Tom Renner has run hundreds of races and thousands of miles since taking up competitive distance running more than 40 years ago. The 13.1 miles he will run in the SoNo Half Marathon on Saturday, Oct. 17, are by far the most meaningful for the Bethel runner.
Renner, 56, is running the race to support The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education in Stamford. The Center, which was formed in 1979, provides counseling and support services for sexual abuse victims in Lower Fairfield County and seeks to eliminate sexual violence through community-wide education.
Renner’s motivation to support The Center stems from the assault of a college woman last year. He coached the young woman for several years in youth sports and remained close with her family.
“Sexual assault is rampant on college campuses,’’ said Renner, an editor and writer at Daily Voice and a longtime journalist in Fairfield County. “The way to prevent it is through better education. This is not cancer or autism or heart disease. It’s not biological. It’s a mindset. And the only thing that is preventing us from stopping it is us.”
The SoNo Half Marathon is a first-year race started by Norwalk residents Shannon and James Whipple. It begins at Veterans Park and rolls through South Norwalk, past Brien McMahon High School, into Shady Beach and finishes back at the park. There is also an accompanying 5k and children’s fun run.
One unique feature of the race is that it encouraged runners to fundraise for a charity of their choice. Renner is one of 10 runners who is fundraising. He has already surpassed his goal of $2,500 and has close to $3,700 in donations. He has raised more money for his cause than any of the other runners who are fundraising.
“I am touched by the generosity of so many friends and family members,’’ Renner said. “I honestly had no idea what kind of goal I should set and am thrilled that I surpassed my goal far before the race.”
Renner said sexual assault statistics are staggering. A recent New York Times story reported that since entering college, 27.2 percent of women encountered unwanted sexual contact, anything from touching to rape. A recent story in CT Mirror reported 43 women were raped last year at the University of Connecticut, more than double the number from the previous year.
“As the father of two young women, one in college and one on the cusp, I feel we need to become more proactive in raising awareness and educating people about the severity of the issue,’’ Renner said. “A father’s worst nightmare is to hear that his daughter might be assaulted at college and is powerless to prevent it. I believe the numbers might be fundamentally flawed and are actually much higher. Most women do not report assault because they fear of repercussions.”
Renner has run 14 marathons, including three in Boston. He has also run numerous half marathons, including a personal best of 1:19:59. He regularly competes in races throughout Fairfield County, and last month ran in the Sam Elpern Half Marathon in Norwalk.
“I love to compete and I love to run,’’ Renner said. “But this race is not about that. This is about supporting sexual assault victims and educating our community. We need to do more. If you have a daughter, a niece, a granddaughter or a young woman heading off to college or is at college already, you need to get behind this cause in some way, shape or form. It’s open season on women at college campuses. Young men need to learn that no means no.”
Fundraising page on Crowdrise: https://www.crowdrise.com/TheCenterofStamford
Fact Box:
- What: SoNo Half Marathon & 5k http://www.sonohalf.com/#!fundraise/czh7
- When: Saturday, October 17, 9 a.m.
- Where: Veterans Park, Norwalk
- The cause: The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education of Stamford
- Who it serves: Residents of Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton
- Who: Tom Renner, 56, longtime Bethel resident and journalist in Fairfield County
Learn more:
SoNo Half Marathon: http://www.sonohalf.com/#!fundraise/czh7
The Center: http://www.thecenter-ct.org/about-us.aspx