Jan 4 - See the officers/members page to see who's joined runLawrence or renewed their membership. 2008 members will be taken off the list by Jan 15. Don't lose your member's discounts at Garry Gribbles Running Sport or Francis Sporting Goods - 10% year round with occasional 20% specials. Stacy Riggins - thanks for being the first to renew in January 2009.

Dec 28 - It has been a topic of hot debate on internet message boards, industry group convention floors and group runs. Battle lines were drawn and nearly everyone was asked at some point to take a side: do you support the ban on wearing headphones during running races? . . .

Now, USA Track & Field has modified the rule governing the wearing of headphones so that it is narrowly limited to the sport’s most competitive athletes competing for important accolades or prize money. more (from TheFinalSprint.com)

(above) The group photo in the rain of the Dec 18th Jingle Bell Run; (right) Ellen Young, Becky McClure, Celeste Leonardi & Bev Gardner inside the Kizer Cummings store (Jerry Henley photos)

Dec 14 - The Mid-America Running Association announced its winners in this year's Gran Prix rankings competition at yesterday's Chili Run at Wyandotte County Lake Park. Local runners honored included: Dee Boeck (F55-59, top row, left in photo) winning her 11th out of 12 years of the Gran Prix rankings, Jenny Wise-Cook (Gardner, 1st F45-49, 1st row, 2nd left) with 94 pts while Karen Hyde was 2nd in F45-49 with 66 pts. Keith Dowell scored 38 pts to take 5th overall in the M50-54 category. Photos from the Chili Run and awards ceremony. Complete standings

More from the Thanksgiving Day Run: In the women's race in 2007, Julie Shaw of Palo Cedro, CA finished 2nd to Baldwin's Erica Ogle (19:51 to 19:28). Both improved their times in 2008, but Julie's time was almost a minute and a half faster over last year (18:26) and over Erica's 19:24 to win. Julie is a sophomore at California State University at Chico. Matt Riley defended his 2007 title with a time this year of 15:56, improving on his 16:10 last year.

Dec 11 - Bob Woods (Baldwin) participated in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon on Dec 6th and finished 2nd in the 55-59 age group with a 3:32:45.

Thanksgiving Day 5K at the Levee: "Johanna's personal best" - On a cold, beautiful Lawrence morning more than 650 runners crossed the finish line creating a host of interesting time coded stories.  From the rocket pace of Matt Riley who timed in at 15:56, to the last finisher, all wanted to a) finish the race and b) achieve a new personal best.  The times were accurately recorded by a microchip worn by each runner. more
(Ken Waldock photo)

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updated: Jan 4, 2009