Name these Legs!!

Indoor Running expanded for early risers!  You can now start running at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings at the University Arena.  [click here for updated schedule]

Kalamazoo represented at Grand Opening of US Track & Field Hall of Fame!! In the 1970s George Dales, former WMU coach, and 2 other Track & Field devotees envisioned a Hall of Fame which was eventually opened in Charleston, West Virginia.  Over the years the facility in Charleston lost its funding and the exhibits moved to a temporary location at the USATF Headquarters in Indianapolis.  On Saturday January 24th the new home of the US Track & Field Hall of Fame was opened in New York City.  George Dales, who still lives in Kalamazoo, was a VIP guest.

George Dales and Susan Rose (widow of one of the other Hall of Fame Founders) at the new home of the Track & Field Hall of Fame in Manhattan

[more on the US Track & Field Hall of Fame, click here]

January a busy month in Kalamazoo for Running! It is hard to believe how many running opportunities exist in the Kalamazoo community during the coldest month of the year!   The indoor runs continue on Sunday, Saturday's have a variety of options from running with the Battle Creek Roadrunners at Ft Custer or a long slow one with the SHufflers.  Our own treasurer, Rollin Richman, has a group training for a Winter marathon!  Borgess Run Camp starts  on the 20th and will get you ready for a half-marathon. Click on any of the highlighted areas above and you will be led to contacts or more information!  I'm sure I missed something so send me stuff! To keep informed, join our mailing list by sending a blank note to kalamazooarearunners-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

2004 One One Run Starts Year for Running Community!

 
Chris Crowell awards the Charlie Miller Chainsaw to Bill Hoard!

Hundreds of local runners started the year off by jogging in the One One Run.  This event, sponsored by Gazelle Sports, is in its 21^st year.  Proceeds from the event support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo.

Bob Ezelle, Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs and former Loy Norrix HS and WMU athlete, started the race precisely at One O’Clock (of course).   Runners and walkers from Kids to Seniors toured the 2.2 miles around Spring Valley Pond. 

Also on hand were George Dales and Jack Shaw, former WMU Cross Country/Track & Field coaches.  They were there to support the growing grassroots movement to reinstate the Men’s Cross Country and Track & Field programs.  WMU Trustees approved a proposal on December 12, 2003 to eliminate those programs.   The “Bring Back Track” group will have an information meeting at 6:00 p.m. on January 7 at the Roadhouse and has a website that can be reached from the local running club website, www.kalamazooarearunners.com .

Chris Crowell, co-owner of Gazelle Sports, said the run raised a record amount of money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo.   Over 900 runners participated in what has become a New Year’s Day ritual for the local running community.

The One One Run is not timed, nor are there any prizes for the fleetest afoot.  All participants wear the number “1”.  But there are prizes!  Hundreds of them.   Many are flung by Gazelle employees into the masses of flailing arms.  The most coveted is the Charlie Miller Chainsaw, whose legend is lengthy and cannot be told in abbreviated form.  The 2004 recipient is Bill Hoard, who must keep safe this most treasured of local running lore until the 22^nd One One Run.

Bob Rafferty has volunteered at all 21 One One Runs.

Charlie Crouch mans the KAR table.

Gnu recruits an unsuspecting Gazelle employee for the Bring Back Track effort!

Running Club at WMU! The WMU Running Club is a social organization which meets to run twice a week and is only in its second year. The aim of the club is to offer a means for the many runners on Western’s campus to meet and to provide a casual atmosphere for running.  Check out their website.

Indoor Runs starting on Jan 4!!  Print out the Schedule and hang it on your refrigerator!  Click Here!

Congratulations to Local Runners completing Marathons in November/December!!  Click Here!

Club Championship Series for 2004!! The club is sponsoring a championship series in 2004.  Points will be awarded based on finishes in local events.  These will be totaled to arrive at club age group champions for the 2004 season.  Read more!!

Send a message to club members or post a note at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kalamazooarearunners.  

Or address an e-mail to kalamazooarearunners@yahoogroups.com