Catching up with Legendary Runner Richard Aurand

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: October 6, 2025

LEWISTOWN – Leaving a legacy!

Know throughout the local running circuit 92-year old Richard Aurand has been a constant in and around the area for many years.

Recently, the veteran runner has participated in over Goose Day Runs. This year it was an extra special one as the elder runner got the chance to run it with five generations of his family. Eleven members of his family were there to accompany him on his latest competition on a sunny day in downtown Lewistown.

That was just one of numerous races he has competed through the years in his distinguished running career.

When Aurand started running it was mainly for fun when he was just a youngster. It wasn’t your typical type of running but the magic would start during his younger years.

“Where I grew up we didn’t have the gadgets that the kids have today.We were always playing sports. When it was basketball season we were playing basketball. We played softball around here not softball then it was football season,” said Aurand. “We also played games. We’d get eight people together and we’d pick one guy out to be it. So we would run around the neighborhood. When they caught one of us, they would go and help get the others. We used to play that a lot.”

He found that he always enjoyed the running aspect of the games he’d play in.

When asked about participating in track at school, Aurand shook his head and explained.

“We didn’t have track. I was very disappointed. They called us to get together once to see how many were interested. They didn’t have enough. That was in 1950,” said Aurand. “ That’s when I graduated from Yeagertown and Derry Township. My pennant was Yeagertown and my hat was Derry Township. So it wasn’t but three or four years until they started it. That’s when they started track out there.

After graduating from high school, Aurand went into the armed services.

“I found out I had a chance to run there. Boy I signed up for that,” said Aurand. “ I ran the 1500 and the 3000. So when I came back home I kept my running up.”

As a young man he recalled getting his first prize on a bet.

“We were out on night running around in my car and there was a loop there,” said Aurand. “One of my friends said “I bet you can’t run that.”I told them I can too. They asked “How much you want to bet?” He said “A quart of milk”. I said “ You’re on”! I ran it. Then we went to the Parkway and they bought me a quart of milk and I drank it.”

His passion for running has been a life long love that has stretched through many stages for the veteran runner.

“I always loved to run. I started running these races in 2000,” said Aurand. “Now I ran races before that in different places and then finally I started running Goose Day.”

The list of the local races that the “Heights Native” loved to run locally were Rick’s Run, YMCA Run, Grace Race, Jingle Bell Run, River Rat, River Rampage, Train Wreck, Goose Day, Beaver Springs, Huntingdon and the State College Arts Festival.

One of things that Aurand was proud of was having members of his family participating along side of him.

“I’ve always had a lot of my grandchildren and my daughter and son participated in a lot of the races. I don’t know how many they’ve participated. His wife won a trophy last Saturday,” said Aurand. “I’ve had children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and we also had a great great grandchild participate this year. He was five. He ran it along with us. There were 11 of us. There has been three or four other races that I’ve had eight runners with me. I always had runners that wanted to run with “Pap”. I really enjoyed that.”

The thing that the Legendary runner enjoys the most from running comes from being able to just get away from it all for a while.

“I go out there and my mind is never on anything at the house,” said Aurand. “You just are able to get out there and have a clear mind. You just don’t thinking about anything I guess. I always liked that part of it. It made me feel better. But if I didn’t run I felt guilty.”

Not only was Aurand a figure in the Goose Day races in 200- and up, he also spent time in the 1970s honing his craft and participating in races and events held by other local icons in the local running fraternity.

“I’ve ran races in the early 70’s when Ron Sprecher and Billie Saliva would hold Sunday evening cross country meets for all comers. Back then they only ran about 2 1/2 miles,” said Aurand. “They didn’t run three miles like they do today. We used to go out and run them. I don’t know how many of them I ran. The first year they had the Big Valley Invitational it was open to anybody.”

Then a back injury sidelined him for a time. It would be almost 11 years before he would start back to running again.

“I was there and was going to run that (BVI) but here I came down with having to get back surgery. So for 11 years I couldn’t run,” said Aurand. “I was really disappointed and down about that. So one day, I took a little walk. It was a straightaway there . I thought I’d try to run and see what happens and I ran. It felt pretty good and built up my distance. That would have been in the 80’s.”

Not only did Aurand shine locally but he also loved running in the State College art festival where he had some strong finishes.

“I ran in the (State College) Art Festival and for three years I won my age group over there. That was my trophies I cherish because I feel good about because I had people my age to compete against. I have three of these.”

His daughter Diane Aurand – Hooks had fond memories of watching and following her dad as he ran.

“When I was a little girl, I would watch my dad at age five or six we lived down at Lewland Circle. He would run from there to the high school and back. He would babysit my brother and me when my mom was working. So I would ride my little Spider Bike behind him,” said Aurand-Hooks. “I remember thinking to myself “Poor Dad” but then as I got older I realized how much it made him feel better. That’s the memory I have was riding my little Spider Bike behind him.”

The memories of a running career that has been longer than most have been around is a legendary one and a sacred one and one that Aurand has been blessed to have.

All the memories and moments of this wonderfully decorated career is one that most aspire to but don’t reach the pinnacle like the one that Aurand has reached.

Though he says this last Goose Day may be his last, he got to do it with his family and his friends.

But don’t be surprised if next year, Aurand is at the starting line once again for another moment in the sun.