FOOTPRINT Lake Grapevine Runners & Walkers
August 2007
www.runnersandwalkers.com
R-A-W in the USA
10 Years Running and RAW still Rocks By Kelly “K2” Richards RAW’s 10th anniversary celebration went off in spectacular fashion. The morning dawned humid, yet rainless. Over 320 runners, walkers and volunteers gathered for the 10K Fun Run. Special participants included the Grapevine Fire Department, charter member Terry Marcott, home safely
Embracing the spirit of the fun run and fighting their natural competitiveness RAW members Craig Minyard, Jeff Garber, Mark Miller and Rick Hanson finished together. Rather than run for time, several other running buds and family members chose to run together reflecting on all the great times they shared over the past ten years and simply enjoying the camaraderie Following the run, everyone was treated to a breakfast of champions: hot dogs and cold Budweiser! The first 100 RAW members that registered were given one bottle of home brew. They had the option of a 10th Anniversary Ale, RAW Amb10tion or K2’z Natural Red, brewed by Kevin Wessels and Ray Henry, respectively.
RAW’s first four presidents. (L to R) Ray Harris, Richard Craft, Eileen Fontaine and Kelly Richards.
Gift certificates provided by Run On! were won by Mary Keefe for the best kilometer sign on the course (10K/
from Iraq, and RAW’s founder and first president, Richard Craft. It was the first time all four presidents of RAW, Richard, Eileen Fontaine, Ray Harris and I had ever been gathered at one event. The fun run course, re-created multiple times due to the flooding, mostly wound through neighborhoods and eventually reached Horseshoe Trails. On the course, runners and walkers were treated to a few RAW specialties: Freeze-Pops available in a rainbow of colors, iced-cold brew and bubbly Champagne. The only runner reported lost on the well-marked course was Marty Metzger, who seemed to get stuck looping the Brew Stop.
The ‘Bubble Babes,” (L to R)Julia McCloud, Noreen Henry and Staci Rivero try to hide champagne from the unsuspecting runners
finish line sign), Josh Loewen the volunteer who kept me semi-sane that morning, and the Fun Run participant that took the longest to cover the distance therefore having the most fun!
The fun run was all about giving back to the sport, the running community at large and most importantly to the club members who always give so much of their time, energy and enthusiasm. I hope everyone enjoyed the celebration.
After election results, the new 2007/08 Directors (L to R) Mark Miller, Laurie Lukanich, John Bush, Tony Flesch, Bridget Smith and Kathryn Gleghorn.
The afternoon festivities were just as wonderful as the morning’s. The annual softball game was cancelled due to the flooding, but the afternoon showers had stopped and the temperature was a comfortable 80 degrees. Once again, Chris Rehyer grilled dogs and brats by the dozen and everyone brought plenty of side dishes, cakes, cookies and brownies. The annual meeting and elections were held (see pages 12-13) and RAW’s most prestigious award, the Best Foot Forward was presented to Chris Rehyer (see page 12) by last year’s recipient, Rick Sanford. The night remained dry and clear and ended with a fantastic display of fireworks. I couldn’t help but think the purple ones were intended especially for RAW’s 10th anniversary.