Favorite Distance: 1500m
Curt Gilker
Personal Records (PRs)
1500m: 4:41 (2018 St. Louis Senior Olympics record)
1 mile: 5:00 (2017 Macklind Mile, Missouri record for men over 50)
5k: 18:08 Ferguson Twilight Run
From: Wisconsin
Lives in: Webster Groves, MO
Favorite Shoe/Go to Shoe: New Balance Fresh Foam Zante
College Alma Maters
Washington University in St. Louis: MBA (’88), BS-Computer Science (’88)
Running Background/How did you get into running?/Why do you run?
In high school, I ran Cross Country in the Fall and Track in the Spring. I ran everything from the 400 to the mile (yes, I was in high school back when high schools still ran the mile). Then I stopped running until I turned 47 (in 2011). I started up again mostly in winter, running on days when it was too cold or wet or snowy to ride my bike. I average about 800 miles per year, more if I am uninjured (which seems rare these days!).
Running Goals
- I would like to set the St. Louis Senior Olympics records in the 800 and 1500 in my age group
- I would like to run under 18 minutes in a 5k (with a stretch goal of 17:36, to set the age group record)
How I joined the Big River Racing Team?
I joined the Big River team after some of the Racing Team had seen a few of my Strava KOM’s and wondered who I was. Then I met Julie Lossos during the Kirkwood Turkey Day run, and later Carter Snow. Carter suggested I join the Monday Night Training run from the South City store, where I met Brian Lyons, Matt O’Connor, and a few other team members. After managing (barely) to hang with them on the long run a few times, they suggested I join the team (in 2016?).
How has Big River Racing help me reach my running goals?
Unfortunately, since joining the team, I have experienced recurring upper hamstring tendonitis, and have been banged up by two bike crashes. As a result, I have not been able to run much, especially recently. But I remain hopeful, and I miss the team runs greatly. Staying connected to the team reminds me how badly I would like to resume running, and keeps me motivated.
Recent Posts
Big River Racing is about running in its purest form. We encompass racing and pushing one’s limits, accepting anyone who shares our passion for running. The team is a dedicated group of like-minded individuals who train, race and socialize with the goal of improving the St. Louis running community through advocacy, openness and volunteerism. The team exists to support runners from post-collegiate athletes to those relatively new to the sport and anyone in between.