In this message:

1. Corporate Cup Half Marathon Relay Teams
2. New Front Runners website
3. Tell Mayor McCrory you disagree with his decision
4. Run For Your Life Letter
5. Group run reminder



1. Corporate Cup Half Marathon Relay Teams

The Corporate Cup Half Marathon is scheduled for Saturday 3/5/05.
This will be an official Front Runners event. The race options
include a half marathon, a 3 person half marathon relay team and a
5k.

We have put together 3 relay teams and will have at least 6 other
front runners participating in the half marathon.

There still time to sign up for the race including the 5k.

Don't forget to wear your Front Runners shirt.

Meet at the corner of College and Stonewall at 7:30. The race
starts at the Westin.

Race details are available at
http://www.ymcacharlotte.org/Uptown/HTML/Pages/index.htm


2. New Front Runners website

We are currently developing a new website for the Charlotte Front
Runners. Please let me know if you have any ideas for content.
Also, forward any pictures of the group or from other running events
to me so we can post them on the site.


3. Tell Mayor McCrory you disagree with his decision

The mayor of Charlotte refused to write a welcome letter to the
attendees of the Human Rights Campaign's gala dinner this past
weekend. I encourage everyone to send him a message telling him how
very disappointing his decision was.

Just click on the URL below to send your message.

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/charlotte_mayor?rk=-
71J0X51Kz_5W


4. Run For Your Life Letter

As many of you know, there was a bit of a controversy last summer
over some comments made by Tim Rhodes, the owner of Run For Your
Life, concerning the gay and lesbian community. After many lengthy
discussions with Tim, I realized that he made his comments out of a
lack of understanding. He has obviously struggled with this issue
since then and has made a sincere effort to learn about our
community. He recently wrote a letter to me and asked me to share
it with the Front Runners. I have copied it at the end of this
message. Please take a moment to read it.


5. Group run reminder

Don't forget our weekly runs:

Monday night at 6:30 PM, Dowd YMCA back porch, dinner afterward.

Saturday morning at 9:00 AM, Liaisons parking lot, breakfast
afterward at Einstein Bros. Bagels on South Blvd.

Also, if you are interested in a Thursday night run, remember the
Bloody Mary Running Club, which meets at the Dowd YMCA back porch
each Thursday, 6:30 p.m., dinner afterward. Contact Aprille at
aprille.shaffer.c568@... for more information.


Steve Thomas
spt@...
704-277-4196



Tim Rhodes/Run For Your Life Letter:

Steve Thomas

January 13, 2005

Dear Steve,

A few months back, I made some comments that offended people in the
gay and lesbian community. They were not intended to be
inflammatory and I apologize to anyone who was offended.

Since making these comments and learning of the offense taken from
these comments, I have challenged myself to learn more about gay and
lesbian individuals and the challenges they face in their lives due
to intolerance. During this period, I have had an opportunity to
have several one-on-one discussions with people in the gay and
lesbian community and have learned a great deal about acceptance and
tolerance. They have provided an opportunity to see things from a
different perspective and through this I have developed new
friendships.

As a Christian, it is important for me to maintain the tenants of my
faith. Love is the most important command Jesus gave us. This
learning process is a journey for me, and I have come to no final
conclusion (and may never) at this point in my journey on how God
views homosexuality and gay relationships.

I am responsible for loving my neighbor and accepting him as I find
him. What I have come to understand is that each of us is
accountable for our faith and beliefs to God, not to each other.
Therefore, it is not up to us to judge each other but accept each
other as we are In other words, I don't have to solve this issue.
What I do have to do is treat my neighbors with brotherly love and
dignity as Jesus commanded. I am responsible for how I treat my
fellow man. The act of
judging others is for God, not us. I understand how my previous
comments appeared to be judgmental and I apologize for this.

As Your Friend,

Tim Rhodes, Owner
Run For Your Life