Although the upcoming Sweat Gazette newsletter will make short mention of this, I just wanted to make a more formal call to all of our membership to give strong consideration to participating in the upcoming Interclub Challenge .  The event date is Sunday, March 9th, and will take place in Thomas Bull Park in Hamptonburgh , NY .

This is the 7th year of the Club Challenge, and it is starting to accumulate some rich history.  The event was the brainchild of former Sullivan Striders president Tom Manza, and initially was just between the Striders and the Orange Runners Club.  But our southern neighbors the Rockland Road Runners were invited into the fold, and in the past two years, the smaller but just-as-committed Bronx Runners Club have also participated.  Tom explained to me that his vision for this annual competition would be that the victor's cup would go back and forth between the clubs regularly, making for a "we'll get em next year" attitude, and all the fresh excitement that goes along with participating as a team with your respective club.  I told Tom that I wholeheartedly champion that philosophy, and that I would do everything that I could to engender that feeling within the ORC ranks.

And so, my friends, we have a competition on our hands.  A healthy competition in which the best team on that day will no doubt win, but when all is said and done, I can't imagine that anyone will walk away from the day feeling like a loser. No way!

Please mark this date on your calendars, and plan to come out and run for your club.  I will be there, running (of course), exhibiting the sportsmanship that true competition demands, and cheering for all the runners.  But pssssst - I'll be cheering for the Orange Runners Club the loudest.  :)    Hope you can all join in and help us bring the victory cup back to our shelves!  See you on March 9th.

Event Facts

• 7th Annual Interclub Challenge
• Sunday, March 9th, 2008
• Thomas Bull Park , Hamptonburgh , NY  at the pavilion next to the boathouse
• This event is open only to members of the participating clubs.  No independents will be allowed to run.
• Cost $5, which will cover bagels and water/sports drinks
• More food will be provided by club members via covered dish.  Please contact Dave Badolato runner419@msn.com or Tara Pipia tpiamarie@hotmail.com  to let them know what you can bring.
• Some volunteers are needed.  If you are injured or otherwise prohibited from running, but can volunteer, please contact Tara or Dave
• One scoring note:  All runners will score for their team just by running, and scoring is also deeper than usual in some of the age groups.  You don't have to be elite or a regular age group medalist to help the team.  You will help us just be being there and running!  So please do come out.

Thanks all for your consideration, and again, I look forward to seeing you on March 9th!

Sincerely,

=Todd=

Todd Jennings

President, Orange Runners Club