Many meetings are informational with guest speakers covering topics such as stretching, nutrition, shoes, massage, and physical therapy. A monthly newsletter provides information on the local running scene as well as a calendar of upcoming races in the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas. The Womens' Distance Run 5K in September. The Star City Half Marathon and 5K in November. The Striders also get involved in other community activities such as collecting and donating food and gifts to needy families each Christmas.
Many members benefit from group training runs.
Group running offers conversation, motivation, discipline, etc. Groups vary in size and ability levels. One group meets on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 PM in the parking lot behind the Ramada Inn on Franklin Road next to Wiley Drive. Sunday runs start from the Roanoke Athletic Club on Starkey Road at 8 AM in the winter and 7 AM in the summer. Runs are held regardless of weather, and pace and distance vary.