The club also is involved in several volunteer programs, including Toys for Tots. A key component of running on a club is getting recognition for participating in races and volunteering for activities. The Redford RoadRunners and Downtown Runners put on lavish Christmas banquets with dinner and dancing. The Stoney Creek club and Motor City Striders stage annual picnics. All of these clubs give out special awards ranging from most improved runner to coveted recognition such as best buns or GQ runner of the year.
Several clubs compete for best monthly newsletter.
This is another way of providing information and recognition for members. The average age of club members is 40, and women are slowly becoming half of the membership. There hasn't been a lot of growth in the size of the clubs. It seems as though they reach a certain size, then stay there. Members come and go each year, and founding members are looked at like family members.