December has certainly been a busy month for our members! We enjoyed the Chief Ladiga Half Marathon on the 2nd, celebrated the end of a very productive season at our annual banquet on the 9th, and was featured in the Anniston Star on the 14th. All this excitement only leads me to dispense a few words of praise about our members. So, here they are: Congratulations to Jesse Snyder and Linda Hearn for setting new course records at the Chief Ladiga Half on December 2nd. Kudos to Ken Brewer, Tony Bennett and Scot O'dell for competing in the Huntsville Rocket City Marathon. (Ken Brewer not only competed, he took 1st place in his age group.) We also have a accomplished writer in our ranks. Pete Conroy penned a wonderful article about the night sky in the most recent copy of Longleaf magazine. (Pete, his wife Roxana, and their daughter Haley just recently joined the Anniston Runners club.) Finally, our list of recognitions would not be complete if we didn't mention the 33 winners in this year's Grand Prix! In the pictures below, you can see that Dunaway sure is proud of his grand prix jersey! And, who let the dogs out? You might notice that our flea ridden friend looks a lot like club member - Dr. Barry Nicholls. Our club is growing so fast we are picking up strays!
The Chief Ladiga Half Marathon was wonderful and provided a great finish to our 2007 grand prix. It also turned out to be a relatively painless and successful run for all of our members. Yours truly was able to cap an injury filled year by finally completing a half marathon without hurting myself. However, I think I passed the injury bug on to Nancy Grace. Nancy has been suffering from injuries that have forced her to pull up the reins on her running. Injury or not, that did not stop Nancy from coming out to support the Chief Ladiga Half Marathon, the 2007 grand prix, and her friends in the Anniston Runners Club! How did she finish this Half Marathon without re-injuring herself? She and her friend Cathy Doggett walked it and was proud of it! Thank you Nancy for your support and love for our sport! This year, the Chief Ladiga Half proved to be the fastest one yet. Congratulations to club members Jesse Snyder and Linda Hearn. Jesse and Linda were not only the first overall male and female, but they managed to set new course records and probably didn't even realize they had done so. Jesse set the overall men's record with his time of 1:19:24. Linda raised the bar in the women's category with a time of 1:33:43. Until someone knocks them off their throne, they are the Chief Ladiga King and Queen! Congratulations to everyone who made this race and this year such a huge success! Be sure to attend the annual banquet on December 9th at the Anniston Country club. We will unveil our new race singlets and give away dozens of prizes and awards. See you there!
Everyone please put your hands together for Matt Camp and Mercy Pilkington! The dynamic duo completed the Atlanta Marathon on Thanksgiving morning in a time of 4:17.45 and felt awesome! This from Mercy: "It was my first one, so I had this gloom and doom image of how I'd feel afterward. I actually felt like I could go run another three miles after I finished...although I was REALLY glad I didn't have to!" Matt is not a newcomer to marathons, having run in several already including the Mercedes and the Country Music Marathon earlier this year. You have to love his taste in clothes! Check out his shirt!!!! Matt and Mercy, thanks for representing the Anniston Runners club on Thanksgiving Day! Thank you also for being an example of what this club should be about - runners forming friendships and encouraging others!
