by Deb Cunningham
Hi Road Runners,
I’m writing this after our September TS race. Sixty six of you joined us for a great day of racing 8 miles on a soggy course. Despite the numerous puddles, we did see two new records at the September race. Keith Johnson set a new men’s scratch mark of 47:36 (5:57pace), eclipsing the old mark of 49:39 by RMRR member and Heritage HS XC coach Tracy Peterson. For the ladies, Theresa Jockers set a record for the oldest woman to win the scratch run. I won’t tell you how old she is, but she ran a great race, beating my record of a win at age 45. Congratulations to these club members on their new records.
As all of you know, our club will be 50 years old next year. We’ve got some old records that still stand and new ones being set every few races. Check the website for other records.
The records and history of the club bring us back to the 50th Anniversary celebration. As those of you at the September race heard, we are planning a “week’s worth of running” for the anniversary. We’ll base the week on existing events like the TS on Sunday, Wash Park run on Tues, Track on Wed, but will add in several one-time events that celebrate different aspects of our club. We have a committee of board members working on the list of events. Several of the ideas include a relay around a track where everyone who wants to can run a lap or two – we’ll try to get to 50 miles. Other events might be a potluck for members who have hung up their running shoes or a health fair. We’ve got lots of ideas – we just need to narrow it down and let you know what’s going on.
As we Celebrate 50, we are updating the free club shirt offered to members who run five trophy series races and five outside races in a 12 month period. They’re also available for purchase at cost (~$10-$11). The new shirts are gray, Brooks “Podium” technical T’s and feature our 50th anniversary logo. Come out to the October TS to see them and pick one up. We’ll make these available now and during 2009 at events like the Tues run, Wed Track, Trophy Series and MTS races.
Speaking of MTS, the club held our last marathon training series race on Sunday, Sept 14. We had a total of 70 people registered and 50-some participants. Seventy people x $20 is $1400 gross. After we subtract supplies and prizes, the MTS is our BEST money making event of the year. I want to personally thank Ric and Rochelle Robinette, Janet Fairs, Mike Blanchard, Doug Smith, Bonnie Keefe and Holly Whelan for directing an MTS race this fall.
As you plan your Marathon and Half racing schedule for next year, keep the MTS in mind. These races are great as supported training runs and they give your club the money to fund cool projects like the 50th anniversary shirts.
Last, if you can’t run, you can always volunteer. Our club wouldn’t be able to put on races without the help of our dedicated group of volunteers. We have several volunteers with 30 or more hours of service already. These folks have qualified for club merchandise given out at the end of the year banquet. Last, on the topic of volunteering, I’d like to thank Jim Chow of Qwest. Jim is an ultra runner gone wild and our club webmaster. Qwest has a grant that they award to a non-profit when an employee volunteers 60 or more hours in a 6 month period. Jim has spent 90 hours on website related work, resulting in $500 to the club. This grant is another big source of revenue for a non-profit. Thank you, Jim.
Last, my usual plug for celebrating 50. This is your club. I’m honored to be the temporary guardian of it during 2008. I am impressed by our past accomplishments and want to do the club proud with our activities in 2009. I’m looking forward to Celebrating 50 with all of you!
Deb