| March 2003 Newsletter |
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Updates
The sixth annual Finger Lakes Snowshoe had a record crowd of nearly 90 snowshoers -- 7.6-mile racers and untimed fun runners -- and was held under perfect snow conditions in the FL National Forest. [Stories & results enclosed.]
Many thanks to RD Joe Reynolds for the high maintenance of the course, which was snowmobiled the full 7.6 miles, and for organizing a very complicated and cold event. Special thanks should go to volunteers (men with trucks) Frank Rusby, John Ives, Herb Engman, Tim Ingall and Bob Seacord (chili chef) who made up the backbone of workers on race day. It's not an easy job to volunteer in snowy and cold conditions on a race that goes on for hours. Apologies to anyone else who volunteered, and I did not mention here.
Redfeather Snowshoes of Colorado sent us 25 pairs of loaner shoes, free of charge, and without their support, few rookies would have a chance to try the sport. Joe took the snowshoes to T-Burg and Newfield high schools, and gave learn-to clinics before and after the race. The Redfeather Web site is www.redfeathersnowshoes.com.
Gail Fink and her staff at Logan Ridge Winery of Hector opened up Logan Estates for a post-race get-together; and donated two cases of Ridge-Runner Red wine to us for prizes. Gail also brought volunteers to the race, and worked with cheerful enthusiasm all day long.
Once again, we purchased interesting awards from the local Dollar Store. Do ya know how tough it is to find a moose wearing snowshoes? We did.
Ken Moses of Pro-Am Sports (Johnson City) provided the race sweatshirts, this year with a beaver logo. Ken has been with us since the beginning, long before anyone else would support us. He's always been helpful and willing to provide us with anything we need.
Ken is a distributor for Redfeather Snowshoes, a brand not sold in local sporting goods stores. Ken gives FLRC members a very generous discount on snowshoes (racers and hikers), so if you were inspired to buy a pair of your own, here is Ken's contact information: Pro-Am Sports, 309 Burbank Ave., Johnson City, N.Y. 13790; phone: (607) 797-6956; e-mail: proamsport@aol.com. [Cycling Guru Glen Swan of Ithaca also sells Redfeather Snowshoes, so you might want to contact him as well.]
Thanks to everyone who supported the FL Snowshoe this year. Joe was
responsible for introducing the sport to our region, and perhaps we
should encourage him to add another snowshoe race next season, perhaps a
5K and Empire State Winter Games qualifiers.
Joe Dabes (listserv posting)
In the beginning, there were two in 1986: Ed's Ultra and VMM.
Two are now defunct: Ed's and Dave Rossiter's 5K XC races.
Nine exist today.
Observations:
Summary:
Last call, people...We want nominees!
A few years ago, the FLRC executive board created service awards in Jim Hartshorne's memory, to honor acts of unsung volunteerism to our running community. Originally, we gave a community service award and an individual volunteer award, but as we've evolved, we have amended that plan. Now, we give one or two general volunteer awards depending on the closeness of the vote count.
We want the membership to nominate people who work on behalf of those who reap the benefits of the service. Please take the time to cast a vote, and say why that person deserves some recognition. We know you know some people are very deserving of recognition. Think about all those folks who work while you're playing. Say and do something nice for someone who serves you all year. The winner receives a very nice award!
So, here we go again. The FLRC executive board members will examine the list of nominees, count the votes and announce the winners in April. Due to limited voting response in the past, the executive board also has the power to nominate and select a winner through the internal voting process of the board membership.
We are now seeking nominations from the entire FLRC membership for the Hartshorne 2003 Service Award(s). Please call or email (see newsletter directory) Lorrie Marnell at 255-0202 or Diane Sherrer at 387-6281. Your votes will be confidential. Do it now, please!
Deadline: March 31, 2003
Although these folks continue to share the workload, do not vote for
the following past winners, because we want to spread the wealth around
town for at least one decade: Joe Dabes, Diane Sherrer, Herb Engman,
Lorrie Marnell, Joe Reynolds, John Sholeen, Jim Bisogni, Jim Miner, Don
Tily, Alan Lockett, Rick Hoebeke and Tim Ingall.
We're not running the apps, due to the excessive amount of information in this month's edition, but...
March 15: The 2nd annual St. Patrick's Day 4-Miler will be held on Saturday, 10 a.m., beginning on Binghamton's west side at St. Patrick's Church (Leroy and Oak streets).
Pre-registration fees are $13, which includes a long-sleeve T-shirt; or $8 race day with no shirt. There are lots of awards, wt class divisions and police vs. fire department categories. Prize money for open and masters top three.
This will be the first race on the inaugural Saints Series.
Contact Vince Kelley at 779-7781, or email: kelleyv@uic.com; or Web: www.triplecitiesrunnersclub.org.
Ed. comment: They served more food and beer than many marathons I've attended! It's a super race in the quiet month of March.
March 30: The 30th annual Forks XV (15K) will be at 2 p.m. at Chenango Forks HS. The fees are $5 for TCRC members; $7 for non members pre Mar. 26 or $10 race day.
Prize money for top three male and females overall, and first masters M/F.
Contact Ralph Fuller, 6 Rosewood Dr., Conklin, NY 13748; or Web: www.triplecitiesrunnersclub.org.
Margret Betz of Conklin was named Running Times masters runner of the year 2002 for women ages 65-69.
New England Runner magazine named the following runners NYS runners of
the year in various categories: Tom Carter, senior male (50-59); Molly
Huddle, High School Track Female; Lena Matthews (Cornell), Collegiate
Track Female. Other Hartshorne alums: Tom Dalton, masters male runner;
Kathy Martin, senior female runner. (NER calls runners ages 50-59 senior
and 60-69 veterans, which is opposite of what we usually see published in
NYS.)
There will be a free running clinic by world-famous Hall of Fame Inductees for High School track & cross country teams, coaches and athletes.
It will be held as part of the National Distance Running Hall of Fame Weekend, July 12-23, and includes the ceremony, race expo, special team awards and benefit, discounts on entry fees for the Boilermaker 5K or 15K. To participate, you must register for the clinic; attend the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Sat. eve, and run either the 5K or 15K on Sunday.
Call 315-724-4525; or visit www.distancerunning.com.
July 6: Vail Hill Climb 8-miler, Colo.
Aug. 2: White River 50-Mile Trail, Crystal Mountain, Wash.
Aug. 23: Golden Gate Headlands 50K, Sausalito, Calif.
Sept. 13: Olander Park 100-Miler, Sylvania, Ohio
Nov. 15: San Diego 24-Hour Run
See: www.usatf.org for details.
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