January/February 2016 | Vol.41 No.1 The Starting Line Letter from the Editor Well, it’s all over; no, not just 2015, but our club’s Mark Ryan, director of the Guana Trail Races, took that 40th anniversary year. Yep, from 1975 to 2015. A lot event to a place where it has never been before. More has happened and a lot has changed. But, then again, than 225 runners entered, an improvement of over 100. it hasn’t. People still run in races, though fewer people Runners responded to the 1975 era entry fee of our take races as seriously as they did back in ’75 when only final race of the year, The Last Gasp. The $3 “Tribute hardcore “Nutters” showed up. To Lamar” retro entry caused over 200 people to sign Races are essentially the same, but nowadays they are up early. Normally, only 80 would do so. We hope more often called “Events” because they are such a that a pack of new people ran in the cross-country production number. People expect a lot from these classic, enjoyed it, and have earmarked it for a return in events/races and they usually get it. In 1975 you got a December 2016. We are all about supporting running bare bones race for $3, in 2015 you got an event (with a and that is why … race attached) for anywhere from $30 to $60, very often On January 3rd the Jacksonville Bank Half-Marathon more. saw an increase of very speedy, elite runners competing In 1975 Disney World had just opened for business; in the 13.1-mile race. This was largely thanks to JTC today any “race” with the name Disney attached to it is Running board member Richard Fannin who came a very expensive production number that will cost you up with a plan to aid U.S. national-class marathoners dearly if you dare to participate. Me? I think you’d be to get to the Olympic Trials Marathon on Feb. 13. Goofy to do so, but I’m an Old Timer who remembers These hopefuls were athletes who had not yet run the the cheap and cheerful days of yesteryear. qualifying standard and the Jax Bank Half gave them one My pal, Jay Birmingham, said in an email, “I’m tired of last chance to do it. Yes, you can qualify for the Full by writing nostalgia stories.” I couldn’t agree more and I running a fast Half (I wondered about that, too). wish I could rid myself of the habit, but I have trouble Race director and board member Doug Alred helped finding things happening these days that are anywhere them out with free race entries and free hotel rooms near as interesting as those of the past. Much like the way through the event’s host hotel. Our club aided them with young women find older men so worldly and fascinating, expenses and prize money (if they achieved the qualifying and who can blame them? Ha! I really enjoyed writing mark). It was a fine thing to do for our American runners that. and we should all be proud. Thanks, Richard. Thanks, If I can find good topical material in 2016 then I promise Doug. you I will write about it. Yes, that is my promise to you, The capper would be if some American outsider won the and myself. Rio Olympic Marathon and said afterwards: “I almost It was a banner year for JTC Running. All of our races didn’t get here. I have to thank a club in Jacksonville, were very, very successful. The Winter Beach Run, bigger Florida, JTC Running, for making my dream come true.” and better than ever. The Gate River Run; well, what That is what we are about, not just our events, that are more can I say about one of the greatest races in the undeniably great, but in helping. We give to the Tijuana world? Only that it was greater than ever. I was there in Flats’ Just In Queso foundation and the Sulzbacher 1978 when it all began. I had never seen so many runners Center also. in one place at the same time -- all 2400 of them. Seems We may now be 41 and “over the hill,” but we will comical now, doesn’t it? Will Race Director Doug Alred continue on our path; the same path that our pioneers ever run out of ideas on how to improve it? It doesn’t paved for us in 1975. We may not get younger with the seem so. What does he have in mind for 2016, a fountain years but we get better. Stick with us; the best is yet to of youth pre-race bath for all the Streakers? (Please, oh, come. please!) Our super salesman/president, Larry Roberts, has done a Better than ever? That sounds like our Track Meet Series, slap bang job of recruiting new members last year via our which is growing by leaps and bounds (and strides and October birthday party, the Dec. 5 social, the Guana event hurdles). Coach David Frank does a wonderful job as and The Last Gasp. So now we are over 1,000 members race director. The Summer Beach Run was huge, nearly for the first time in years. Thanks, President Roberts! as huge as its medallion. The Starting LIne President's Letter Membership