December was a busy month, with the final two races in the fall race series, four fun runs (and a fifth on New Year's Day), and club elections at our December meeting.  And thanks to Jeff Fedorko's hard work, many of the 2025 LRRC Spring/Summer Race Series are already scheduled and available for signup.

LRRC 2024 Fall Race Series
Our fall race series has concluded and points are being tallied as we speak - once complete, we'll communicate these.  Our awards ceremony will be on Saturday January 25th at the First Christian Church (3109 Rivermont Avenue).  The ceremony will be preceded by a fun run and a guest speaker.

830 am Fun Run
930 am Guest Speaker
10 am Race Series Awards

Bedford Christmas Classic 5K
The penultimate race in the race series attracted nearly 500 participants (the cinnamon rolls must be one heck of a magnet).  In the race itself, Lynchburg's MC Nesaw (20:10) out-dueled Brooke Craig for top female spot and Trey Gibson (16:32) ran away from the field which included the Coccia twins and Brooke's husband, Michael.

Deck the Heels 5K
A week following the Bedford Christmas Classic, runners headed to Alta Vista for this one-of-a-kind race under Christmas lights at twilight.  Once the race was complete, runners were treated to local pizza inside.  Forest Middle School runner, Cameron Preite surprised himself by nearly breaking 17 minutes (17:09) in crossing first with Lynchburg's Sarah Quigg (22:16) taking top female honors in a field of 446.  The race also proved that not all dinosaurs are extinct, but that they do have short arms - which is useful in not picking up the check at a group meal.

LRRC 2025 Spring/Summer Race Series
Celebrating its 22nd year, the spring/summer race series will be comprised of the same nine races as in 2024 with a minimum of five to score and the best seven results used in the scoring.  The first five of these race are available for signup.  More details are provided on the website www.lynchburgroadrunners.org

2/8 Big Game 5K LRRC Discount Deadline = 2/1/2025

3/15 St. Paddy's Day 5K LRRC Discount Deadline = 2/2/2025

3/29 Colon Cancer 5K LRRC Discount Deadline = 3/15/2025

4/5 Point of Honor 5K LRRC Discount Deadline = 3/15/2025

4/26 Runway 5K LRRC Discount Deadline = 4/6/2025

5/26 Memorial Day 10K LRRC Discount Deadline = TBD

6/12 LRRC Track Series 5,000 LRRC Discount Deadline = N/A

7/4 Percival’s Island Firecracker 5 Miler LRRC Discount Deadline = TBD

7/xx Kemper Street Downhill Mile LRRC Discount Deadline = TBD

December Fun Runs

Thursday December 5th - Get Lit Fun Run at the Water Dog.  Thanks to Brooke Craig for organizing this run to enjoy the downtown lights.  The bitter cold that night limited attendance, but the folks below had a nice time.

Saturday December 21st - Jingle Bell Jog at Riverside Runners.  Thanks to Santa and his elves, this annual fun run continued to attract Lynchburg's finest.  We like to brag that our Virginia 10 Miler has attracted the world's best runners for 50 years, but that might pale in comparison to having Santa make a special trip here during his busiest time of year.

Tuesday December 24th - Frosty's Frolic at EC Glass High School.  With Christmas upon us, a couple dozen runners enjoyed parts of the 10 Miler course.  Thanks to Kevin Shroyer for making this happen.

Tuesday December 31st - One Last Run for the Year fun run at EC Glass High School.  Thanks to Evan Davis for organizing a fun run whose finish was captured by WSET.

January Fun Run
Wednesday January 1st - Riverside Park 9 am. As is our tradition, we will gather in Riverside Park on New Year's Day at 9 am for a fun run.  We will run 3 to 6 miles and enjoy refreshments afterward.  Get your New Year's off to a great start running with friends (or soon to be friends).  All paces welcome.

Virginia 10 Miler Books for Sale
There are some copies of the Virginia 10 Miler - Fifty Years and Still Running Strong available at https://runsignup.com/Race/Store/VA/Lynchburg/Virginia10Miler Order yours and it will be delivered to your mailbox.

LRRC Tech Shirt for Sale
We have one Men's medium LRRC Technical Shirt for sale for $45 if anyone is interested.

Meet Local Runner - Glenn Gumpman

When did you start running?

Why, was quite by chance. In the fall of 2011 all the ladies in my house decided to run the Lynchburg Turkey Trot. I asserted that “I don’t run. I’ll take pictures”. Long story short. I signed up the morning of the race. Walked / jogged with my wife and had a good time. I then decided that I would to try to run the 2012 Point of Honor 5K. Ran, beat my modest 30 minute goal time, didn’t need medical assistance and had a good time. I was hooked.

How often and how far do you run? 

Currently, I try to cover 10 to 15 miles a week. Typically, that includes 3 days during the work week at 3-ish miles and then something longer (5 or more miles) at some point over the weekend.

