The Abilene Runner’s Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle through running. The club organizes training groups that promote friendship between runners and is focused on achieving personal running goals. The club conducts sponsored racing events and fun runs. We invite individuals and families of all ability levels to join us in our common interests.

After a long absence of an organized runner’s group, the Abilene Runners Club (ARC) was established in 2002.  One of the earliest races was the Startline 5K ran on September 14, 2002 and was held at the Abilene Zoo’s Festival Gardens.  There have been four ARC Presidents who have taken the club to a new level during their tenure.   In order they are Dan Fergus, Mindy Flowers, Bill Horn and Bob Taillon.  The ARC is comprised of people that enjoy the camaraderie, competition and community that running provides.   The ARC has not only helped give running a presence in Abilene; it also assists local non profit organizations by volunteering at fundraising races, walks and fun run events.  Club members are a vast mix of runners of all abilities from all walks of life; from the athletically talented runner to joggers that may have started “running for fitness” in their adulthood to trail runners, accomplished marathoners and ultra marathoners.  The ARC is credited with bringing some races back to life after a brief hiatus, a marathon event, “Marathoning for Miracles”, and Balloonfest 10K.  The club’s signature race, the ARC Turkey Trot, is Abilene’s largest running event.  The Thanksgiving morning of family fun began with about thirty participants and has grown to nearly one thousand in only seven short years of existence.  Additionally, the club has been part of some not so traditional races throughout the years.  A 5K held at midnight with our corporate sponsor Texas Sport and Spine, an ultra marathon conducted on a one mile loop, and the toughest half marathon in Texas, the Steamboat Challenge.  On any given weekend, ARC members can be found at one of three places:  training at Redbud Park, helping a local organization conduct a race, or running in a competitive event outside of Abilene proudly wearing one of the most recognized running club shirts in Texas.  As the club approaches its tenth anniversary, it’s hard to imagine what Abilene would be like without the ARC.   From its meager beginnings-the small meetings, with only three members in attendance at the YMCA to the current meetings at the West Texas Rehab Center board room, the club has still stayed close to their roots, “Running for Fun with Family and Friends”. 

There is an ARC weekly Club run on Saturday mornings at 7:00am.  We meet at the Northeast corner of Redbud Park near the YMCA.  Look for our sign near the picnic table.  During the hotter months our starting time may change to an earlier time.  Check the ARC message board for current time starts.  Also, there may not be Club runs if there are local races the Club is assisting with.  There are a variety of different race distances that Club members may be preparing for.  Anyone at any skill level is welcome to join us, so come on out and find someone running your pace and distance.  There are also fun runs the Club organized throughout the year.  Make sure the Club has your correct email address so you can stay up to date with Club news.