Collum family competes in local races

By Staff
Kim West
Some families spend their Saturdays going to ball games or searching for bargains at yard sales. But for one Russellville family, competitive running is always on the weekend agenda.
Tanya Collum, 33, Adam Collum, 37, and their eight-year-old son, Turner, all participate in local 5Ks, which are 3.1 miles cross country races.
The Collums, who also work together at the family's trucking business, began racing together during the past year, including the Pickwick Dam 5K, Lawrenceburg Heritage Hustle 5K, Helen Keller 5-Mile Run and the W.C. Handy Da Doo Run.
"We've run in four races together," said Tanya Collum, whose personal record in 5Ks is 23 minutes, eight seconds. "Last year was our first to do competitions as a family."
Her motivation came three years ago from a unique source – a delivery man.
"I started running with some friends because I saw this 50-year-old Federal Express guy who didn't look his age – he looked more like he was 35," said Tanya Collum, who also competes in half-marathons and triathlons with her husband.
Turner Collum, who also plays Dixie Youth baseball, joked that he was forced into running by his parents.
"I was made to do it," said Turner Collum, who set his personal record of 31:00 at the Lawrenceburg race. "We get up early and run during the week, too. When school's in, we go at 6 or 7 a.m."
The Collums have a family membership in the Tennessee River Athletic Club, a local group that promotes running in northwest Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee, and said they enjoy the social and fitness benefits of running.
"We enjoy the opportunity to meet everyone and have fellowship with other runners," said Adam Collum, who began participating in triathlons two years ago and set a personal record time of 20:10 at the W.C. Handy race July 19. "And we like the health aspect of running."