Runner Spotlight - Charles Moyer

Our previous Runner Spotlight was Sally Moyer who rewrote the age group record book at this year's Polar Bear Grand Prix. This week is her husband Charles Moyer who was second in the 75-79 age group at this year's Polar Bear Grand Prix!

I began running around the age of 39 in 1985, when I realized that if I kept playing basketball I would be forever injured. At that time I was a professor at Texas Tech, and I have continued running ever since. When we moved to Louisville we quickly got involved with River City Races and the Louisville running community. We enjoy running and have made many friends along the way. The Polar Bear Grand Prix series is a favorite, because it provides well-executed and challenging races during the winter, when the race calendar is normally thin. 

My favorite running distance was always the half marathon, at least until the time I traded in my original-issue knees for new ones. Along the way I have run the Marine Corps, New York and Pittsburgh marathons. Now I restrict my running to run-walks in the shorter distances. The Polar Bear Series fits this limitation perfectly.

My favorite race was the Winston-Salem Ultimate Runner (see attached t-shirt picture), which I participated in three times. This race series began around 1986 and continues today. The race is limited to 100 runners and is normally run on a late June evening. It consists of 5 events, 4 of which are run on an outdoor track. The distances are 1 mile, 100M, 400M, and 800M. The evening finishes with a Cross Country 5K. Shirts are awarded only to those who finish all events. At the end of the evening there is a delightful beer and pizza party, at which time the finishers' shirts are awarded, and all unearned shirts are burned (in good humor).

Runners are a fun group to get to know. Also, I have learned to enjoy the post-race runner’s high - one of life’s great pleasures (and who knew that you can still get a high from speed walking?). Even though I have had to trade in my knees for replacements, the doctor assured me that the cause of my problems was not my running, but my genes. Post surgery, I am now enjoying the run-walk approach, and I like the challenge of becoming an increasingly fast walker. 

Thanks for all that you and River City Races continue to do to enhance the running community in the region.

Runner Spotlight - Sally Moyer

This year in her last year in the 75-79 age group, Sally Moyer swept the record book for her age group in all three Polar Bear Grand Prix races! Click here for the Polar Bear Grand Prix race records.

I would have loved to run on a track team in high school and college, but at that time there were no track teams open to girls where I lived.  When road running became popular in the 1970s, my husband suggested that we try to run a 5K.  I was 39 at the time.  It was then that I remembered how much fun running is.  We have been hooked on running ever since that race.

 Our two young kids would come along to races and we became a running family.  Our kids are adults now and they are still running, as is our grandson.  It is so nice to be a part of this healthy  family tradition.

 When the National Masters USATF came to Charlotte, NC in August 2006, I finally had an opportunity to run competitively on an outdoor track.  I was 60 at that time, but running a real race on a track was something I always wanted to do.  In my age group I was 2nd in the 5K and 1st in the 10K.  It was great fun to be a small part in a large track meet.

 In March of 2023 the Masters Indoor USATF championship was held at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center’s Indoor Track.  It is a magnificent facility and I did not want to pass up this opportunity - even though I was 78 years old.  I ran the 3000 meter event and placed 2nd in my age group.  It was a treat to compete with so many great athletes on another great indoor track.

 This March I will be 80 years old.  Running is just as much fun now as it was when I first started.  I have taken up the Run-Walk-Run approach from Jeff Galloway’s book.  It is a great way to pace yourself, and to run even faster.  Even younger runners can benefit from this approach, so check it out!

 The Polar Bear Series is one of my favorites. These races are always happy, friendly and well-run.  The 4K, 5K, and 4 mile events are just right for the cold winter months.  Thank you, River City, for making this a wonderful tradition for so many.

