Race Options this Weekend

Jingle Bell 5k: There are two races this weekend that may interest you. The first is a Jingle Bell 5k in Raleigh on Saturday to raise money for Arthritis research. Jingle Bell runs are always fun, as you get to tie bells to your shoes. This event begins at 9:00 am at St Mary's School on Hillsborough street. Online registration is closed, but you can sign up on race day.

Reindeer Dash for Cash: The other race is in Greenville, and would be a great training run for your half marathon. The Reindeer Dash for Cash is a 10 miler and 5k that runs on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. This gives you time to still make it to church before getting to the race. This event is being held to honor Captain Christopher S. Cash, who died in service to his country in Iraq. Proceeds from the race will go into a scholarship fund in his honor. This event drew 380 runners last year making it the largest race in Greenville.

As a reminder, I try to list upcoming races in the right column of the blog. Please let me know if you want others added.

RUN RSVP: Saturday 12/01

I am hoping we have a big group run on Saturday. I have been told that several people wanted to have a chance to run the half marathon course again like we did in October. We are now just one week away from the race, so for some of you running a full 13 mile this Saturday is not the best idea. For that reason, I have mapped out an 11 mile course that uses most of the race course.

Run Details:

• Day: Saturday @ 8:30 a.m.
• Where: Sunset Park (Intersection of River and Taylor)
• Route: 11 miles **Updated with written directions - Please print them**
• Supported: Yes - Powerade @ 5 miles. Fountain @ 7.1 and 10.2.
• Weather: Forecast

I have talked to several of you who plan to come to this run. Everyone please RSVP in the comment section, so I know you are coming. I will have Powerade at the start, mile 5, and the finish, so I want to be sure I bring the correct amount. If someone can bring a truck to the run it would help. I need a place to leave the cooler when we run that everyone can get to at mile 5.

If you want to run the full 13, you are welcome to do so. That is what I may do, because I will not be racing on the 8th with the rest of you. In the RSVP, indicate if you plan on running more or less.

We have not had a big group run since the end of October, so lets try for a bunch this Saturday. Bring a friend!Everyone is welcome to join us for the run.

Great turn out! Thanks for coming out: Arthur, Scott, Ryan, Tracy P, Jeff, Derek, Larry, Brent, Gerry, Kevin, Mary, Dave, Jason, and Bob. One of our biggest group runs ever!

Next Race - Counting up the Votes

Thanks to everyone that voted and commented on what half/full you would like to run next. It appears that there are lots of us interested in another race (or people were stuffing the ballot box). There was not a clear winner in the poll, so it is likely the RMEC will have runners spread out over several races in February and March.

• 8 - Prefer Myrtle Beach on 02/16 (11 weeks away)
• 7 - Prefer National on 03/29 (17 weeks)
• 4 - Prefer Shamrock on 03/16 (15 weeks)

We obviously do not all have to do the same race. Traveling/Running with a group is more fun, and that is why I did the poll. Each of the races above have their own strengths and drawbacks. It is important to pick the race that you will enjoy the most. I am still strongly considering running Tybee on 02/02 and renting a beach house for the weekend. I have missed almost a full week of running now, so I need to get back on a plan.

Now that the poll is closed, please use the comment feature on this post, so we know who voted. I will update the post as people reply. I already put in the names I knew about. If you have changed your preference, let me know. If you are new to the blog, we still want to hear from you, so don't by shy about positing a comment. It would be nice to have a name to go with every vote.

• Tybee: Michael*, Ryan*
• Myrtle: Brent, Arthur, Steve*
• National: Michael, Matt*, Tracy, Dave H.
• Shamrock: Cliff, Derek
• Country Music - Frank, James

* = No one is firmly committed to the races above, but those with a * are specifically the ones that are only tentative. I do hope to here from more of you on this topic.

First Carolina State Bank Half Marathon Updates

We are now less than two weeks away from the First Carolina State Bank Half Marathon and 5k! Hard to believe how quickly this race is coming now. As mentioned below, if you have not registered yet, you better do so soon! Here are some recent updates:

Banners: If you have not seen them, we have two nice banners made for the race. One is in front of the FCSB Branch on Winstead Avenue, and the other is currently in front of the YMCA. That one may move to Sunset Park as the race approaches. We will also have finish line banners.

