The Monster Runner Award

The Monster Runner Award is designed to celebrate the runners in our community who excel in race finishes, overcome personal challenges, run personal bests, contribute to a better life for those around them, and go far beyond their comfort zone to find something special within.

Nine years ago, Jerry Stromme had his second heart attack. Not willing to suffer a third, Jerry made a commitment to become healthier, took matters into his own hands, and now at age 47, he’s running strong and hasn’t looked back. Jerry used to describe himself as a “Person of Girth,” but since 2004, when he started running, he’s molded himself into a whole new being. Soon after he began running, a friend convinced Jerry to run in a local event, and he’s been a regular on the race scene ever since.

Jerry didn’t start out as a runner, but since his change of lifestyle, he’s completed 8 marathons, with a personal best of 3:30. Early on in his running career, there was a day when pondering the Butte To Butte 10K, that Jerry wondered how in the world he could run across town – now he runs around it. Having experienced incredible highs and lows, Jerry now lives by and preaches the motto, “Just give yourself a chance, just try something – the only person who can tell you that you can’t do something is yourself.”

Jerry says he enjoys the longer events, particularly the half marathon distance, and musically jams all the way to disco, fast blues and bluegrass. His main goals in the near future: run well in this year’s Boston Marathon, and break 20 minutes for the 5K. He graduated from South Eugene High School, served in the Air Force, and has reinvented himself when his life depended on it. Thanks to Jerry for inspiring us all to take control of our life and run with it – and thanks for showing us what heart is all about.