Finding Stride in the UC Running Club
- Kyle Klingler
- May 20
- 9 min read
Updated: May 20
Just recently, Jonathan Harley claimed victory at the 2024 Flying Pig Half Marathon with a scorching time of 1:07:44—shattering the previous event record by nearly a full minute. Jon, a full-time medical student and former cross country and track athlete at the University of Cincinnati, has built an impressive resume of high-level success in recent years. A few months prior, he nearly broke 4 minutes in the mile running 4:02.67 indoors.
Meanwhile, during the same weekend as the Pig, Jack Barchet secured the win in the 800M at the Maryland Kehoe Twilight Meet, blazing through in 1:48.32. Another former University of Cincinnati XC/Track athlete, Jack now competes for the University of Maryland, continuing his ascent in the sport.
What do these two have in common? They both began their collegiate running careers with the UC Running Club. UCRC is a student-led organization at the University of Cincinnati that welcomes any UC students interested in running, whether competitively or recreationally. It fosters a supportive environment where members can connect, develop healthy habits, and even compete at local and national levels through NIRCA. Unlike varsity programs, UC’s club operates without a coach or structured training plans, making it a unique space for self-driven runners. Runner like Jon and Jack.
To put their journey into perspective, both were solid high school runners, posting 1600M PRs of 4:31 and 4:29 respectively. However, these times fall short of the typical NCAA Division 1 recruiting standards. UCRC gave them a place to develop further and get to the level needed to join the NCAA programs they ended up competing in.
College Decisions
Every high school athlete eventually faces a crucial choice: where to go to college. Do you prioritize continuing your athletic career, or do you base your decision on factors like academics, location, and finances? According to the NCAA's report on the "estimated probability of competing in college athletics," only 1.9% of high school track and field athletes move on to the Division 1 NCAA level, with 1.4% advancing to Division 2 and another 1.9% to Division 3. Not the best odds! (See the full report here: NCAA Report)
Given these statistics, many athletes choose to leave their sport behind after high school. However, running presents a unique alternative. In reality, all you need to run is a pair of shoes and a path—oh, and some clothes, of course (please wear clothes!). You don’t need a team, specialized equipment, or a designated field. In most places, you can simply step outside and start running. This accessibility allows runners to continue developing and growing on their own, and when you add the community and competition offered by an organization like the UC Running Club, you start to see athletes thrive in ways they never expected.
The truth is, high school athletic programs vary greatly. Some schools boast elite training environments, not far off from top-tier NCAA programs—take, for example, a Newbury Park track workout: Newbury Park Workout. Running near 10-flat two-mile repeats at 7,000 feet of elevation in high school? Insane! Meanwhile, some programs serve as broad foundations, designed to accommodate large numbers of athletes. Some high school coaching positions are essentially volunteer roles, requiring little formal training or experience. And let's not forget—these are high school kids. For many, running and high-level training won't be a top priority during these formative years, and that's perfectly okay. However, this approach can leave a wealth of untapped potential for those who later decide to pursue their running dreams more seriously.
Understanding that an alternative path exists for runners who want to attend a particular school while still pursuing their athletic goals makes the success of Jon and Jack far less surprising. Finding a new training environment allowed them to develop further, eventually reaching the Division 1 level they originally fell short of. And they’re not the only ones to achieve this through UCRC.
Other UCRC Stars
Jules Madzia - Jules is the earliest member I can recall making the jump from club to NCAA competition. They were a solid runner in high school with PR's of 5:10, 11:09, and 19:04. After getting to UC, they joined the Running Club. In the spring of 2015, Jules won the mile (5:22) and secured second place in the 3000M (10:29) at the Illinois Club Relays. They also claimed victory in the Flying Pig Half Marathon with a time of 1:21:19. These impressive performances garnered enough attention for them to join the Cincinnati XC/Track team later that fall, where they went on to finish as UC’s top runner in multiple meets, setting personal records of 17:15 in the 5K and 37:09 in the 10K. Jules changed what seemed possible for club runners and would set the tone for many to come!
Steven Zombory - Steven recorded high school personal bests of 4:31 in the mile, 9:44 in the 3200M, and 16:05 in the 5K while competing for Chardon High School near Cleveland. He was a part of the club from 2015 to 2017 and continued to develop his racing abilities. In the spring of 2017, he lowered his 5K PR to 15:30 at the Oliver Nikoloff home meet at UC, earning a spot on the UC team later that fall. He went on to finish as a top-seven runner in multiple races and represented the team at the AAC Championships and the Great Lakes Regional.
Max Hoffman - Max, a Wyoming High School graduate, recorded PRs of 4:38 in the mile, 9:49 in the 3200M, and 16:11 in the 5K in 2015. Initially recruited to Xavier, his collegiate career took an unexpected turn when injuries led to a mostly redshirt season. He later transferred to UC, where he discovered the club team and began his resurgence. Over two years competing in NIRCA events, he worked his way back toward peak fitness, posting times near 26 minutes flat in the 8K and 16 minutes flat in the 5K. This progress earned him an opportunity to continue his college career at Otterbein in Columbus in 2018. There, he shattered his PRs—running 4:23 in the mile, 15:08 in the 5K, and 31:20 in the 10K—while playing a key role in the team’s back-to-back DIII nationals appearances. Since graduating, he has continued to improve, further lowering all of his PRs.
