Lakeland Runners Club, From The President

I have dedicated the month of March to recruiting Volunteers to help carry out our mission, which is to promote running and fitness in the community through fellowship and running events. We have had to decline to assist others in the community due to a serious lack of Volunteers to help man the events. The same few people have been providing timing, registration, course set-up, and race results for most of the events that we have been able to participate in. We are deeply indebted to those few for allowing us to continue as an organization. The level of our participation in the community is only a fraction of what we are capable of achieving.

I would like to see our involvement expand to include setting up a LRC table or booth at all community fitness related events. The booth would contain educational materials, race info, and LRC applications. By supporting and participating in community events, I would hope the community would reciprocate and increase participation in our endeavors. Additionally, we could use more Volunteers to help us within our own club.

We could use help with membership, newsletter submissions, guest speakers, marketing, web updates, media coverage, sponsorships, donations… and I haven’t even mentioned the task of procuring a 21^st century timing system or the people, training, and resources necessary to implement the basic services that WE, as Lakeland’s Premiere Running Club should be able to provide our community.

If you are interested, and have the heart and desire to assist in any of the above or add anything to the list, then do the next right thing: VOLUNTEER.

Message From LRC (past) President Louis Irwin:

NEW BOARD MEMBERS ELECTED for 2008: Rick Barlow, Bob English, Chris English, Steve Hanken, Louis Irwin, Julie Landrigan, Bill Lobb, Milton Lyons, Rob Mason, Jan Mohler, Dave Quarles, Joe Stein, Nick Sudzina, Rich Wills.

NOVEMBER/ December: Please try to attend the December 13th meeting for a "Christmas party atmosphere" ...bring a desert for 4! DOOR PRIZES and The Fleetest Food Awards will be given out, and members will elect the 2008 board: Nominee's are:Rick Barlow, Bob English, Chris English, Steve Hanken, Louis Irwin, Julie Landrigan, Bill Lobb, Milton Lyons, Rob Mason, Jan Mohler, Dave Quarles, Joe Stein, Nick Sudzina, Rich Wills, + 1-2 open slots.

Hopefully the new board will elect a president in January. It has been a honor to serve LRC, and I must say a final thank-you to the board and members that served during my term. We have seen over the past two years: Membership Growth-now 177 (135 families); website updated, newsletter monthly, increased local races with record 600+ Mayfair attendance, RRCA info and convention attended, new equipment purchased, ONLINE membership and registrations, and even taxes paid! Progress will continue with the new president and your help.

OCTOBER: Mark your calendars for Nov. 10- Lake to Lake 10K, and Nov. 24 Christina 5K. You can register ONLINE for both- but notice that Christina uses the NEW management tool: ABOOMA. You can also renew or join LRC now ONLINE with ABOOMA. As we learn more, we will have more valuable info for members. If you are a LRC member and have not been receiving your monthly newsletter- please let me know at Lirwin1@tampabay.rr.com . Do you know a person who will be a good LRC BOARD MEMBER - or perhaps its you! Elections are going to be held at the Dec.13 meeting for the 2008 Board. Nominations will be taken at the Nov. 8th meeting...see you there!!!

SEPTEMBER: Tho Watermelon 5K Series finished with 299 runners (series averaged 261 runners). An amazing 91 runners did all 4 events (now you can go on vacation!). See results page for more details. The next LRC event is a NEW race series: The Aching Quad - 4 races in 24 hours on Sept 28 and 29 - guaranteed to be a painfully good time!.

AUGUST: On August 18^th, I attended the South Florida RRCA State Meeting at the very tropical Fern Nature Center in Coconut Creek (near Pompano). Greater Ft Lauderdale Road Runners hosted and were instrumental in putting this event together. Obtained some valuable information about Abooma which is a free club service for online registration and membership (will bring to board in September); and learned that RRCA will ban Ipods and headphones for races next year due to safety and insurance issues, and that certified courses expire in 10 years but can be re-certified fairly easy. A group run was at North Ft. Lauderdale Beach area Sunday morning.

