Jon Schrafty

For Jon, his running journey all started with a heavy metal soundtrack and a spontaneous jog. “One time I went running and listened to heavy metal — it really amped me up and got me running faster! I enjoyed it and thought, ‘I should really do this more often!’”

That burst of energy turned into a passion not just for running, but for lifting others up along the way. While he used to enjoy the thrill of passing other runners, Jon now finds the most joy in encouraging fellow racers. Whether it’s a quick “good job” shout, a shared playlist from his speaker, or a friendly beep of the horn when he sees someone out running, Jon brings a boost of positivity to the pavement.

He never runs without one key item: a sweatband. “Hot or cold, I always need a sweatband on my wrist to wipe my eyes. I definitely notice when I don’t have one on!”

His advice for newcomers? “It’s not easy for everybody, so don’t get down on yourself if you aren’t the fastest. Everybody gets a banana at the end of the race! Just enjoy yourself. And make sure you stretch afterwards!”

Jon discovered the Casey Cares 5K while signing up for as many local races as he could — and once he tried it, he kept coming back. “I’ve done it several times now and really like running through the smokescreen at the finish line,” he said.

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