Walker Spotlight - Donna Habig-Sachleben

How did you get started racewalking:  I began running back in high school after I tried out for the softball team. I didn't have what it took to make the team, but the coach thought that I did a great job running laps in conditioning, so she sent me to the track coach and I became a 3200m runner. While I loved doing distance, my body didn't, so after two years, I had to give up the sport.  Many years later, in 1999, I still yearned to do distance work, so I signed up with Team In Training to walk the Disneyworld Marathon. At the race, I met a group of racewalkers who introduced me to their sport, and I have been hooked on racewalking ever since. Now I am a member of World Class Racewalking's team and compete in USATF Masters races around the country.

Favorite distance and why: While I competitively racewalk the 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, and 10k, marathoning is still my favorite distance, so I try to do one or two a year just for fun.  I love doing the 26.2 miles because I can put myself on autopilot at a slow pace and enjoy the scenery along the course, the cheers of the spectators, and chatting with the runners/walkers that I meet along the way.

Favorite place to walk:  I love walking the sidestreets in my neighborhood. It is nice to be able to just lace up my shoes and head out the door, rather than driving to a specific course. And having people who recognize me give me a shout of support or a honk and wave puts a smile on my face.

Favorite race and why: My favorite race was the Little Rock Marathon. They are famous for their huge finisher's medal, which is super cool. And in years past, they had a walking division where the top walkers were recognized for their achievements. I rarely repeat races, as I hope to finish a marathon in all 50 states someday, but I did Little Rock three years in a row because it was so fun.

Favorite thing about walking: I love racewalking because it is a unique sport combining speed, endurance, and proper technique.  Once you get the hang of it, you still get the great cardiovascular workout that you would with running, but since there is no flight phase in your stride, you don't have the pounding effects on your body like you do in running.

Walking advice to offer:  Proper shoes for the sport will make those miles so much more enjoyable, so find a store that understands the sport to get fitted for the perfect shoe for you.

Why do you like River City Race Events:  I love doing River City races because they are so well organized, because they have a wonderful community feel about them, and because they offer unique medals and race swag (the Frostbite 5k socks rock!!!)

Anything else that you would like to share:   Louisville is lucky to have one of the best racewalking coaches in the nation, Dave McGovern, visit every fall to teach the basics as well as to give advanced instruction. Give the sport of racewalking a try and see what an awesome workout it is! 

Runner Spotlight - Seth Snider-Hayes

Meet your 2024/25 Polar Bear Grand Prix Champion!

I played soccer growing up and really had never thought about running as a sport, just as part of the game of soccer. Part of my soccer days included running hill repeats every Saturday morning, which I think is why I love running hills so much (looking at you Cherokee Park). The years of hill repeats led to the suggestion by an old soccer coach, that I try cross country. I tried cross country in 7th grade and loved it, which started years of running myself ragged. Every Spring I was playing club soccer and running track. Every Fall I was playing school soccer and running cross country. By my senior year of high school, I started getting worn out and knew I needed to make a change and that ultimately ended up being the decision to only focus on running, leading me to run cross country and track in college. After my freshman year at a very small university, I decided to transfer, which meant a larger school with a D1 program that I was certainly NOT cut out for, meaning running just became a hobby. After years of just running for the heck of it and jumping into races without any training, I finally decided to focus in on the sport more, and I joined Fleet Feet Louisville, where, after two seasons of training, I was able to join the racing team. I am now a mentor in our training group and I also get to lead a Thursday run club every week. All in all, I have been running for 17 years and I have loved every second of it.

It was in my first season of training at Fleet Feet that I first heard about the Polar Bear Grand Prix. The group I normal ran with had a team in the races and I wanted in, so that first year I just ran the Grand Prix solo. The second year I formed a team, now known as The Devil Wears Strava and we have been having so much fun ever since! We all LOVE the Polar Bear Grand Prix and will never not do these races. It offers such a great atmosphere and fun/friendly competition…plus it just feels so good being a part of and supporting our great local running community.

My favorite distance is currently the half marathon. It’s challenging but not so long that it makes me feel like my next step may be my last LOL. I have attempted one full marathon before (with ZERO training) and it did not end well. Long story short, I am not brave enough to try that distance again…yet.

