How it all began
A letter from our founder
Greetings and thank you for visiting our page! I am Stephanie Geraghty, the founder of Stroller Warriors Running Club. I’d like to share a little about me and how Stroller Warriors grew out of my love for running and my experiences as a military spouse.
My story begins on a farm in Avoca, IA, where I was born and raised. I attended college at the University of Kansas, so I will always be a Midwest girl at heart. I met my husband Brian (also an avid runner and an Iowan) in 2000 and we were married in 2004. We have 3 children; Caden, Cole, and Hailey. Cole has Type 2/3 Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a neuromuscular disorder that causes muscle weakness and atrophy. He is unable to walk but nothing gets him down and he inspires me every single day! We spend a lot of time doing therapy with him and ensuring he has all the resources he needs to live a full quality of life. My family teams with the Stroller Warriors to raise money in Cole's honor for Families of SMA to support research for a cure. We know one day there WILL be a cure.
Sports have always been a passion of mine. I competed as a runner from a young age into my college years. After graduation, I pursued a new hobby of running road races, including marathons, half marathons, 10Ks, 5Ks, triathlons, and duathlons. Over the years, I have ran my way through the births of my three children, deployments, PCS moves, and just regular everyday life. Training and running races provide a positive source of focus and accomplishment, plus an effective outlet to balance the challenges military life presents. I believe that many problems can be solved and friendships can be nurtured just by heading out the door on a run.
I wanted others to experience these joys as well, so I came up with the idea to establish a free running club that would help alleviate stress for military spouses and their children, and provide a wealth of camaraderie, resources, and mutual support. The club would also supply a means to give back to our surrounding community.
With my husband's encouragement, on January 19, 2010, my dream became a reality and Stroller Warriors was born. I scouted out trails and parks appropriate for our needs and advertised through local media. We only had four people, including myself, at our first workout. Word continued to spread and Stroller Warriors has thrived ever since. Since that first workout we’ve grown by the thousands and we have added numerous new chapters around the world. I am so proud of each and every member and how they are ever focused on the team effort, tackling and overcoming goals and obstacles TOGETHER.
I want to take this opportunity to say that this all began with a small idea but it became a reality because of the loyalty, trust, and hard work of our membership and especially our chapter coordinators. They believe in our mission and they believe in each other. They (YOU) are the reason this is possible. So thank you for making a dream come true! I thank God every day for the blessings He bestows on us all through this club. I know that I have become a better person because of the people I've been fortunate to meet, the miracles I've witnessed, and the lessons I've learned. I'm truly proud to serve my military community through Stroller Warriors.
One more important thank you must go to my Marine. None of this would be without you, Brian. I love you!
Once again, thank you EVERYONE for your time and support! Be sure to "Like" our Stroller Warriors Running Club Facebook page so you can keep tabs on our awesome runners. Hope to see you out on the trail soon.
HAPPY RUNNING,
Stephanie Geraghty
Founder of Stroller Warriors Running Club
My story begins on a farm in Avoca, IA, where I was born and raised. I attended college at the University of Kansas, so I will always be a Midwest girl at heart. I met my husband Brian (also an avid runner and an Iowan) in 2000 and we were married in 2004. We have 3 children; Caden, Cole, and Hailey. Cole has Type 2/3 Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a neuromuscular disorder that causes muscle weakness and atrophy. He is unable to walk but nothing gets him down and he inspires me every single day! We spend a lot of time doing therapy with him and ensuring he has all the resources he needs to live a full quality of life. My family teams with the Stroller Warriors to raise money in Cole's honor for Families of SMA to support research for a cure. We know one day there WILL be a cure.
Sports have always been a passion of mine. I competed as a runner from a young age into my college years. After graduation, I pursued a new hobby of running road races, including marathons, half marathons, 10Ks, 5Ks, triathlons, and duathlons. Over the years, I have ran my way through the births of my three children, deployments, PCS moves, and just regular everyday life. Training and running races provide a positive source of focus and accomplishment, plus an effective outlet to balance the challenges military life presents. I believe that many problems can be solved and friendships can be nurtured just by heading out the door on a run.
I wanted others to experience these joys as well, so I came up with the idea to establish a free running club that would help alleviate stress for military spouses and their children, and provide a wealth of camaraderie, resources, and mutual support. The club would also supply a means to give back to our surrounding community.
With my husband's encouragement, on January 19, 2010, my dream became a reality and Stroller Warriors was born. I scouted out trails and parks appropriate for our needs and advertised through local media. We only had four people, including myself, at our first workout. Word continued to spread and Stroller Warriors has thrived ever since. Since that first workout we’ve grown by the thousands and we have added numerous new chapters around the world. I am so proud of each and every member and how they are ever focused on the team effort, tackling and overcoming goals and obstacles TOGETHER.
I want to take this opportunity to say that this all began with a small idea but it became a reality because of the loyalty, trust, and hard work of our membership and especially our chapter coordinators. They believe in our mission and they believe in each other. They (YOU) are the reason this is possible. So thank you for making a dream come true! I thank God every day for the blessings He bestows on us all through this club. I know that I have become a better person because of the people I've been fortunate to meet, the miracles I've witnessed, and the lessons I've learned. I'm truly proud to serve my military community through Stroller Warriors.
One more important thank you must go to my Marine. None of this would be without you, Brian. I love you!
Once again, thank you EVERYONE for your time and support! Be sure to "Like" our Stroller Warriors Running Club Facebook page so you can keep tabs on our awesome runners. Hope to see you out on the trail soon.
HAPPY RUNNING,
Stephanie Geraghty
Founder of Stroller Warriors Running Club