of all backgrounds and abilities. They come to the Rod’s Racers page to get real time answers to questions, learn about upcoming races and post photos. Rod’s Racers has also allowed us to establish great relationships with race directors from all across the state and we help them promote their events, from the largest to the smallest community fundraiser.” Rod and April are on the road just about every weekend traveling the state, taking photos and interacting with their running and walking friends. Simmons has six other people who assist him with Rod’s Racers, all competitors themselves: Tim Irvine and Evelyn Watkins in Meridian, Frank Barrett in Laurel, Gina Mooney in Seminary, Katie Amos in Brookhaven and the recently added Meghan Franks from Starkville, one of the state’s elite female runners. Simmons explains that these associates help with the social media aspects of Rod’s Racers, from Twitter to race updates and photo tagging on Facebook.
With nearly 1600 followers and growing everyday, Rod’s Racers has become in its short existence a positive force in the Mississippi athletic community. This was furthered evidenced by Simmons’ organization itself getting into the sponsorship and creation of road races. “We put on the Inaugural Viking Half Marathon in Greenwood with Beth Stevens and the Chamber of Commerce there,” Simmons says, “which drew over 650 people all through Facebook – a major success that we’re really proud of. We’re also putting on the new Flora Half Marathon for Sunnybrook Children’s Home and the Rise and Shine Half Marathon and 5K in Hattiesburg in May and the Hotter Than Hades Tibbett Half Marathon in Leland in June, all three of which benefit area charities. This was part of my vision for Rod’s Racers when we started and I’m very excited about getting these new races off the ground,” Simmons says.
“Rod has really done a lot to boost the sport of racing in Mississippi for both runners and walkers,” Lesley McLin, owner of Fleet Feet Sports in Ridgeland, says. “I think he’s made racing more accessible and, really, more fun for a lot of people who might have never participated otherwise. I’ve always supported Rod and Rod’s Racers and appreciate what he has done, both personally and professionally.” When asked how it feels to be a “celebrity” in Mississippi’s running community, Simmons laughs heartily. “I’m just amazed at how fast our Rod’s Racers page has grown and the enormous support we’ve received. I’m very grateful. I want people to know that we are here for them, plain and simple. That’s the bottom line.” - MSM (Jack Criss is Publisher of ProBizMS.com and an avid runner)
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