We were very well represented at this year's Vulcan Run. Not only did a dozen or so of our members compete, but 4 of them managed to win in their age groups! Yo Setser, Ken Brewer, Brooke Nelson, and Patty Dodson all walked away with age group trophies - Yo took 1st in hers! Other members participating included: Nick Ray, David Stevens, Kim Stevens, Phillip Burgett, Anthony Phillips, Tom Downing, and Elizabeth Rhody. There were several other area runners that made the trip as well. All of them had a great time and couldn't have asked for better weather
The 2006 Gamecock Gallop started out on a rather cool note with temperatures around 40 degrees. It didn't take long, however, for runners to warm up. If you have never competed in this event, then you are missing out! Dave Roberson, who placed second on Saturday, was very complimentary of the course. It was the first time that Dave had ever run in the event and did not know what to expect. None of us knew what to expect when Marcus Woody walked up to the line. As soon as the gun sounded, Marcus took off! A brisk 17 minutes and 40 seconds later, he was finished! Congratulations to all of our members who competed in this event, set PR's, and earned lots of Grand Prix points! I especially want to note the efforts of young Graham Nelson. Graham set a PR by running the race in a little over 30 minutes! Another member that shouldn't go unrecognized is Jefrey Hodge. Jefrey was our only member from our club in the 20 - 29 category. He ended up ousting 20 other runners in this age group and proved that Anniston Runners just can't be beat! Last but not least, and as always, we owe a big thanks to Harry Setser for running the clock! We would be lost without you Harry!
Many of us like to run in the local scene, while some of our members like to explore! Carollynne Blakney is one such runner. Carollynne loves to travel throughout the state searching for new and exciting events. She is an avid triathlete, biker, and runner and is an excellent resource to go to for event information. I guess you could call her a race aficionado! If you want to know the logistics of a run - ask Carollynne. Recently Carollynne competed in the Hospice of Marshall County Race to Remember 5k in Boaz, Alabama with a time of 25:50. On October 14th, she placed 1st in her ten-year age group at the Kiwanis of Phenix City 5k in Phenix City, Alabama. She finished in a time of 25:25. Rolling stones carry no moss!
It looks as if the Anniston Runners have made the news again! Four of our members have competed in every Grand Prix event this year. Their achievements have not gone unnoticed! Be sure to check out the Anniston Star for the article on Yo, Ellen, Bob, and Frank.
Pictures and results from the Oxford Kiwanis 5k are available. Matthew Brick won this first annual run with a time of 19 minutes flat! At the very start of the race, he did a little sprinting for fun. My GPS clocked him at about 20 miles per hour! Of course he didn't keep that speed, but it was enough to dishearten his opponents and leave them in his dust!
Some came to run, some came to eat, whatever the reason - they were there! We had over 65 members turn out on Thursday night. We enjoyed a group fun run and later chowed down on 15 large pizzas! It was so much fun to get together, enjoy a group run and enjoy the benefits of being an Anniston Runner! We look forward to having a blast in December at the Grand Prix banquet. The banquet will be held on December 9th at the Anniston Country Club. If you are not an Anniston Runner - don't be jealous...
If you weren't in Heflin for the Cleburne County classic on September 16th - then you missed one heck of a great run! I have to say that this race was one of the most professionally organized, well planned, and rewarding runs that I have ever competed in. Not only was this race top notch in those areas, but the course itself was one of the most challenging courses this area has ever seen. My calves are aching as I write! Steve Swafford and his crew were amazing! They definitely have my vote to be on the Grand Prix next year. And, if they can continue this level of performance for the next few years, they too would be an excellent candidate for the Alabama RRCA State 5K Championship! Thumbs up and hats off to you Steve, Robi, and all of the men and women at the Cleburne County EMA . Oh, and great singing by Ryan! In addition to the awesome event, I have to name a spotlight runner of the week - Tim Embry! There was a little girl in a wheelchair that competed in the Cleburne County Classic. The course was very hilly and the little girl needed help up many of the hills. I admire and respect my friend Tim Embry for staying with the little girl, helping her up the hills and giving of himself. There will be stars in his crown.... but for now - Runner of the week!
WE DID IT! The Woodstock 5K, our club's signature race, has been awarded championship status! For 2007, the Woodstock 5K will be better know as the Alabama Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) State 5K Championship! We have been busy little bees this past month working to secure this status. We are already working with the RRCA and our sponsors to make next year a great success. We want to thank all of our sponsors, the City of Anniston, and The Anniston Star for helping us gain this distinction. We are expecting around 500 runners for next year's Woodstock and will actually end registration at 500. We have been talking with timing companies and will be hiring one of them to record the results and have them posted on the internet within minutes of your finish! Celebrate with us on September 21st as we meet at the Golden Springs Community Center for a fun run, fellowship, and free pizza. Come be a part of the excitement - Come Run With Us!
