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Blast from the Past! SVR Newsletter - Fall 1977 contributed by Ray Gordon
These days, our club is operating like a well-oiled machine. Participation continues to rise, and more and more area races are being held each year. But it wasn't always so!
Growth of the club was slow in the early days, and Ray and his wife Maud did much of the work, including the production of a club newsletter. "I can still remember our cranky mimeograph machine," says Ray, "and my hands stained purple from the fluid."
Reproduced below is one of the first SVR newsletters, from the fall of 1977! (Note that current club members Steven Dobbin and Randy Wingfield had just joined the club at that point.) Many thanks to Ray for providing me with a copy of the newsletter. Hopefully, more items on the history of our running club will be posted on this Web site in the coming months! And now, the newsletter:
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SHENANDOAH VALLEY RUNNERS NEWSLETTER - Fall 1977
Walker and McKiernan Perform Well in Marine Corps Reserve Marathon In their very first marathon ever Doug Walker and Mike McKiernan finished in 2:50 and 3:05 respectively in the Marine Corps Reserve Marathon held in Washington on November 6th. Just to finish a marathon in vertical posture is an achievement in itself. Doug's and Mike's excellent performances were the payoff of several months of daily workouts averaging 10 miles. Both Doug and Mike said the final two miles were agonizing. Mike hit the 24 mile point at 2:43, and it took him over 21 minutes to complete the final two miles. Doug finished around 150th and Mike about 450th out of over 2000 finishers. Doug's performance qualified him for the Boston Marathon in April. Want to Win a Trophy? As a member of the SVR you can do so at our 1st Anniversary 1-Hour Track Run to be held at James Wood High School, Winchester, on January 7, 1978. Large engraved trophies will be awarded to all SVR'ers who complete at least 7 miles during the one-hour run. The race will be open to all, but only Club members as of December 1 will be eligible for the trophies purchased with profits from the Festival of Leaves 10 Kilo. For others in the race medals will be awarded to the first three in age groups. Hopefully, we can hold several such trophy races a year rewarding our loyal membership. Festival of Leaves 10 Kilo This race was a great success. We were blessed with a golden fall day for running, and over 180 runners from five states and the District of Columbia entered. Bruce Robinson of the Washington Running Club, and a national class runner, won the race in 32:28. SVR'ers figured prominently among the 168 finishers: Mike McKiernan finished 9th (2nd in his age group) in 36:53, Doug Walker 10th (2nd) 37:04, Robert Weir 33rd (3rd) 41:04, "Rip" Flick 34th (13th) 41:07 (Rip won the trophy for the first SVR'er not otherwise winning an award), Jim Hodson 74th (10th) 45:11, Larry Barbour 80th (28th) 46:03, Hugh Coffman 81st (29th) 46:07, Steve Dobbin 96th (32nd) 48:00, Dick Hodson 105th (43rd) 48:29, Patricia Coffman 136th (8th) 55:00, and Christie Barbour 158th (13th) 63:46. Congratulations to all! Many thanks to the friends and families of SVR'ers who helped make the race a success. Club Uniform The racing uniform of the Club is the red T-shirt with black lettering and Club logo and black shorts. This makes a very attractive combination. T-shirts are available from Ray Gordon for $4.50, of which 35¢ is profit for the Club. You will have to purchase shorts elsewhere. Virginia 10-Miler Doug Walker, Mike McKiernan, Jim Hodson, and Ray Gordon ran in the hilly Virginia 10-Miler at Lynchburg on a sultry Saturday in September. Results were:
There were over 1400 finishers. Most Improved Runners One cannot help but be impressed by the great improvement shown by the Hodson brothers, Jim (41) and Dick (37), during the past year. Both began running only in March 1977 and within 6-7 months have not only progressed to where they are running 10 kilo and 10 mile races but are also registering creditable times. Both feel that running has added a fullness to their lives and has given them a number of physical fitness benefits. While on the subject of improvement, Paul "Rip" Flick (30) must also be cited. I can recall when I used to beat "Rip" in races. Not so anymore. And I have not deteriorated that rapidly; "Rip" has simply improved greatly. He attributes his improvement to longer and harder workouts. An award for Most Improved Runner should perhaps be given at the end of the Club's 2nd year. Any comments? Club Membership Since the last newsletter the following people have joined the SVR: Hugh and Pat Coffman, McLean, Va.; Steve Dobbin, Winchester, VA; James Scott, Shepherdstown, W. Va.; Robert Weir, Strasburg, Va.; and Randy Wingfield, Winchester, Va. Unfortunately, membership remains low and this sorely limits the Club's operations. All members are urged to do some recruiting. My original hopes were that the SVR would cover the counties Shenandoah, Clarke, Frederick, Rappahannock, and Warren and that we would have at least 100 members at the end of the first year. Unfortunately, these expectations have not been realized. Incidentally, January 1st is being made the anniversary date for dues. If you joined the Club in January 1977, $3.00 will carry your membership through 1978. If you joined in June 1977, $1.50 is due, etc. Race Directors A Club member is designated race director for each of our races. His duties are stipulated on a checklist which is available from the Club secretary, Mike McKiernan. I will be available to help at virtually all races, but the principal official is the race director. The race director should not compete unless he has others to cover all assigned duties. Schedule
Forthcoming Events Jim Hodson and Doug Walker have been asked to compile a schedule beyond the above. If you have any suggestions for a particular race or race site, please communicate with Jim or Doug.
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