A Cup With Richard Rades: How Techno Cafe is Inspiring More Than Just a Run

​One of our favorite things about Techno Café has always been the people. The conversations. The regulars who slowly become friends. The stories unfolding quietly across the table from a cup of coffee.

​That’s exactly why we’re excited to begin this new series, A Cup With…, highlighting members of our community whose stories remind us that everyday people are often carrying extraordinary journeys.

And honestly, Richard Rades felt like the perfect place to begin.

Richard, a former Navy man who turned 68 this year, recently decided to take on a brand new challenge: training for his first 5K.

“I figured out that a 5K is only 3.11 miles,” Richard told us with a laugh. “On any given day, I can walk two miles… and in my head I’m like, ‘Well, it’s just another mile. I can do this.’ So I signed up.”

What started as a simple decision quickly became something much deeper.

“The 5K training has gotten me into the next level,” he shared. “It’s something I really need, especially being retired.”

Like most meaningful journeys, it hasn’t always been easy. Richard explained that somewhere around the fourth week of training is often when people begin questioning whether the effort is worth it. But even in those moments, he’s stayed committed.

“Even on days when nobody would know whether I trained or not, I would know,” he said. “I pat myself on the back and just go do training.”

His goals for race day are refreshingly honest.

“I only have two goals: one, finish. Two, don’t fall down,” he laughed. “That’s a successful 5K for me. I have no illusions on time. There’s a lot of satisfaction in just completing it.”

And honestly, that perspective feels inspiring in its own way.

Richard first found his way to Techno Café during visits to Rock Hill’s Sports & Events Center in University Center, where our café is located. Over time, he became familiar with Chauntel and Keith and started spending more time in the space.

“It’s a very relaxing place,” he said. “People seem to get more work done here than if they were somewhere else.”

Coffee itself has always been part of his story.

“I have a memory of my grandmother giving me coffee, but it was 50% milk,” he said with a smile. “I’ve always got a nose for coffee.”

But what has stood out most throughout this process has been the encouragement around him.

“I get encouragement all the time — ‘Yeah, you can do it. You can do it,’” Richard shared. “They’re not running beside me, but they seem to believe I can do this.”

That kind of encouragement is exactly the kind of community we hope to continue building at Techno Café. Yes, we care deeply about great espresso and coffee. But more than that, we care about creating a place where people feel seen, encouraged, and connected.

Because while you can get coffee anywhere, spaces rooted in genuine community still matter.

And somewhere in the middle of preparing for a 5K at 68 years old, Richard discovered that his journey may be inspiring more people than he realized.

“Apparently I’m inspiring others as well, which is kind of cool,” he said.

For Richard, the lesson stretches far beyond race day.

“You’re not going to know what the experience is like until you try it,” he said. “Even if you try it and stop, you at least tried it. You can’t tell me you don’t like something if you haven’t tried it.”
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And maybe that’s the reminder all of us need sometimes.

Written by Karl Vogl ll