WRC People News New Members:
Kathryn Paulson, 25, Washington, DC
Barry Clark, Jr., 39, Washington, DC
Eric Sherman, 21, Washington, DC
Chris Bateman, 54, Washington, DC

We welcome Kathryn, Barry, Eric, and Chris into the WRC! Unofficially, that gives us 35 new members so far in 2004, a grand accounting of 18 ladies and 17 gents. 

Getting Married! Running standout Michael Wardian and his fiancee Jennifer are getting wed on Saturday, October 23d! We wish Michael and Jennifer all the best for their wedding, honeymoon (in Hawaii...oo la la), and future together! Cheers! 

October Birthdays!
Megan P., Steve A., Glen H., and Roberto R...Happy Birthday folks!

Moved to New York: Ben Gutman, who joined us on the track from time to time. One thing about Ben...he was ALWAYS smiling! Keep smiling in New York Ben...we wish you the best!

Volunteer to Help With Running Fun

Army 10-Miler. President Barb Fallon Wallace has put out the word for volunteers to help with packet pick-up for the Army 10-Miler. Volunteer duties will take place on Saturday, October 23d in shifts throughout the day. Contact Barb at blfallon@aol.coma.s.a.p. if you're willing to help. Volunteering allows you to rub elbows with many of your fellow runners. 

Please note that we are doing this to help out George Banker, who personally performs all kinds of great works for the DC running community, including directing races, helping to get members into races, helping out with last minute race team changes, and the like. 

Thanks to those who have already signed up to assist!

Veteran's Day 10k. We are also soliciting volunteers for race morning duties (likely packet-pick up) at the Veteran's Day 10k being held on Sunday, November 7th. Email Barb at blfallon@aol.comif interested...7 are signed up so far...thanks!

Track and Sunday Long Runs!Numbers have been up of late at the track in Arlington and at the Sunday distance runs out of Georgetown as members and associates prepare for fall marathons and other races. 

Track night has seen from 10-15 people in the main WRC group, while anywhere from 5 to 10 other WRCers have also been at the track on Tuesday nights doing other tailored workouts. 

Sunday miles are pounded out all along the Capital Crescent Trail, C&O Canal, Rock Creek Park, or around the Mall and such. Come on out and join the fun!. 

Of course, as fall marathons fall by the wayside...track and distance run numbers will subside for a spell as people take a well-deserved rest.

Track nights are switching from Tuesdays to Wednesdays (when the lights will be on) starting November 3d, not before! Starting then, we will meet on the side of the track opposite the entrance gate. Remember, track workouts for the core member group are sent weekly in the club's member email update.

New runners note. If you've been to one or more of the WRC's workouts (distance run and/or track) and wish to be a member of the club you simply need to join. If you want to continue to check out the club, send an email to get included on the weekly email update. We'll then keep you on the update for a spell so you know what's up. Of course, if you go ahead and officially join the WRC, you'll be included in the email for perpetuity or as long as the update or your membership lasts. We welcome all and would love to have you as a member!

Fall Marathon Madness Continues

A bunch of members are running fall marathons. Some already did Chicago and others (results in this and past news)! Here's another recap of coming ones...and we continue to wish all the best with their training and races!
 

Some Fall Thon Links:
Oct 31st - Marine Corps Marathon website
Nov 7th - ING New York City Marathong website
Nov 13th - Richmond Marathon website
Nov 14th - Marathon in the Parks website
Nov 21st - Philadelphia Marathon website

WRC Dues Payment Available Online Now!

Two options for renewals and new memberships. Members, for renewing your membership and paying dues, you now have two options. The traditional mail-in way, or online through a secure server at active.com. If you've been tardy with your dues, please think of renewing now. Thanks! Online registration    Mail in registration

Of course, prospective members reading this are welcome to join by either method also. Joining now takes you all the way through December, 2005 (Dues: $15 individual; $25 family).

Thanks...the WRC appreciates your membership! 

New WRC Logo Being Designed! Because the WRC has been without a logo for some time, once using the Phoenix, which Dave Keating installed, and lately merely identifying the site with the Capitol Dome, the club has embarked on the development of a new logo. This will mark our club as distinct, as it certainly is. More to come soon...stay tuned!

A Great New Englander and Runner Passes the Baton. [From Running Times]: The Associated Press reports that Johnny Kelley has died at the age of 97. Kelley, who completed the Boston Marathon a record 58 times (and started the event 61 times), died Wednesday night [Oct. 6th] at a Cape Cod nursing home, according to his stepson Dave DeLong. His death came just three hours after he moved from his Dennis home to the nearby Windsor Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. 

Kelley, competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Marathon, finishing 18th, won the Boston Marathon in 1935 and 1945, and is a member of the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame, but it was his longevity for which Kelley will be remembered. In addition to his two wins at Boston, he had 18 finishes in the top 10, including seven 2nd place finishes. 

``Johnny was not only a great runner, he was a great person who touched millions of lives and inspired millions of runners,'' DeLong said. ``He lived life to the fullest, in everything he did, and one of his greatest gifts was always seeing the best in everything and everybody.''

Kelley ran his first marathon in 1928 on an out-and-back course between Pawtucket and Woonsocket, R.I. Twenty years old at the time, he finished in 3 hours, 17 minutes. He started the Boston Marathon in 1928 and 1932, but didn't finish either time. In 1933, he ran near the front, but had faded to 37th by the race's end. The next year, however, he held on for second place. He then secured his place in the race's history in 1935, when he captured the title by running away from Pat Dengis, finishing in 2:32:07.

In June 1942, Kelley's wife of three years, Mary, died of cancer and he was soon drafted into the U.S. Army. Private John Kelley came up from Alabama's Fort McClellan for the 1943 Boston Marathon, where his time of 2:30:00, his fastest ever at Boston, left him in second place once again. He went on to run his PR of 2:28:18 in 1948 in a race in Salisbury, MA.

At age 50, in 1957, he ran to an amazing ninth place at Boston, finishing in 2:52:12. From then on, he ran every Boston until 1968, when he did not start, and again through 1992, when at age 84 he finished his 58th and final Boston Marathon. He crossed the line in 5:58:00.

A statue entitled `Young at Heart'' was erected in honor of Kelley in 1993 at the base of the third hill in Newton. The statue depicts a 27-year-old Kelley winning in 1935 and clasping hands with an older Kelley finishing in 1991 at age 83.

We're also very sad to note that Rodney Dangerfield has too passed away. One time Rodney didn't like it when he visited his doctor who said he was crazy. Rodney said, "Oh yeah? Well I want another opinion. The doctor says, Okay, you're ugly too." 

Hey buddy, whadda ya waiting for...Click on me!