Jack Cordonnier - Another local kid, Jack posted impressive times of 1:55 in the 800M, 4:21 in the mile, and 16:36 in the 5K while competing for St. Xavier High School in 2017. After joining the UC Running Club for the fall cross-country season, he truly hit his stride in the spring of 2018, culminating in a victory at the NIRCA Outdoor Nationals in the 1500M with a time of 3:57.56. Later that fall, he transitioned to the UC team, where he competed for a year and further lowered his personal bests to 3:56 in the 1500M and 4:16 in the mile.
Lauren Kemper - From nearby Bellbrook High School in Dayton, Lauren recorded personal bests of 5:33 in the mile and 19:10 in the 5K before continuing her running career at UC Running Club in 2017. She made an immediate impact, finishing 28th at NIRCA Nationals later that fall. The following season, she placed 9th at the NIRCA Great Lakes Regional with a time of 23:51 in the 6K, though she did not compete at Nationals that year. Her strong performances earned her a spot on the UC team, where she really excelled. In her first season, she placed 5th overall at the AAC Conference Championships with a time of 20:46. Over the next few seasons, she became a key contributor to the team, setting impressive PRs of 4:52 in the mile, 9:55 in the 3K, and 17:36 in the 5K.
Nick DeHaven - In 2017, there was this kid from St. Wendelin High School with PR's of 4:27, 10:02, and 16:21. I remember this kid came up to me and said "one day, I want to be the 2023 G-MAC Indoor Track and Field Championships DMR Champion"... everyone laughed at him. Everyone, except me. I told him I believed in him. That kid went on to become Nick DeHaven. After high school, he spent 3 years on the club. In 2020, he truly hit his stride, clocking an impressive 4:16 in the mile and 8:27 in the 3K. In 2021, he advanced onto the UC team for one track season before transferring to Findlay to finish out his collegiate career. Over the years, he continued to lower his PRs, ultimately reaching 4:10 in the mile, 8:13 in the 3K, and 14:37 in the 5K.
Caitlyn Walsh - Caitlyn, a Cleveland St. Joseph Academy alum, recorded personal bests of 5:50 in the mile, 12:17 in the 3200M, and 20:11 in the 5K in 2018. She competed for UCRC for several years, steadily improving her times to 11:05 in the 3K and 19:28 in the 5K. After joining the UC team in 2021, she continued her progression, ultimately lowering her marks to 10:08 in the 3K and 17:31 in the 5K.
Nicky Alexander - Nicky, a solid runner from London High School in Ohio, recorded personal bests of 4:27 in the mile, 10:05 in the 3200M, and 17:27 in the 5K in 2018. Just a few years later, he made history as the first UCRC member to break 15 minutes in the 5K, running an impressive 14:59. His results garnered interested from the University of Louisville, and in 2023, he would go on to compete there, where he posted standout times of 1:53 in the 800M, 4:10 in the mile, and 14:52 in the 5K.
Carissa (Peach) Widenhouse - Carissa, a graduate of Ursuline Academy in Cincinnati, entered college with a 5K personal best of 23:33. She became president of the UC Running Club, steadily improving her times until she earned a spot on the UC team for a final spring season. She closed out her collegiate career with a 5K PR of 19:04.
Each of these runners exemplifies the opportunity to unlock major potential through UCRC. While they may not have been ready straight out of high school to be recruited for collegiate competition, the club provided them the opportunity to keep running, improving, and thriving to reach it.
Beyond these examples, countless UCRC runners have thrived in various ways. Whether striving for personal records, stepping into leadership roles, training for marathons and ultras, or simply enjoying a beer mile (or a Wendy’s 4 for 4 mile) with friends, many have embraced opportunities for both personal and athletic growth. As a result, many have gone on to become exceptional runners, coaches, and leaders.
Why Running Clubs work
Speaking from my own personal experience, I had my heart set on UC regardless of my passion for running—my brother went there, and it felt like the perfect fit. In high school, I wasn’t fast enough for Division 1, and after deciding not to attempt a walk-on (though a huge thanks to the legendary Coach Bill Schnier for his willingness to give me a shot!), I assumed my competitive running days were over. I had no idea club teams existed or that they competed in an XC/Track league. After taking two years off running, I joined UCRC. I spent three incredible years with the club, enjoying the freedom of running without a coach or rigid training plan. Did I occasionally skip a workout or take an unscheduled rest day? Absolutely. But I still got a lot faster and always enjoyed training and going to races with my friends. The friendships I formed and the new training methods I embraced reignited my passion for running, a love that has remained strong nearly a decade later.
This is the case for many college running clubs. Beyond being an excellent training ground for aspiring NCAA athletes, they are an amazing place to build lifelong friendships, have fun, and create unforgettable memories. Nearly every college has a running club and if they don't, look into starting one! Last thing to note, running clubs also work in the opposite direction. College runners who may be out of eligibility or move on from their programs can still run and compete in the NIRCA with the club. Shout out Jeff Griffiths for joining us for a season back in 2015! Overall, they are a great landing spot for student runners of all kinds.
So finally, if you happen to be a Bearcat chasing your athletic potential or simply looking for a great group of friends to help you navigate college—while still getting in some miles—UCRC is the place for you!
UCRC pics over the years
To learn more about the UC Running Club, see their website: https://ucrunningclub.weebly.com/
Fun Fact
Cincinnatus Elite owes its roots almost entirely to the UC Running Club. Jack and I, both former UCRC members, started CE with just a few close friends. Huge shoutout to Sean Kane and Paul Beeson—also former UCRC runners—for showing up to the very first official group run back in 2019! Over the years, more UCRC alumni like Gabby Bobadilla, Joey Stimler, and many others have joined, further shaping what CE has become today. Truly built by the UC Running Club! #RushRunClub
UCRC pipeline is 🔥