Dear Members and GRRC Followers:
Summer is here! This letter recaps June & July club activity, highlights upcoming GRRC-related races, events, and volunteer opportunities, and provides new information. NEW: When a local race offers our members discounts, I’ll include it in this letter as often as possible. You can see them at any time by going to the club’s RunSignup page listed below.
June & July Club Recap
- The board met in June and July to finalize some changes and handle routine business. We’ve updated the bylaws to increase the required number of directors that constitute a quorum from five to six and to decrease the number of officers required from three to two, with the caveat one must be either the president or the vice president.
- We have one director’s seat open and may have others in the new year. Please contact me if you are interested in nominating yourself or someone else for candidacy. I’m glad to explain what work the board does, the commitment required, and answer any questions. The current Executive Committee needs to do some shifting, so we are also in need of a secretary, which is a great way to be really involved.
- The board voted to cancel the GRRC Summer Clinic among the options for how to handle lack of registrations. As I was the scheduled coach, I abstained from voting after presenting some alternatives. However, Roberts Wesleyan University graciously chose not to require the full cancellation fee. I also decided to volunteer my time to do a one-day mini clinic since the deposit was non-refundable, after getting confirmation that we could still use the track on what would have been opening day.
- The GRRC Summer Track Clinic concluded at the beginning of June. Many participants opted to race McMullen Mile, which follows the clinic end two days later.
- Our ultras/endurance challenges went off well. June featured 9 Hours for 9 Lives, directed by Martha Doody, and July featured Candlelight 12/24-Hour, directed by Gil Robs.
- The bus to Boilermaker had some issues and with lacking attendance, we lost over $800. We will deliberate on the value of continuing to offer the bus at a future meeting.
- RROY standings are now available! RROY Chair Jennifer Gaudino has posted the standings compiled by Gil Robs. They’re at https://grtconline.org/rochester-runner-of-the-year-scoring-after-race-8/.
Coming Events (See Club RSU page for any unlinked events)
August
3 – GRRC’s Summer Picnic & Membership Meeting is near! Offered potluck style, there is no charge for this event. It’s a chance to talk with available directors, have a group walk or run (trail, road, and canal path options), and share in food and games. Open to members, their guests, and prospective members. https://runsignup.com/GRRCSummerPicnicMembershipMeeting
4 – GRRC Summer Clinic – Mini Version! This FREE offering is a two-hour clinic going over training in the heat before getting folks moving with a dynamic warm-up and drills you can use all year long, challenging everyone to a baseline mile, and wrapping up with a cool-down and Q&A. Registration is still required. The clinic is held at Roberts Wesleyan University (not sponsored by the university) at the track near Voller Athletic Center from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Register at https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Rochester/GreaterRochesterTrackClubSummerClinic
23 – ROC Triathlon – Providing a 15% discount to GRRC members; register at https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Rochester/RochTri.
24 – Black Diamond Half Marathon – This is a Rochester Runner of the Year race! The course is relatively flat and not technical, despite a few rocks and roots here and there. There’s a 5K, too, but it is not a RROY race. Register at https://mendonfoundation.org/black-diamond-express-races/.
30 – Crosswinds Run Series – Offering various discounts to GRRC members; register at https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Canandaigua/Crosswinds5K.
31 – Oak Tree 5K – This is another Rochester Runner of the Year race! A fundraiser for the Genesee Valley Conservancy, they say the paved course “highlights the National Historic Landmark District of the Village of Geneseo, traveling through the business district before touring several historic residential streets.” Get registration details at https://oaktreerace.org/.
September
19-21 – Sleigh Me – Directed by our own Martha Doody, this in not a GRRC race. However, GRRC members get $5 offer. Register at https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Shortsville/SleighMe48HourUltra.
MILEStone Patch Challenge
Register now at https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Rochester/GreaterRochesterRunningClubMILEStonePatchChallenge to start tracking your mileage. Even if you’re not sure how to do the data entry, if you want to be in the MILEStone Challenge, free registration is required. If needed, we’ll help you out with the data entry. Questions? Just email us at milestone@grtconline.org.
Folks who didn’t pick up their 2024 patches at the March banquet: the coordinator has asked me to take over that portion for her and it will be handled within the next several days. Thank you for your patience.
Discounts
See member discounts at https://runsignup.com/Club/NY/Rochester/GreaterRochesterTrackClub. They are updated as race directors extend the discount to our members.
Volunteerism
GRRC – Want to help and don’t know how? Contact me at president@grtconline.org and let’s talk!
Thank you for being a member or being interested enough to follow us in email and social media. Members can renew before their membership lapses and followers can become members by registering at https://runsignup.com/Club/NY/Rochester/GreaterRochesterTrackClub.
See you out there!
Vickey Beaver