Volume XLIX Number 1 October 2023
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Table of Contents (Note: links might not work if you are reading this on your phone) Winter Series 2023-24 has begun SAVE THE DATE: Annual Pizza Party Registration is Open for the 2024 Umstead Trail Marathon Survey for Comprehensive Master Plan for DPR September Business Meeting Minutes President's Columnby Jo Chiti My Final President’s Column
Dear Running Companions, As I write this, I think back to the very first president’s column I wrote in January of this year. I shared with you how daunting it felt to anticipate writing one per month for a full year. In reality, it has been one of the best and most enjoyable parts of this role. As many of you may know, I recently made the decision to move back to Texas to be with my mom. It wasn’t an easy choice, but it feels right. Due to the timing, this will be my final column. I stepped down from the President’s role this month and placed it in the very capable hands of Patrick Gale, who has been an amazing VP this year. I wish you all the luck Patrick, although I hardly think you need any. The amount of ownership and accountability you demonstrated all year truly kept things on track for us as a club. I want to take a moment and recognize the rest of the Godiva board, who are an amazing group of dedicated people. It has been an honor to be on this run with you, and I have learned things from each of you. Patrick B, you have been an inspiration as I watched you navigate a terrible loss with the utmost dignity and grace. Kevin N, your continued support and praise always brought a smile to my face. Ben B, I’ll never forget coming out to the Umstead Marathon as the VP and how welcoming and kind you were to me. I was forever a fan after that moment. Julie M, your wit and ability to ask thoughtful questions is always a delight. And your support as I navigated this decision stays in my heart. Andy S and Heather B, your constant positivity was always appreciated. Thank you all. A special note to Patrick B and Kevin N. I remember so many times I reached out asking for guidance or reassurance this year, and your thoughtful and supportive responses always left me feeling confident in my abilities. You are truly the heart and soul of Godiva. As I lace up my shoes and set off on this new trail, I can't help but reflect on the incredible journey we Godivans have shared. Each stride, every hill conquered, and every finish line crossed has been a testament to your dedication and camaraderie. I am immensely grateful for the support, encouragement, and friendship you've extended to me. Our shared passion for running has brought us together, and I cherish every moment we've spent pounding the pavement. Thank you for being incredible running partners and even better friends. Warmest Regards, Jo
Email me at president@carolinagodiva.org Editor's Cornerby Patrick Gale If you have experienced any technical difficulties with, or have suggestions and edits for the newsletter, let me know. Feel free to submit run reports, random musings, and your must-do races to us at newsletter@carolinagodiva.org. Sincerely - Patrick Gale AnnouncementsWinter Series 2023-24 has begunby Patrick Gale A big thank you to the race directors and volunteers who are making the Winter Series events possible this season. The Run for the Donuts had a good turnout of volunteers and participants on a beautiful fall morning. Up next is Misery Run which is a classic to not be missed. Run for the Donuts - photos Misery Run – Sunday Nov. 19, 2023 at 10 AM Moniese Nomp Romp – Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 10 AM New Year’s Day Run – Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 at 1 PM Eno Equalizer – Sunday Jan. 14, 2024 at 10 AM Geezer Pleezer – Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024 10 AM Tower Climb Hill – Sunday, Mar. 10, 2024 10:30 AM Visit our website to read additional details about the series SAVE THE DATE: Annual Pizza Partyby Patrick Gale Location: Ponysaurus Brewing Company, 219 Hood St, Durham, NC 27701 (upper patio/deck) Date of Event: Tuesday December 12, 2023 Event Times: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM We will hold the Annual December Pizza Party for club members on Tuesday this year!. We reserved the outdoor deck and will provide pizza; drinks are on you. Ponysaurus has beer, hard cider, and nonalcoholic beverages. Keep an eye out for an RSVP sheet to come soon. No cost for club members to attend the event - it's our gift to you, our dear members! And if you are not yet a member, join now and come out to the party to learn more about the club. Registration is Open for the 2024 Umstead Trail Marathonby Doug Hensel The Umstead Marathon will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at William B. Umstead State Park. This is Carolina Godiva Track Club's main event and allows us to support trail running in the Triangle, support Umstead Park, and keep the Club coffers intact to provide all the other great activities the club offers its members. If you don't plan to run but would like to participate, please pencil in volunteering for the marathon into your calendar. We always need at least 100 volunteers to make this race a success. No experience necessary. Last year, a random person carrying a box of donuts walked out of the woods on race day and immediately went to work volunteering in various spots. Hope to see you on March 2nd as either a runner or as a volunteer. Umstead Marathon Registration Page Survey for Comprehensive Master Plan for DPRby Julie Messina Calling all Durham residents! Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) is currently soliciting input from the community for their Comprehensive Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Systems Plan. Whether you currently use Durham City Parks or not,DPR would love to hear from you. The survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete, and your input on what you want for our community parks - whether related to running or other forms of recreation - will be most helpful. Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NeedsAssessmentSurvey23 Membership Cornerby Julie Messina New members Neil Rowley Membership Anniversaries (five year anniversaries) 20 years Ethan Caldwell 10 years Deb Rogan Graduating to a new age group (Happy birthday!) Ethan Caldwell Kim Chapman Page Rietta Couper
Want to include something in next month’s Membership Corner? Send notes to me, Julie, at membership@carolinagodiva.org. @ The Racesby Kevin McCabe This month in @ the Races we are starting to see the first signs of fall. Club members are participating in more events and the events that they participate in are longer than in the past few (HOT) months. For instance, Aline Lloyd and Susan Carl both took home 3rd place in their respective age groups at the Iron Mountain 16 mile Trail Run. Club member Natalia Love tackled her first 50km race at the Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock 50km while placing second in her age group. However, despite the cooling temps. there were a few events of shorter distances as there were still a number of runners who took part in the NC Senior Games, where Roxanne, Springer, and Benjamin Duncan took home first place in their age groups in the 1500m, while Tom Hoerger (2nd) and Kevin Rumsey (3rd) also placed in their age groups in the 1500m. There were a number of great results posted by club members so check them all out in the table below. As always if you do not see your results included please feel free to Send us your results!
> View past results for @ The Races September Business Meeting Minutesby Ben Barker The Board held a virtual meeting for September’s Board Meeting, led by President Jo Chiti. Attended by Patrick Gale (Vice President), Ben Barker (Secretary), Julie Messina (Membership) and Patrick Bruer (Webmaster). Jo called the meeting to order at 7:02pm. August Board Meeting minutes were approved. Godiva’s XC Series got off to a great start. Series Director Patrick Bruer reported it was a hot start to the series, which kicked off at Durham's Al Buehler Trail. The 2nd week’s run of the series is tomorrow evening, Sept. 13th, at the Finley XC Trail in Chapel Hill – weather permitting, as rain is in the forecast. Patrick relayed Kevin Nickodem’s suggestion to begin planning for the series finale’s potluck party. Kevin will host on Sept. 27th. It was agreed to provide sign up sheets at the XC Series runs each week to organize who will bring sides and desserts. Godiva will be supporting a plogging event on Sunday, September 24th on the Mountains-To-Sea Trail (MST). Halle Amick has organized the effort and asked for help with promotion and volunteers. Water, some snacks and supplies for cleaning up the MST will be supplied. Jo urged everyone to participate if you’re available. Jo also urged participation at the USATF Cross Country Festival in Oxford on Saturday, September 30th. Patrick Bruer reminded us the event website is up, registration is open and all should be ready. Patrick has remained in communication with Event Director Chris Crowder. Hopefully, registration gains momentum soon. Godiva is one of many sponsoring partners of this event, sanctioned by USATF as NC XC Championships. Jo also noted she mentioned the event in the forthcoming newsletter’s President’s Column, stressing the need for volunteers. The Umstead Trail Marathon (UTM) planning has begun. The 2024 edition will be March 2nd (always the 1st Saturday of March). Race Director Doug Hensel provided some updates to the Board prior to the meeting. Primarily, registration has already opened. As a reminder, some registrants paid for 2023 but chose to defer running until 2024, so those registration fees were included in 2023’s revenues and proceeds we disbursed. Prior to the Board meeting, Kevin provided notes on August’s financial activities. Only one check was written, for $60 of Hour Run expenses. Membership income was $180, and there was also $135 from Summer Track donations. Nothing else of any significance to report. The Club is still in good shape. No action yet on our donation to Umstead State Park, from UTM proceeds. Officer reports: Julie reported August was quiet and vanilla for Membership. Patrick Bruer reported everything was going fine with the web site. Patrick Gale shared that we’re all set for the Newsletter’s next edition. No updates to report from Haberdashery. One item of new business, offered by Patrick Bruer. He has formally applied, with the Town of Hillsborough, for the permit to hold the New Year’s Day Run on the same trail network as 2023. The 2024 NYD Run will be held on January 1st. Jo closed the meeting at 7:30pm. The next Board Meeting will be Tuesday, October 10th. Assorted Member MusingsGodiva Weekly Runs
Our club weekly runs are on Thursday evening (American Tobacco Trail) and Saturday morning (Umstead State Park). Please check with the listed run coordinator to confirm details. Additional information about the club can be found online using the links below:
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