RMEC Results from the Weekend

We had a great turnout for the weekend run at the Harris Teeter. 22 total people joined us for the run! It was enough runners to snap a picture for a new web page header. Even though we had a crowd in Rocky Mount, we also had a few RMEC members racing.

Flat Out 5k: This Saturday in Greenville, 252 lined up for the Flat Out 5k. Jeff Hartney was able to beat all but eight of those runners with a time of 19:21. This was good enough for 1st in his age group by two full minutes! Tom Thurman was the next RMEC runner to finish with a time of 26:11 and 13th out of 25 in his age group. Arthur Bennett also performed well finishing in 28:20. For complete results vist ecrun.org. Great job guys!

Kure Beach Triathlon: Further from home, two RMEC members competed in the Kure Beach Triathlon. This is not your typical tri. It takes the following format: 375 meter swim, 1.5 mile run, 20K bike, 1.5 mile run, and another 375 meter swim. Nothing like running to the finish line coming out of the ocean! Jeff Miller finished in 76th with a time of 1:11:26. Dave Lavely was only five minutes behind crossing the line at 1:16:42. Visit Setup Events for complete results.

BASF Smile Train Triathlon: Also racing a tri this weekend was Ursula Forrester in Wake Forest. Ursula finished the sprint triathlon in 1:24:20. This pool swim event was a Finish Strong event. This organization continues to put on solid races. The detailed results are not available yet, so we do not know Ursula's placing.

RUN RSVP: Saturday 06/28

There seems to be some new life back in the RMEC! I have seen a surge of RMEC runners signing up for the Medoc and Ford's Colony, so I know you are reading the blog. Now it is time to wake up early and hit the roads! I realize this weekend leads into 4th of July, but I have high hopes for a big crowd at the Teeter at 6:30 tomorrow. I will bribe you with food if we have 10 people RSVP.

Run Details:

• Where: Saturday, 6:30 am @ Harris Teeter
• Supported: Yes - Fluid at Tracks
• Weather: Forecast
• Route: 6-mile route; 9 mile route below.

I created two new routes from scratch that make it so everyone will be sharing the same roads, and hopefully have runners nearby at all times (slower and faster runners). I am going "backwards" from normal and therefore not beginning on Candlewood. The route has two portions when you go to the end of a street and come back out, so you will be passing runners multiple times in the run.

If six miles is too long for you. . . we still want you to come out and run! These are easy to cut miles, just don't go to the end of the dead-end sections. If nine miles is too short, you can add in distance. I intentionally made it shorter this time however, so we could all finish close together and have some bagel and doughnuts.

To view the written directions, please click on Notes, on the map page. You can copy-and-paste these and print them if needed. Please RSVP by posting a comment, and let us know your estimated pace.

Ford's Colony 5k and 10k are open for registration!

A lot has happened since we met with Ford's Colony on Friday to discuss hosting a 5k and 10k race. We are proud to announce that Davenport Honda as the presenting sponsor of the September 13th event. This contribution will help enable the RMEC to host this great new event while keeping it affordable for runners and walkers.

Joining Davenport in sponsorship is: Eagle Press, Raleigh Running Outfitters, eyecarecenter, Kamlar, and Chick-fil-A. There are several more who may be joining soon. Most likely we will stop taking new sponsors by the end of this week.

Take a look online on the race web site! The 5k race entry is only $20, and the 10k is $25. All runners will get a race t-shirt, and be eligible for age group awards. There will only be 200 runners allowed total, and neither race can exceed 125 runners.

RMEC members can save 10% using the code "RMEC" during registration. Not a member of the RMEC? You can join for a $25.00 annual fee. Email us at runrmec@yahoo.com.

Also, don't forget. . . Medoc is now 99 days away! If you are running the Medoc 10-miler, this event is a perfect training race. Tell your friends! This is a big deal for Rocky Mount and the RMEC. We just got two new races!!

Saturday bike ride with Wilson group

The Wilson riding group is planning to ride from the Starbucks on 58 in Wilson at 8AM this coming Saturday morning. They have extended an invitation for us to join them for a larger group ride. Unless something comes up, I am planning to go over and ride with them.

