Changing Lives Through Movement: The Pasadena Pacers

In 1996, Dr. Steve Smith, a chiropractor in Pasadena, California, noticed a troubling trend. His patients were spending more time sitting at computers and less time moving. Concerned about the impact on their health, he decided to take action. This is the story of how the Pasadena Pacers have been changing lives through movement.

That First Sunday

“About 1990, everybody went indoors and turned on their computers and sat down. And that was pretty much the end of movement,” Smith recalls. “When you’re trying to fix people’s back problems, they’re not moving. And sitting in a chair all day, that’s not going to work.” Smith, an avid runner himself, had an idea. He invited people to join him for a run at the Rose Bowl. Without social media, he spread the word the old-fashioned way – by handing out flyers around town. To his surprise, about 60 people showed up that first Sunday. The Pasadena Pacers was born.

Start Small and Build Slowly

Smith’s approach was simple: start small and build slowly. “The idea was to just get people to run for a minute, and that’s how we sold it,” he explains. “You only have to run for a minute at way below your ability level.” The initial goal was modest – work up to running for ten minutes over ten weeks. But Smith had a secret plan. Once people reached that milestone, he revealed the truth: they were actually training for a marathon.

Something Special

That first year, twelve Pacers completed the Los Angeles Marathon. More importantly, the rest of the group showed up to cheer them on. Smith realized they had created something special. “What started out as a running program very quickly became more of a social program,” he says. “When you put people in action together and give them an activity, they get to form relationships.”

Beyond Just Running

Over the years, the Pacers grew beyond just running. Members formed smaller groups for trail running or traveling to races around the world. Friendships blossomed, and some even led to marriages. The club became known for its supportive atmosphere, especially during races. Smith and his wife Robin, who co-founded the Pacers, started a tradition of setting up a cheer station at mile 20 of the LA Marathon – often considered the toughest part of the race.

Jet Fuel into Their Soul

“We’ll have maybe sometimes two or 300 people at the cheer station there,” Smith says. “You can see they’ll come along, and their faces look a little drawn. They may have a droopy posture. They’re back on their heels. They’re losing it. Their energy’s not quite there. And they come around the corner with one of those flag runners, and it’s like giving them… it’s like pouring jet fuel into their soul.” But the Pacers’ impact went beyond just running. Smith noticed that the club was helping people develop leadership skills and confidence that carried over into other areas of their lives.

Making a Difference

“We’ve seen a lot of people that have become presidents that went on to have great leaps in their careers as a result of trying out their leadership skills at the Pacers,” he says. “Maybe I’m making a difference. And that does things to people. You know, it makes them think, well, where else in my life could I maybe recreate this whole experience?”

Still Going Strong

Now, almost three decades later, the Pasadena Pacers are still going strong. Smith, at 72, continues to run with the group most mornings. He credits the club with keeping him active and connected to his community. “Starting a running club was… we never made any money off of it. But, you know, there’s lots of ways to get paid,” Smith reflects. “If you get paid in spirit… that’s some of the highest pay you’ll ever get in life.”

Make Your Community Better

The Pacers’ success, Smith believes, comes down to a few simple principles: run below your ability level, increase difficulty gradually, do things as a group, and spread positive energy. “It’s your job and your responsibility to make your community better,” he says. “You set a good example by being out there running and being in a club like this.” In a world where loneliness and inactivity are increasingly common, the Pasadena Pacers continue changing lives through movement.