A local group of couch potatoes have relinquished their soft, comfy sofas and the TV remote to become accomplished runners. These former sedentary citizens recently trained for the Buffalo Stampede Run in Caddo running at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday evenings and at 7 a.m. on Saturdays.

Couch Potatoes founder, Christine Taylor, M.D., OB/GYN, said there were several people that expressed an interest in running or exercising but needed an organized effort. That inspired Dr. Taylor and several other local runners to form the Couch Potatoes running group open to all ages from seven to 70 and beyond. That was three years ago.

Since that time, some have become marathon runners. Dr. Taylor just completed her 11th marathon in Baltimore, MD this past weekend, working toward her goal of running a marathon in all 50 states. Her best time to date is recorded at 3:55 for the 26.2 mile marathon.

Prior to starting her day caring for patients, Dr. Taylor hits the pavement before 5:45 a.m. to train for the next marathon and is often joined by Dr. Stephen A. Ortlip, Urologist; Heather Rhynes, Dena McIntire and Charla Hall. McIntire and Hall have participated in half-marathons with Hall currently training for her first marathon. Marathon runners go through a rigorous 18-week training program running up to 40 miles per week.

When she is not specifically training for a marathon, you will see Dr. Taylor vigorously motivating the Couch Potatoes at Carl Albert Park for their Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday runs.

“It is just astounding to see people who never ran before get so excited about it that they end up competing in half and full marathons, local 5K and 10K runs, or running just for the exhilaration of it for improved health,” Dr. Taylor said. “Since the Couch Potatoes group was organized, over 120 people have participated and in the summer, we introduced youngsters 4 – 12 years of age to running in our Summer Kids Series.”

The Couch Potatoes have participated in the Oklahoma City Memorial Run, Reuel Little Classic in Madill and the Caddo Heritage Day Buffalo Stampede.

This Saturday, you can watch the Couch Potatoes in action, running in the first-ever Colton’s Main Street Run which has more than 330 runners registered. “Oklahoma’s Forrest Gump,” Steve Kime, kicks it off with an opening ceremony at 8:30 a.m. at Market Square with races starting at 9 a.m. Colton’s Main Street Run includes a 5K, 10K and one mile Fun Run/Walk. For more information visit www.coltonsrun.com.