from March/April print RUNOHIO
The spring racing season is just around the corner. With a mild winter many runners are starting to get in shape and there should be some good racing this year.

There are a number of spring marathons in which runners can test their training. The oldest of them all is the Athens Marathon. Another old time favorite is the Glass City Marathon. The Cleveland/CVS Marathon is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Pittsburgh is another top-notch event. The Flying Pig Marathon has had tremendous success in its short existence. Plus, there are numerous other marathons that will allow you to test your fitness this spring.

The Winter Olympics were enjoyable to watch. Even, though the Summer Olympics are my favorite, the Winter Olympics were special for me, and the town in which I serve as Mayor. Lea Ann Parsley of Granville won a Silver Medal in the Skeleton. Everyone in town is proud of her accomplishments. Her down home warmth showed through during her interviews. It was and is exciting to watch someone you know compete in the Olympics and do so well. Congratulations.

I will be helping to organize the 25th annual Columbus 10K June 9th. I work with the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department on this event and it is held the same weekend of the Columbus Arts Festival that is located along the banks of the Scioto River. We are still looking for additional sponsorship to make the race better this year. Please contact me if you know of a company that can help out with the "Oldest Race in Columbus". Also, any past winner of the race is invited back to run free this year. So, if you won the race or know of someone who won, please have them contact me, as we want them to be a part of the 25th running. Finally, if you are unable to run and would like to volunteer also let me know.

This issue is coming out a week later than I would like because of all of the involvement I have had with Lea Ann Parsley Celebration in helping to organize a "Welcome Home Party" for her in Granville. I also wanted to get the Arnold 5K Pump and Run results in this issue. Putting on a Pump and Run events is much more complex than just a regular race. I would like to thank my brother, Jeff, who wrote the computer program to score the run and lifting. Special thanks goes out to Tim Pancher who works at World Gym for his help in the weigh-ins and lifting prior to the actual running of the 5km portion. We had 450 athletes sign up for the event. It is my understanding this was the largest event of its kind in the country. Congratulations to everyone who took part or helped to make this race a success.

Please remind race directors to send RUNOHIO their results. The deadline for the May/June RUNOHIO is April 1st for race calendar information and April 12th for race results.

Good luck with your spring training and racing. I hope to see you at a race soon.

Matt McGowan