numbers are UP at JTC Running! JTCRunning.com/Events. JTC Running's biggest As of this writing we have 850 households with 1123 event of the year, the Gate River Run March 12, is total active members, the greatest number in fifteen preceded by the Runner's Expo at the Jacksonville years! Just in the last 30 days, 140 Fairgrounds March 10 and 11. You will need to stop new members have been added. by and pick up your wristband The Last Gasp and Gate River for the exclusive Club hospitality Run entries have brought in tent on race day. If you would many new members, along with like to volunteer for a shift at the Gate River Run Training either the Expo or tent, sign up Class, but many have come at JTCRunning.com. It's a great independent of these activities. chance to meet and greet Club Among the many benefits to club members and runners from all over membership-- the race entry and the country. 1st Place Sports discounts; the hospitality tent at the Gate River The hospitality tent at this year's Run; and, the Awards Banquet at Gate River Run will be bigger Maggiano's. The use of the Bolles track for dedicated and better than ever. There is no doubt it is the workouts Wednesday mornings and evenings is a best way to enjoy the largest participatory event in valuable club benefit. But the Club is much more Jacksonville. The great location near the awards stand, than that-- the Club is the Gate River Run charities; refreshments, bag check and exclusive port-a-lets take the free Summer Track Series; the thirty plus teens all the stress out of race day. The only thing you need sent to running camp each summer; the donations to do is arrive early enough to get a good parking given to various deserving groups in town supporting spot. I leave the house at 6:30 and am in the tent by youth fitness; and, the Sulzbacher Night feeding the 7:00 AM. I'll be there to greet you! homeless. JTC Running takes its non-profit mission seriously: To promote running and physical fitness in the local community with an emphasis on youth events. It is something all members can and do take pride in. February brings a busy running calendar in Jacksonville. Leading up to the Breast Cancer Marathon is the Donna Expo at the Prime Osborn Convention Center Friday, Feb. 12, and Saturday, Feb. 13. Stop by and visit the Club's booth! If you would like to work the booth, sign up at The Starting Line JTC Running Board New & Returning Members Members Miranda Abbas Judie Elliott Kim Lundy Sara Rowe Susan Abraham Phil Ellis Scott MacNaughton Bob Ryan President Melissa Adamo Arik Entin JM Magyar Tony Ryan Larry Roberts Karen Albert Joanne Esch Kendall Mandt Sherry Sanderford [email protected] Stacey Albrecht Richard Fannin Lopest Manuel Will Schaet Shelly Allen Lina Fichera TJ McCaffrey Christine Scrime Vice President Richard Amell Donna Fielding Courtney McCormick Andrea Searcey Larry Sassa Bjorn Anderson Monica Forbes Ted McCoy Sotheary Seng [email protected] Jessica Andes Joe Forbess Orrie McCrea Terrance Sessoms Katherine Anthony Fawne Fordenbacher Aislynn McDonald Anna Shepard Treasurer Herb Armstrong Kristina Foster Tim McEvoy Brad Shepherd Jason Arnold Michelle Fredette Linda McKee Pam Sheppard Bonnie Brooks Thidar Aung Claudia French Mike McMurry Morris Shipper [email protected] George Baccash Brian Fry Judi Melott Dee Sittig Tera Baird Mark Gannon Denise Metzgar Lindsay Skinner Secretary Marcia Baker Sonja Gapinski Stephen Michael John Snowden Douglas Tillett John Blanton Leigh Gardner Jerry Miller Regina Sooey [email protected] Kristie Bliss Fred R. Gaudios Lisa Miller Maramay Soriano Karen Bock-Losee Patrick M. Gaughan Ryan Miller John Stackhouse Jean Bouquot Patrick Gibbons Paige Montooth Melissa Stalter Doug Alred Wendy Bourgholtzer Hal Gilreath Chris Moore Tim Stellhorn [email protected] Kristen Braddock Edmond Girardi Gina Moore John Stringfellow Matthew Brennan Charles Goodyear Paul Morris Janet Swaim Jane Alred [email protected] Michelle Bressler Deborah Gray Solomon Morse Lisa Swartz Alex Brucker Emily Gray Sean D. Nagorny Amanda Sweeney Colleen Clarson Earlette BurnellHannibal Shaina Green Brent Narkiewicz John Terry [email protected] Catherine Buskirk Jacob Haley Ka Ng Bill Thomas Errol Daniels Deryle Calhoun Matthew Hallenbeck Pamela Nicoli Thomas Traub [email protected] Patrick Carmody Angelina Hannah Neal OBrien Nick Trautman Cheryl Carter Jennifer Harper Rick O'Malley Kathy Truitt Michael DelCharco [email protected] Susan Chadwell Parker Harrison Bob Opkins John Uebelacker Kari Clement Rianne Harrison Jessica O'Steen Iris Urbina Richard Fannin Nick Clifford Lauren Heard Robert Owen Jacob Vail [email protected] Nicole Clifford Stacey Hendry Don Packard Barbara Vitsky Susan Haag Kelly Cobb Paul Hibel Jessica