It was six in the morning and Matthew Clay was running the final stretch of his first 100-mile race. The sun was rising, and as he rounded the corner he saw his family who had flown in from all across the country to cheer him on. After running nonstop for 25 hours, Clay was happy to finally be done with the race, see his family and watch the sunrise.

For Clay and thousands of Americans, running has become the sport of choice. It’s a cheap, easy way to get in shape, relieve stress and make friends. Students and teachers alike have embraced the trend and are using it as a way to combat the less healthful lifestyle common on most universities.

Clay, a linear algebra professor, runs 50 miles a week and often competes in marathons and races. He says he enjoys running the streets of Norman and around Lake Thunderbird. Clay says he started running for fun during his last year in college, and now he runs six days a week.

“I run for fun and to relieve stress,” Clay says. “I enjoy racing, but I’m not competitive.”

Clay says he runs about seven marathons a year, ranging in distances from 30 to 100 miles. He says his biggest achievement was when he completed his first 100-mile race. Clay says he enjoys running by himself or with his dog and prefers to run without music.

“It’s peaceful being by myself,” Clay says. “It’s a good way to relax, and I don’t have to think about work. I can just get down to the basics.”

Clay says when he travels, he doesn’t like to be cooped up in the hotel.

“Running is a good way to see towns and the countryside,” he says. “I run because it helps with stress relief, and I don’t feel guilty about getting seconds on dessert.”

While Clay says he prefers to run alone, many people find running with groups easier. Norman residents and students alike find inspiration and motivation through Run Norman, a group of people who love to run and want to share that love with others, says Kate Sheppard, who is working towards a Ph.D. in history of science.

Run Norman was founded two years ago by Josh King, meteorology junior. The group is open to anyone who lives in Norman and meets a few times a week for group runs. Sheppard says the distances and paces depend on the people in the group.

“It is both a support group and a group that makes you run faster,” Sheppard says. “For me, just asking for someone, anyone, who is willing to join me on a rough 20-miler is awesome.”

Julie Stidolph, a Ph.D. student in history, says she has only run with the group once but enjoyed her experience. “I got some extra motivation to do my run for that day and was able to run in an area of Norman that was new to me,” Stidolph says. “I got to run with people that pushed me more than I would have pushed myself.”

Both Stidolph and Sheppard say they run because it is a great stress reliever, and they enjoy spending time outside.

“My favorite part of running is being outside and enjoying or hating the weather and getting to be fit at the same time,” Sheppard says.

“I like the sense of accomplishment that comes in having a good, strong run, completing a week of training or finishing a race,” Stidolph says.

Nicole Bartholomew, pre-dental hygiene junior, is another member of Run Norman. She runs with the group for the motivation and camaraderie.

“You can skip out on a run if you are accountable to only yourself, but knowing others are ready and waiting gets you out there,” Bartholomew says. “Just running together keeps you less focused on the distance and pain, and the run is so much easier. Plus, you might challenge your pace with a faster person.”

Bartholomew says running is a great way for anyone to de-stress and get in shape.

“I think running is popular because it doesn’t take any fancy expensive equipment or years of practice to gain special skills,” Bartholomew says. “Anyone can put on a pair of comfortable shoes and go their own pace. Everyone has the chance to see the improvement in their running, as well as the therapeutic effects on their mind and body.”