Forward Motion Sports: A Wednesday Night Tradition!
October 31, 2009 by Jim Walberg · Leave a Comment
Jim Walberg has known Marty Breen for 15+ years. They have participated in many running events during those years – from ultra events such as Hood To Coast, to just plane fun ones like Bay To Breakers. Marty is a business owner who is passionate about serving the needs of the running community in the East Bay at Forward Motion Sports, which he founded over 15 years ago on Hartz Avenue in Danville. It is the best running specialty shop in all of Northern California. What has evolved since he opened the doors is a very large community of loyal raving fans who view Forward Motion as their fitness center home. His staff is made up of people as committed to fitness and running as Marty is. When you leave the store his team makes sure that you have the correct clothing and shoes for injury prevention and lasting comfort no matter if you are running an ultra-marathon or walking the beautiful trails of East Bay Regional Parks and Mt. Diablo.
Within the first few months of opening Forward Motion, Marty had an idea of creating a time each week when local runners could share a workout? He spread the word that anyone who wanted run together could meet at Forward Motion at 6:30PM every Wednesday night. This was just a fun idea Marty had that he never dreamed would become a fixture of the running community. What unfolded is now called The Wednesday Night Run. Today if you are driving or walking downtown Danville on Wednesday evenings you will discover up to 50 or more runners of all shapes, sizes and abilities leaving Forward Motion for a community run. Rain or shine, 52-weeks a year people show up on Wednesday nights for a run of a couple of miles or up to ten miles, depending on a person’s interest and pace. In the Spring and Summer they use the Ironhorse Trail as their route. In the Fall and Winter they wind through the streets and neighborhoods of Danville. If you live in Danville, I promise you have seen the Wednesday Night Run gang.
The Wednesday Night Run has taken on such a life of it’s own. Marty decided to put some structure to it. Anyone who wants to log-in each week into the Forward Motion computer, puts in the distance they are going to run that night. Marty created the 100 Mile Club t-shirt. So many people have earned one of them that he added the 200 Mile Club. He now has members of Wednesday Night Run who are a part of the 400 and 500 Mile Club. It has become an amazing community of people who are now dear friends. Every Wednesday evening it is as if a “family reunion” is taking place in front of his store.
Marty has even created the Forward Motion Race Club. This special group of athletes makes up the leading organization for recreational runners, cyclists, swimmers and triathletes in the East Bay. The membership includes people of all levels of interest and abilities – from people training for their first 5K, to Ironman triathletes, and even former Olympians. The Forward Motion Race Club is even registered with USA Track and Field, USA Triathlon and the Road Runners Club of America.
Are you getting the “picture” of a community of people committed to being healthy, banning together as a community which supports and encourages each other? Well, there is much more to the story. Marty and his fellow runners are also giving back to East Bay community needs in very significant ways. They have used there love of running, biking and swimming to raise thousands of dollars to support such needs as the families of the Oakland police officers who were killed in action, the Organ Donation programs, ALS Find-A-Cure, and many more.
Marty Breen is a man committed to making our community and our world a better place. The legacy that has been created by him because of Forward Motion Sports will never fully be known. However, some of the legacy will include lifelong friendships that have been made possible, opportunities for a healthier lifestyle, and even creating an eco-consciousness by promoting running events that contribute to green projects within our community and our world. Marty Breen is making a difference in our community. Stop by some time and say hello to him and his dog, Buddy. You will be glad you did. Until next time…your East Bay lifestyle reporter remains on duty!
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