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If you are looking for a win on the 2007 Grand Prix schedule, you had better lace up those shoes and practice your speedwork! The Grand Prix series has not only worked to spark interest in our club, but it has increased participation in local runs and worked to provide us with more competitive events. In the past few Grand Prix events, we have had some amazingly fast times! Last year a time of 19 minutes would probably have secured a 1st place in any event - not this year! There have been a few races this year in which 16 minutes was a second place time! If you have not experienced one of these Grand Prix events, come on out and join in the fun!
The Nelson's go tri crazy! No, not Ozzie and Harriet, these Nelson's are die-hard competitors. Tom, Brooke, Graham, Cole and Drew Nelson had quite a time in Huntsville as the entire family competed in the Rocketman Triathlon! Other club members competing in the event were Robert Jackson, Linda Hearn and Carollynne Blakney. It was literally a day filled with blood, sweat, and tears!
Rainbow Drive in Rainbow City, Alabama was home to quite a few PR's on August 26th! The Julie Diener 5k hosted over a hundred runners and proved to a very fast and rewarding course. Our club members did an awesome job representing and racking up on awards! We want to thank Robert Abernathy for directing this race and giving a discount to our members. He thanked us for our participation and for helping to make this year's event successful. He was very impressed with the organization of our club and the enthusiasm of our members. If you missed this event, don't fret! However, you only have 7 Grand Prix races left! Be sure to check out the results of this race and the browse the pictures in the photo gallery.
Team Anniston Runners!
Wow! What an exciting month we have had so far! Woodstock was a complete success, the Lincoln 5k brought out some new runners, and the Mountain Lakes Triathlon welcomed about a dozen of our club's finest! There are many more events just around the corner and it seems like the competition just keeps getting tougher! We would like to thank everyone involved with this year's Woodstock 5k. The Woodstock 5k is put on every year with the help of many generous sponsors and the support of our club members. We were excited to see so many "first timers" out there running this year! I believe we had close to 15 participants running in their very first 5k. Amazing! We are encouraged by the number of participants we have been having this year and look forward to having a wonderful Grand Prix banquet to wrap it all up. There are still many more 5k and 10k events left in this year and they will not be the same without your presence. Several of our members are obviously committed to completing each and every Grand Prix event this season. If for no other reason, come out and cheer them on!
We have two new Anniston Runners! They may not be able to compete in the Woodstock this year, but we will have them out there soon! Congratulations to Barry and Amanda Houston on the birth of their daughter - Bailey. Bailey Houston was born on June 28, 2006 weighing in at almost 8 pounds and measuring 20 1/2 inches long! Congratulations to Nick and Tracy Ray as well! Austin Bennett Ray was born July 14th and was 7 lbs and 21 inches long. We wish both of these families the best!
I was amazed at the number of members that turned out for our lake social! The Anniston Runners really showed up and represented our club. If you could not make it, then you missed out on a great time (see photo gallery). We had food, skiing, canoeing, a horseshoe tournament, a team relay triathlon and badminton! People started showing up around 3 p.m. and immediately began mingling, talking, watching the kids play in the lake, etc... Things really started shaping up around 5 p.m. with the beginning of our 1st annual NEABC/ARC horseshoe tournament! We had 6 vicious teams all after one thing - horseshoe slinging glory and bragging rights! John Moore did his best to split up the teams by making them co-ed and intertwining. Each team had one teammate belonging to the runners club and the other belonging to NEABC. In the end, it was the team of Tom Nelson and Lori Moore that took first place! Our triathlon competition was next. Barry Nicholls very candidly laid out a challenging course, three teams were quickly formed, Graham Nelson sounded the horn, and the 1st annual Lake to Lake Triathlon was born! It was a very close swim with Brooke Nelson, Mercy Pilkington and Mallory Henderson neck and neck the entire swim. Next; John, Linda H., and Landen Henderson completed the 2.5 mile trail run which ended with a very steep climb to the highway. John and Linda took full advantage of their longer legs to take an early lead on Landen and Team Henderson. But, in the end, their lead was not enough. Team Henderson was anchored by the mighty Todd Henderson! Todd was able to make up some time on the bike and ultimately bring his team into the winner's circle! Everyone had a lot of fun participating and both clubs look to add this to our calendars for years to come!
