Group Run Update
With spring almost upon us, it is time for track season so for the remainder of March and the first week of April, the Hyde Park Group Run will meet at the Withrow High School Track on Wednesdays to do speed work,laps, and intervals to get ready for the upcoming Spring Running Season. The 9:00 AM Run will remain the same.

Weekly Group Run Details:

• Wednesday - 6:30 PM Run - Withrow High School - meet on the track.
• Sunday - 9:00 AM Run - Perk Station, Crescent Springs KY - meet in front of Perk Station
  

For more information, contact us.

St. Patrick's Day Races
It is about a week to go until St. Patrick's Day but for the next two weekends, there are races to help you celebrate from March 14 to March 21. Details of the races are below:

• Saturday March 14, Shamrock Shuffle 5k & 10K, 8:30 AM, The Square at Union Center, West Chester OH. Race information available at www.wclfoundation.com.
• Saturday March 14, Emerald Miles 5k Run/Walk, 9:00 AM, Newport on the Levee, Race Information available at www.cincinnatiepilepsy.org.
  
• Saturday March 14, Run for the Green 5K Trail Run, 9:00 AM, Landon Deerfield Park, Maineville OH. Contact Greg McCormick at 513-793-0508 or visit www.runningtime.net for more information.
• Saturday March 21, ORRRC St. Patrick's 5k, 10:00 AM, Middletown High School, Middletown OH. Visit www.orrrc.org for more information.

For more races in Cincinnati and the area, do not forget to check out our race calendar.

Sprint for Special Olympics Recap - March 1
I ran this race one time in the early 2000's when it was known as The Run to Dubliner. The course was in a neighborhood in Pleasant Ridge behind that restaurant. Most people ran it for the postrace party afterward which featured Irish Food. The next year and the year after that and the year after that, I worked as a volunteer at the finish line or a course marshal on the final turn to the finish. The race changed names to Molly Malone's Gaelic Gallop when the Dubliner became Molly Malone's in the mid 2000's.
In 2009, they moved the race to O'Bryon's in O'Bryonville and a new 3 mile course was developed along with a new start time.
It was a cold first day of March and I got a new volunteer assignment to help pick up all the cones on the course after the runners and walkers went by. Over 200 people showed up to help support Hamilton County Special Olympics. Th top male was Chris Reis who ran a blazing 15:12. Top Female was Brooklyne Ridder who ran an 18:54. The post race was also excellent but I am on a soup kick and I was disappointed that it did not have potato soup. Oh well the beer was cold so I can live without soup for a day.

Flying Pig Marathon Mile 22 Waterstop
Water Stop Volunteers Wanted! Once again the Runners' Club of Greater Cincinnati will have a waterstop at mile 22. Mile 22 is where the marathon really begins for the marathoners and your support and encouragement means plenty to them. If you are running the marathon, please encourage your friends and family to help out. If you're not running, join us for a little fun and help us help the runners at mile 22. To volunteer at our waterstop:

1. Go to the Flying Pig Website Volunteer Page
   
2. Click the Sign-up with registered group
3. Select the Runners' Club of Greater Cincinnati, use the password PCC (case sensitive).
4. Fill out the information

If you have any questions or problems, let us know.

February Poll Results
Here are the updates from the February poll. The last poll asked How often do you wear an ipod/MP3 Player? 42 people voted in the poll and Always was the top choice with with 16 votes followed by Never with 12 votes. Thank you for those that voted. I will leave the full results up until I can think of another poll question.

Places to Run in Cincinnati
If you are new to Cincinnati, just visiting, a local new to running or looking for a different place to run, the Runners' Club of Greater Cincinnati website has a consolidated list of local places to run. If you have more places that you would like to include or just comments about the locations that are currently listed, please email us. To see the list, go to the homepage and select Running Routes in the navigation pane.

Valentine's Day Labor of Love 2 Mile Recap
Over 220 runners, and walkers participated this past Sunday February 15 at the Valentine Labor of Love 2 mile. It was such a big event that the Enquirer was there and took pictures. Congratulations to the overall men's winner Keith Knapp, the overall woman's winner and Runners' Club member Kelly Edmondson, the overall couple's winner Allen and Mary Pettigrew, the top Married Couple Wade and Jamie Gerdemann, and the top Ball & Chain - Joey and Elaine Zeinner.
Thank you to the following volunteers that made the race a success: Tom Glasscock, Mike Hauser, Stacy Osborne, Mike Smith, Laura Wagner and the Northern Kentucky Cross Country Team. See you at next year's race - the 30th Annual Valentine Race. Go to the club website for complete race results.

Sprint for Special Olympics
Formerly known as Molly Malone's Gaelic Gallop, the race has a new name, new time, new place but same great party and benefits the Hamilton County Special Olympics. View the flier for more information.

