The past eleven years I have had the honor to be on the selection committee to vote for the USA Track & Field National Hall of Fame. Because of COVID 19 the 2020 USATF Hall of Fame induction was postponed until 2021. The USATF’s 42nd Annual meeting was held virtually earlier in December.
Congratulations to all of the athletes who competed in the OHSAA Cross Country Championships. I coach the boys and girls high school teams where I teach and we divided the team into six groups for practice to social distance and wore masks before and after practice and meets and all our athletes made it thru the season without a COVID 19 case. I can’t say the same for other sport teams at my school and other schools. The boy’s team ran in the OHSAA State Championships. Two week after the end of the season two of my varsity boys had to be quarantine as one boy’s sister and another boy’s mother tested positive for COVID 19. Congratulations to all of the teams who were able to have a fall season.
RUNOHIO’s OHSAA Cross Country State Championships article – http://runohio.com/index.php/news-features/news/127-ohsaa-state-cross-country-championships-obetz-oh-november-7-2020
RUNOHIO’s race pictures - http://runohio.com/index.php/photos/2020
As of right now the 22nd annual Arnold 5K Pump & Run and Arnold 5K is on a holding pattern. It might be moved from the first week of March to later in the summer. RUNOHIO will post race and Arnold Sports Festival information as soon as it become available and wait a few weeks after the date is finalized before accepting entrants into the events. – http://runohio.com/index.php/news-features/news/132-arnold-5k-pump-run-and-arnold-5k
This issue has a few race results and no race calendar. With the spike in COVID 19 cases and the uncertainty of how cases will be this winter RUNOHIO decided to wait to print a race calendar. Also, due to COVID 19 RUNOHIO will not have a 2021 RUNOHIO Grand Prix.
Once COVID 19 cases decline and if you are directing an in person race in 2021, please send RUNOHIO your race information and/or an entry form as soon as it is available. RUNOHIO covers primarily Ohio, but also list races from West Virginia, eastern Indiana, northern Kentucky, southern Michigan and western Pennsylvania.
If you want to reach the runners of Ohio and surrounding states, contact RUNOHIO at HYPERLINK "mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Advertising is available in the print RUNOHIO, on the RUNOHIO web site or in the monthly RUNOHIO E-Newsletter.
As another year ends and a New Year begins, one can always look back on numerous positive happenings as well as sad ones we experienced. I am sure we all know people who had a challenging 2020 either with a health or work situation. If you know someone having a rough time, maybe you can do something to make their life better.
When you are making your New Year’ Resolutions, I hope you will consider volunteering at a local road race. If possible, help to sponsor a local race or help a new runner understand proper training and your neighbor who might need some assistance. If we all do a few kind acts to help others who are nearby, I am sure 2021 will be a Great Year! Also, don’t forget to shop locally, I am sure the businesses will appreciate your support.
Don’t forget to renew your subscription to the printed RUNOHIO in 2021. If you are not a subscriber, I hope you will become one in 2021. March will start our 33rd year of serving the runners in Ohio and neighboring States. - https://www.signmeup.com/site/online-event-registration/134218
The next issue will come out by the first of April. The deadline is March7th for results and calendar information. For advertising the deadline is March 17h.
I am in my final year of my sixth term on the Granville Village Council. – http://runohio.com/index.php/news-features/news/93-granville-ohio
Explore Granville - http://runohio.com/index.php/news-features/news/131-explore-granville-oh
Remember social distancing and to wear your mask.
I wish you a Healthy, Safe and Happy 2021!
Matt McGowan