Images of Rocky Mount Magazine

Some of you may have seen the Images of Rocky Mount magazine publication. Wednesday (04/08) a photographer will be taking photos of runners on the trails. We are leaving on our normal "nooner run" from the YMCA and will head to the wooden bridge to be in the photo shoot. Everyone is welcome to join. Not sure exactly why they are taking the picture, but wear a RMEC shirt if you have one to help us spread the word! Be at the bridge by 12:15.

Chase Delayed - Still Running However. . .

We are going to delay the unofficial Chase of Champions. Sorry for the confusion with the date, and the late cancellation. With it falling during Spring Break, there were far more people who could not run. I never realized the 12th was part of Spring Break when we picked it. I don't expect a really big crowd for the race, but would like to see more than 20, which we were far from getting.

So, here is the plan for Saturday. We will run from the YMCA at 7:30 am. The first portion of our run will be the Battle Park loop, which we estimate at being almost exactly a 5k. We can race/run those first 3.1 miles, and those that wish to run longer can continue. I will make a route that reflects this. This way we can still have a time trial of sorts for those seeking a 5k time. I will still post the results on the blog.

If you truly want to race a 5k, there is an event in Greenville, and one in Durham this weekend that should be great options. If you are interested in a sprint triathlon, there is one in Roanoke Rapids. The deadline was yesterday, but it appears to still be allowing online entries.

So, if you want to run 3.1 miles, 20 miles, or something in between, come out and join us at the YMCA at 7:30. I will have an RSVP post on Thursday with the route. I will also be looking for a place to leave fluids.

RMEC Rocks Raleigh!

The third race in the North Carolina Half Marathon series took place on Saturday under rainy skies. This did not stop the RMEC from having some very impressive performances.

First across the line from Rocky Mount was Jeff Miller with a 1:31:59. This is a major PR for Jeff at the half, and I think one that all of us have been expecting to see. Jeff finished 19th overall, and 5th in his age group. Next from the RMEC was Tracy Proctor, with a 1:42:26 improving her previous PR set just one month earlier. Tracy was also 5th in her age group, and just the 16th female finisher.

Larry McKeel continues to rack up half marathons and finished in 1:49:26 and was the third RMEC finisher. Nipping on Larry's heels was Jason Irvin with a 1:50:16. Larry, Jason and Tracy ran in all three of the inaugural NC Half Marathon series events.

The rain could not slow down Mary Whitwell either, as she also ran a PR finishing in 1:58:52. This performance was good enough for 5th place in her age group as well. Not too shabby for a person who does not consider herself a runner!

Tammy Malinowski who has run one of our club 5ks last year with us also ran the half marathon. Tammy ran an impressive 2:34:45, while her husband Josh ran the 5k in 22:29, good enough for a second place age group award.

Below is a list of all local runners in the half marathon:

1:31:59 - JEFF MILLER
1:42:26 - TRACY PROCTOR
1:43:41 - LARRY CRAWFORD
1:49:26 - LARRY MCKEEL
1:50:16 - JASON IRVIN
1:50:43 - BILLY HALL
1:56:23 - RALPH WILLEY
1:58:52 - MARY WHITWELL
2:23:29 - ASHLEY HOLLAND
2:34:45 - TAMMY MALINOWSKI

Congrats to all runners! I will update the RMEC 2008 Race Results section this week with all of your details!

Tarboro 5k Recap

The RMEC split up into two groups this weekend. Several of us went to Tarboro for the 5k, and another group went to Raleigh for the Raleigh Rocks Half Marathon. I will share those race results in the next blog entry (and they are very impressive). For now I will start with Tarboro.

15 of the 100 runners were from Rocky Mount. Brian Lankford lead the the way finishing 3rd overall with a 18:12 time. Not too bad for a 45 year old chasing down some high school cross country runners. Robert Mayfield was next from Rocky Mount finishing 5th in 19:22. I was close behind with a 19:28 in 6th.

The RMEC did well collecting hardware. Myself, Scott Wingfield (21:10), and Eric Pate (22:52) made a clean sweep in the 30-39 age group taking 1st through third. . . and yes, there was more than three people in our age group if you were wondering. Deana Guido who ran a few of our 5k training races last year finished 2nd in the 30-39 age group with a 26:37, and Tom Thurman took second in the 50-59 age group with a 24:38.

Here is a complete list of race results and also a link to race photos. Great job everyone!

Medoc Sponsorship Needed

The race committee for the Medoc Trail Marathon is making great progress as we work towards our 10/04 race date. We are currently finalizing the course, having planning meetings, reserving facilities, updating the website, pricing supplies, and creating the race budget. When it comes to the budget, we have lots of debits in our future, but are looking for some credits. This is where sponsors come in.

We are looking for sponsors to help make this new race a success. We are looking for either cash contributions, or in kind donations of items we need to host the event. This includes things like cups, tables, sound system, timing equipment, food, race numbers, etc. All contributions are tax deductible. Races cost money, and our goal is to do everything possible to give runners a first class experience.

If you know anyone who would be interested in helping to sponsor this race, please let myself or Frank know. We have some proposed sponsorship packages on the Medoc website, but are willing to work with people to find an option that mutually benefits the race, it's runners, and it's sponsors.

Be sure to check out the website. It is still in "beta" mode now, so if you find any bugs or errors. Let us know.

Big Race Weekend!

This coming weekend is the biggest race weekend of the year in the south east. It really kicks of the spring racing season. Although I don't think anyone from the RMEC is running in the two big races (Monument Avenue and Cooper River Bridge), I am hoping you are still taking advantage of some of the closer options.

Some of you are heading to Raleigh for the third installment of the North Carolina Half Marathon Series. The Raleigh Rocks race has a half marathon, 5k, and kids races. If you can make it to the event, it sounds like it will be fun. Seven Mary Three will be the headline band at the race.

Closer to Rocky Mount, and on a smaller scale is the Movin' for Community Outreach 5k in Tarboro. You can get to the start of this race in 15 minutes from Rocky Mount. It is a small local race, but something that the RMEC could help increase enrollment on. They also have a free kids race. The website was recently updated, so you can check for more details. You can register the day of the race.

Becuase there are two races, we will likely not have a group run. My preference would be for those who are staying local to instead head to Tarboro, and help support that race.

Happy Running!

Don't forget the Chase!

UPDATE: I just added a poll about the date. I did not realize when we picked a date that this would be during spring break for many of you. I want to see if we should postpone the event.

I do not expect our unofficial Chase of Champions to draw the same crowd it did last year, but I am still hopeful I will see lots of RMEC people next Saturday. So far I have heard from the following saying they plan to run:

10k:

• Arthur B
• Amber P
• Brent B
• Tracy P
• Eric P

5k:

• Jon S
• Eric S
• Michael F

Maybe:

• Derek

Keep in mind this is a run, not an official race. I will record times for people who participate and have them posted on the blog. You are welcome to choose your own pace, but I encourage people to make this an aggressive run, even if we do not have awards, and a closed race course.

To "sign up" go the the original post, that has the details. Spread the word, and bring a friend with you. This is a great way to help promote the RMEC and grow our membership. I have not seen many of you since the Turkey Trot, so consider this a reunion run and come join the fun.