This weekend many of our members traveled to Sylacauga, Alabama to take part in the 1st annual Chalaka 5k and 10k. The weather was nice (for a change) and we were all able to get in a good run. I left from the race that day with two new running heroes: Dave Roberson and Bob Pearl. Dave Roberson, a steely-eyed, inertia-ladened force that defies the laws of nature, continued to punish his competitors as he won the 1st annual Chalaka 10k. Way to go Dave! Hero number 2 is no other than Bob Pearl. Bob, a remarkable runner of ambient charm, and closely resembling a young Robert Redford, demonstrated to the citizens of Sylacauga the correct PLF technique. As Bob was battling the morning heat, he was attacked by a dog! Check out his battle scars the next time you see him! If you do not know Bob, you are missing out on a truly genuine person. Bob's personality, charisma, and smile can permeate and brighten the gloomiest of days. Even after being attacked by a dog, Bob is still smiling!
Congratulations to Anniston Running Club
member Jennifer Swafford! She recently assumed the position of
Marketing and
Membership Director of the Calhoun County YMCA effective May 30th,
2006.
Would you mind slowing down a bit?
It seems our club was well represented over the memorial day weekend. We had a number of members compete in the first Cahaba River Ramble: Robert Jackson, Todd Henderson, Jamie Henderson, Mallory Henderson, and Landen Henderson. These members all enjoyed the beauty of the Cahaba valley while enduring a challenging race! On Monday, May 29th, the following members competed in the Cotton Row 10K in Huntsville: Yo Setser, Matthew Brick, Ellen Cannon, Wayne Heckler, Tom Downing, Jerry Bynum, and Gala Bynum. Congratulations to you all! For corrections or additions, please email: webmaster@annistonrunners.com
The Grand Prix is rolling along and rolling over some. You still have time to join and be a part of the celebration! We are planning to have a great awards banquet at the end of the year with great prizes! Be sure to familiarize yourself with all aspects of the Grand Prix. It is encouraging to see so many runners turning out for these Grand Prix events. But remember, there are other runs out there! Be sure to run in some out of town races for a change of pace. Running in local races exclusively could cause you to become stale an unmotivated. Several of our members changed up their pace a little and competed in out of town events over the past two weekends. Carollyne BlakneyI placed 1st in age w/a time of 26:39 at the Firemen's 5k for MDA in Birmingham on May 20, 2006 Landen Henderson, Dunaway Conner,Mercy Pilkington, and John Moore all competed in the Sportsfirst Tri it on Triathlon in Mountain Brook. Dunaway placed 1st in age 65-69, Landen placed 2nd in age, Mercy placed 3rd in her age group and John placed 17th overall.
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Congratulations to Patty Dodson! She competed in the St. John's Sunset 5k in Pensacola on May 13th. While the Anniston Runners Club was busy warding off thunderstorms, Patty was busy setting a PR in the warm Florida Sun! She completed the 5k in 21:04!
