Race Directors' Forum: WDF 5K
Lorrie and I were sitting around one day, wondering how we could stir up some controversy. We had a light bulb moment: Stage an all-women's race! That will cause a debate -- and it did, for about 10 seconds. Is a one-gender event discrimination? We think not, when you add up all those years girls and women were not allowed to run beyond 880 yards.
Contrary to rumor, WDF does not stand for the World Wrestling Federation, although any one of us could take you down to the mats and pin you until you cried "girl power!"
It's the slang name for the RRCA's Women's Distance Festival, which this year celebrates 21 years of women's running advocacy.
FLRC hosted the first two WDFs 20 years ago at Cass Park, then took a "brief" hiatus. But Lorrie Marnell and I decided to bring it back last July, and we held it at Dryden Lake Town Park on one of the most gorgeous evenings for running we'd seen all summer.
Despite the gnashing of teeth and fire-breathing debate concerning a "single gender" race, our WDF was a roaring success. The challenging, but scenic, loop-the-lake race course received rave reviews from the 50 female runners.
On Thursday, July 19, at 6:30 p.m., the second WDF of the new millennium will be held again -- with a lot of help from our male friends and a few good women, too.
The Road Runners Club of America, Avon, Moving Comfort, Ryka (shoes) and Runner's World are all major sponsors of the event. That means we have some great stuff: Avon cosmetics and coupons in the goodie bags; shoe raffles; a Moving Comfort outfit.
Mother-daughter and sister -sister teams are always recognized, plus a few other "unique" combos; walkers are welcome and novices are especially encouraged to attend this type of race.
There will be good food; unusual (hopefully) awards in many age categories (we'd like more youth and teens); and a certified course (be ready for the hills).
Also, as part of our commitment to supporting local community efforts, we are asking that each runner bring a non-perishable food item to donate to a local food pantry. Last year, Loaves & Fishes of Ithaca was the happy recipient of a big box of donations for their daily soup kitchen.
Note two additional CNY women's races on the calendar, both of which are lots of fun:
July 14: The 17th annual Triple Cities RC Women's 5K Run/Walk, West Endicott Park, 8 a..m. Contact Paul Natelli at pnatelli@stny.rr.com.
Aug. 18: The 8th annual Willow Bay Women's 5K Run/Walk, Onondaga Lake Park, 9 a.m. Contact Mickey Piscitelli at (315) 638-9662.
To volunteer, or for information, call Lorrie at 255-8877 days or Diane at 387-6281 evenings. Our entry can be downloaded from FLRC's Web site.
-- Diane Sherrer
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