I would like to welcome you to RUNOHIO. For the past few years through my running contacts, I have heard many runners comment that they wish there was a more complete running publication - one which would cover the whole state. I even have had people tell me they wish there were something such as Craig Harms' Miami Marathon Newsletter from the mid 70's.

Then, while organizing the Circleville "Pumpkin Show" Classic last October, a benefit run for my brother, Jeff, who is fighting and starting to win a battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma, I had a number of people tell me I should start a state wide running publication. After the race, eff, who is finishing up his degree in Human Resources and Computer Science at Ohio University, said he would help. I finally decided to put the ball in motion.

At the Columbus Marathon I introduced the idea and the support started to grow. After contacting all the running clubs and running stores in the state inviting them to help create RUNOHIO, I was on my way. The idea was now becoming a reality. However, the night of the marathon expo, my father died unexpectedly. The efforts needed to get the publication going would be enormous and compounded with this tragedy. I almost decided not to go through with it. However, one of the last comments my father said to me the night before he died was to wish me good luck with the publication. So, I would like to dedicate this publication to his memory.

The idea behind creating RUNOHIO is to have a vehicle where running happenings can be communicated. It is my hope to create a grass roots publication which will serve the entire running community. To do this, I need the help of all the running clubs and races in the state. I would also like you to keep me and other runners informed by putting me on your mailing list, sending me upcoming race information, race results, articles about your running clubs and other interesting stories and articles about running. Then, I will coordinate all the information into each issue of RUNOHIO.

In each issue of RUNOHIO I would like to cover race results, include a list of upcoming races, feature a running club and running store, cover top college and high school cross country and track teams, feature stories about key running individuals in the state, get sports medicine individuals to submit articles and much, much more.

However, to do this I will need your help. Take a few minutes and get involved. Let me know what's going on in your town, send information and stories to me by the first of each month for the next issue. I hope you will take this opportunity to help me create a publication which will serve the runners of Ohio. Let's truly make it a running publication for the runners by the runners. Let your friends know about RUNOHIO.

My brother Jeff and mom Jean McGowan will be my Assistant Coordinators, and with your help I think we can make this a great publication. I hope you will grow with us.

Best Wishes.