When Stephanie Geraghty, wife of a Marine and mother of three, PCSed with her family from Quantico to Camp Lejeune, she sought out a support network for herself and her children. While she made connections through her husband’s command, she still felt a void “I remember thinking, ‘Why can’t there be a running club for moms?’ It just didn’t make sense to me,” she adds.
A resourceful military spouse, when Stephanie couldn’t find the type of group she sought, she started her own. For several months, she contemplated the idea, discussing it with her husband and scouting possible workout locations. “I drove around to parks, looking for a good trail to run on. There was a lot of trial and error,” Stephanie explained.
Then, in January 2010, she launched Stroller Warriors Camp Lejeune—a child-friendly running club for military families. At least twice a week, the club hosts workouts at playgrounds and runs on asphalt trails, providing a safe running environment and a place for children to play.
(Photo contributed by Jennifer Goodale and Kelly Crenshaw)
Running groups are a great tool. Stroller Warriors promotes a positive setting for women and men of all ability levels to run together, beginners to marathoners. Being a Stroller Warrior has few requirements: You need a military ID and a will to run. Children and strollers are always welcome, yet never required.
Many of Camp Lejeune’s Stroller Warriors have PCSed in the three years since the club’s founding, and some members began chapters in their new communities. As a result Stroller Warriors has spread to 10 military installations and has several hundred members. “We are on track to launch a one new chapter about every six weeks this year,” Stephanie stated.
Marine Corps spouse Kelly Mulder was an assistant coordinator at Stroller Warriors Camp Lejeune until her family moved to Okinawa, Japan. “I knew I couldn’t take my friends with me when I moved,” she said. Instead, she launched Stroller Warriors Okinawa. Living in a foreign country has challenged Kelly—a mother of two who is expecting her third child this summer—and her fellow chapter members. Unmarked roads mean directions to workouts are based on landmarks instead of street names, and registration forms for local road races need to be translated from Japanese to English. Nonetheless, more than 300 runners have joined and participation in group runs has helped many to step outside their comfort zone and explore the island.
Kelly began running in 2010 with a goal of three miles. “I used to hate running,” she said. “Stephanie became my mentor. I looked at what I was thinking about when I ran,” she said. While running, Kelly replaced negative thoughts with a more positive outlook and within nine months of first lacing up her running shoes, she ran the Marine Corps Marathon. She said, “Running became a time to pray. It’s a time to be happy that I can run and breathe. It’s a social time.”
Leila Wright also began her tenure with Stroller Warriors at Camp Lejeune. When her husband’s Marine Corps career brought her and her young family to New Orleans, Leila brought Stroller Warriors with her. "I loved the Lejeune group and wanted my experience with Stroller Warriors to continue, while at the same time providing a chance for other women to experience a group that supports challenges and encourages moms," Leila says. “Friendships are fostered and members have a real sense of pride and community," she says.
(On the left, giving a thumbs up is Leila Wright, Stroller Warriors New Orleans co-founder and coordinator. In the foreground in the yellow hat is Rebecca White, member of Stroller Warriors New Orleans.)
Kate Laing experienced that sense of community while in New Orleans. She ran with the local Stroller Warriors from June 2011 until her family PCSed to Hawaii, in late 2012. Before moving, she worked with Stephanie to put in motion a plan to launch the Pearl Harbor chapter. For the members who have joined her chapter in little more than one month, Kate said, “I hope they find the support needed to achieve their goals while building friendships that will last a lifetime.”
While many new chapters begin when existing members transfer to a new location, prior membership in Stroller Warriors is not required to start a group. Stacy Champe launched the Fort Belvoir chapter with input from two former Camp Lejeune members. “I am the first chapter coordinator who was not previously a part of Stroller Warriors,” she said. She had a desire to share her passion with others, and saw Stroller Warriors as the perfect vehicle. “I wanted so badly for others to experience running and all the benefits that come along with it,” Stacy added. She has shared her love of running with her family as well. “My husband and I use running to keep our marriage strong,” she says. Her step-son is trying out for his cross country team and plans to run with Stroller Warriors Fort Belvoir this summer. Her youngest daughter, who accompanies Stacy to group workouts, is easily described as a mini warrior.
Individuals run for individual reasons. Kate Laing uses running as a way to take care of herself. “I give a lot time to others, but running is the one thing that is for me. It also sets an example for my children that no matter what life brings that you can achieve something for yourself and be happy doing it.” Leila Wright said, “I love exemplifying a fit and active lifestyle for my children.”
Stephanie Geraghty runs for her son, Cole. Cole was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a genetic motor neuron disorder with no cure and no treatment outside of physical therapy. As founder and coordinator of Stroller Warriors Camp Lejeune, Stephanie has created a 5k/half-marathon race in honor of Cole and Families of SMA. The 2013 race was held in mid-April and preliminary figures indicate approximately $7,500 raised for the charity.
In addition to hosting and running in races for charity, Stroller Warriors worldwide contribute time and energy to various volunteer causes. The Okinawa chapter regularly volunteers at a local women’s shelter, arranging on-site and off-site playdates between their children and the Japanese children living in the shelter. On Mother’s Day, Stroller Warriors New Orleans is volunteering as a “cheering section” at a local road race designed to introduce young girls to running. On April 22, the Fort Belvoir members ran a virtual 5k in honor of the Boston Marathon bombing victims and collected donations for the Boston Athletic Association.
For her work as founder of Stroller Warriors, Stephanie Geraghty was named the 2012 Marine Corps Military Spouse of the Year by Military Spouse magazine. In 2013 the same organization named three Stroller Warriors Military Spouse of the Year at their respective installations: Kelly Mulder (MCBC Smedley D. Butler) for her work with Stroller Warriors, Kate Laing (NAS JRB New Orleans) for her work as base-wide ombudsman, and Casandra Chesser (Camp Lejeune) for giving back to the military community through her writing and volunteer activities.
Stroller Warriors is more than a running club. It’s a playgroup for children. It’s a resource for families who PCS into or out of an area. It’s a place where friendships bloom among like-minded individuals. And, it’s a place for members to explore leadership opportunities.
Stroller Warriors Running Club was founded in 2010 by Stephanie Geraghty and its mission is to help military families around the world live happier, healthier lives through fitness, friendship, leadership, goal-setting, networking, fundraising and community service. Clubs currently operate in military communities including Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Camp Pendleton, California; China Lake, California; Fort Belvoir, Virginia; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; New Orleans, Louisiana; Okinawa, Japan; Parris Island, South Carolina and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. To connect with your local chapter or inquire about bringing Stroller Warriors to your area, email strollerwarrior@gmail.com or visit Stroller Warriors Running Club on Facebook. For running tips and inspiration, follow the Stroller Warriors blog.
Special thanks to Deana Havens, co-coordinator of Stroller Warriors Camp Lejeune, for providing much of the background information for this story.
