Runners at The University of Akron do not have to be part of a varsity team to be part of a running community.
Established five years ago, the Akron Running Club (ARC) currently has about 30 undergraduate club members, with graduate students also welcome to join.
Vince Orzel, president of ARC, said members of the group vary in experience level and competitiveness, spanning from those training for track/marathon events to those completely new to running.
Much like a varsity team, members of ARC often form relationships that extend beyond the activity of running. According to Orzel, many of the group’s members eat, study, and travel together.