“SOUTH DEKALB STRIDERS RUNNING CLUB”

In the mid 1980's, Edward Driver, Joyce Jordan and Lucius Felder began running together in the South DeKalb Mall, Georgia Perimeter College, Columbia Drive area in South DeKalb. On the occasions that they would run into others running in that area, they would invite them to a Saturday or Sunday run.

In 1989, the group that started out with three runners was now averaging up to 15 runners on the weekend runs. Most of the runners were members of the Atlanta Track Club.

The South Dekalb Striders became a certified running club in March 1990, with 12 charter members. Johnny Bethea, John Davis, Clifford DePass, Edward Driver, Lucius Felder, and Joseph Murray are the charter members that continue to be members of the South DeKalb Striders.

The Striders continue to hold their Saturday and Sunday morning group runs. The runs begin at 6:30 a.m. and some days up to 30 runners participate in the group runs that always begin with a prayer. The Striders also enjoy a Tuesday/Thursday 5:30 a.m. run with 10-12 runners participating.

The Striders biggest event is the annual 5K For Hope Road Race held the fourth Saturday of August. The proceeds from this road race benefit Our House Inc., a childcare and support facility for homeless children in Decatur, GA. The Striders have raised over $50,000.00 for Our House and various other charities.

In 1994 and 1995, the Striders participated in the Runners World Kids "I Did It Run". This run involved a 4 week training period for kids 12 years of age and under. The training sessions were held on Saturday mornings after our group run. The training allowed the kids to be able to complete a one mile run on the "I Did It Run" day. In 1995 there were a total of 54 kids that completed the 4 week program.

The Striders entered and won an essay contest sponsored by the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA). The essay was a review of the Strider’s running and community service activities. Winning the contest resulted in an all expenses paid trip for five members to participate as a relay team in the Jimmy Stewart Marathon in Los Angeles in 1994. The Striders were one of five teams chosen nationwide and represented the Southeastern Region of the United States.

In 1994 and 1995, the Striders participated in the Runner’s World Kids “I Did It Run”. This run involved a four week training period for children 12 years of age and under. The training sessions were held on Saturday mornings after our group run. The training enabled the children to complete a one mile run on the “I Did It Run” Day. In 1995, a total of 54 boys and girls completed the four week program.

In the early 1990's the Striders heard about and participated in a road race in Moulton, Alabama that honored the Olympic great, Jesse Owens. Traveling to Moulton to participate in this road race became a yearly event for the Striders. In 1995 while visiting the Jesse Owens birthplace, which was distinguished only by an inconspicuous marker and a flag pole with a very tattered flag, they decided to acquire a new flag for the birthplace flag pole. They managed to acquire two flags that had flown over the Nation’s Capitol and in May of 1996 presented one of the flags to the Jesse Owens Park.

The Striders were invited by the Jesse Owens Memorial Park Board to participate in the park dedication and Olympic Torch Visit on Saturday, June 29, 1996. At this time the Striders presented the second flag to Mrs. Jesse (Ruth) Owens. The board also requested a memento from the Striders to be placed in the Jesse Owens museum.

Since their inception, Striders have been recognized for their volunteer efforts in the running community as well as other community service activities. Johnny Bethea, Edward Driver, Clifford DePass, Anita Warner, and Mary Jones are recipients of the National RRCA Volunteer Certificate Award and patch for their volunteer and charity work in the support of the running community.

Each December the Striders hold their annual awards banquet. Some of the awards are runner of the year, new runner of the year, most improved runner of the year, come back runner of the year, volunteer of the year and on occasion, the president's award. The Striders also present the mileage awards for the year. Everyone who runs 1000 miles or more receives the Gold Award. 800-999 miles earn the Silver Award and 600-799 miles earn the bronze award. For the year 2001, Michie Pitts led the Striders in mileage with 2028 miles and received a special plaque for her accomplishment.

The Striders also hold a Grand Prix where a monthly road race is chosen and points are awarded on the basis of a runner’s prediction for the event and bonus points are awarded in the event for age group wins.

The Striders host a fellowship run in South DeKalb with the South Fulton Running Partners in the spring of each year and are invited by the Running Partners to a South Fulton location in the fall.

The Striders also support the Cedar Grove Middle School as part of their community outreach commitment.

Other notable achievements are listed below:

The Striders entered two teams in the 2000 Ekiden Relay and won two awards. One of the awards was for the best team name, "South Dekalb Striders Firestone Blowouts" and the other award was for the team finishing dead last. As a competitive club we resolved that finishing last in the Ekiden will never happen again.

Won the Women’s team championship in the TV 5 Heart Trek in the early 90's.

The Strider Men won the RRCA 15 K National Team Championships at Peachtree City in 1992.

In 1994 the Striders won the Freedom Run 5K Team Championship and in 1995 won the 100 Black Men 5K Run For Success Road Race.

One of the Lady Striders, Alpha Bennett, is the Georgia State Record Holder for 10 miles in the 60- 64 age group.

Clifford DePass, a Strider charter member, is also a former board of director’s member and Vice President of the Atlanta Track Club.