My favorite place to run in Louisville is Cherokee/Seneca Parks. They offer me the hills that I like, flat areas for speed work and central location that is easy to add on to for long runs. The only thing they don’t have are the bathrooms of the Parklands. My favorite place to run outside of Louisville is any place that I am visiting. My favorite way to explore a new town is to go on a run with no plan. It’s the best way to see the area and find places that you wouldn’t typically find on Google.

My favorite race/most unique race I have run currently is the Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon. While this wasn’t necessarily the “best” race I have done, the memories that were made there made it the BEST. I have a goal of running a half marathon in every state, so when I found this race as part of Destination Races, I immediately asked my best friend if she wanted to do it with me and before you knew it, we were renting a cabin, planning our stop at Buc-ee’s, and signing up for the Black Bear Challenge which meant racing a 5k at 6:30 the night before the half marathon. We learned that the best race recovery involves a hot tub and Pedialyte in champagne glasses…and maybe getting lost in the woods on a hike.

My favorite thing about running is the way it makes me feel. I can be having the worst day and go for a run and feel a thousand times better knowing that, regardless of how the rest of the day went, I was able to get out and move around and accomplish something. Running gives me a space to feel things and process things in a safe space. It’s free therapy for me. I also LOVE the community. The running community in Louisville is second to none. Getting to run through the park and see so many familiar faces is such a great feeling. It gives me a sense of pride, being a part of this great thing. The relationships that I have developed through the running community, are relationships that I cherish and ones that I know will last a lifetime.

If there was any advice that I would off, it’s to keep moving. It doesn’t matter if you are a running, walker or somewhere in between, you are doing something productive and you are accomplishing something; that is something to be proud of.

Another piece of advice I would give is to do as many River City Races as you can throughout the year. Each event River City Races hosts is always such a great time. You get to get out and move, you get to be a part of this amazing running community we have in Louisville, and you get to give back. You also get to challenge yourself too. With so many races throughout the year, it’s really a great way to push yourself and see what you can do from race to race.

I would encourage everyone to come out, regardless of ability/pace, and be a part of this amazing community that we have here in Louisville and that River City Races is helping grow. I think I speak for everyone when I say, we’d love to have you.

Runner Spotlight - Micah Huff

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, SET A GOAL, ACHIEVE A GOAL, and REPEAT!

How and why did you start running and how many years have you been running?

I started running in the spring of 2023 with my only goal being to finish the Thanksgiving 5K that year…. But quickly I was addicted to the mental challenge of distance running.

Favorite distance:

I actually have two favorites. I love the 5K, it is fast and a few times a year my entire family will join in on the fun. Equally I love the 13.1, which is also fast but requires dedication to train and finish.

Favorite place to run:

I also have 2 favorite places to run. I jump on my treadmill in the basement and watch sports while doing my speed work. But on long runs, you really can beat the Parklands of Floyds Fork.

Favorite or most unique race you have run?

My favorite race is the KDF minimarathon. The city is buzzing with anticipation for the Derby, and the entire track is full of spectators cheering you on.

Favorite thing about running

You can get a workout anywhere at any time, I don’t have to do much planning to stay active.

Do you have any running/walking advice you'd like to offer?

My advice to anyone is you should always remember that the 30-minute mile is the same distance as the world record mile. Compete against yourself, not the other runners!

Why do you like running River City Races events:

The community, so many folks do every event and it’s a great way to stay plugged into our city! Also, the number of events keeps me in race shape year-round. I rarely try and PR the River City Races, instead I used them as training runs that fit into my long-term plans.

Anything else you'd like to share?

I am an ambassador for the Kentucky Derby Marathon & minimarathon, one of my responsibilities is recruiting runners for the race. So, consider this your official invitation to run the race, and please remember to select me as your referring ambassador when you register.

I was previously 540lbs and struggled to any physical activity. Now I have ran races up to the 30K distance, that Downtown Doubler was a blast! I am moving up to 26.2 distance in the fall of 2025. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, SET A GOAL, ACHIEVE A GOAL, and REPEAT!