Marathon/Half Coaches Needed; Half-Marathon 12/1
Written by Edward Grant
Monday, 26 November 2007 15:28
Members & Guests:
1. Gar Williams Half-Marathon This Saturday: The 2007-2008 Snowball Series commences Saturday morning at 9:00 am with the running of the Gar Williams Half-Marathon at Belle Haven park, just south of Alexandria on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Race director Gene Fox could use a few more volunteers as well.
Please remember our policy is to enforce RRCA and USATF rules banning the wearing of headphones. This is true for all DCRRC-sponsored races.
2. Calling Experienced Coaches! DCRRC, in a venture jointly sponsored by the Wirefly National Marathon and National Half-Marathon, and Reebok, will direct the official training groups for these races, set for Saturday, March 29, 2008.
We are looking for coaches with experience in one of the DCRRC training programs (10K, 10-Mile, or Marathon), or who have other equivalent coaching experience, to lead small training groups, optimally consisting of 5-6 runners.
We also are looking for participants, Club members who are planning to run one of these races. Those who are training for the Boston Marathon, or for our own GW Birthday Marathon in February, are welcome in this program.
This program will look a bit different from prior DCRRC training programs, thanks to the tie-in to the National Marathon, and the co-sponsorship by Reebok. Reebok will provide a full "kit" of running gear to coahces, inluding shoes, that coaches will be expected to wear during official workouts. In addition, coaches will be asked to attend several training sessions leading to their coaching certification. (Tuition for these sessions will be paid for by the Club.) Official workouts will take place Saturday morning from Georgetown Running Company (adjacent to Francis Scott Key Park) and from Gotta Run in Arlington/Pentagon City.
We are hoping to kick-off the program quite soon -- Saturday December 8. So, if you are interested, please email the Club president, and including a line or two regarding your coaching experience.
3. Turkey Trot Another Success: The 32nd Annual Alexandria Turkey Trot, co-sponsored by DCRRC and the Potomac West Business Association, saw a high turnout on a warm Thanksgiving morning. About 2500 finished the race. Thanks to the many volunteers who helped out at our most challenging finish line of the year. Thanks to past president Paul Thompson for his role as technical director of the race, and to past president Susan Hage for coordinating the finish line. Also, to Susan and Matt Pyle for compiling the results.
4. Next Up: - Bread Run: The Bread Run 10K, at Glen Echo Park on McArthur Blvd., will take place Sunday December 9. Race directors Bob and Delabian Thurston ask that participants bring a loaf of fresh-baked bread or its equivalent to fatten up the prize pool. Please join us for this unique event through historic Glen Eco and along the C&O Canal.
5. Plans for 2008: While our race calendar slows a bit in October and November, the work of the Club goes on --in this case, preparing for an exciting 2008 racing and training year. Here's a few highlights:
a. Race Directors Needed: Directors are needed for the following events:
(i) Fort Hunt 10K, March 2008. Fairly easy race to direct, with criterion course requiring just one water stop. Good opportunity for someone who wants to break into race directing!
(ii) Bunion Derby #1: WDF 5K and RATW 5K. Early June. These "split races," the firts one being part of the are Women's Distance Festival, kick off the Bunion Derby. Also a relatively easy race to direct; out and back course mostly on W&OD Trail.
b. Club Championship Series: We will add a new series, consisting of all races in calendar 2008 that are designated as Club Championships. This entails all distances from 1-Mile (Track, late July) to the Marathon (Greenbelt, in February). In between: 5K, 4-Mile, 10K, 12K, 15K, 10-Mile, 20K, 20-Mile. Prizes will be good! 5-year age groups. Look for further news.
c. National Marathon, March 29, 2008 -- New Partnership: After serving as a "cooperating club" at the 2007 running of the National Marathon, DCRRC will step up its role and its involvement for the 2008 race. Details are described above. If you are planning to run in the race, PLEASE enter early (Marathon or Half) and PLEASE designate that you are a member of DCRRC on your entry form.
6. More Upcoming Events:
January 5, 2008: Al Lewis 10-Miler and Club Championship. RD Aaron Cheskis will need help with street crossings and a water stop. Please help if you can. aaron.cheskis@gmail.com
January 19, 2008: MLK/JFK 5K/20K: The MLK 5K is an official qualifying event for the National Half-Marathon. Race will be run on the Capital Crescent Trail, starting in Georgetown.
February 2008: 10K Training Program: Anyone interested in directing/coaching in this program should contact the Club President as soon as possible.
February 17, 2008: 47th Annual George Washington Birthday Marathon and 3-Person Marathon Relay. Please join for this marathon, one of the oldest continually held marathons in the country, if not the world. And you do not have to run 26 miles to do it! Form your teams now and set your goal. Volunteers always needed for this event. Please contact RD Pat Brown at 703-476-5765.
