Stephanie Freeman has received an invitation to run the Boston Marathon. Stephanie, a South Georgia runner, has been trying to qualify for Boston. She was injured in an auto accident as a teen and was told she would never walk again. Today, she is a mother, a runner, and a survivor - and will fulfill her dream of running Boston. She was in Boston as a spectator when the bombs went off and wrote about it in Running Journal. Now, she'll run Boston and write about her experience. Way to go, Steph!
www.StephanieChasingBoston.com
Older runner saying: I'm supposed to respect my elders but it's getting harder and harder to find one. Just remember that finishing is winning.
State records - Our website at www.Running.Net has state running records for Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Go to our website and click on "Resources."
Barbara Latta of Raleigh, NC, has run every day for more than 30 years and is ranked number one female in the country for that achievement. She is featured in the new issue of Running Journal, which has been mailed to subscribers. Running Journal Columnist Teri Saylor and members of the North Carolina Road Runners Club, surprised Barbara on the anniversary of her long achievement Dec. 5. See story and photos in Running Journal, which will also be posted in our digital edition late this month.
"The Biggest Loser" race finale will be held Dec. 29 at Panama City, FL. The series is connected to "The Biggest Loser" NBC television show on Tuesday nights. The Biggest Loser Run/Walk Half Marathon and 5K also has a one-mile kids run. See our Florida race calendar for details. There will be celebrity appearances by former contestants of "The Biggest Loser," lots of entertainment.
http://www.biggestloserrunwalk.com
Richard Betz has once again been elected "President for Life" of the Highlands, NC, Roadrunners Club. He invites runners everywhere to run races in his mountain area: "Yes, fools do run in the ice and snow, and they even enter races appropriately named "Frostbite" or "Madness," he said in the club's newsletter. Morris Williams is vice president, Skip Taylor is secretary, and Art Heller is treasurer.
The RRCA website has a new look and is easier to navigate. "Our key color of yellow is designed to remind runners to be visible at all times while on the run." www.RRCA.org
A "flying deer" hit a female runner Dec. 12 when the deer was hit by a car and sailed through the air, striking Krystine Rivera, 27, according to the Washington Post. The Ashburn, VA, woman was treated for a concussion, a cut and bruise, and released from a hospital. She was about five miles into a seven-mile run when the incident occurred. The deer was killed.
Results & photos wanted -- Email us your race results ([email protected]) and a photo or two, if possible, so we can publish in Running Journal and/or our website. You'll have happy runners and this promotes next year's race.
River City Runners of Parkersburg, West Virginia, has about 800 members and is one of the top running and walking clubs in America, based on national awards won by members. The club is featured in the new issue of Running Journal, which will be delivered to subscribers by the end of December. Email [email protected] to have your club featured.
http://www.rivercityrunners.com
Caroline Alcorta of Springfield, VA, and Aaron Templeton of Knoxville, TN, finished third and ninth in their respective races at the FootLocker National Championship cross-country races in San Diego. Alcorta finished in 17:31. Templeton finished in 15:29. They were winners of the South Regional Nov. 30 in Charlotte, NC.
Missing New Hampshire runner - Abby Hernandez, 15, a member of the White Mountain Milers in North Conway, New Hampshire, has been missing since early October. Click for story and photos.
www.bringabbyhome.com
https://www.facebook.com/bringabbyhome
Florida Striders Track Club, Orange Park, FL:
The prime objective of the Florida Striders is to promote and encourage running by educating the community on the benefits of physical fitness and sports. To attain this objective we will:
1. Present high quality road races.
2. Conduct training and fun runs.
3. Provide a social medium for exchange of ideas and information.
4. Publish a monthly newsletter.
5. Encourage community involvement.
6. Conduct informative periodic meetings.
www.FloridaStriders.com
Support local running stores. Here are two good reasons: Fleet Feet Memphis has contributed goods, services, and funds to 48 local running and walking events in the past year that benefited local charities, per a recent newsletter. Plus, Fleet Feet Virginia Beach had this message to their customers: "Thank you for shopping with us. We know you have options. If we ever fail short of your expectations, please do not hesitate to let me know," said owner Robin Snaden,
Run Faster -- Course measurements involve the shortest distances. To have a faster time, take the shortest legitimate distance on a race course.
Jenny Kyle of Savannah, GA, finished the 2013 Rock 'n' Roll Savannah Marathon in 3:50:48, which is under the state's 60-64 age group record.
The RRCA National Convention will be held May 1-4 in Spokane, WA, hosted by the Bloomsday Road Runners Club. Included among the speakers will be Angelo and Sherry Celesia of Virginia's Tidewater Striders, who won the RRCA Outstanding Youth Program Director Award. They will talk about their outreach program for special needs children.
The Gasparilla Distance Classic Half Marathon will offer $30,000 in prize money to the top five male and female finishers in the Feb. 23rd race in Tampa, Florida. Overall winners, male and female, will receive $8,000 each. The race is part of the Publix Super Markets race weekend. Over 4700 runners finished the half marathon this year.
The 2014 Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, AL, will feature an all new course that will pass by many historic and scenic points of interest in Huntsville. There will also be a new health and fitness expo at the Von Braun Center, and a new pre-race dinner at the Davidson Center at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. The 2014 race date is December 13.
Do us a favor. If you like this newsletter, please forward it to a friend. You'll find the link at the bottom. Thanks!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from each of us at Running Journal. May you receive many blessings during the Christmas season. Our wish for 2014 is that you are healthy and enjoy life. Our New Year's resolution is to serve you in the very best ways we can. Sincere good wishes to you.