I started running with the Striders shortly after moving to Grand Junction. The club is full of great people and is a great way to connect to the race scene and social network here in town.

I have been running with the Stiders for around four years now. When I first came to the group I had just started running again and was pretty slow. I had ran for PT in the Military but had never ran any kind of foot race, I was not sure I was going to fit in. That did not matter at all and the group on Thursdays welcomed me right in. Over the past couple of years I have been inspired by so many members to push past what I thought I could do.

When we first moved to Grand Junction, we didn't know anyone or much about the area overall. We randomly came across a group of runners who invited us to join. The Mesa Monument Striders quickly became our friends and tour guides of the local and surrounding area for all things outdoors. A welcoming group for all ages and abilities, we look forward every week to our runs as well as other organized activities.

The Striders welcome everyone, even a slower runner like myself. Since joining, I have made lifelong friends and had grand adventures centered around running and enjoying the outdoors. This club means so much to me that I wanted to get more involved and thus served many years on the board. The Striders have changed my life immensely - I am healthier, more social, and endlessly exploring this amazing place where I live.

Running with the Striders has become something I look forward to every week since I moved to Grand Junction in 2014.  We are more than just a running club; we are friends that become like family to each other and a wonderful community to be a part of.

I, along with several of my friends, found the Striders to be the most welcoming group imaginable when we moved into town. We started showing up to group runs and all made long-lasting friendships; also a great excuse to get out and socialize a couple times per week. Elite runners, novice runners, or people who just enjoy hiking with their dogs all do their thing in small groups then hang out together at the trailheads afterwards - it's totally free of judgement and pressure; just a bunch of people enjoying the outdoors together.