They run for a good cause.
The Pineland Striders will once again take part in the Independence Day race at Shawnee High School to raise funds for the Precious Gems memorial.
The memorial was created in the name of four young women who were killed in 1999 by a drunken driver.
Bill Tanski, treasurer of the Striders, said the local running club was formed in 1979 and has about 200 runners. He is also co-director of the Independence Day race to be held June 30.
Tanski said Striders run all year in all weather.
Running since 1979, he moved to Medford from Connecticut in 1997 and is preparing for a spring marathon called the Ocean Drive marathon near Cape May in March.
He hopes to raise at least $5,000 for the Precious Gem memorial.
“I think it’s a magnificent testimony to the parents,” Tanski said. “They are obviously still grieving, but they are moving forward with their grief and helping the community to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
“I have great admiration for them.”
Tanski has made friends with fellow Striders, and he does one group run every week.
He said Striders started its affiliation with Precious Gems a few years ago.
This year will mark the 35th year of Independence Day races. Striders also hold a holiday race in Medford Lakes in December.
Tanski said the hardest part is getting up early on a cold winter morning to get up and run.
“I’d rather be in be sleeping, but you can’t store running fitness,” he said. Tanski said he retired more than a year ago and resolved to run every day.
He said making lifelong friends with Striders is the most rewarding part of being in the club.
Tanski, who lives in the Deer Brook section of Medford, related a story of how he ran into another resident on a recent run.
“There was a young gal who stopped and said, ‘You know, I see you every day,’” he said. “’I just want to let you know how much I admire you being out here.’
“That’s a big kick for me. I’m very honored by that.
“Running is a gift and I’m very lucky to have that gift.”
For Tanski, the most rewarding part of the Independence Day race is when the Striders present the Precious Gems with a check.
He said runners can also get $5 off if they register for the Independence Day race before April 1.
The Pineland Striders’s website can be found at: www.pinelandstriders.com and the Precious Gem memorial website can be found at: www.preciousgemsmemorial.com.