Where do you like to run? 

Initially, I ran a set 3, 4 and 5 mile routes from the house as well as some time on the Blackwater Creek Trails and Percivals Isle. Though, the heatmap feature in the Strava app changed all that and I’ve tried to run most of the roads in Lynchburg. I’m glad I made the change. It has been quite enjoyable seeing more of our fine city than I ever had before.
 
What are a few of your best running memories?

 My first Cooper River Bridge Run, a point to point 10K in Charleston, SC was awesome. That was in 2014 and they started almost 32,000 runners, which simply amazed me. My first Half Marathon was run supporting my youngest daughter in 2019. Neither of us were 100% healthy that day, but we persevered to the finish. That was enough to encourage me to try a couple more “at my pace”. And, most recently, running my first Fun Run, at Riverside Runners, with my, then 8 year old, granddaughter.

What is the toughest race/run you have done (and why)?

 I think this most recent Virginia 10 Miler was my toughest. I trained better for this year’s event than in years past. I set a goal to simply be quicker than the previous race, even if just by one second. While I was happy there was no actual rain, the extreme humidity seemed to be my undoing. I was fine through the first half. Though, on the way back I began to get overheated. With the humidity, there was no relief. I had to slow more often than I care to admit. Although, my overall run was satisfactory, I was disappointed to have missed that goal.

What is the most fun running event you have participated in? 

The Surf and Santa 5 Miler in Virginia Beach was great fun when the family ran it in 2022. Running the boardwalk with all the Christmas lights is fun enough. I also had the bonus of my grandkids being along the route, in two places, to cheer me on! It was a Caribbean theme that year. As big Jimmy Buffett fans, we enjoyed the cover band at the post race festivities.

What advice would you like to share with other runners?

 I don’t know that I’m qualified to offer advice. I will say that when it comes to racing, knowing my limitations, I always race the clock. I set a goal time and rate my performance based on that. Sometimes that is good enough for an Age Group award. Other times, not so much. But, that is fine.

Tell us about your special race number - what it is and why it's important to you? 

I have had the honor of wearing the race bib 637 in the last 2 Virginia 10 Milers. This is special to me as I served for 4 years of my U.S. Navy career on the nuclear attack submarine USS Sturgeon (SSN-637). My service as at the height of the Cold War and we conducted a number of very sensitive operations. Even to this day they are classified and I can’t discuss them in detail. I am extremely proud of that service. As such, the 637 number is symbolic of that pride. 

Why should a runner belong to the LRRC?
I believe the LRRC exemplifies all of the positive aspects of the running community that I’ve experienced in the past 12 years. Always supportive and encouraging.

December is a surprisingly busy month, with the final two races in the fall race series, four fun runs (and a fifth on New Year's Day), and club elections at our December meeting.  And thanks to Jeff Fedorko's hard work, many of the 2025 LRRC Spring/Summer Race Series are already scheduled and available for signup.

LRRC Fall Race Series

Our fall race series is back for a second year.  We added a sixth race, Annual I am Woman 5K (yes, there isn't an alternate men's only race).  The other races remain (The 10 Miler/4+ Miler, CASA Superhero Run, Lynchburg Turkey Trot, Bedford Christmas Classic, and Deck the Heels 5K).  Details of the race series can be found here. https://runsignup.com/w/LynchburgRoadRunnersClub/Page/FallRaceSeries

CASA Superhero 5K

Nearly 300 runners and 100 walkers enjoyed a nice fall morning running in the 10th Annual CASA superheroes run prior to countless children running a mile with villains and superheroes. Andrew Wilds captured the event in photographs with a sampling below. 

For his entire collection: https://www.lynchburgsuperherorun.com/Race/Photos/VA/Lynchburg/LynchburgSuperHeroRun

Lynchburg Turkey Trot

Nearly 4,000 runners and walkers sign up for the 36th(?)* Annual Lynchburg Turkey Trot and 2,600 ignored the ominous weather forecast (Trust George!?) and showed up.  Thankfully the bad weather was gone by race time.

While many were just enjoying their run or walk, a significant number competed and pushed themselves on the deceptively hilly course.  Zach Knight returned to his home town and crossed first in front of local, Michael Craig, and Brewster, NY resident Jefferson Ross.  In the women's division, Pittsburgh-ian Annabel Johnson won crossing before Kathrin O'Brien (back home for the weekend) and Tracy Wu.

*I know that the 3rd annual Turkey Trot 5 Miler was held in 1982, but not sure if the 5 Miler transitioned to a 5K or if it disappeared before the 5K version started.  If anyone has any history with the 5 Mile version and the first 5K version, please contact me.

