get along,” said Hamm.

Of course, the bond of these men goes beyond just “getting along,” but rather one that resembles a brotherhood. “With this group, it’s just a space where I can let my guard down and I can just be me,” said Hamm. “It’s a space where everybody supports you and has your back.”

Through their endeavors, the group has gotten to run all over the United States, from marathons in Louisville, Tennessee, Indiana, and South Carolina, to as far west as the Dixie Trail in California, and “everywhere in between.” However, the group seemingly finds the most excitement in participating in the annual Bourbon Chase – an over 200-mile relay that takes place on the historic Kentucky Bourbon Trail – where they call themselves the Southern Express and have placed every year for the past ten years. 

However, every run doesn’t just take place on the race trail. For these guys, the real running takes place at the “protected time” of 5 a.m. “By the time 8 o’clock rolls around, most people’s days are just starting,” said Dick. “We’ve been up for three hours. We’re wide awake and ready to go.”

All the while, these men are driven by both a competitive spirit and sense of togetherness. “I think it’s a combination of competitiveness and then the fellowship of the same group of guys getting out there, getting along, and just talking and telling stories and having a good time,” said Hamm, reflecting on what’s motivated his running experience. “It’s one of the few healthy ways for a group of men, nowadays, to get together and do stuff.”

Outside of age, gender, or profession, these men strive to stand as a testimony to being passionate about maintaining a healthy lifestyle while feeling a sense of belonging. “Whatever it is, find something you enjoy and enjoy doing with other people. You got to keep moving,” said Hamm. “I see so many people that turn forty and just sit on the couch and that’s just the way to poor health.”

“Just start. Don’t expect anything big,” added Dick. “Just do what you can and build on that.”