The Olympics have the power to foster friendships between nations and showcase the world’s greatest athletes. Group runs and races can provide individuals with significant friendships as well as a healthier lifestyle. Recently the Editor of the “Glastonbury Reminder News” asked me and several other busy working parents who attend the free fun runs in town why we participate. Some people might have the discipline to train for races on their own, but I personally love running with others.  Some parents are fortunate to see their friends at work everyday during lunchtime, but not everyone is so lucky.  Most of us have to move away from our childhood homes at some point in our lives. Replace the “drinking buddies” from your twenties with running friends, and if you remain in close proximity to old friends, invite them to join you for exercise as well. Running is one of the least expensive sports, so you may have the opportunity to meet more friends than you would by joining a golf or tennis club. A decent pair of running shoes, which last for about six months, costs less than a one day ski lift ticket or an eighteen-hole round of golf. You may find yourself becoming friends with other running, working parents, but also students and retired people who cannot afford to participate in the more costly and glamorous sports such as down-hill skiing, golf and tennis. My long journey toward the finish line of this year’s Hartford Marathon would not be possible without my wonderful family, including my running family, which seems to grow on a weekly basis. My friend Anna sent me this adorable photo a few days after we had completed a challenging 5K called Scottish Rite Freemasons 5K to benefit free tutoring in Connecticut for children with Dyslexia. The ages of the people in the photo range from early twenties to late seventies, and our birth countries include, Italy, Canada, Slovakia, Poland and myself representing the good old USA.