Food and Drinks: Be sure to stick around after the race for awards, kids events, and music. To help keep everyone warm, we are planning for coffee and hot pizza! Leave a jacket in your car to warm up after the race.

Fluids: Fluids will be available on the course. They will be approximately at Mile 2, 4, 6, 7.8, 9.3, 11.4, and 12.2. The 7.8 and 9.3 are actually the same table in Tom Stith park, which you run by twice. All tables will have water, and two locations will have Gatorade. There will not be gels offered, so if you need one, be sure to bring your own. This is what I anticipate for the fluids:

• Mile 2 - Water
• Mile 4 - Water
• Mile 6.5 - Water
• Mile 7.8/12.2 - Water and Gatorade
• Mile 9.3/11.4 - Water and Gatorade

The Course: A two mile portion of the course will have two way runner traffic. Runners must stay to their right at all times to avoid a head on collision. I really need the RMEC runners to not only follow this rule, but also to help encourage others during the race to do the same. This will be marked on the course, but runners are known to take the shortest possible route, and this could cause a problem.

Volunteers: Is your family coming out cheer for you? Why not have them volunteer and get a free race hat, coffee, and pizza! Butch is looking for people to help with the packet pickup, directing runners (adults only), fluid stops, finish line, and more. No experience is necessary. If you can point you finger and say "run that way" you are qualified. We really need volunteers to make this event a success. Please encourage people to help. If you know of people or groups, post here, or have them email Butch Robertson directly.

Thanksgiving Day Results

November is certainly the biggest month for RMEC racing, and last weekend was no exception! Beginning with Thanksgiving Day, Ursula ran the Cary Turkey Trot 8k. This was Ursula's first 8k, so as expected she had a PR, but it was also a time that she was very happy with, finishing in 46:20.

This race was directed by Butch Robertson, and had a very big crowd! So many people signed up at the last minute, that they ran out of shirts and timing chips. All runners were still allowed to race, but those who were late had their entry fee substantially reduced. I only point this out to make sure people sign up now for the First Carolina State Bank Half Marathon or 5k. I do not expect we will have the same concern, but don't take any chances. Don't wait to register the kids either. Print out an application and get it in the mail today. Remember the 1 mile and Kid's Dash cannot register online.

The Brondykes were also racing on Turkey Day! Brent's son Mikah and with Debi were doing their fourth Atlanta Half Marathon, it was Brent's first. If you know Atlanta, you also know this is a hilly and challenging course. Brent started out strong, buy slowed down in the second half finishing with an impressive 1:48:28. Knowing he is racing Rocky Mount in a few weeks, he was not trying to peak just yet. Debi ran a strong race finishing in 2:25:17. The star of the day however was Mikah running a 1:28:08! This was good enough for 8th place (out of 205) in his age group. If you are 19 and under, you will likely be chasing Mikah on December 8th!

Turkey Trot Results

I just received the Turkey Trot results from the Parks and Rec group. This will be a very long post, but I did not want to remove any names from the list. Even though many of these names have not run with the RMEC, I want to ensure credit is given to everyone who ran. I will update the RMEC race results page within the next week. Please let me know if you set a PR. Congrats to everyone!

10k Results:

