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Please email any news concerning WMAC members, running events, wildlife sightings, adventures on the trails, rules of thumb, etc. that you'd like to see posted.
Trail running stories, race reports, book or gear reviews, or literary or journalistic missives might better go to , editor and publisher of Trail Running News.

Thanks!!

These notes are often posted about as emailed to the website, without much editing.


originally posted on main page, December 2014
Letter from Richard Busa.


reposted from main page, June 20, 2014

Memory of Jeffrey T. Clark

September 28, 1946 -- May 22, 2014
The running community lost a good friend recently with the passing of Jeff Clark. Jeff was a very active in the snowshoe series, both as a runner and along with his wife Laura as a race director of snowshoe and road races in the Saratoga, NY area. He was also a skilled kayaker, participating in many kayak races in the Adirondacks region of New York. A decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, Jeff was a helicopter and airplane pilot for the Army‘s First Infantry Division - the legendary Big Red 1. He is survived by his wife Laura, 3 daughters and 3 grandchildren.

Jeff Clark
Jeff Clark, directing the Camp Saratoga snowshoe race in 2011
photo courtesy of Berkshire Sports .org

Newspaper articles about Jeff.......
Saratogian - Jeff Clark DBA President Decorated Vietnam Veteran Passes Away
Obituary - Jeff Clark


reposted from main page, May 24, 2011

Japan Relief

Red Cross

Japan Red Cross
If you've been thinking about doing something to help people in Japan in the cities and hundreds of towns along the seacoast hit by the tsunami, donations can be made online to the American Red Cross, specifically for Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami relief.

Cell phone text-message donations to Japan made through AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon are now being expedited (rather than delayed for a billing cycle), so this is also a good way to help out.

‘In the U.S., the American Red Cross is accepting donations for Japan, and will transfer such donations to the Japanese Red Cross Society.’ - Japan Consulate in Boston

‘The Japanese Red Cross has indicated that it would accept financial support from the American Red Cross for its role providing first aid, emotional support and relief items to those displaced’ - American Red Cross.

You may also donate directly to the Japan Red Cross through Google’s Crisis Response page.


posted April 2, 2011

Memorial Day Marathon

WMAC members are being offered a 15% discount to the Memorial Day Marathon, half, 10K, or 5K, May 29 2011 in the Berkshires. From Rich Hyman ---

On behalf of the organizers and sponsors of the Memorial Day Marathon, half-marathon, 10K and 5K, I’m pleased to offer the members of your Club a 15% discount by using the code xxxx clubs; when registering on our website Memorial Day Marathon or via a mail in registration. Mail in forms can be printed from our website. The second Annual Memorial Day Marathon Weekend in support of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund is more than a race it’s an opportunity to enjoy a weekend in the beautiful Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. In addition to a USATF certified marathon, your members can visit the Norman Rockwell Museum, come to our Saturday pre-race expo, tour the quaint towns or just relax during springtime in the country.

There will also be a Friday evening and Saturday afternoon warm up run followed by stretch clinics, a Saturday night pre-race pasta dinner, and a Sunday night post-race celebration party.

But the highlight is the run itself. It begins at Tanglewood at 8:00 AM on Sunday, May 29th. The course has spectacular views and will take you through the towns of Lenox, Stockbridge and Great Barrington passing the Berkshire Botanical Gardens, the Stockbridge Bowl, and the Red Lion Inn before ending back at Tanglewood. Although it’s in the Berkshires and there are hills we've made the course reasonable for all runners and taken steep grades into consideration in mapping the route.

For detailed information about the race, registration or FAQ’s your members can go to our website Memorial Day Marathon

If I can be of any help please call 631 324 5186 or email richhyman@aol.com.


March 13, 2011

Nipmuck Trail Marathon

Fellow Mucksters
    In previous years, by now you would have gotten a mud covered application with an apology from the postal service but that ain’t happening this year. If anyone knows how to put mud on an email let me know.

At this time 71 0f the 250 spots have been filled for the 10/2 NipMuck Trail Marathon. You can assume it will fill up. For those who have gotten substantial discounts in the past, sorry for the sticker shock. You can still assume you will still get your money’s worth.

I’m toying with the idea of writing a book about NipMuck. Please send my your comments. No rush as it won’t happen any time soon.