Photos by Robert Copelan and Ally D

Remaining Races

The two remaining races in the race series will be run the next two Saturdays (12/7 and 12/14) Bedford Christmas Classic, and Deck the Heels 5K.  

https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Bedford/PeaksChristmasClassic

https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Altavista/DecktheHeels5KNightRun

December Fun Runs

Thursday December 5th - Get Lit Fun Run 6 pm at the Water Dog.  Enjoy the downtown lights during a 3 mile fun run or walk and then come inside to the warmth of the Water Dog and socialize with running friends.  https://www.facebook.com/events/1614566396142830

Saturday December 21st - Riverside Runners 830 am.  Sure, you can go to the mall and sit on Santa's lap and let him know what you want for Christmas, but where can you run with Santa and end up back at his workshop where you can show him what running related items you want for Christmas?!  https://riversiderunners.com/event/riverside-runners-jingle-bell-fun-run-2024/

Tuesday December 24th - EC Glass High School 8 am.  Frosty's Frolic. Join us for a low key fun run out and back from the high school. All paces welcome. https://www.facebook.com/events/1622271288646430

Tuesday December 31st - EC Glass High School 8 am.  Last day to log those 2024 miles.  Join us for a low key fun run out and back from the high school.  All paces welcome.

Wednesday January 1st - Riverside Park 9 am. As is our tradition, we will gather in Riverside Park on New Year's Day at 9 am for a fun run.  We will run 3 to 6 miles and enjoy refreshments afterward.  Get your New Year's off to a great start running with friends (or soon to be friends).  All paces welcome.

Virginia 10 Miler Books for Sale

There are some copies of the Virginia 10 Miler - Fifty Years and Still Running Strong available at https://runsignup.com/Race/Store/VA/Lynchburg/Virginia10Miler Order yours and it will be delivered to your mailbox.

LRRC Tech Shirt for Sale

We have one Men's medium LRRC Technical Shirt for sale for $45 if anyone is interested.

Meet Local Runner - Marlene Gray

When did you start running? I was that child who was outside running and playing from early morning to when the streetlights came on at night. I would run and jump over the neighbors’ hedges and sawhorses pretending I was running hurdles or steeplechase races. I ran cross country and track & field at high school in Pittsburgh, PA. Being on a team built character as we accepted the challenge of running up and down the hilly streets. In college, I ran with my fiancé, Kevin, when he was training for the Marine Corps. Fast forward many years to when my younger two daughters started Cross country training, and I got back into running. Then I started running LRRC races in 2016 and met lots of new friends.

Why do you run? I love to be outside in God’s creation and enjoy quiet moments with Him early in the mornings. I find deep satisfaction in setting a goal and completing it even if it means you are running in the rain, the cold windy days, with friends or alone. I run because I have made many wonderful friends that encourage me.

How often and how far do you run? If I don’t have a race coming up, I like to run round 4 to 6 miles, two to three times a week. The other two days, I will be in the woods hiking. When training for a race, I will run three to five times a week and follow a good race training plan that includes rest days.

Where do you like to run? I run Blackwater Creek, Peakland Place down Rivermont Ave, Percival’s Island and everywhere the “I RUN LYN” t-shirt lists. It is fun to change it up and see different views.
 
What are a few of your best running memories? I enjoyed running with my daughters as they trained for their cross-country races. I cherish the good conversations that brought us closer together. When I see some of their team mates out on a trail and they say, “Mrs. Gray, are you still running?!” I tell them it is a lifetime sport.  

What is the toughest race/run you have done (and why)? The toughest race was when I was running the Blue Ridge Half Marathon with a foot cramp two miles into the race just as we started up Mill Mountain. I had to decide if I was going to hurt myself if I kept running or if I should just stop. At the nine-mile mark, I watched the pacer run past me carrying the pace time sign that I wanted to beat. Not to be discouraged, I finished the race with a pace only 1 minute per mile slower than I had hoped. It wasn’t pretty, but I finished.

What is the most fun running event you have participated in? I was running my first Memorial Day 10K with 2 miles left, I met Lynn McFadden on the racecourse. We were cat and mousing one another. She would pass me and then I would pass her. She said that we should just run together because we were running at the same pace. That was where our long friendship started. We have run many times together since that race. And I told her that we can go out to eat lunch, too.

What type of races do you like to run? I like hilly and technical race courses. I stay more focused and in the moment on a hilly course. I have found myself daydreaming on flat, long stretches and slowing down. My race mantra is, “From one Burg to another Burg! From Pittsburgh to Lynchburg!” The VA 10 Miler is one of my favorite races.

What advice would you like to share with other runners? Enjoy your run. Get up and just go

Why should a runner belong to the LRRC? I joined the LRRC because they support the running community and provide wonderful opportunities to meet other like-minded runners through social events and fun runs. The LRRC Race Series offer a wide variety of organized races to challenge a new runner or a seasoned one. Discounts on races and at Riverside Runners are also nice benefits.

OBX Southern Fried Half Marathon (First Half) 2017

VA 10 Miler 2024   photo credit Janelle Christen Bell

Lynchburg, VA