PARTICIPANT’S NAME	AGE	SEX	TIME
Tyler Turner	17	M	38:35
Mikah Brondyke	17	M	39:37
Chris Wall	19	M	40:48
Edward Vick	26	M	41:26
Larry Crawford	49	M	41:43
Michael Forrester	34	M	43:16
Hillary McKenney	14	F	43:40
William Leland	46	M	44:05
Ryan Bullard	32	M	44:06
Jason Irvin	35	M	45:47
Larry McKeel	46	M	45:58
Brent Brondyke	43	M	46:06
Kim Gilliam	42	F	46:20
Tracy Proctor	37	F	46:33
Matthew Collins	36	M	47:26
Michael Votava	37	M	49:06
Pat Petruzziello	43	F	49:11
Robert Powell	48	M	50:18
Marvin Holcomb	48	M	51:31
Katie Bedford	24	F	51:32
Richard Wilson	30	M	52:42
John Fatheree	49	M	53:00
Jeffrey Hale	36	M	53:21
Andy Barker	58	M	54:53
Ann Hine	30	F	55:31
Jason Harrold	37	M	56:48
Debi Brondyke	42	F	57:15
Jennifer Crumley	31	F	57:35
Joe Bunn	64	M	59:13
Russ Hinesley	58	M	59:20
Clyde Minges	53	M	61:58
Amber Poole	31	F	62:13
Murray Schmitt	51	F	62:31
Michael Dial	37	M	62:51
Elaine Weisner	50	F	62:54
Carol Dickens	53	F	64:17
Katy Sarcona	24	F	64:19
Savanna Martin	23	F	64:20
Tammy Hawkins	42	F	65:03
Chad Tucker	37	M	67:15

3 mile Results:

PARTICIPANT’S NAME	AGE	SEX	TIME
Kevin Wanichko	19	M	15:55
Georgia Davis	23	F	17:10
Evan Brondyke	15	M	17:51
Tevin Richardson	15	M	18:02
Brian Lankford	44	M	18:03
Ashley Bass	49	M	19:07
Joseph Thompson	15	M	19:33
Andrew Nguyen	14	M	19:57
Crystal Joyner	26	F	20:09
Bryan King	30	M	20:33
Barry Sutton	12	M	21:31
Jeff Hartney	44	M	22:11
Travis Hartney	13	M	0:22
Will Leland	15	M	22:22
Allen Peoples	61	M	22:36
Sara Bass	16	F	22:47
James Fretz	50	M	22:49
Miranda Johnson	17	F	23:07
Melissa Whitehead	41	F	23:38
Alex Deaver	12	M	24:51
Gabrielle Rackley	13	F	25:10
Deana	34	F	25:16
Jim Wren	56	M	25:19
Arthur Bennett	41	M	26:19
Brian Rackley	31	M	26:40
Dwane Cowan	50	M	27:09
Tony Joyner	43	M	27:10
Jessica Edwards	17	F	27:18
John Tobias	54	M	27:48
Jimmy Condery Jr.	37	M	27:50
Spencer Richardson Jr.	34	M	27:50
Amy Brandt	32	F	29:30
Kelly Jones	36	F	30:05
Melinda Rackley	30	F	30:33
Andromeda, Hawkins	19	F	32:00
Eric Seale	38	M	33:49
Bonita Davis	53	F	33:49
Mark Bryant	34	M	34:54

1-Mile Fun Run

PARTICIPANT’S NAME	AGE	SEX	TIME
Robert Mayfield	44	M	6:12
Nicholas Vester	10	M	6:44
Jack Leland	9	M	7:01
Mary Leland	9	F	7:48
Trysten Roberson	7	M	8:03
Kevin Cooper	37	M	8:35
David Seaman	52	M	8:39
Stuart Whitehead	9	M	8:50
Alex Whitehead	11	M	9:15
Caitlyn Vester	9	F	9:24
Mary Emig	46	F	9:32
Jacob Bernat	8	M	9:33
Jackson Lavely	8	M	10:19
Tessie Lavely	36	F	10:20
Travis Priest	8	M	10:39
Zach Seaman	9	M	0:10
Jillian Lavely	7	F	11:02
Sydney Seaman	7	F	0:11
Henry Forrester	4	M	11:09
Ursula Forrester	36	F	0:11
Cathy Bass	44	F	11:15
Kayla Miller	6	F	11:29
Max Collins	8	M	11:33
Davis Collins	7	M	11:38
Sarah Collins	36	F	11:39
Jenna Lavely	5	F	11:44
Joyce Thigpen	41	F	11:53
Monica Seaman	42	F	11:53
Caroline Forrester	8	F	11:56
Brandon Miller	4	M	12:00
David Lavely	44	M	12:02
Robert Mayfield II	13	M	13:30
Tracey Bryant	35	F	14:00
Leah Carr	4	F	14:05
Heather Seale	33	F	15:39