RUN RSVP: Saturday 02/05

It actually looks like tomorrow morning will just be cloudy. The current forecast shows 39F at 7:00 am. It drops to 33F by 10:00 however and says Snow. So if you get started early, you will likely have decent weather.

Run Details:

• Where: Saturday, 7:00 am @ Harris Teeter
• Supported: No - drop your own fluids at the tracks
• Weather: Forecast
• Routes: 5 Miles; 10 Miles

Once again, please post your start time if you are not running at 7:00. Also be sure to bring your own fluids. See you in the morning!

Volunteers Needed!

Hello RMEC. Hard to believe but the Sweetheart 5k is less then two weeks away. Registration is going well, but we are very short on volunteers right now. If you are not racing, I could really use your help at the event. Parks and Recreation does a fantastic job supporting this race, but their staff alone is not enough. We need volunteers for the following:

Friday:

• Packet Pickup

Saturday 6:00-8:30

• Course Setup (5:30)
• General Setup (Food, Tables, Water, etc.)
• Packet Pickup
• Chip Distribution
• Registration

Saturday 8:00 - 9:30

• Course Marshall
• Aid Station
• Back-up Timer
• Chip Removal
• Finish Line Help
• Food Tent

Saturday 9:30 - 11:00

• Fun Run escort
• Awards Distribution
• Course pick up
• Clean up

Coordinating volunteers is not as easy as it looks sometimes. We have been fortunate to get RMEC members who understand runners, and also have been willing to sacrifice some of their time to allow others to run. We really count on people like you to make our local races successful. If you our your spouse can help, please sign up online as a volunteer as soon as possible, so I can build the volunteer plan, and get you the right size shirt. Also, please post a comment here if there are some specific tasks that you can help with. Thank you!

Blue Ridge Relay?

Well, it looks like the Palmetto200 Relay team will not have enough runners to pull together a team for this year. It does however seem like there is genuine interest in doing a relay. Another option that is a bit more local for us is the Blue Ridge Relay on September 17 and 18.

This is a popular relay event that has run for several years. In the past it conflicted with Ford's Colony, but this year they will be on different weekends. Learn more at the official website. Be sure to check out the details and course description.

We are not asking for any commitments yet, but lets use this blog post to see what interest is out there.

RUN RSVP: Saturday 01/30

Not sure who will want to test the weather on Saturday, but I thought I would still post a RUN RSVP just in case. The forecast is calling for a wintery mix. I made the start time 7:00 am, because it seems like people prefer to start earlier. Feel free to post the time you plan to start.

Run Details:

• Where: Saturday, 7:00 am @ Harris Teeter
• Supported: No - drop your own fluids at the tracks
• Weather: Forecast
• Routes: 5 Miles; 10 Miles

If you plan to run, please bring your own fluids. We will soon start providing them again. . . just been cold, busy, and smaller groups right now.

Save 25% Online

Footlocker, Foot Action, & Champs are offering in-store & online 25% off coupons for their Friends & Family Sale valid between 1/28/10 - 1/30/10. Enter the following codes online to receive the discounts.

• Foot Locker FFJA328C
• Foot Action FFJAV28C
• Champs FFJA628C

The RMEC of course encourages all runners to support their local running stores like Raleigh Running Outfitters whenever possible.

Sweetheart 5k - SPREAD THE WORD!

RMEC I need your help. The registration for the Sweetheart 5k presented by Dental Care Center is going very well, but we would love to have more. Unlike all of our other races, the Sweetheart can handle an unlimited amount of runners. I really would like to see the race grow into something special over the years to come. So how do I need your help?

Please take some time today to remind people about the race:

• Post it on facebook
• Send an email
• Call a friend
• Give someone a brochure

Get creative! Find a way to get the word out. Our club has over 60 members if each of you just get two people to sign up that would be half of last years total runners. Seriously. . . that is how big of an impact the RMEC can make if you all help spread the word.

It really will be a fun event. The 5k is at 8:30, and the 1 Mile Family Fun Run is immediately following. The entire day including awards should be wrapped up by 10:00 am. We will once again have custom medals for award winners and gift certificates from RRO, a Couples Division, and a weekend beach. New this year will be a diamond giveaway from Wade Designs. We also have decided to give the free sack pack to all runners instead of jut he first 150. Not to mention a much better shirt for 2010.

So please take five minutes, and talk two friends into registering for the race. If you have not registered yourself, be sure to use the discount code "RMEC" to save on your entry.

Palmetto200 Relay

Submitted by: Frank Lilley

Okay RMEC . . . it's time to try something different! There is a new relay race being held April 30 - May 1st that sounds like a blast! All we have to do is get a team together and run from near Columbia, SC to Folly Beach, SC (just over 200 miles). . . But don't let that stop you from considering this!

This is a race that everyone can participate in. Now, some may disagree with that statement, but you don't have to be a Kenyan to run, although that certainly may help you set a course record. From casual joggers to serious racers, this event is great fun for everyone.

The plan is to get together a 12-person team, two vans, a bunch of supplies and head to SC! I guarantee every person will have a total blast! Friends that have participated in similar relays have told me these are, without a doubt, the most fun events they EVER do!

There are 36 sections of the race, varying from 3.2 miles to 10 miles . . . and each participant will run three sections . . . with a good break between each! All sections are run on roads. Here is what each runner on the team would do (remember these are not consecutive miles):

#1 - 15.4 miles
#2 - 20.3
#3 - 14.1
#4 - 19.4
#5 - 12.4
#6 - 15.8
#7 - 18.2
#8 - 14.7
#9 - 12.4
#10 - 23.9
#11 - 15.6
#12 - 22.0

The Palmetto200 website has a lot more information and details. Plus, suggestions on logistics. I have a friend (Eric Chatham) in Charleston, SC who has done several of these and will be on our team and can really help us put together a plan. You can also join their Facebook group as well.

The cost is $1,200 ($100 per person) BUT . . . there is a 25% discount if we enter by February 2nd. So to save $25 per person we need to decide quickly!! Plus, we will need to rent 2 vans for the weekend.