[ About the Striders ]

The Blacksburg Striders, founded in 1980, is the oldest running club in the New River Valley region. For more than four decades, the club has maintained a consistent mission: providing community involvement and camaraderie for local runners through group events, races, social activities, and community service.

Beyond weekly group runs, the Striders have built a strong partnership with Runabout Sports to organize races throughout the year, creating opportunities for runners of all levels to challenge themselves in a supportive environment. The club has also demonstrated a commitment to giving back to the community, donating both money and volunteer time to local organizations including the Poverty Creek Trails Coalition, New River Land Trust, and Blacksburg High School's track and cross-country programs.

Today, the Striders continue this legacy through regular meetups on Monday and Wednesday evenings, as well as informal track workouts and trail runs. The Blacksburg Classic, held each February, stands as one of their signature community events.

A group of six men running on an outdoor track field with green grass on either side. Overcast sky with hills and buildings in the background.
Man running on a red track field during overcast weather.
Two male runners, a younger man and an older man, running on a track outdoors on a cloudy day. The younger man wears a blue shirt and shorts, while the older man wears an orange tank top and colorful shorts.
Two male athletes are sprinting on a red running track during a race, with several spectators watching in the background and a person at a table with electronic equipment under a canopy.