Basalt resident Bob Albright says he continues to run at age 83 because he wants to stay thin and healthy. But listening more closely to the ageless wisdom in his soft spoken words, the telltale thought he gives initially is the one those in the fraternity of distance runners can most relate to.

“I just want to feel like I haven’t given up.”

For anyone who attends the local 5k’s in our valley, there is no doubt that giving up is not in the cards for Albright. A vegan diet and his daily running and stretching regimen keep him ticking along the roads at a steady beat, just like an expensive Rolex.

A native of Decatur, Illinois, Albright began his running career over 50 years ago because he thought he looked, “a little too pudgy.” His first taste of racing came at a two-lap 5k run around a shopping mall in his hometown. The running bug gave him an impressionable bite that day, and he has since gone on to complete six marathons in and around the Chicago area.

Albright, who still holds down a full time job for the chamber of commerce at the Aspen Airport, moved with his wife to Colorado some 30 years ago when several vacations in the area convinced them that they would like to make the state their home. Now, one of his top items on the running agenda is to run races with his grandson, with the Bolder Boulder being a must-do for them.

Some of Albright’s favorite local races are the annual Strawberry Shortcut in Glenwood, and the Hogback Hustle 5k in New Castle. He also ran in 40 consecutive July 4 Boogie’s/Buddy 5-Milers through the streets of Aspen. With a goal of running at least 30 races each year, it’s a sure bet he will be spotted at starting lines from Aspen to Parachute for years to come.

Despite some recent health setbacks, Albright has no plans of slowing down. He said he enjoys all the “nice people” he sees at races and the camaraderie and friendship they provide.

It takes all of us aging runners, including Albright, a lot longer to get to the finish line these days, but we all know the true victory lies in never giving up. For Bob Albright, that’s not only his motto to live by, but a win in itself.

Waterwells, Hogbacks, Runoffs, and Arthur, oh my

Some upcoming local running races worth attending start with Silt’s Waterwells for Africa 5k on Sunday, May 5, at Veteran’s Park. This is the seventh annual event put on by Pastor Aaron Masimer and the folks at Sonlight Foursquare Church. The cost is $25 dollars with registration opening at 9 a.m. and the race starting at 10 a.m. Believe me, this is the best post-race barbeque and raffle in the area. Excellent.

The following Saturday, May 11 in New Castle, is the long-running Hogback Hustle 5k. The race starts at the New Castle City Market and finishes at the town park. Contact New Castle Recreation for race details.

Sunday, May 19 will kick off a couple of new trail races in Carbondale sponsored by Independence Run & Hike. The Mount Sopris Runoff 10-mile and 25k (15.5 miles) will be part of a trail running festival weekend in C-dale. These races look to be a couple of challenging but scenic adventures. Get details at the Independence RH website.

King Arthur: If you haven’t been to see the new movie, “Arthur the King,” I highly recommend you put it down on a must-view list. It’s a true story about a stray dog that follows a group of adventure racers for hundreds of miles after being fed a meatball at a check-in point of the 450 mile race. I don’t want to spoil your viewing pleasure (Hey, no tears, it has a happy ending), so no more details will follow. There is also a good book about this story called, “Arthur: The Dog who crossed the Jungle to Find Home.”

Finally, if you are feeling a bit “pudgy” yourself these days (both physically and mentally), get out for a run. It works wonders for your waistline and spirit.

Glenwood Springs native Mike Vidakovich is a freelance sports writer, teacher and youth sports coach. His column appears on occasion in the Post Independent and at PostIndependent.com.