February 2009 President’s Page

Dear SRRC Members,

Amazing is the way I’d describe 2008, 2009 will be even better!  Our Race Directors, Board Members, Event Volunteers, Participants, Group Run Coordinators and Sponsors are second to none.  Thank you all!

In 2009 we introduce you to a fabulous new website design courtesy of web gurus Anne Baker and Dan Billingsley.  While we transition the interim site is www.sprrc.net.  We’ll be back at our original domain name www.srrc.net soon.   The new site has wonderful features in addition to spectacular graphic, photo and video capability, a very exciting development.  You can post group runs, enter races and keep your membership fresh on the new site, check it out!

Next, I want to personally invite you to join us for the Bicentennial edition of the historic Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon, April 4, 2009 at 7:30 am.  We want runners and volunteers, please come out and join in this event.  Runners will literally run where favorite son Abraham Lincoln walked!  Volunteers can give something back and join in what has proven to be a classic event that draws runners from across the nation to our town.  It all starts at St. John’s, Prairie Heart Institute, be there!  Check the website for more details www.runabe.com

After we all enjoy our annual Monster Mash awards  banquet and party thanks to the work of Emily Klockenga and her team I am happy to introduce you to our newly elected slate of officers to guide the clubs activities in 2009:

I am returning as President, thanks for this opportunity!

Jim Cinotto returns as Past President.

Susan Helm moves from Secretary to Vice-President.

Chuck Costello steps down as Vice-President.

Brent Leach returns as Treasurer.

Mary Rogers returns to Membership.

Lori Milkint steps down from Website.

Anne Baker moves from Newsletter Editor to Website.

Emily Klockenga returns to Special Events.

Linda Jones joins as Race Director Liaison in place of Jan Wilson who retired this year.

 Alysson Strauch is our incoming Newsletter Editor on the board.  Alysson will coordinate newsletter content and work with Maria Ansley on layout and design.  The work of the outgoing board members has been excellent , I know the work of the new board will be outstanding as well.

If all that isn’t enough, the board this year voted to purchase a state of the art IPICO tag/chip timing system for the club, enabling us to further enhance the quality of events.  We’re actively seeking   volunteers to help learn how to integrate this new system into our already great calendar of events for this year!  Please contact me or Linda Jones if you are interested.

Check this edition for the 2009 SRRC Points Series Race Calendar and stay tuned to the website for updates!

 I had the pleasure of attending the High School Cross Country Awards ceremony in January at the State Journal Register auditorium.  John Hartnett coordinates this program, he co-directs the Scholastic Challenge with Denise Hartnett and Jay Rogers.  John, along with the SJ-R’s Jim Ruppert  and Derek Dexheimer our points coordinator and Matt Lamsargis from the Springfield Running Center,  selected this years winners in an exceptional event.   Your club donates money to this wonderful program annually.  The awards acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the area’s best male and female Cross Country competitors and provides funding to the winner’s school’s Cross Country programs.  It was exciting to be a part of an event so in tune with the mission of the SRRC and to meet these shining stars of the running community who were each inspirational in their accomplishments and their remarks.

 We’ve got a lot to offer and there is a lot going on.  I’m continually amazed at the success of all of these club activities that are all a product of hardworking volunteers.  We look forward to hearing from you ,whether you’d like to try your hand at race direction, timing and scoring or as part of our fantastic Abe’s Army Training program.  Send an email or give us a call.  I hope your running is going well, see you on the roads!

Barb