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Christie Savage and Tina Engel never would’ve been running mates if the club they joined didn’t exist.

That club is the Muskogee Running Club. It’s been going for 12 years for people to get together and run, jog and walk together. The club meets each Wednesday at the Hilldale track and each Thursday at local trails.

This local club has one goal in mind – run.

“We’re a group of people who like to get out in nature and run and enjoy. It’s for everybody,” said Joel Everett, the founder of the club.

Everett said he thinks of the club as a social gathering that likes to run. It’s what led Savage and Engel to be friends.

Savage joined the club about a year ago and Engel started in the winter. Now, they are running partners and challenge each other to go harder on their runs. Savage said Engel is faster than her, but the not-so-easy trail runs are a challenge for Engel because these are her first few months running the trails with the group.

“I try to keep up with her and there is no way, she’s fast, but she encourages a lot,” Savage said about Engel.

Laura Wickizer is a veteran in the club. Wickizer joined the club more than five years ago and has enjoyed the camaraderie of it ever since.

“I think it encourages everybody to kind of stick to it and keep each other accountable by showing up every week,” Wickizer said. “We sometimes just talk and share ideas and find out about other races that are going on in the area, too. So, it kind of boosts morale and encourages participation in other races.”

Everett founded the club in 2011 following several years on the board of the Tulsa Running Club. He wanted to provide Muskogee with a group similar to the one in Tulsa and allow anyone to join.

“This club is super important. It’s my main hobby, this and cycling,” Everett said. “I’ve been doing this for decades and it’s a social outlet and it’s also fitness to try and keep from getting too old. We welcome beginners to the ultra runners and everything in between, like walkers. We have people

Benefits Of Running

• Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease

• Burning calories

• Reducing fat

• Reduced risk of diabetes

• Boosted immune system

• Increased serotonin levels

(According to InspiraHealth) that come out with no experience at all that just want to get started and that’s cool too.”

Running is a hobby for Everett. He’s thankful he can bring his dog Buck, a heeler, on his runs and that it’s a cheaper hobby than golf.

“It doesn’t take a lot of equipment, accessible for everybody, all ages and so it’s something that you can do as a hobby,” Everett said. “It’s a hobby that's good for you. If you don’t love it, you know you haven't spent half your salary doing it.”