from January/February 2008 print RUNOHIO
Congratulations to the Columbus Running Company's Eric Fruth and Jim Jurcevich for all of their work in making the USA Track and Field National Club Cross Country Championships a success. They both served as race directors and spent many hours making the event held in West Chester last month a success. The USATF National Club Cross Country Championships featured the elite clubs from across the United States vying for top honors and bragging rights as the nation's best cross country teams. Over 110 clubs and 1130 competitors took part in the event.

Also special congratulations go out to the RUNOHIO/Second Sole Women's Racing Team, which won this tenth annual event edging the New Balance/Boston team by two points and the Boulder Running store team by three points. I was glad to be a part of helping to coordinate and sponsor some of Ohio's top runners on the RUNOHIO/Second Sole team at the Championships.

The last few months have been a busy time for many cross- country runners. Four Ohio girls ran in the Foot Locker National Cross Country Championships. The Mid West Meet of Champions was held in Kettering, and Scioto Downs was again the site of the OHSAA State Cross Country Championships. A number of Ohio college runners participated in the NCAA National Cross Country Championships. Jack Hazen's Malone College men's team captured their second Men's NAIA National Cross Country Championships. Congratulations to everyone who participated in a cross-country championship.

The other day someone asked me if helping with the RUNOHIO/Second Sole team at the Club National Championships was one of my top coaching/running experiences. To be part of any National Championships is defiantly one of the top accomplishments anyone can have. But the question got me thinking. If I had to list my top memories of my involvement in running, what would they be? Taking home the National Championships would have to be one.

Here are a few others running memories: Starting RUNOHIO with my brother Jeff and Mom. While in graduate school at Miami University starting and coaching the women to a 4th place finish at the All-Ohio Championships the first year of the program. Helping coach my brother Jeff in high school, where he finished second in the 800 and 1600 meters his senior year. Directing a number of road races including the Columbus 10K, Arnold 5K Pump and Run and helping my brother, Jeff and my mom with the Circleville Classic. Coaching two girls who ran their personal best their senior year at the OHSAA State Track Championships where they placed fourth and sixth. Running in the NCAA Cross Country and Track Championships seven times. Winning the 10,000 and finishing second to a teammate in the 5,000 meters at the OAC Track Championships my senior year at Ohio Northern University. Winning the Columbus 10K and the Glass City Marathon. Running the Boston Marathon three times, finishing 33rd, 149th and 53rd. Covering the USA Track and Field and Marathon Olympic Trials, National and State Cross Country and Track Championships. Hopefully, I can add a few more in the coming years.

The 2007 RUNOHIO Grand Prix winners are listed in this issue. Congratulations to the top finishers and to everyone who participated in a race last year. The list of races on the 2008 RUNOHIO Grand Prix is being finalized. The first few races are listed in the article.

Hopefully, you will enjoy Elaine Binkley's Book Review, Nancy Clark's Athlete's Kitchen and Richard Ferguson's article. Plus, Ron O'Donnell's article Keeping Track looks at the "worst decisions that the Ohio University Athletic Department ever made."

If you are looking for a 5km in March consider the Arnold 5K on March 2nd. The pre-registration price for the race is only $20 and it is the cheapest downtown race in Ohio. Also, all participants get into the Arnold Fitness Expo free after the races (a $10 value). If you have never attended the Arnold Sports Festival I hope you can make it for the 20th annual event. Information on this event is listed in this issue or you can register online. For more information go to: www.runohio.com

The Arnold 5K Pump and Run registration is closed. The Arnold 5K Pump and Run is the largest event of its kind in the country. Registration for the March 2nd event started November 1st 2007 and the limit of 700 athletes was reached on November 12th. Athletes from 26 States, Washington D.C, Canada and England have entered this eighth annual event. Check out the RUNOHIO Race calendar for more races to keep fit this winter.

I am also looking for help in sponsoring and directing the 31st annual Columbus 10K which will be held in downtown Columbus on June 8th. Feel free to contact me if you would like to help keep the "Oldest Road Race in Columbus" alive.

If you are directing or sponsoring a race in 2008 please send RUNOHIO your race information. Also, please make sure you list it on The Running Network National Calendar by going to: http://www.rncalendar.com/creator/login.asp

I hope you will take advantage of the 20th anniversary RUNOHIO subscription price of $10 for a one-year subscription by renewing your subscription or sign up for the first time to receive RUNOHIO. Next month will start RUNOHIO's 20th year of covering running in and around Ohio. The $10 price is the same price we offered 20 years ago.

February 14th is the deadline to send information to RUNOHIO for the March/April issue. The March issue will not be mailed until the first week of March to allow the results of the Arnold 5K Pump and Run to be listed.

Hopefully, as we all look back at our involvement in running in 2007 we can be proud of our accomplishment and involvements. I hope that when you are making your New Year's Resolutions you will consider volunteering at a local road race, if possible helping to sponsor a local race, helping a new runner to understand proper training, and helping your neighbor who might need some assistance. If we all do a few kind acts to help others nearby, I am sure 2008 will be a great year for all of us.

Matt McGowan