Runner Spotlight - Sarah Kremer

Polar Bear Grand Prix 40-44 Female Champion

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

I started running in my thirties when a friend of mine asked if I wanted to do the Kentucky Derby Triple Crown. THat year I was not able to do the last leg because I messed up my knee and then had to have my gallbladder removed. It was one thing after another, so once I healed from surgery and completed physical therapy for my knee. ,I was determined to get back into running. I initially hated running but have grown to really enjoy the time I have to myself while running.

 Why did you decide to do the Polar Bear Grand Prix?

I love the Polar Bear Grand Prix because it keeps me motivated in the cold weather months. I also like the challenge of running in the cold and psyching myself up to just do it. Last year I set a goal to run at least one race per month and started with the polar bear grand prix. THe Run the 502 has also given me something to look forward to in regards to races each month.

 Favorite distance?

The furthest I've run is a half marathon and for me that's pushing it, I've run the Derby Mini four times and it's so much fun. I'm good for about six or seven miles to run on my own, but as far as events go, I like the 5k's.

 Favorite place to run?

My favorite place to run is anywhere outside, I loathe the treadmill! I enjoy running through the neighborhood and really enjoy when I'm able to get over to Broad Run or Bernheim forest

 Favorite or most unique race you have run?

My favorite race I've run is the Crescent City Classic in New Orleans. It is a 10k and a lot of fun. It starts at the Superdome and goes all through town, ending at the City Park where they celebrate with a party that has free red beans and rice and Michelob Ultra, along with bands. Along the race route residents and businesses stand out and play music, have funny signs, and hand out all kinds of goodies from jello-shots and bacon to beer and orange slices. My first time running it, I did not indulge in any of the goodies because I was trying to meet a personal time, the next time I ran it I slowed down to enjoy the scenery, the people and the goodies. My family did it with me this past year and I really enjoyed that.

 Favorite thing about running?

I enjoy the time I have to myself and how I feel after. No matter how far I go, I always have a sense of accomplishment once I'm finished.Running gives me an opportunity to unwind and reflect on my day or myself and what's going on in my left at the moment. I've learned along the way how to fuel my body, how to breathe better, how to exercise to strengthen my core and quads and how to build stamina and endurance. Seeing results in the hard work I've put in makes me stick with running and continue to enjoy it. It's definitely been a process for me. LIke I said when I started running in my thirties, I initially hated it! 

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

Stick with it! Don't just rely on running as your only form of exercise; weight training and other forms of cardio will help you as a runner. I am a Jazzercise instructor as well and I found when I started doing that, it made all the difference in my running. I was able to run for thirty minutes straight without getting winded and other small issues I had with my body were resolving, because I was working out my whole body. There is definitely a balance that you have to find, just like with anything. Rest when you need to and listen to your body. I always tell myself and my jazzercise students, you're in competition with no one but yourself and your goal is to be 1% better each day.

 Why do you like running River City Races events?

I love the variety of races and everyone is so nice. The running community here is awesome. I've made a lot of friends and I always see a lot of familiar faces at each race, even if we don't know each other's names we always say hello or take a minute to chat. I love that everyone is always so supportive and encouraging no matter your experience level. I've always felt welcomed and I encourage anyone who is thinking about trying a race but is nervous, to go for it! You won't regret it!

 Anything else you'd like to share?

Running has been a lifesaver for me in the last few years especially. It keeps my body and mind healthy, and for that I'll always be grateful.

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.