Ten Reasons to Join the Joplin RoadRunners

1. Safety in numbers 

Reluctant to run by yourself? Roads are not getting any safer. Run with people at your speed and capabilities. Run with us for companionship, camaraderie and safety. We meet almost daily, somewhere in Joplin, Carthage or Neosho, morning or evening, in every season. We leave no member behind, regardless of speed.

2. Community 

Bi-monthly in-person club meetings with designated speakers around specific topics on running, fitness, nutrition, even self-defense.

3. Newsletter

Bi-monthly Joplin RoadRunners' Newsletter, written by and for its members, illustrating and recording significant accomplishments of members, upcoming events, race discounts, meeting notes, book reviews and recommendations on fitness and running, runners' stories from the past, etc. 

4. Club Discounts 

Club discounts at all Joplin RoadRunners’ races, and at other associated races in the area.

5. Charity

With each race we organize, a major portion of our net proceeds goes to a local, designated charity or benefit (e.g. Hope Kitchen Neosho, Joplin Cerebral Palsy Center, Erick's Scholarship at Carthage High School, grade school kids in Joplin schools, Joplin Trail Coalition, United Way, etc.)

6. Running gear 

We offer deep-discounted, club-logo embellished running gear exclusively for members. As part of their annual membership, club members also receive free club-logo emblazed, tech-quality running apparel.

7. Affordable membership and races 

Inexpensive membership fee and registration discounts on all our races. 

8. Volunteerism

Our overheads and race running expenses are kept low as most work is done by our own volunteers. By organizing our own race timing, printing and embellishing our own race shirts and club outfits, creating and printing our own race awards, we generate a net profit with virtually every event, most of which can then be donated to our designated charity for that event.

9. Equality 

Everyone is welcome, free to run or run/walk at their own pace, free to join regardless of creed, race or political persuasion. The Joplin RoadRunners binds people because of their common interest, without separating them as a result of their individual differences. We celebrate everyone's personal victory, we empathize with each individual challenge

10. Fairness in results

We like winners. However, we also understand we all face different challenges and recognize beating those challenges and winning against the odds are all victories to be celebrated. At our race award ceremonies, with our recognitions, our Newsletter  and in our reporting, we like to highlight those victories.