'Run Like a Mother,' A Ridgefield Original, Goes Nationwide

“Run Like a Mother” is more than just a race -- it's become a way of life.

Now in its fourth year, the annual Run Like a Mother Mother’s Day 5K race has crowded more than just the streets of Ridgefield. It's traveling across the country for a debut in Naperville, Ill., and Portland, Ore., and has gone international with its online community.

RLAM is a 5K women’s only race founded in 2008 by Ridgefield resident Megan Searfoss when she was out running with her Sunday morning group. Searfoss created the race to give women throughout the community an opportunity to experience the thrill of running a race whether they are a novice or an expert.

A certified personal trainer, Searfoss has competed in 11 marathons and six Ironmans – and she only began running 15 years ago.

This celebration of women grew from 400 female runners in 2008 to over a thousand in 2010. The race’s popularity led Searfoss to realize she had created more than just your typical Sunday 5K and to extend her message of a healthy lifestyle to women across the globe.

Having lived in Naperville and experienced firsthand its active female community, Searfoss figured it was a great location to begin the expansion of the race. She is also familiar with the Portland area and its strong fitness community.

“This has been a labor of love,” Searfoss said. “RLAM has given me the opportunity to share my passion for running with women.”

“I am so proud that what began over three years ago, as a group of moms taking time to chat and run together has grown into a community of thousands of female runners,” she said. “I am excited to expand the race this year to new cities as well as to our online community of runners who support each other and inspire me every day.”

To support the race, Searfoss offers a six-week training program carefully designed to suit any runner’s needs. Once a week, Searfoss and her volunteer trainers lead novice, beginner, and intermediate and advanced training workouts at local high school tracks.

The program also lays out the program for women to train during the week on their own. Some of the women have never run in their lives, but at the end of the training program they're able to complete the entire 5K run.

There is also a one-mile kid’s race preceding the 5K so the children can cheer on their moms after getting some exercise themselves.

“The sense of accomplishment the women feel along with the example they are able to set for their children is amazing,” said Searfoss. “What a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day.”

For more information on the RLAM race or virtual race, visit www.runlikeamotherrace.com, check it out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/runlikeamother.

Proceeds from the registration fee for Ridgefield will support Family & Children’s Aid in Danbury.