NipMuck Dave


February 2011

Nipmuck Trail Marathon

Deer NipMuck Runners
    This email is going out to those who have been initiated into the cult of the Muck. You won’t be getting a mud covered application from me anymore as I’ve retired from being the RD. The new RD, Clint Morse says registration for the October 2nd, 2011 NipMuck Trail Marathon will be a commencing on February 1st. Since NipMuck got a full page article in the January issue of Trail Runner Magazine and because it’s open to the whole universe this year I expect it to fill up pronto. So if you want in, I suggest you get your act together and figure how to register online. So give shenipsit striders or http://facebook.com/pages/Shenipsit-Striders/17363849598 a try. If you aren‘t registered come May and the race is full, don't go wa waing to me and expect some Mr Nice Guy to help you out.

Runners who have done this race in the past are on a different cosmic level then those who have not. That‘s why we have had such a high rate of finishers as of late. I hope you will sign up for this race or this happening whatever you think it is to decrease the number of new runners and so to speak keep the stock pure. With a high rate of return runners the newbies will have an easier time with their initiation. If you know any runners who are cut from the same cloth as you pass this on to them. If you know of any fast runners who will try to conquer this race tell them this race sucks.

I am looking forward to finishing in last place this year. So, may the muck be with you or on you, whatever?

NipMuck Dave
Ps: Who threw the gu packet on the trail at last year‘s race?


February 2011

The North Face - Wear Testing

Hello Athletes/Outdoor Enthusiasts!
I got your email from a previous wear testing database that indicated you were in charge of or part of a running/hiking/outdoor club. You haven't received anything in a while because there was no one around to send you our latest! Enter me, the new Wear Test Analyst here at The North Face ready to ship out product and read your reviews!

If you or your club members are still interested in this program, please pass along this survey for them to fill out and submit:

xxx - removed

PLEASE NOTE - We only have sample sizes to test, that is, if you are a Men‘s 9 or a Women‘s 7 and are good about (and want to be) recording your data on how much mileage you put on the shoes/boots, the conditions they‘ve been through, etc. - then this is for you! If not, and you know someone who would be a good fit for this program, please pass the information & survey along.

Not all questions in the survey will definitely pertain to you, if you do not participate in a sport, don't fill out the quesitons pertaining to it. Once I see that you have filled out the survey I will send you some updated versions of the ‘getting started’ packets and there will be a confidentiality form for you to sign and turn in to me. I have attached a pdf file of some general information regarding our Wear Testing Program and what to expect.

Thanks for your time, I hope to hear from you soon!

Michelle Maehler
Wear Test Analyst
The North Face
510.618.2720


February 2011

Trail Animals Running Club

Greeting WMACers.
The Trail Animals Running Club are adding a few new ultras to the calendar in New England.

Massachusetts

  4/17/11    Don‘t Run Boston 50K, Milton, MA
  4/17/11    TARC 50M, Milton, MA
  4/23/11     TARC Spring Classic Marathon & 50K, Weston, MA
  10/8/11    TARC Fall Classic Marathon & 50K, Lexington, MA

Thanks much!
Bob Crowley
RD


Trail Animals Running Club


February 2011

WMass Mother‘s Day Half Marathon

Greeting WMACers.
Hi!
I am wondering if you could let your club know about this race, it‘s a first-time event just 20-25 minutes north of Springfield.

Take Rt. 91 North, Exit 24..take a LEFT at the top of the ramp about 2 miles, take another left and you‘re there. Parking is at the YCC (Yankee Candle Company Manufacturing Plant in Whately - not the STORE in Deerfield).

There is a Facebook Page, WMass Mother‘s Day Half Marathon, that shows the course/registration links. Registration is at www.IMathlete.com.

A few runners up this way suggested I contact your clubs to let you know about it.

Thanks so much!
Sue Monahan
Race Director

Here is the e-release from Cancer Connection:

RELEASE - CANCER CONNECTION, INC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 8, 2011
CONTACT: ANNA-BETH WINOGRAD (413) 586-1642
Mother‘s Day Half-Marathon to be held in Whately, MA on May 8, 2011
Proceeds to benefit Cancer Connection

WHATELY, MA The Western Mass Mother‘s Day Half-Marathon will be held in Whately, MA to benefit Cancer Connection on Sunday, May 8, 2011. The run begins at 8:00 am on Christian Lane near the Whately Police/Fire Stations. The course is a scenic 13.1 miles, fairly flat with a few rolling hills. The course is a Certified and USATF sanctioned half-marathon course.

It's Mom's Day! Run FOR your mom, WITH your mom, because YOU ARE a mom, because you WANT TO BE a mom, because YOU HAVE a mom, or because you KNOW a mom!! Run because you CAN!

Those registered by April 26, 2011 will receive a free race shirt. Register online at www.imathlete.com Registration March 1 - April 30 is $50 per participant and May 1 - May 7 is $55 per participant. Parking will be provided by the Yankee Candle Company Manufacturing plant on Christian Lane in Whately, MA.

