Local Runner Raises Funds for The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling

Tom Renner has run hundreds of races and thousands of miles since taking up competitive distance running more than 40 years ago.

And the 13.1 miles he will run in the SoNo Half Marathon on Saturday, Oct. 17, will be, he says by far the most meaningful for him.

The 56-year-old Renner is running the race to support The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education in Stamford. The Center, which was formed in 1979, provides counseling and support services for sexual abuse victims in Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton, and seeks to eliminate sexual violence through community-wide education.

Renner said his motivation to support The Center stems from the assault of a college woman last year. He coached the young woman for several years in youth sports and remained close with her family.

“Sexual assault is rampant on college campuses,’’ said Renner, an editor and writer at Daily Voice and a longtime journalist in Fairfield County. “The way to prevent it is through better education. This is not cancer or autism or heart disease. It’s not biological. It’s a mindset. And the only thing that is preventing us from stopping it is us.”

The SoNo Half Marathon is a first-year race started by Norwalk residents Shannon and James Whipple. It begins at Veterans Park and rolls through South Norwalk, past Brien McMahon High School, into Shady Beach and finishes back at the park. There is also an accompanying 5k and children’s fun run.

The race is encouraging runners to fundraise for a charity of their choice and Renner is one of 10 runners who is taking up the challenge. With more than $4,100 in donations, he has surpassed his goal of $2,500. He has raised more money for his cause than any of the other runners who are fundraising.

“I am touched by the generosity of so many friends and family members,’’ Renner said. “I honestly had no idea what kind of goal I should set and am thrilled that I surpassed my goal far before the race.”

Renner said sexual assault statistics are staggering. He cited a recent New York Times story that reported that since entering college, 27.2 percent of women encountered unwanted sexual contact, anything from touching to rape, and a story in CT Mirror report that 43 women were raped last year at the University of Connecticut, more than double the number from the previous year.

“As the father of two young women, one in college and one on the cusp, I feel we need to become more proactive in raising awareness and educating people about the severity of the issue,’’ Renner said. “A father’s worst nightmare is to hear that his daughter might be assaulted at college and is powerless to prevent it. I believe the numbers might be fundamentally flawed and are actually much higher. Most women do not report assault because they fear of repercussions.”

Renner has run 14 marathons, including three in Boston. He also has run numerous half marathons, including a personal best of 1:19:59. He regularly competes in races throughout Fairfield County, and last month ran in the Sam Elpern Half Marathon in Norwalk.

“I love to compete and I love to run,’’ Renner said. “But this race is not about that. This is about supporting sexual assault victims and educating our community. We need to do more. If you have a daughter, a niece, a granddaughter or a young woman heading off to college or is at college already, you need to get behind this cause in some way, shape or form. It’s open season on women at college campuses. Young men need to learn that no means no.”

To donate to Renner’s cause, go to the fundraising page on Crowdrise: https://www.crowdrise.com/TheCenterofStamford.

Photo: Tom Renner. Credit: Crowdrise.com/TheCenterofStamford.