GRTC PRESIDENTS LETTER 6.1.22
As I write this note, Memorial Day weekend is upon us with 90-degree weather expected for this week. No denying it’s summer now. Spring finished up though with a number of successful activities for GRTC and for Rochester Runners in general. GRTC’s Mind the Ducks 12 hour ultra on 5/7 was a good time for 146 runners on a cool spring day. Nathan Price of Scottsville took first place covering 69.83 miles. Also, congratulations to Mary Dasilva, age 75, of Brewerton, NY, who unofficially set a new American Age Group record with 51.61 miles! The GRTC banquet on 5/15 at Murphy’s law saw Hall of Fame honors going to Sharon Moore and Tim Chichester, and a great time was had by everyone, with good food and fellowship. The Lilac 5K/10K on 5/22, back on the traditional course, was a great event for all Rochester area runners with GRTC supplying volunteer support for registration, water stops and road marshals. Kudos to Wilt Alston who once again organized GRTC’s participation. And of course, thanks go to all the many volunteers who stepped to the plate to help out with ALL of these events. With spring behind us we are looking forward to more great activities in the summer. June in particular is a busy month for GRTC and the running community as below and gives many options for all.
RROY CHARLIE MCMULLEN MILE: Friday Night 6/10/22: This one-mile race on the track at St. John Fisher, co-sponsored by GRTC, is a premier area event. It is also the “final exam” for the GRTC spring track clinic which is going on now with 45 participants. Heat’s based on predicted pace start at 6:00 pm. Runners of all levels are welcome and encouraged to participate. There is even a kids race down to grade school level. The evening is capped by the elete male and female milers with the hope to see a sub 4:00 minute mile. It’s an exciting and fun filled event that everyone can enjoy whether running or spectating. Come out to run and to cheer on your friends and club members.
https://runsignup.com/Race/
GRTC 9 HOURS FOR 9 LIVES ULTRA: SHORTVILLE 6/11:
Run or walk as many loops as you wish over 9 hours! There will be two loops. The first loop will be run for the first 4.5 hours and the second loop will be run for the last 4.5 hours. The first loop is a little more friendly for those who want to come out with family and do a loop or two to support the cause. The second loop has a touch more elevation and spends a little more time in the trees but is still runnable. Both loops will be 1.75 miles long. There will be hills, grass, dirt, mild ruts, some trail through the woods, and maybe even a little mud depending on the weather leading up to the event! There will be hand crafted medals for all and prizes for top performers! There will be an aid station stocked with the usual fare and you are encouraged to bring your own aid and a comfy chair to set up along the course. Proceeds benefit Colony Caregivers who provide care for feral and colony cats in and around Ontario County. https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/
RROY Stache Dash 5K 6/18 at 6:00 PM CANANDAIGUA. A new entry in the RROY series, the Stache Dash is 5K held in Canandaigua, NY each year on Father’s Day Weekend to support the Blue Foundation. This local charity focuses on helping men and their families in the Finger Lakes region suffering from health issues. This flat and fast course will take you along beautiful Canandaigua Lake. The course starts and ends at Canandaigua CrossFit and features the pier, Kershaw Park and the Lagoon! Come support a good cause and run a very low-key event with an emphasis on fun! Men – be sure to grow the ultimate ‘stache for the event for a chance to win a prize! https://ultrasignup.com/
RROY RACES AHEAD: GRTC works with individual race directors to promote the RROY series and provides the awards for winners. GRTC members also get a signup discount for all the RROY races. We encourage all GRTC members therefore to take advantage of their membership value and participate in as many of these races as possible, to support both the individual races and the series. As in the past one needs to run only 4 races over the year to be eligible for RROY awards, and 6 races gives you a consistent participant award. As a GRTC member, consider these YOUR races and a great way to support running in our area. See full list of RROY races below.
3/12 Running of the Green 5 mile
5/22 Highland Hospital Lilac 10K
6/10-11 Charlie McMullen Mile
6/18 Stache Dash 5K
(Editor’s Correction: 6/19 June Jaunt, 5K)
8/28 Black Diamond Express 5K
9/4 Oaktree half marathon
9/10 Heritage Hero 10K
10/22 Scare Brain Cancer Away 5k
11/5/22 East Ave Grocery Run 5K
11/24 Feast of Burden 5 Miles
GRTC RUNNING CLINIC STARTS 8/3/22: GENESEE VALLEY PARK The annual GRTC spring running clinic kicked off last month with 45 participants and will finish with the McMullen mile on 6/10. But if you couldn’t join us THEN it’s not too late to join us STILL this summer for fun and training. We are pleased to again offer our “fall” running clinic this August and September. The format of this series, tried out last year, is different from but complementary to our traditional spring track/running clinic. Each of the 7 weeks of the program will focus on another type of running. Each session will have a didactic component as well as running component appropriate to the topic. Together, the sessions will cover a variety of aspects of our sport with important information and training for every runner. This program will again be coached by Mike Reif and Carolyn Smith-Hanna of the Genesee Valley Harriers. The cost for the 7 weeks will be a modest $50 for GRTC members and $70 for non-members (who get back that extra $20 value as a one year GRTC membership included). If you HAVE NOT been to one of our clinics before this is a great way to “kick start” your training for this fall’s in-person running season and winter Freezeroo series. If you HAVE done our clinics before, the new format will add to your training and knowledge. And as always, the clinic is a fun way to get out and run, spend time with friends, enjoy our sport and meet new runners in the community. What do you have to lose? https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/
BOILERMAKER BUS: And back by popular demand, GRTC will again host a bus to the boilermaker race in Utica on Sunday 7/10/22. This iconic race, which is a favorite of many, can be even more fun it you don’t have to drive! Sign-up for the bus, including all costs and final details will be publicized and go live on RunSignup in the near future. BUT the bus WILL be available, and departure will be at 4:00 am from St John fisher college, with return at 3:00 pm. Stay tuned. For more questions contact Wilt Alston: rock.marathoner@gmail.com.
Once again, rediscover this year the true joy of running in the upstate New York, and take advantage of the multiple GRTC membership discounts we offer. Get out and do all the RROY series races (a $50 discount value for those doing all), come out for our fall running clinic (a $20 dollar discount), and signup for the bus option for the Boilermaker race. As always, if you want to continue to have opportunities for running in the Rochester region, come join (or renew your membership in) GRTC. We have a place for you. A modest $20 yearly membership goes a long way to keeping our sport vibrant and maintaining running events/opportunities for all. See you out on the road. GRTC Membership:
https://runsignup.com/Club/NY/
Doug Jones (President GRTC)