News

KAR/BCRR News Rundown

Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead. -
Louisa May Alcott

Here’s what’s hot and hopping on the Kalamazoo Running Scene....

Blast Through Space With Beyond Marathon Training

The Beyond Marathon Training Program blasts through space December through mid April and targets Boston or an early Spring Marathons of your choice. This is a free training program for all KAR members. Runs feature a Saturday morning long run followed by a social time.

Click on the links below for more program details or contact Bonnie Sexton at besrun2003@yahoo.com.

Click here for the Beyond Registration Form

Click here for the Beyond Snap Shot Schedule

Click here for the High Intensity Schedule

Click here for the Moderate Intensity Schedule

Step Up at Borgess Run Camp!

Whether you are a brand new runner tackling your first 5k or ready to step up to a half marathon, this training program is for you. The popular Borgess Run Camp kicks off this Saturday, January 26 at the Borgess Health and Fitness Center. Runners may register and pick up materials for the camp at Gazelle Sports this Wednesday from 4 to 8 PM. Also plan to attend a winter running apparel clinic presented by Rob Lillie at 4:00, 5:30 or 7:00 PM. Visit Borgess Run Camp for more information and registration or contact Blaine Lam at blainel@lamcreative.com

KAR/BCRR Annual Banquet

The KAR/BCRR Annual Banquet is Tuesday, March 4 @ 6:30 at the Lawrence Education Center at Borgess Hospital. This year’s special guest speaker is the amazing Don Kern, Director of the Grand Rapids Marathon and the only marathoner to run seven continents twice in the same year. Evening also features Runner Recognition awards, Volunteer of the Year awards, our annual business meeting and election, and dinner prepared by Confection Inc! The evening will be capped off by a variety of desserts!

Please RSVP Sherrie Mann at slmann@sbcglobal.net.

It’s Election Time!

And we’re not talking Presidential primaries here! Rewarding leadership opportunities exist on the KAR/BCRR Board for the March 2008 – March 2009 term! Incumbents seeking reelection will be announced in the next edition of The Rundown, but as always, candidates may run for any vacant or occupied board seat at our annual election and banquet to be held March 4. Here’s the lowdown on all of the KAR/BCRR Board positions. Interested Candidates should contact Julie Wojtaszek at jjwojtaszek@yahoo.com

1. President (Position may be filled by a Co-President Team)
a) Is the chief operating officer of the association with power to initiate and direct club policy subject to the approval of the Board of Directors
b) Provides the association with leadership and guidance in accordance with the purposes of the association
c) To preside over meetings
d) To represent this association in the RRCA
e) To call any special meetings
f) To appoint committees and chairpersons thereof
g) To establish event and program leadership thereof
h) To ensure production of general electronic communication to the membership no less frequently than monthly

2. Vice President of Membership
a) To assume the powers of the President in his/her absence
b) To take on special assignments as requested by the President
c) To maintain a current copy of the association's membership records from Treasurer
d) To formally acknowledge new members and notify expired memberships
e) To promote active members and stimulate new interest
f) Maintain a pool of possible candidates for future board elections

3. Vice President of Communication and Marketing
a) To organize, solicit information and produce association communications and event/membership marketing materials
b) To identify new event marketing opportunities
c) To coordinate with the VP of Technology to ensure timely posting of current information on the association's web site

4. Vice President of Technology
a) To maintain the association web site
b) To provide leadership and guidance relating to electronic communications

5. Vice President of Technology Support
a) To coordinate Club Championship Series program and data
b) To provide back-up support to the Vice President of Technology

6)Vice President/Battle Creek Community Liaison
a) To serve as association representative on Battle Creek area event & program committees
b) To recommend Battle Creek area events and programs for association involvement
c) To coordinate Battle Creek area group runs and social events and ensure communication to the VP Communications and President for publication.
d)To serve on the Battle Creek Subcommittee when such committee is established.

7) Vice President of Special Events
a) To organize a minimum of 4 special events or programs
b) To coordinate with the VP Communications and President to Promote Special Events
c) To serve as the contact person for non-board event/program leaders

8) Vice President of Special Events –Battle Creek
a) To organize a minimum of 4 Battle Creek Area Events or Programs
b) To coordinate with the VP Communications and President to promote special events.
c) To serve as the contact person for non-board program/event leaders in Battle Creek.
d) To serve on the Battle Creek Subcommittee when such committee is established.

9. Secretary
a) To record minutes at meetings
b) To keep a file of such minutes and, when requested by the President, to accept assignments involving correspondence and the keeping of record.
c) Furnishes a copy of minutes of regular association and Board of Director's meetings to all Board Members either on paper or electronically.

10. Treasurer
a) To administer all financial dues and to have authority to sign or disburse necessary appropriations, as directed
b) Keeps a record of all financial transactions
c) Pays approved bills
d) Furnishes a copy of the association's income and expense report to Board Members at all scheduled meetings
e) Maintains the association's bank accounts
f) Files appropriate tax returns and reports
g) Maintains the association's official membership records and shares this information in a timely manner with the VP of Membership.

11. Vice President of Hospitality
a) To coordinate association attendance at event expos
b) To organize and coordinate the member reception runs * (upon approval of amendment)

Valentines 5k Fun Run and Next KAR/BCRR Board Meeting

Tuesday Feb 5 is our next Valentines Member Reception 5k Fun Run! Come join us at 6:00 pm at the Borgess Health and Fitness Center for this casual 5k run along the Borgess Run course. Come out and run with friends and then enjoy food and raffle prizes. Board Meeting immediately following at 7:00 pm. Questions? Contact Cindi MacDonald at cindim@eckert-wordell.com.

