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Lancaster Road Runners Club begins 31st year
BY BARRY DECKER, Correspondent
Forty hearty souls braved the fog and wet, but surprisingly warm New Year's day
conditions to forge their way through a six-mile trail course at Lancaster
County Central Park.

The group ran through mud as deep as their shoelaces and waded through Mill
Creek, with water levels heightened by the rain.

But no one was complaining. In fact there was actually a jovial camaraderie from
the happy band of runners.

This was the beginning of their new year of running and they wanted to celebrate
it with their fellow Lancaster Road Runner Club members.

According to former club president and one of the group's founders, Bill Smith,
this tradition was the first club activity when he started the organization.

And, as the club takes its first step into its 31st year, the New Year's Day
celebration brought together members for a social run.

"The first year we had this January First run, snow began to fall and it was a
beautiful start to the year. Now, we bring some food and have a social get
together at the end of the run," said Smith.

He noted that the club has held runs annually since its 1977 beginning.

"One of the real popular events which went on for 20 years was the Spring Fever
Run held at Middle Creek, but when running dropped a bit, we decided to stop the
race," said the former club president.

Now the club holds four events a year - Mrs. Smith Run for women only (May 12,
the day before Mother's Day), Smith's Challenge for men only (June 17, Father's
Day), Conestoga Trail Run (Sept. 23) and the Stoudt's Brewery Distance Classic
on Oct. 27.

"In addition to supporting our races and the local road races, we car pool to
races out of the area. It's a way of supporting our club members during the
year," Smith said.

He added that fun runs are held weekly during the year (Long's Park on Tuesday
and Thursday), and there are also scheduled trail runs in different parts of the
county.

One of our group's fun runs, which is a beautiful trail challenge, is held at
the Lancaster County Money Rocks Park, near New Holland.

With all the land around the park, Smith said that his group can access nearly
700 acres of trails.

"We have a very active trail running community in our club and in the county, so
areas like the Lancaster County Park system are open invitations for a club fun
run," he added.

Smith noted that "fast and slow, as well as large and small runners of all
abilities are welcome to the club."

The New Year's Day run attracts those runners who want to kick the year of
exercise off with other club members.

Heide Moebius, of Lancaster, who came to run the event for the second year, said
that it's just fun to get together with other members.

"Through the year we ride to races together and cheer each other," she added.

Rick Shoup, 57, of Lancaster, who has participated in 27 of the annual events,
said that it's a good workout to get the year started.

Harry Smith, 58, of Mount Joy, said that he tries to make it to every one of the
New Year's Day runs.

Peter Belanger, 55, of Lancaster, has been running the event for five years.

Ernie Houck, 57, of New Holland area, said, "I started running to lose weight,
so I decided to join the club."

Now 70 pounds lighter, he looks forward to running with club members.

Fred Stevens, 40, of Millersville, who has been running the event for four
years, said, "I'm going to run today, so the perfect thing to do is run with the
club."

Club co-president Bob Bergman, 48, of Lititz, said, "I wouldn't miss this event.
You get to run through the mud and water with some great club members. It's a
great camaraderie."

He added that some of the 17 years he participated, the group had to break
through ice while they crossed the Mill Creek - but not this year.

Smith said that some members joined a New Year's Eve tradition that began in
1998 - running an undisclosed trail and toasting the New Year at midnight.

For more information on the Lancaster Road Runners Club, or to join the club,
check the Web site at lrrclub.org.

The Lancaster Road Runners Club sponsors four races.

May 12 -- Mrs. Smith Run (for women only on the day before Mother's Day

June 17 -- Smith's Challenge (Trail run for men only on Father's Day)

Sept. 23 -- Conestoga Trail Run (Sept. 23)

Oct. 27 -- Stoudt's Brewery Distance Classic on Oct. 27

In addition the club holds fun runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the
year at Long's Park and they also participate in other trail runs throughout the
county.

Club members also car poll to events outside the area.

For more information about the Lancaster Road Runners Club and a list of
additional area races check the club's Web site at lrrclub.org.



Nice Club article by Barry Decker. Please note that while I was one of the
original members of the LRRC, I was not one of the five "founders". One of these
days I'll write a report on how, when, and by whom the LRRC was formed. The
Spring Fever race was really stopped by a change in management at Middle Creek.
Bill Smith

Thank You,
The LancasterOnline.com Team

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