On the Run . . . with Matt McGowan

Twenty–two years ago RUNOHIO was printed for the first time. My brother Jeff was a senior at Ohio University and was fighting Hodgkins Lymphoma and I wanted to do something to get him involved. The Circleville Classic was a benefit run for Jeff that year and a week later I introduced the idea of RUNOHIO.

With Jeff’s background with computers and running, and my experience with running and marketing, we decided to start RUNOHIO. At the 1988 Columbus Marathon I passed out subscription forms and mailed information to all of the Ohio running clubs. The Friday of the Columbus Marathon Expo my father passed away from a heart attack. At first I wasn’t sure if I should go ahead with the idea of RUNOHIO. But Jeff and I decided to forge forward. Hundreds of runners signed up for a year’s subscription. We printed our first issue the following March. Jeff has continued to work on subscriptions and the RUNOHIO Grand Prix while my mom, Jean, for a number of years did the proof reading. Dawn Parker of Sunrise Type & Graphics, Circleville, has provided much of the typesetting and layout for the past twenty years. Chuck Barlett has helped with my web site – runohio.com for the past five years.

RUNOHIO’s goal when we started was to provide timely running information with the most complete race calendar, results and running news around the state of Ohio. RUNOHIO now covers running, duathlons and triathlons in Ohio, West Virginia, northern Kentucky, southern Michigan, eastern Indiana and western Pennsylvania. We also cover the Ohio High School Cross Country & Track State Championships. Plus, we cover the Marathon and Track and Field U.S. Olympic Trials and National Championships.

Spring will be here soon and the snow is finally melting. Hopefully, you are able to get in your training and are ready to do some racing soon. A number of spring races are listed in the RUNOHIO Race Calendar. If you are directing a race please forward the information to RUNOHIO and list your event on the RUNOHIO/Running Network Searchable Calendar on our web site.

The 2010 RUNOHIO Grand Prix is a series of races chosen by runners and the staff of RUNOHIO to be part of the statewide grand prix. The list of races for this year’s series is listed in this issue. I hope you will be able to run in a number of these races.

Congratulations to the 2009 RUNOHIO Runners of the Year: Men Open – Matt Folk, Women Open – Angela Bizzarri, Men Masters - T.J. Lentz, Women Masters – Gay Hammon, Men Grand Masters - Terry McCluskey and Women Grand Master - Terry Mahr. Read their interviews in this issue.

The road to the 2012 Olympic Marathon in London will run through Houston. For the first time in the history of the U.S. Olympic Trials, one city will host the marathon for both men and women in the same year. The 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials will be held in Houston January 14, 2012, a day prior to the 40th anniversary run of the Houston Marathon. The races will determine the runners who will represent the United States in the marathon at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

I was able to be in Houston for the marathon and half marathon this year as The Running Network held their winter meeting there during the race weekend. The Running Network is suppose to have our winter meeting in Houston for the next two years and the 2012 meeting will be held during the Olympic Marathon Trials. From what I saw with this year’s event the race committee did an outstanding job and should provide an excellent venue for the Olympic Trials. Good luck to everyone training to make the Trials and to Houston for providing an excellent event.

I helped with the Arnold 5K and Arnold 5K Pump and Run. Race day registration proceeds from the Arnold 5K went to the Chris Harmon Fund. Chris seriously injured himself in a weight lifting accident. He is a former graduate of Granville High School and currently attends OSU, Newark. If you would like to help support the Chris Harmon Fund you can stop in to the Whit’s Frozen Custard store in Granville now thru March 21st and make a donation to the Chris Harmon Fund and get an Arnold 5K T-shirt and do a virtual run in his honor. You can also make a donation to the Chris Harmon Fund at any Central Ohio Chase Bank.
The deadline for the May/June RUNOHIO is April 10th for results and other information. April 15th is the deadline for advertising.

If you are not a subscriber or if your subscription is running out, I hope you will take a few minutes to subscribe or renew your subscription to RUNOHIO. With your support, RUNOHIO can continue to provide you with the running news you want in print and on the web.
Good luck with your upcoming races. I hope to see you at a race or track meet this spring.