All eyes will be on Washington, D.C., this month for a historic inauguration. But the eyes of some First Trinity Lutheran Church members are on the U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial every Saturday.
Throughout the year, eight or so members of this downtown Washington church run together around the nation’s monuments. Sometimes in an organized race and other times for training, the Trinity Trotters/Pokeys say they do it for fun, fellowship and fitness.
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Members of Trinity Trotters, First Trinity Lutheran Church, Washington, D.C., gather around their banner after the Baltimore Marathon. They are, from left: Fran Knoll (kneeling), Kent Forde, Kjersten Priddy, Greg Nelson, Dan Keister, Sara Speckhard and Wendy Moen.
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“Sure it’s a ministry,” said Wendy Moen, pastor, who admits that the Trotters have been known to use a race for evangelism and outreach.
Often crossing a finish line holding a “We Love Trinity Trotters” banner, Moen has even worn her clerical collar on top of a T-shirt with the ELCA logo on front and on the back: “They shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
“See, it’s possible to do ministry through running,” said Fran Knoll in regard to Moen donning her collar.
The Trotters, who range in age from 20s to 50s, launched more than a year ago when Kjersten Priddy, now studying at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago , brought up the idea of training together with running enthusiasts Greg Nelson, Kent Forde, Sara Speckhard and Knoll. Moen, a former school cross-country athlete, often finishes in the top of her age category, along with Nelson, who has run the Boston Marathon.
Since running their first race together in fall 2007, other events have taken the Trotters down the National Mall, up the Capitol steps, through scenic Mount Vernon and around the trails of Rock Creek Park.
“Running is an addiction,” said Knoll, who won her age category in the National Law Enforcement Officers 5K. “You get through a tough race and say, ‘I’m never going to do this again,’ and then you can’t wait to run again.”
The Trotters also run to raise money. Thanks to run sponsors, the Trotters have sent Trinity members on service trips to a sister church in El Salvador and to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina and flooding in West Virginia. Their efforts also have helped stock a food bank.
Running together also offers time for fellowship on Saturday mornings. The group often starts with prayer and uses running time to discuss the topics of the day. After their run, they might do a project at the church, such as an outside cleanup or working at the food pantry.
While they’re finishing tough races and setting records, the low-key group doesn’t take itself too seriously, saying it’s all for fun. “It’s possible to do anything with your church,” laughed Speckhard, “even run.”
