Fit for the Road

Updated Aug 12, 2014

Hot Trotting

Inaugural GATS 5k sees good turnout

The Too Hot to Trot 5k was a first-of-its-kind event for the trucking industry — and, by all accounts, a successful one.

The race, held on Aug. 27 in conjunction with the Great American Trucking Show, saw more than 60 truckers and industry representatives up for a morning run at Dallas running hotspot Katy Trail. Truckers News’ Fit for the Road Program, Randall-Reilly Publishing and John Christner Trucking Company sponsored the event with special guests Jasmine “Jazzy” Jordan and Jeff Clark, who writes the magazine’s Marathon Trucker column and blog.

Jordan, who finished a cross-country run to promote trucker health awareness in June, says she was happy to run in the 5k as a continuation of her mission. “[I ran] to support truckers and help them out. There was a truck driver who was out here to run because of me, because of what I did for them,” she says. “He said he wanted to be out here for me. I wanted to help him out, and it was fun running a 5k.”

Matthew Ames, an owner-operator leased to Schneider National, was one of several drivers drawn to the event because of Jordan.

“If Jazzy can run across America, then I can participate in a walk/jog/run event,” Ames says. “Overall, I ran for my overall health and quality of life. Being an over-the-road truck driver, you don’t have the good options of going to the gym every morning and being able to have a nice facility to take showers after you get done exercising.

“It’s very difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle as a truck driver. It can be done, but you just have to make some really good decisions on what you eat and on your daily routine.”

Vincent Brezinsky, a company driver for YRCW, says he runs regularly to help keep his cholesterol in check. He’s run several 5ks but said the Too Hot to Trot was his best showing yet. “I shattered my old record by almost eight minutes,” he says, running a 28:38.

Brezinsky’s game plan for running involves paying close attention to his body’s cues. “I run about 200, 300, 400 steps depending on how I feel, then I walk 100, 150. Then I run again, and depending on how I feel is how much I run.” He says running not only keeps him healthier but helps him stay alert while driving.



Top finishers

Male

Andy Mount, 18:10.16

Dave Rogers, 21:13.03

Brent Hutto, 22:23.30

Female

Andrea Roozen, 21:24.13

Jasmine Jordan, 25:04.66

Gabrielle Peoples, 26:34.56


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