A Long Time Running

More than 30 years ago the beginnings of the Alpine Runners started to take shape at a Lake Zurich high school reunion committee meeting. "There were five of us out of the 10 on the committee that were runners, so we all decided to start running together," said Beth Onines, founder and president of Alpine Runners. "After a year, we formed Alpine Runners," a name chosen because the members ran in the town of Lake Zurich, which is referred to as, the Alpine Village.

It wasn't until the newly formed Alpine Runners, now eight members strong, attended the Lake Zurich Jaycees annual Alpine Races and first promoted themselves using flyers. "We went from five, to eight people in a year, and after the Alpine Races we went up to 24," stated Onines. Over the last 29 years membership has grown to more than 550 people.

The Alpine Runners started out with just the intent to run together in the community and enter some local 5K and 10Ks. Onines took it a step further and entered a half marathon and then became the first member to sign up for a full marathon, "I felt so good when I did the half marathon, I thought why not attempt the Chicago Marathon," said Onines.  She admits she didn't "know how to train or hydrate properly." 

Several members of the Alpine Runners showed up to support her on marathon day, even ran parts of the way with her. "I finished the marathon in five hours, two minutes, and 22 seconds, but swore I would never do another one," said Onines. Two years later, she entered again and this time finished in three hours and 37 minutes. Onines took those two years to learn how to properly train for a marathon through newer and more experienced members of the Alpine Runners and read up on it. Now she teaches clinics through the Alpine Runners on how to properly train for races.

The Alpine Runners are widely known for their Saturday morning runs, beginning at 7 a.m. Pace groups are set up and start at a seven minute, 30 second mile group, increasing by 30 seconds up until a 12 minute mile. Each group leaves every 30 seconds, led by a group leader. There are water and Gatorade stations set up every two to three miles along the way.  "The course is a clover leaf, so you have the option to return to the beginning within a two mile distance, where ever you are," explained Onines. "Majority of the runners are training for the Chicago Marathon, but there are several that run just for the exercise." To accommodate more people in the northwest suburbs, a run is held on Sunday mornings at Busse Woods in Schaumburg. 

Each year the Alpine Runners hold the Alpine Races. This year race day is at 7:30 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 26, on the paths of Paulus Park, 200 S. Rd. They hold a 5K run/walk, a half marathon, and youth races of one mile, a half-mile, a quarter-mile, and a hundred yard dash. "This will be the Alpine Races 32nd year. It's a great event," said Onines. 

Annual membership is $25 for one person and $35 for a family. They offer a combination annual membership and Alpine Training Program for $50. The Alpine Training Program is available for a 5K, half marathon, or full marathon which can go from eight – 20 weeks. "I can't stress enough how important it is to train properly," said Onines.