JULY: Hope you will join me in prayer for Dave Quarles who hurt his knee in a Motorcycle Accident. He may need surgery and be out of racing for a year, but he still is able to show up and help us at the Watermelon series! Now thats dedication! Our LRC board is about to make a major decision on purchasing a chip system. These range in price from $6500 to over $20,000 depending on if you want just Finish or both Start and Finish, and brand chosen. A meeting is set July 30th to make final decision- will keep you posted.

JUNE: Hello from Kunming, China. This is my 7^th business trip to China in 2 years. Sorry to have missed the 2^nd Watermelon 5K-hopefully a few of you missed me! I ran for the first time in a week today and it felt great! (I had popped something in my left Quad during a physical therapy session for my back and was giving my leg -and body- a rest.) I ran around the big city block (>1 mile) near my hotel so not to get lost. Running in China streets is full of sights and smells, with many Chinese looking at this funny bald guy in shorts! Most look at you like a foreigner, some smile and say "hello". I should be back home July 3^rd – probably won’t do any 4^th July races due to jet lag! Hope to see you at next LRC meeting July 12.

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MAY: Mayfaire 5K was a huge success- 668 registered runners. Many thanks to Matt Werd (race director) and Rich Wills of FitNiche, and Will Strouse for the registration, Dave Quarles for course setup, and the numerous other volunteers that make this possible. (Including Bob and Sherry, Steve, Milton, and nameless others) Some new volunteers learned "how much work" is involved to put on such a large event. Most of all- THANK YOU RUNNERS for making this event fun!!!

We still failed to get the ledger to respond properly...so send in your complaints to them about lack of coverage! FYI we had 145 via (snail) mail entrants, several hundred at FitNiche, and the rest were done via Active.com. I learned that having "new membership" applications in April may not be best as I had to separate mail daily- about 10 trips to PO over last two weeks!

Speaking of membership- your MAyfaire 5K race packet had a form, along with the Fleetest Foot Award Qualifications...PLEASE SEND YOURS IN TODAY!!!

We are currently up to 120 registered 2007/08 members but have another 70+ who have not renewed yet...yes I paid my $20 dues!

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APRIL: We expect over 600 runners- perhaps 800 this year at the Mayfaire 5K. Visit FitNiche for details or register online- see Mayfaire page. PLEASE register early to help us have enought T shirts for all! Volunteers are needed- please let me or Rich Wills at FitNiche know if you can assist with the race- Before, During, or After ---especially AFTER help is needed.

APRIL is the RENEWAL MONTH (and over 50 have so far) for the LRC members...PLEASE keep the club going strong by sending in your 2007 dues... (with updated and signed membership application) GOAL 150 members in 2007!!!

THANKS

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MARCH: The RRCA 50th National Convention in Chicago March 22-25th where I attended a 2 day "Running College"
was very educational, great guest speakers and the 8K race- 30,000 registered runners- the Shamrock Shuffle- was FUN and God was good- 60-65F and clear sky! My time was not great 40:38 but still finished 3940 out of some 24,000 finishers. Downtown Chicago is very pretty with large buildings and the park and lake nearby. There is over a dozen museums, we only had time to visit one, and the Navy Pier is a cool tourist place. I couldn't stay for the post race party as we had to catch a plane back to Florida.

I will be bringing valuable info for the LRC- such as chip system, new web/membership site, scoring programs, etc....stay tuned!!!.

Lakeland Runners Club Inc. Mission Statement:: To promote running and fitness for runners of all ages and abilities in the community through fellowship, education and formal & informal running events. Monthly meetings are open to all Lakeland Runners Club members and guests. Our meetings are held on the second Thursday evening of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Youth and Family Center of the Lakeland YMCA, Cleveland Heights Blvd., Lakeland. Informative speakers provide excellent information on an enhancing your running. Food and beverages are provided.

Legal assistance provided to Lakeland Runners Club Inc by Wendell & Chritton, Chartered.

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