With COVID receding in the background and restrictions returning toward normal, in person running is coming back in our area. Happily, GRTC is playing a significant role in that, ramping up a number of activities already. Our annual “Spring” Running Clinic in Fairport just concluded and was a great time for all. Our new Terrain Trio virtual series put together by Martha Doody is soon to be finishing and the awards for that will be given out at our picnic this month. The 9 Hours for 9 Lives ultra in Victor to benefit Colony Caregivers (who work with feral, stray and abandoned cats) also came off well. Moving ahead into the summer, GRTC has the following events for you to sign up for and enjoy.
7/17/21: For the ultra-distance enthusiasts, welcome back. If you haven’t already done so, sign up today for the Candlelight 12 overnight ultra and relays starting on 7.17.21 at the EquiCenter in Honeoye Falls. For those new to ultras, Candlelight 12 (and Mind the Ducks) give you an opportunity to try your hand at an ultra distance experience in a controlled environment. You WILL be surprised how much fun this is. HOW fast and HOW far you go is entirely up to YOU. You’ll be in sight of other runners at EVERY point. You CAN’T get lost. And there IS a bathroom and fully stocked aid station every mile!
Guaranteed!! You won’t regret it.
A rescheduled Mind the Ducks 12 hour daylight ultra will go forward in Webster on 9/4/21.
The Can Lake 50mile/50K/MiniCan25K will go forward on 10/9/21 in Canandaigua.
Bound for the hounds 6 hour ultra will be on 11/20/21 in Shortsville. Sign up for all the GRTC ultra races today.
Candlelight12: http://candlelight12hour.org/
Mind the Ducks: http://mtd12hour.com/
Canlake50: https://canlake50.com/
7/24/21: On Saturday, July 24th, we are hosting our first (annual?) in-person membership picnic at the Canfield Woods shelter in Mendon Ponds Park. We plan on starting off the event with an in-person fun run at 11:00, followed by a delicious lunch (catered by Roc City Sammich) and a good time socializing together. We will also be presenting awards there at 1:00 for the winners of the Terrain Trio. We will have local GRTC Hall of Fame member (and now author) Gregg Brooks speak about his experiences as an ultra distance runner. The cost is $15. Importantly though, the first 50 active GRTC members who sign up and come to the picnic will have their cost reimbursed, courtesy of Joe Tally and RE/MAX realtors.
Non members who sign up for the picnic at $15 will get a year’s GRTC membership, a $20 value. Any profits remaining from the event will also go as a donation to the Golisano Children’s Hospital. So…. there is really no reason not to sign up today. See you there on 7/24.
8/4/21: And toward the end of summer, GRTC is pleased to announce that starting Wednesday night 8/4/21 we will host a BRAND NEW fall running clinic. It’s format will be different from but complementary to our traditional spring track/running clinic. Each of the 7 weeks of the program as outlined below will focus on another type of running. Each session will have a didactic component as well as running component appropriate to the topic. Overall, the clinic 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 $45 for GRTC members and $65 for non-members (who get back that extra $20 value as a one year GRTC membership). If you HAVE NOT been to one of our clinics before this is a great way to “kickstart” 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 spend time with friends, enjoy our sport and meet new runners in the community.
Location: Center Park in Fairport (off Ayrault Road)
Time: Wednesday nights 5:45 to 8:00 pm
Dates: 8/4-9/15/21
8/4: Overview and history of Training/Racing options.
Run for fun/fitness, trails, cross country, indoor track, outdoor track, triathlons, road racing, ultras, adventure runs and more.
8/11: Cross Country Running
8/18: Track races: 800m, mile, 3K, 5K
8/25: Trail running
9/1: Running your best marathon/ultra marathon
9/8: Racing strategies that work
9/15: Culminating/wrap up event
With the many GRTC options above, there is no excuse not to get your season off and running. Sign up today for the Candlelight 12 ultra on 7/17. Put 7/24 on your calendar for our new membership picnic at Mendon Ponds Park. To round out your summer, sign up for the new GRTC fall running clinic starting 8/4 and be ready for the fall and winter in person race offerings. Rochester remains a great place to live and has a truly fantastic running community. Make the most of it with our 2021 GRTC offerings and enjoy that COVID is (finally) loosening its grip. See you out on the road.
Doug Jones (President GRTC)
GRTC Membership: https://runsignup.com/…/Roche…/GreaterRochesterTrackClub
GRTC purchases: https://grtc.threadless.com