Kal-Haven Trail Relay

Start forming your teams for the Kal-Haven Trail Relay! Runners can enter as co-ed, female or male 2-person or 6-person teams or run the entire 33.4 miles solo! Click here for the Kal-Haven Trail Relay Registration. For more information contact Terry Hutchins at tkhutchins@chartermi.net

“Run” the American Heart Association Walk

Here is something we are passing along from Brian Moon:

February 16, is the American Heart Association’s 2008 Southwestern Michigan Heart Walk. Many of the Miller-Davis staff, including myself will be participating in this AHA signature fund raising event. The Heart Walk promotes physical activity and heart-healthy living. This event’s goal is to create hope, inspire change and celebrate success. The Heart Walk is taking place at Wings stadium in Kalamazoo Saturday February 16^th, 2008 at 9:30 am. For many this is the first step towards a healthy life style. For those of us that are already active I thought organizing a run would be a good way to support the Heart Walk and its mission. The run will be about 5 miles. One water stop, good company and beautiful February weather will be provided. I will send out further details closer to the event. To participate follow the link below and make a donation. If you want to give a donation and not run that’s OK too. To RSVP reply to Brian Moon at bmoon@miller-davis.com with the subject line “I plan on running”. If you RSVP I will know to send you a reminder and more information later. Please send this invitation to your friends. Link to donate: https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=240605&supid=201219770

Link to run route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1531042

KAR/BCRR Discount Sponsers:

Gazelle Sports: 10% off non sale shoes. Please supply sales person with KAR/BCRR membership number prior to check out.

The Studio: A Personal Fitness Experience. If you’re fighting an injury or just want overall better health check out The Studio (269-352-5518). Discounts apply per session or multiple sessions. Provide KAR/BCRR membership number.

Healing Moments: Message bodywork. Located in KVO’s building on Turwill Ln. Discounts apply per session or multiple sessions. Provide KAR/BCRR membership number. (269-327-5824/269-217-7563)

Options 4 Your Health: KAR/BCRR 10% discount on nutraceutical products (nutritional supplements). (269-217-2146/e-mail:nestlady@aol.com)

Support the WMU Track Club

Order T-shirts with the WMU Track Club logo and support WMU Track Club.

The shirts are short sleeved grey shirts with the new running club logo

on the front. The shirts are $10 and come in sizes small-xlarge. To get one of these shirts into your hands or on your backs either email running club at rso_rc@wmich.edu or call Chad Mahakian at (248)568-9151 (cell).

Kalamazoo Area Runners Website

Visit our website at www.kalamazooarearunners.com!

Events Listed through Gazelle Sports

For information on local events and programs available through Gazelle Sports, visit www.gazellesports.com.

Front Line Racing Team

Interested in competing for a team? Information on our racing team partner, Front Line Racing Team can be found at www.frontlineracingteam.com or contact Fred Vanhala at relayfred@aol.com.

The Trikats

For information on the TriKats Kalamazoo Triathlon and Multi-sport Club visit www.trikats.org Check out their new website!

Race Management, Chip Timing, Event Listings and Results!

Visit the sites of these two great local companies…… you’ll find many of our Club Championship Series & Race Discount Program Events listed here!

Great Lakes Championchip www.greatlakeschampionchip.com.

Classic Race Management www.classicrace.com

Volunteer Opportunities

We need help for the following KAR/BCRR sponsored events and programs: Earn Volunteer Points, and have fun at the same time!

WMU Track! Volunteer to open/close the WMU track on Tuesday mornings 5 am to 7am early January thru late March. We will have the dates by late December. For more info contact Sherrie Mann at sherrie.mann@wmich.edu.

For a comprehensive listing of area events visit www.Gazellesports.com.

For a comprehensive listing of marathons visit www.marathonguide.com.

For a comprehensive listing of half marathons visit www.half2run.com.

Group Runs

Indoor track workouts at WMU read fieldhouse

Put on the shorts! Indoor track workouts in the WMU Read Field house are 5-7am Tuesday mornings January 8 – March 26 for informal track sessions. Please use the door under the walkway to the far right. As far as parking, there is a small lot near the field house. The meters are not checked until 7am. The use of the track is free to KAR/BCRR members and $5 for non-members. Questions? Contact Sherrie Mann at slmann@sbcglobal.net.

Wednesday night runs at Borgess Health and fitness center

Wed Nights at 5:30 pm at the Borgess Health and Fitness Center for a mid-week 2^nd long run Contact person is Cindi Macdonald at cindim@eckert-wordell.com. Please bring your own hydration and wear reflective attire.

Wednesday nigh t runs at Portage YMCA

Wed Nights at 6:00 pm at the Portage YMCA for a mid-week 2^nd long run. Please park in the lot by the A-frame building. For questions contact Julie Wojtaszek at jjwojtaszek@yahoo.com. Please bring your own hydration and wear reflective attire.

For a comprehensive list of all group runs and training programs, visit Running Groups.

Training Tips

Visit www.karbeyond.blogspot.com!

Club Member Happenings

Guess who just rolled into town! Please extend a warm welcome “back” to Mike and Molly Sherrard. The couple had relocated to Terre Haute, Indiana and have echo-relocated back to Kalamazoo!

We are happy to report Julie Steeby came home from the hospital on Saturday, is recovering well and hopes to be back on the running scene within a couple weeks. We wish Terry Kunkel a speedy recovery from her recent surgery and hope to see Mark Chicoine back on the roads soon!