Irvine Club Is Still on Its Feet : After the craze of the ‘80s, the group continues to pound the pavement. It will sponsor the Northwoods 5K and 10K.

Back in the glory days of the running craze, 5Ks and 10Ks in Orange County were as common as Perot bumper stickers are now. At the peak of the craze--in the early ‘80s--there might be four or five races on any given weekend. These days, a couple a month is average.

Where did the runners go? Some got onto bicycles, no doubt, or took up power walking or in-line skating, or just stayed home for some cocooning. But even though the steady stream of organized races has dwindled to a trickle, a lot of folks are still out on the pavement, putting in their miles.

Charlie Young, president of the South Coast Roadrunners, said that while many of the “weekend runners” were weeded out, plenty serious runners remained. “It was like any fad,” Young said. “I’m old enough to remember the Hula-Hoop.”

Irvine-based South Coast Roadrunners is one of the largest running clubs in the state, with almost 200 members. Thrice-weekly runs beginning at Heritage Park in Irvine draw anywhere from 15 to more than 50 runners, putting in three to eight miles at a wide range of paces.

The group runs help members keep on a regular schedule and match them with runners of similar ability. “That’s one of the main draws of the club,” said Young. “It’s much nicer certainly to run with someone than to run alone.”

Larry Hewitt, a Lake Forest resident who joined the club a few months ago, said the group runs help get him through periods of low motivation. “Because of the club, I remain relatively consistent. I run at least three days a week,” Hewitt said.

“I always go to the club, regardless” of motivation level, Hewitt said, partly out of habit but also because of the social draw of running in a group. Without the incentive of the club runs, “if you’re at home you might just sort of turn on the television” instead of running, Hewitt said.

While some running clubs cater to “elite” runners, Young said South Coast Roadrunners accommodates a wide range of interest levels and abilities, from five-minute milers to folks who might complete a mile in 10 or 12 minutes. “We’re not a group of world-class runners,” Young said.

Not all the runners compete in organized races; some simply join in for fitness. The club does choose a Southland race each month as the designated “club race,” where club members are encouraged to compete and the club maintains an information and membership booth.

On Aug. 23, for the first time in the club’s eight-year history, it will sponsor a race of its own. The club is taking over sponsorship of the Northwoods 5K and 10K in Irvine, which has been held the past two years. Money raised by the race will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“We also have a lot of social events to complement our running,” such as a summer chili cook-off and a Super Bowl party, Young said. “It’s not just a running club.”

Young, who was the club’s first president eight years ago, said he differentiates between joggers and runners. “It has nothing to do with pace; it’s more in your outlook,” he said.

A jogger might head out with a dog and a set of headphones, maybe wearing street shorts (rather than running shorts).

“A runner is someone who is a little more serious about it, maybe,” Young said. “It’s approach more than anything.”

After the post-craze doldrums, interest in running is beginning to pick up again, Young says. People who are returning to the sport after a long layoff may find a few things have changed. Training and nutrition philosophies evolve, for instance, and there is more awareness of running injuries related to stress on the joints.

“I think as time goes on, it becomes more scientific,” Young said. “Equipment has certainly gotten a lot better.”

Anyone is welcome to join the club’s runs at Heritage Park, 14301 Yale Ave., Irvine. Runs leave from the park’s Youth Center each Monday and Thursday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 8 a.m.

For those who decide to join the club, membership is $20 a year for individuals ($35 for couples), a fee that includes a regular club newsletter. For information, call Young at (714) 831-1816.