every runner has a story
Meet Chris Baker
► From: Lake Wales, FL
► Started Running: 2019, at age 40
► Lakeland Runners Club 2022 Training Committee Chair
Little did Chris Baker know running was going to turn into a new lifeand totally change his life. He is in the best shape of his life now and he and his wife Kim have made some of the best friends through the Lakeland running community.
What is your favorite thing about being connected to LRC?
I am very proud that LRC puts on great events that accommodate runners of every pace and it’s all done 100% by volunteers. There really is no judgment. Just other people who love running, cheering each other on.
Why do you serve on the LRC board?
It means a lot to me to see kids, adults, faster runners, slower runners, all just getting out and moving. I love the programs and group runs that LRC provides to the community. I think they are the best part of the club.
What is your favorite running memory?
My favorite running memory is running the last mile and half of the 2020 Rotary Twilight 5k, neck and neck with Jose Almaraz. We had the best race and really pushed each other hard all the way to the finish line.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
In 2018 I was 70 pounds overweight and could hardly bend over and tie my shoes. I made the decision to get in better shape. Kim and I started out walking Lake Hollingsworth. Eventually I started running a little at a time, until I got up to a continuous mile. From there I just kept going. Anyone can do it. You just got to get up and start moving.
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Meet Kaelani Leone
Kaelani completed all 10 LRC races in 2019, winning overall female at the Aching Quad Challenge and Double Down 5k, and placing in her age group in the other events. Leone also became a certified RRCA running coach in 2019, and volunteers with the LRC as a coach for the LRC Kids Run Club. In 2020 Kaelani trained for and completed her first marathon, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon, in 2:55:30.
Meet Lynn King
Lynn King has been a dedicated volunteer for the race planning committee since 2017 helping to execute the Watermelon 5k Series and Lake to Lake 10k. Lynn also served as secretary in 2019. Lynn has also coordinated the Tuesday night Pub Run for the local shoe retailer since 2019.
Meet Ellen & Todd Vargo
Ellen and Todd Vargo’s journey into the Lakeland running community highlights their dedication to health, camaraderie, and the joy they find in the sport.
Meet Kim Baker
Kim’s story exemplifies the transformative power of running, showcasing how it not only fosters fitness but also provides profound connections and opportunities for personal growth.