A Message from the President

If you’re a runner looking for inspiration…motivation…that ‘little something extra’ to keep you focused and connected to the greatest sport on the planet—RUNNING—you’ve come to the right place.

The Darkside Running Club was founded in December of 2002, although its roots were developed in the mid 1990’s by Al Barker and me as we looked for new and creative ways to expand our running horizons. Tired of the generic running club which was more inclined to ‘talk the talk,’ we opted to form our own club comprised of runners more inclined to…well, run!

The members of our club encourage and push one another to our physical—and mental—limits. The amazing thing is that even though Al and I have over 60 years of running experience between us, the sport never gets old…and our members feel the same way.

Today, the Darkside Running Club has members in over a dozen states who remain connected via telephone, the internet, the quarterly club newsletter—‘absolutely true…Tales from the Darkside’—and of course, races and running adventures all over the country.

To ‘cross over’ to the Darkside, all you need is an interest in running (and by all indications, the fact that you’re still reading this message indicates that you do) and a (relatively very) little cash. Membership rates are $20 annually (January 1 – December 31), and beginning in 2009, anyone who has been a dues-payin member at least two years will be a 'lifetime member.' That's right, no more running club dues again ever! Membership includes:

• Four quarterly newsletters (accessed via the internet on approximately March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 15).
• A Darkside Running Club patch.
• Free entry in our three Darkside Marathons (New Year's Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day).
• The opportunity to volunteer (or participate) in our two signature events, the Darkside 8-Hour Run (springtime) and Peachtree City 50/25K (2nd Sunday in November).
• A network to a group of people dedicated to the promotion of the sport of running.

A membership application can be found on this website—I encourage you to join today! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to pass them along to me at:

I hope to see you soon--on the Darkside.

Scott Ludwig President and Co-Founder, Darkside Running Club