The Coosa Valley Grand Prix is rolling through your area - complete with lightning and thunder! Next year we are going to have to call it the Soggy Valley Grand Prix! It has rained (or tried to rain) in every Grand Prix event this season. Maybe there will be a little sunshine in next weekend's forecast as we prepare for the Alabama Striders 10k (double points) and youth 5k. Congratulations to all who braved the early morning thunderstorm and competed in the Lions 5k Run for Sight. Despite the weather woes we managed to complete the race. Excellent job Lions Club! Thanks Jennifer, Dennis and Ed! If you haven't been to any races this season, you have missed out on a teenage running phenom named Matthew Brick. Matthew has won almost every Grand Prix event thus far. In fact, the only person to beat him this year had to come all the way from Kenya! Matthew missed one race or otherwise he would be working on a complete sweep!
The following Anniston Runners competed in the Cheaha Challenge: Todd Henderson, Dave Roberson, Anthony Phillips, Tom Nelson, Drew Nelson, John Moore, Tom Downing, Mercy Pilkington, Todd Pilkington, and Ellen Cannon. As you can see, running is not their only addiction!
While many of us were setting up for the Noble Street Festival, there was a 5k being held in Harpersville, Alabama. Two of our members competed in the Run With the Herd 5k on Saturday, May 6th. Jeff Tucker and Carollyne Blakney. Carollyne won her age group and Jeff placed 2nd in his! Good job!
If you missed the Noble Street Festival, you missed out! We had so many of our members to attend, participate, and volunteer. It is very nice to be part of a community of athletes like our club! It was so nice to participate in a festival of this magnitude in our own hometown. A few photos were taken at the downtown festival and can be viewed in the photo gallery. We are also very proud and appreciative of our members that helped with the Mellow Mushroom Mad Dash! The event did not draw the crowd that we had hoped for, but it went off without a hitch thanks to the support of our members! A special thanks to Anniston Runner Terry Phillis for sponsoring the Mad Dash and putting up the prize money. We had several of our members to compete in this first annual event and we truly appreciate their support. Thanks gang! Click play to watch the video. Enjoy!
Congratulations to Matt Camp (bib# 7229) and Drew Nelson (bib#11462) for completing the Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon! The event was held in Nashville on April 28, 2007.
Two of our members Ken Brewer and Matthew Brick competed in the Statue to Statue 15K on April 22. It was nice to see two of our members (who are just a few years apart in age) do so well. Excellent job boys!
The Anniston Runners Club monthly officer meeting was conducted on April 20th. Click here to read the meeting minutes.
We may need to rename this page - The Matthew Brick Page! Matthew finished first overall again! The Chief Ladiga 5K had a very exciting finish! For those of us watching at the finish line, we had a classic sprint to the finish between Matthew and Greg Glasscock. Matthew was able to edge him out for another win! This young man is becoming quite a force! Another force, that is climbing the leaderboard, had one of his best 5K times in over 20 years! Jerry (Bye - Bye) Bynum has arrived!
We did have a few members absent from the YMCA race, but for good reason! Patty Dodson was busy setting a PR in Pensacola, Florida at the Hawkshaw Lagoon Missing Children 5K. She finished 1st in her age group and 3rd female overall out of 70 other females. Two more Anniston Runners, Tom Downing and Linda Hearn, who were at the YMCA 5K competed the following day in the Whistlestop Duathlon. Terry Phillis and Patrick Wigley also competed on Sunday in the Powerman duathlon. Both events were held in Irondale, Alabama. Congratulations to all of you!
The 2006 YMCA 5K was wonderfully organized and very challenging despite the weather woes! The 41 runners that did participate started in a light rain which very shortly gave way to clearer skies. We had several new members to join (Matthew Brick, Tim Embry, and Leslie Embry). The race itself was won by our newest member Matthew Brick. Congratulations Matthew on an excellent performance! Special thanks to everyone who braved the elements to participate. Maggie Owens, Anniston Runner club member, did an excellent job directing the race - in spite of Mother Nature. Thanks Maggie! Please click here to view race results or photos.
The Mount Cheaha 50K is getting a feature article in this month’s ultrarunning magazine! Check it out!
