The WestSide Stride
Grand Rapids, MI – Last fall the Westside Stride was created. It is a free 5k run or walk that takes place every Tuesday at 6 p.m. (Weather permitting) The weekly event was created for many reasons. The founders, Sam Gutowski and Jes Slaydon both love to meet new people, exercise, are obsessed with the westside and of course, love beer.
Slaydon, Sam’s older sister, lived in Florida nearly a decade and coordinated a pub run for a running store, FITniche, inc., for more than two years. She absolutely loved it and considers running one of her passions.
“There is something special about the running/walking community,” said Slaydon, “I can’t tell you how many great people I have met and how many connections I’ve made with people personally and professionally.”
Gutowski was living in Oklahoma at the time – Go Soomers! And when the two sisters talked about boomeranging to Grand Rapids mid 2014 the two decided they would start something similar in GR.
“We spent quite a bit of time working on the name,” said Slaydon “Pub run, just excluded the idea of walkers and we really wanted to make sure everyone knew they are welcome.”
The sister’s brother, Walter Gutowski III came up with the name Westside Stride.
Just like Swift Printing, it’s kinda became a family affair for the Gutowski’s/Slaydon’s. Last fall, when just starting out there were weeks when there was just the eight of them on the course. Word of mouth, the power of social media, news media and a billboard has been the source of getting the group to grow this summer.
Another neat factor is Bridge Street is where Gutowski and Slaydon’s great grandparents – like many other people of that time period grew up and spent pastime. It is exciting to do the same in a different way.
The goal is to make everyone feel more a part of the community. The sisters believe running and walking, combined with positive people and well, beer is what is going to keep patrons coming back every week. Also, once patrons complete 10 times, they earn the free Westside Stride shirt that Swift has so graciously sponsored.
After the Stride, patrons meet up at O’Toole’s for an extended happy hour. Once more places open up on Bridge Street the plan is to rotate with different food and drink specials. Harmony & Black Heron have already shown interest.
“We think this weekly event does a pretty good job encompassing how awesome it is to live in Grand Rapids- especially on the Westside,” said Slaydon. “Westsider’s work hard, play hard and relish in seeing others reach their goals.”
However, the sisters want to be clear that the Westside Stride is open to everyone no matter what side of the river lived upon.
“So many friends have said, once I get in shape I’ll start coming,” said Gutowski. “No, the idea is you can come and start where you are and you can work up to new goals every week.”
The weather has a direct impact to how many folks come out every week. June had awesome weather every Tuesday and the numbers were mid 50’s. The plan is to see how the warm weather months go and decide as a group to continue in the tundra or keep the Westside Stride a spring to snow type of event.
For more info, join their Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/westsidestride/
