13 Local Runners Sprint Through Philadelphia Marathon

There may be no truer saying than “strength in numbers.”

That thought proved itself recently as 13 athletes in the Chester Running Club embarked on the Philadelphia Marathon, all having experience running alongside each other to train and stay in shape.

Organized by Ali Zaidi, the Club includes runners from Long Valley, both Chesters, both Mendhams, Flanders and Randolph. Zaidi started the group after completing his first Marine Corps Marathon in 2009.

Zaidi has completed 20 full marathons in the past four years.

The group runs together on Sunday mornings, usually in Peapack or Califon, helping each other train for everything from 5K races to full marathons. Anyone interested in joining the group can check them out on Facebook.