New running club in Port St. Lucie focuses on ‘building fitness on all levels’ – TCPalm

Crichton McCutcheon, Special to TCPalm Published 6:00 p.m. ET Oct. 1, 2019 | Updated 7:12 p.m. ET Oct. 1, 2019

CONNECTCOMMENTEMAILMORE

Wellness, improving quality and longevity of life, and mental, emotional and social fitness are some of the goals members of the newly formed Port St. Lucie Crosstown Running Club share.

This not-for-profit organization created in March has an energetic board diligently working at recruiting members, planning and coordinating training runs and other exciting events.

“It’s not just about running,” said Crichton McCutcheon, board president. “It’s about building fitness on all levels. We don’t just run. We walk, walk/run, dance, bicycle, swim, and participate in a variety of aerobic activities.”

About five years ago, two or three runners met on Wednesday afternoons and just started running. These same people are still around, and over time this little group has gradually evolved into a larger group of 120, with a core of about 40 runners, walk/runners and walkers.

The decision to organize into a club came in December when the core members realized they were all very fun-loving, caring, social and encouraging athletes. So, why not spread the joy and help others, McCutcheon said.

While the focus is on running, emphasis also is being placed on walking and helping runners who are just beginning. There are members who are willing to mentor new runners, McCutcheon said.

Their venue of choice is the Crosstown Parkway, which is a beautiful area with ample trees, shrubbery, grass, sidewalks, bike paths, night lighting and an exercise area.

And with the Crosstown Parkway Bridge now open, runners will have about two more miles available through connecting sidewalks and trails that extend to U.S. 1 and beyond. Ambitious athletes could run, walk or bicycle for a long distance.

Anyone interested in joining the club is invited to meet at 6 p.m. any Wednesday at McChesney Park, 1585 S.W. Cashmere Blvd., Port St. Lucie. A potluck dinner is held the last Wednesday of each month, often featuring speakers who talk or give demonstrations on ways to prove skills and training.

Community members got their first look of the Walter B. England III Memorial Bridge as part of the Crosstown Parkway Extension Project grand opening on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019 in Port St. Lucie. The project, first proposed in 1980, will provide the city its third bridge over the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. It will connect to the current terminus of Crosstown Parkway, on the west side of the river, to U.S. 1 at Village Green Drive. The bridge was officially opened to traffic a 4 p.m. Saturday.

Buy Photo

Port St. Lucie city officials and elected dignitaries cheer after a ribbon cutting to officially open the Walter B. England III Memorial Bridge at the Crosstown Parkway Extension Project grand opening on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Walter B. England III was a former city engineer who worked for the city for more than 20 years. The City Council named it in his memory in 2009.

Buy Photo

Community members were invited to take part in the celebration of the opening of the Walter B. England III Memorial Bridge on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019 at the Crosstown Parkway Extension Project grand opening in Port St. Lucie. The project, first proposed in 1980, will provide the city its third bridge over the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. It will connect to the current terminus of Crosstown Parkway, on the west side of the river, to U.S. 1 at Village Green Drive. The bridge is named after Walter B. England III, a former city engineer who worked for the city for more than 20 years. The City Council named it in his memory in 2009.

Buy Photo

Replay

1 of 37
2 of 37
3 of 37
4 of 37
5 of 37
6 of 37
7 of 37
8 of 37
9 of 37
10 of 37
11 of 37
12 of 37
13 of 37
14 of 37
15 of 37
16 of 37
17 of 37
18 of 37
19 of 37
20 of 37
21 of 37
22 of 37
23 of 37
24 of 37
25 of 37
26 of 37
27 of 37
28 of 37
29 of 37
30 of 37
31 of 37
32 of 37
33 of 37
34 of 37
35 of 37
36 of 37
37 of 37

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

The Port St. Lucie Crosstown Running Club also plans to focus on working with other organizations in the area.

For example, some runners are participating in the Billion Steps Challenge, organized by the Healthy St. Lucie Coalition and St. Lucie County Health Department. It’s a two-year campaign to encourage county residents to get off the couch and to move around where they work and play. For more information, go to healthystlucie.org/come-walk-with-us/.

Club members also hope to plan events to raise money for charitable organizations.

For more information, contact McCutcheon at hemac@bellsouth.net.

CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING TODAY: Help support our local journalism

The Crosstown Parkway Bridge opened to traffic Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. It is the city’s third east-west connection to U.S. 1 across the St. Lucie River. Maureen Kenyon and Xavier Mascareñas, Treasure Coast Newspapers

CONNECTCOMMENTEMAILMORE

Read or Share this story: https://www.tcpalm.com/story/specialty-publications/luminaries/st-lucie-county/2019/10/01/port-st-lucie-crosstown-running-club-its-not-just-running/3833871002/