As the long, cold winter nears an end, area residents’ minds begin to focus on... running?
Yes, the 2013 edition of the North Coast Road Racing Grand Prix is on our doorstep, with the first race occurring March 16 at 9 a.m. the Ashtabula Campus of Kent State University.
The Shamrock Kickoff 2 Mile will be the first of 26 races under the new direction of the recently formed Ashtabula Distance Runners Club. The race series has been a loose configuration since its inception in 1992, with five races and has now grown into an exciting way to stay in shape, meet other people and raise money for worthy causes.
The ADRC, yes I am the president, has a board of directors of 13 who are volunteering to improve the series and a reach out to help fill the needs of the running, and walking, community.
The NCRRGP has an ongoing points-scoring system and runners, or walkers, do not have to be members to qualify for a dinner at the end of the year or for age group and overall awards. A banquet will be held at the conclusion of the season. New rules do make it essential for runners, or walkers, to compete in at least six races to be eligible for a free dinner and awards.
An injury prevention clinic will be held Friday, March 1 at 6 p.m. at Wychock Physical Therapy, located on Lake Avenue in Ashtabula, with an RSVP at 964-2035 requested. We are excited about encouraging people to get in shape but to be aware of the importance of seeing a doctor before starting a physical education program and understanding basics of injury prevention.
A race directors’ seminar will also be sponsored by the club at Sunday, April 7 at 3 p.m. at Wychock Physical Therapy.
The Ashtabula Distance Runners Club presently provides information at bridge2bridge.webs.com, but will soon be moving to www.ashtabuladistancerunners.org. Please feel free to review an application for the club, $20 dues a year, which will provide reduced entry fees on several races, reduced cost on running club gear and access to educational seminars and group runs.
Anyone is welcome to any and all races.
Changing gears slightly, a committee seeking to form an Ashtabula County Track and Cross Country Hall of Fame is seeking information from the public concerning state champions in both sports. Our research has provided the following state champions, but we are interested to learn of more area state champs that can be documented by newspaper clippings or other means.
Our listed state champions include:
Bob Garvey, 1939, Harbor, Paul Halek of Wayne High School, Carl “Bus” Stancliff, the county’s first state champion, 1926, from Geneva, and Duane Stewart, 1954, Edgewood; Mark DeBevc, 1967, Geneva; Tom Sassler, 1976, St. John; Nadine Cox, 1980, Geneva; Jon Lyons, 1981, Ashtabula; Scott Campbell, St. John; Mike Shoaf, 1986, Grand Valley; Tracey Miller, 1987, Ashtabula; Alonzo Hatchette, 1987, Jefferson (state-record holder for many years); Mick Shoaf, 1987; Theresa Dyer, 1987, Jefferson; Brenda Weaver, 1988, Grand Valley; Scott Short, 1990, Edgewood; Ray Isco, 1991, Harbor; John Bliffin, 1992, Conneaut; Zack Miller, 2002, Edgewood and Mallory Krieder, 2009.
If you are aware of another state champion and have documentation, please contact me at the email address at the end of this column.
Happy running!
Dillaway is a photojournalist for the Star Beacon. Reach him at dillaway@windstream.net.
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