RACE DETAILS

• DATE: Sunday, March 1, 2009 - Open to All.
• TIME: 11:00 AM.
• PLACE: O'Bryon's Irish Pub, 1998 Madison Road, O'Bryonville.
• PACKET PICK-UP: The Running Spot, O'Bryonville, Saturday, February 28, 1 - 4:30 PM or at O'Bryon's the day of race.
• INFO: 3 mile course beginning and finishing at O'Bryon's. After you finish the run, enjoy the post-race party. View the flier for more information.

Valentine's 2 Mile Labor of Love this Sunday
This Sunday is the Valentine's Labor of Love 2 Mile Run. Please join us whether you have a valentine or not. This will be a lot of fun. Goody Bags to the first 150 registered.
Plenty of awards, music, and pizza. One of Cincinnati's best races. Race starts at noon at NKU, please arrive early. Registration is in Regents Hall. There will be an eating, and costume contest for those interested in participating prior to award ceremony. Visit the club website for more information.

29th Annual Valentine's 2 Mile Labor of Love Update
Mail in entries for the club's Valentine's Day Race on Sunday February 15 must be postmarked by this Monday February 9. Online Registration is open until Tuesday February 10. Get the flier or register online now before you forget and the price goes up!

Club Race Calendar
Check out the club calendar for Cincinnati Road Races. It includes 5Ks, 10Ks, Marathons, Half Marathons, and just about any other distance that you could imagine running. It includes Runners' Club of Greater Cincinnati events, and a few regional and national races but mainly Cincinnati and Northern KY local road races. Access the club race calendar.

Volunteer Opportunities for the Runners' Club of Greater Cincinnati

There are a few one time and couple of ongoing opportunities where the Runners' Club of Greater Cincinnati needs you help. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and meet other members in the club.

• Valentine's Day Race: We need 2 volunteers to help with the Packet Pickup at Bob Roncker's in O'Bryonville on February 14 from noon to 3:00 PM.
  On race day we need about 5 people to help with the finish line and results for the race. Please help as this is one of our biggest fundraisers of the club. If you can help out on Saturday or Sunday, please sign-up using our online registration form.
• The Heart Mini Marathon Bag Stuffing - We need 15 people to help stuff goody bags for the Heart Mini-Marathon. on Saturday February 7, 2009 from 9:00 am to noon at the Heart Association Office at 5211 Madison Road. If you can help out, please sign-up using our online registration form and select bagstuffing. For your efforts, you get a heart mini-marathon poster.
• Ongoing - Currently, the club has openings for keeping the club running: Merchandise Coordinator, Newsletter Editor, and Social/Hospitality(plan the 3-5 social events a year like the Holiday Party, Summer Picnic, Annual meeting, Member Appreciation Happy Hour etc). Positions take only 1-2 hours a week of your time(no time at all if you enjoy them) and the only two requirements are that you enjoy hanging out with runners and be a Runners' Club Member. If you can fill one of these positions, send an email to cincinnatirunning@gmail.com.
  

Latest Poll Results
Here are the updates from the last poll. The last poll asked what is your running goal for 2009. Almost 40 people voted in the poll and run a marathon was your top goal with 10 votes followed closely by running a personal record with 9 votes. Tied for third was maintain fitness and resume/start running with 6 votes each. Thank you for those that voted. I will leave the full results up until I can think of another poll question.

RCGC Holiday Party Recap

The Runners’ Club of Greater Cincinnati held its annual Holiday Party on Saturday, January 3, 2009 at the Swaim Park Lodge in Montgomery Ohio. Approximately 30 club members and guests attended(see photos). The party was a gala potluck affair withthe Club providing meat and a variety of beverages, and members and guests bringing appetizers,salads, side dishes, and desserts. The pot luck dinner format was similar to that usedfor Holiday Parties of years past when they were held at the Clifton Recreation Center. In addition this year's featured a White Elephant Gift Exchange. A white elephant gift is an object that you would rather somebody else have. Thank you to the members and guests that contributed food items. The food was exceptional quality, variety, and amount to satisfy any hungry runner’s appetite. See you next year.

Valentine's 2 Mile Labor of Love

Please join the Runners' Club this winter in one of the most fun and unusual races you'll find in Cincinnati. In 2009 we made it more unusual by adding a couple of new specialty categories like Ball & Chain(a male and female runner are tethered together so they run together) and Blind Date(you randomly get a partner). The race is put on by the Runners' Club of Greater Cincinnati and proceeds go to support running in the Greater Cincinnati area and the NKU cross country and track team.

RACE DETAILS

• DATE: Sunday, February 15th, 2009 - Open to All.
  
• TIME: 12 Noon.
  
• PLACE: Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY.
  
• PRE-REGISTRATION: ends Monday, February 9th, 2008.
  
• PACKET PICK-UP: The Running Spot, O'Bryonville, Saturday, February 14, Noon - 3 PM or at NKU day of race.
  
• DIRECTIONS: 471 ends at 27, go straight through light. Turn right at next light (NKU). Take first left, then first right.
  
• COURSE: 2 mile course beginning at Albright Health Center.
  
• OTHER: Get the flier or register online.