According to Nick, the normal Saturday ride is around 45 miles at a 19-20 mph pace. My guess is that if that pace or distance needs to be adjusted to keep everyone who wishes to attend in contact, they would be accommodating. Please RSVP so that the Wilson group will have an idea as to how many us may be coming. - Thank you. Seale

Race Results

Grandma's Marathon: Several RMEC members were racing this weekend. The one furthest from home was Tracy Proctor. After traveling back to Duluth, MN, Tracy was ready to take on Grandms's Marathon for the third time. What began as a cool day, warmed up quickly. Tracy joined the 3:50 pace group and was running strong. At the halfway point she was right on target with a 1:54:34 split.

At this point in the race, shade is nearly impossible to find, and the temperatures were rising. The heat plus miles of running eventually lead to legs cramps. Like everyone in the RMEC, there is no "give up" in Tracy, and nothing was going to stop here from crossing the finish line. Her final time was 4:11:54; less than three minutes off her PR. Congrats to Tracy for another solid marathon performance.

Washington Triathlon: After a smoke delay, the Washington Triathlon got back on track this weekend. Three members of the RMEC competed in the race. First across the line was Dave Lavely, with a time of 1:27:24. This was good enough for 10th overall and 2nd in his age group.

Only four finishers later came Tim Shea with a time of 1:30:22. This time earned him 3rd place in the same age group as Dave. Eric Seale was close behind finishing in 1:40:53, and placing third in the Clydesdale Division. Click here for complete results.

Great job everyone!

Rocky Mount has a new race?

It looks like Rocky Mount is getting a new 5k and 10k this September! The details are not finalized yet, but Ford's Colony has verbally agreed to allow a 5k and 10k at the golf course. Yes. . . at the golf course!

For those of you who had the chance to join us on a Ford's Colony run before the course opened, you would agree, it is absolutely beautiful running. The cart paths are wide and smooth. The terrain has some gentle rolling hills. You weave in and out of some wooded areas, and over several bridges. It honestly is a perfect place to run.

The proposed race will start on the main entry road to the golf course, and quickly enter the cart paths at the first hole. The 10k will run all 18 holes of the course. The 5k will run holes 1-3, down a short road, and then finish on 14-18.

I am thrilled beyond belief to have this opportunity. This race gives us a chance to get racing back in Rocky Mount with a locally run event. It also sets up as a perfect training race for those doing Medoc Trail 10 Miler. Having a 10k three weeks before a 10-miler is great.

Sponsors: The race is tentatively scheduled for September 13th. This means we need to work at lighting speed to start promoting the event. Knowing this is a local race, I am very hopeful that some local merchants will step up and help sponsor the race. I know it is short notice, but we hope to start printing race brochures the week after next. Eagle Press has already signed on as a sponsor, and will once again be the official printer of our race.

Spread the word RMEC. . . we are looking for sponsors and need your help! Pick up the phone, and call your friends. We don't have time to wait!

RUN RSVP: Saturday 06/21

The smoke has cleared, and the temperatures are back to double digits. Sounds like a great day for a run! We are leaving from the Harris Teeter at 6:30 am tomorrow to stay ahead of the heat. I will have fluids, and would really like to know how many people are coming so I will know how much, and where to place them. In the summer time I frequently will place them in multiple locations to keep us safe. Bring your own if you need more.

Run Details:

• Where: Saturday, 6:30 am @ Harris Teeter
• Supported: Yes - Fluid at Tracks and one Fountain (11 mile route only)
• Weather: Forecast
• Route: 7-mile route is below; 11-mile route.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will have a good turnout. I know some of you are racing this weekend, but if you are in town, please come join us. There is a 7 mile route and an 11 mile route. Both are VERY easy to adjust. The seven mile route has one loop early, and the 11 mile route has two loops. By skipping the loops you can drop your miles. If you need help making the route shorter, let me know.

I intentionally made new routes that would keep faster and slower runners bunched together. This is why we have loops. This should prevent anyone from running alone. To view the written directions, please click on Notes, on the map page. You can copy-and-paste these and print them if needed. Please RSVP by posting a comment, and let us know your estimated pace.