Cancer Connection is a non-profit cancer support center that has served as a haven for people diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers in the Pioneer Valley for 11 years. All programs and services are offered free of charge, including guidance along the cancer journey from diagnosis, through treatment and beyond; complementary therapies such as Reiki, massage, ear acupuncture and reflexology; support groups; educational workshops; and programs to build physical and emotional strength, including writing, painting, knitting, Pilates, yoga and aqua aerobics. Proceeds from the Western Mass Mother‘s Day Half-Marathon will support Cancer Connection services.

For more information about the Western Mass Mother‘s Day Half-Marathon and services available at Cancer Connection, please call (413) 586-1642 or visit our website: Cancer Connection
Cancer Connection is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and donations are tax-deductible. Major funding for Cancer Connection programs is provided by Rays of Hope.

Anna-Beth Winograd
Community Relations
Cancer Connection
41 Locust Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-586-1642



February 2011

Run or Walk for Solar Empowerment!

Greeting WMACers.
Leveraging the power of emerging markets in Mali, Harvard Global Energy Initiative has teamed up with D.Light Design and the Rural Energy Foundation to enable villagers outside of Bamako to purchase affordable solar lanterns, mobile phone chargers, and energy efficient home improvements that will lead to economic savings, health benefits, and environmental responsibility. Help us make safe, affordable, clean energy an option for the rural poor of Mali.

Run or Walk with Us!
Where: JFK Park (JFK and Memorial Drive, Cambridge MA, 02138)
When: Saturday, March 26, 2011
Time: 9:30am registration 11:00 race start 11:15 walk start
Cost: $15 in Advance/$20 on site registration $100 team of 10 discount. All proceeds go to benefit Harvard Global Energy Initiative‘s Village Project in Mali
Make $15.00 check payable to "Harvard Global Energy Initiative" with "Mali Village Project" in the memo line. Mail registration form, checks, and pledge sheet to Harvard Global Energy Initiative, c/o Emily Cunningham, 161 Leverett Mail Center, 28 DeWolfe Street, Cambridge MA, 02138.
Contact Emily Cunningham with questions at 781-626-1016 or ecunningham@college.harvard.edu
For pledge sheets, registration forms, and more information, visit [ www.solarempowerment5k.info/register.php ]

Andrew Cohen (917-446-0583) Global Energy Initiative: Putting our Energy to Action


February 2011

North Country 2011 (50, 26, 13 mi trail races)

WMAC -
I wanted to reach out to you to help pass on to your club/organization members about North Country 2011 (50 mile trail ultra, 26.2 mile trail marathon and 13.1 mile trail marathon) in Manistee Michigan. We are going on the 12th year of the race and last year we reached our cap of 500 participants about 2 months prior to the August race date. This year we are tracking well over a cap sooner than that. 25 states were represented last year and with 9 aid stations, post race food including soups, burgers, veggie burgers, pastas and more it really is a great atmosphere. Already just a month after we opened registration we have over 15 states committed and groups approaching us and also registering. We would love to have your group come up as well and we are offering a $12.00 discount off each registration. Plus the race this year has the following items that are attracting runners from all over the country for the race on August 27th 2011:

   Chip timed trail race (all 3 events are timed with instant results available at the finish)
   3 different color bibs to allow runners to know who is running which event
   Staggered event starts to allow for runners to not be bunched up together on the trails
    Moisture wicked race shirts for everyone who registers, along with draw string back packs and a race hat
   The 3rd largest medal in the US (over 5" inches and almost 2 lbs)
   Crystal trophies for overall and masters winners
   And more

The website where your runners can read more information is at www.northcountrytrailrun.mirunning.com and the discount code if they want to register online to use is: clubdiscount. That will allow them to take $12 off any of the registrations and still get all of the above. We do expect to cap early and our team can help answer any questions you might have, just feel free to reply to this email I or one of our committee members will get back to you.

Also, could you let me know if you will pass it on to your members or not, so that we don‘t bother you in the future if it‘s something you are not interested in participating in. With a cap of 500 because it‘s in the Manistee National Forest on the North Country Trail system it really makes it a great atmosphere with a bon fire, food, great friends and stories and fun times.

I look forward to hearing back from you and thank you again for taking the time to pass this email on to your members.

> David Beers
North Country 2011 Race
50 Mile Ultra & 26.2 Mile Marathon& 13.1 Mile Half Marathon
[ northcountrytrailrun.mirunning.com/ ]

[ed - so let me know, WMAC‘ers, if you enter, so we can let the RD know there is interest out here.]


runrunrun
Dion Snowshoes

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