Meet Stephen Rathbun, the speedy silver-clad winner of the 2021 HoBOOken 5K
Stephen Rathbun, 30, hails from Syracuse, NY and currently lives in Springfield, NJ with his wife. A Hoboken resident until about 5 years ago, Rathbun literally shined as the winner of the 2021 HoBOOken 5K, an annual race that benefits a great cause—The Hoboken Shelter. When not on the run, he’s the Sr. Director of Sales for Zodiac Footwear. As a slow poke runner (who adores the HoBOOken 5K and now volunteers with them raising awareness) I decided to be in touch to find out more about his history with the race, his excellent costume, and more. Read on to learn more about this dynamic do-gooder—and also get some running protips for the road ahead!
When did you start running? Is anyone in your family a runner?
I started running my Sophomore year of high school. Prior to that I had played soccer, basketball, and baseball but had a bad elbow injury, joined the cross country team. I fell in love with the sport and the camaraderie. I haven’t stopped running since. No one in my family was avid in the sport of running growing up. My friends are the ones who got me into it initially. When my wife and I met we bonded over the sport as she is a very accomplished runner in her own right, and that kept my interest in the sport through college.
How does running fit in your life?
Running is my single most important hobby. It is how my wife and I destress from work, how I hang out with my buddies on the weekend, and how I keep active. I love the community of runners, many of whom have become lifelong friends.
What is the best thing about running, apart from winning?
Outside of the community, my favorite aspect of running is setting goals and going after them. I love how the sport is a true testament of you get out what you put in. Much like in many aspects of life, being able to set goals and plan out steps to achieve those goals is incredibly rewarding. In my slightly biased opinion, running is one of the great lifelong sports. At the end of the day it is about your own self-drive and consistent commitment to your goals that will define success. Even if you don’t quite hit those aspirations, you gain so much from the process.
Best tip(s) for people who wanna go faster than before on race day?
Race day performances are generally a reflection of your consistency. It’s not about the week or even month before, but instead what you have accumulated through months of commitment. Finding a training plan that is right for your body, your life, and your enjoyment is critical to establish that consistency leading to achieving your goals. From a race day perspective, make sure you warm up properly—you can find a plethora of YouTube videos from individuals much more trained than myself to give advice. Additionally, make sure you pace yourself. Often at our local road races people go out too fast and progressively slow down. The best race plans involve going out at a pace you know you can hold based on your training and gradually picking up the pace in the back half to finish stronger than you started.
What other races are you doing? I saw you won the Boilermaker? What is that and what did it mean to you?
My big race this Fall is the Chicago Marathon. Over the next couple years I will be training to hit the Olympic Trials Qualifying standard in the marathon. Whether I get there or not, the journey will be fun!
Yes, in 2021 I won the Utica Boilermaker 15k. I was the first American to win since 1991. I benefited from International Elites not being invited in ’21 as COVID was still impacting races. For me it was an unbelievable dream come true. Being from upstate NY, my family would watch the Boilermaker on TV every year growing up. It is one of the largest road races in the country with over 15,000 runners competing yearly. It will be a day my family and I cherish for the rest of our lives.
Why did you run the 2021 HoBOOken? Had you done it before 2021?
My wife and I have done the HoBOOken 5K pretty much every year since we moved together to NJ in 2015. As funny as it may seem, we initially ran the race because the name is so fun! Also, my wife works for Wakefern/Shoprite, who is a key sponsor; it was a great opportunity for us to get to know some of her coworkers better. After running it the first year we were hooked. It is a fun and importantly flat course along the waterfront. Plus, we always have fun dressing up in costumes. Such a great way to spend a Saturday morning!
Yay! We love sponsors… the company I work for, Withings, is also a HoBOOken sponsor this year. So—tell us—did you expect to win in 2021?
Last Fall I was training for the Philadelphia Marathon, so I had done a hard interval workout the day before. I came to the race with heavy legs but had a feeling I could run a time that would put me in the front. I was aware that in past years there have been some very fast times thrown down on the course. However, after the first 1/2 mile I was in a position to bring home the W and had fun with it.
What do you think your chances are for winning again this year?
This year HoBOOken will be only a few weeks after the Chicago Marathon, so we will have to see how the legs respond. I’m hoping to compete for the win, but more importantly I will be there to support a great cause and have fun with my wife and friends.
My kids were inspired by the fast guy also being the fun guy… and one of them is now a x-country runner in high school for the first time. So tell me about your amazing costume…
Like I said earlier, my favorite part about running is the community and friends. We always put having fun as a key piece of running. So, why wouldn’t we dress in a costume?!?!? My wife does an incredible job as the creative mastermind of the costume. Each year she amazes me by coming up with fun ideas that are also running friendly; certainly not an easy task.
Is your wife running too? And will you guys have another awesome duo costume?
Yes, she will be running! I’m not sure what is in store yet, but you can bet it will be a fun couples costume!
As a serious runner, do you enjoy runs that have costumes and themes?
I do enjoy HoBOOken once a year as a novelty costume race. I would prefer not to wear Bugs Bunny ears or a silver elastic jumpsuit every race though. lol. My favorite races are where we can run fast times, have great competition, and enjoy a fun atmosphere at the after party.
Do you get excited about the charity aspect/support for the Hoboken Shelter?
I love it. Any time we can support a charity through running, I’m all for it. Raising funds and awareness for great causes through physical activities is a great combination. We love the HoBOOken. It is a tradition in our house. We urge everyone to come out to the race and support a great cause while having some fun!
Anything you want to promo or give a shout out to?
Garden State Track Club. When I moved to New Jersey, the club welcomed me and gave me some of my best lifelong friends. Not only has the club fostered a space for runners of all abilities to train and achieve goals, but we have fun doing it!
Thanks to Stephen for the time! If you want to run (or walk!) 5K with us in 2022 it’s happening Saturday October 29 at Pier A in Hoboken, NJ. All adult racers get a T-shirt, medal, and a digital goodie bag, and 100% of proceeds go to The Hoboken Shelter. Register here: www.hoBOOken5k.com
