GREAT RACE; GREAT CAUSE

The Speed The Light 5K Virtual 5K is a virtual race that can be run (or walked!) anytime and anywhere, even indoors on a treadmill. You can even breakup your virtual run into multiple runs if you would like.

Simply register for the run (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/speed-the-light-virtual-5k-tickets-27283927963), complete the distance at any time and anywhere you desire (don't forget to time yourself), and email us with your finish time. At the end of October we will mail you a finisher’s medal, a t-shirt with the event logo on it, and a $25 iTunes Gift Card (for our winner).

We accept results on the honor system, so you can track your distance and time however you like. The most accurate way to do this is by using a Running GPS watch, but there are also several free smartphone apps available for iPhones and Android devices that you may be interested in.

The cost of this event will be $35 per person. This will cover your shirt, medal, shipping and handeling and a donation to Speed The Light (STL). STL provides essential transportation and creative communication equipment for missionary evangelism. STL is the student-initiated, volunteer, charitable program that provides much-needed equipment to missionaries across the nation and in over 180 countries around the world. Since its beginning, STL has raised over $253 million for missionary equipment around the world. It has provided vehicles for organizations like Convoy of Hope (Disater Response) and F.R.E.E. International (Fighting Human Trafficking). For more information on STL check out www.stl.ag.org

We hope you can be apart of us Speeding Light to a dark world by running/jogging/or walking!

Have Questions? Contact Scott Laurain at Scott@ncalife.org

 

 

RUN ON A MISSION

It is often satisfying as well as beneficial to run for something (or someone) other than yourself.

Run On A Mission (ROAM LLC) RunOnAMission.com is a privately owned company that dedicates it time to helping those organizations and people needing to raise money for a cause and awareness. The focus of ROAM is people and it’s community. ROAM believes that relationships are important and a necessity. Their concept is to help and service you in any way they can. ROAM is truly a customer friendly company. So, if you wish to be part of the ROAM family, contact them. At ROAM they would love to hear from you and make you family. www.RunOnAMission.com

And, you can become a part of this mission by running a virtual race...for a cause.

A member of the ROAM team, Eli Brown, describes the mission:

"What fuel does your life RUN on? What drives you? What are you passionate about? What causes are worth investing in? What is YOUR MISSION? Those are just a handful of the questions I have been asking myself lately and I intend on figuring that out this year! It's time for less "wondering" and more focus, prayer, investment, and ... some running. I am working on a new blog and fundraising company called @RunOnAMission. We are just getting started, but stay tuned for more info to come! Our MISSION is to help raise money for organizations and people making a positive difference in their community and the world around them. We want to partner with others whose lives are fueled and Running On A Mission. If you are interested in following the journey, you can follow myself and my running partner Eddie at @RunOnAMission on IG, Twitter and Facebook. And if you have suggestions, connections, causes, resources or ideas, let me know. I am trusting my fam and friends to help me do this right! Check out the site at www.RunOnAMission.com ... We are at the starting block and this race is about to take off!" #RunOnAMission #Missions #Fundraising #CouchTo5k #StayTuned #MoreToCome."

I am proud to have been asked to contribute to this site and its worthy purpose, by writing a blog about my daughter, Kelly, and her personal running mission.

http://runonamission.com/whatsyourfuel-kelly-runs-for-team-in-training/

 

 

 

 

A WARNING FROM RUBY

Hi, my name is Ruby.

I'm a 7-year old Redbone Coonhound, and I live with my human mom and dad, Crissy and Joe, and with my big dog sister, Dixie, a 9-year old Labrador Retriever, in a place called Pottsville, which is in the eastern Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania.

Joe really likes to run, and he often takes me with him. I like to run, but when he takes me along in the mountain behind our house, I spend more time sniffing and chasing rabbits than I do running with him.

I hear Joe talking to his friends about fierce creatures he sometimes encounters when he runs on trails. He sees black snakes and copperhead snakes, and dogs that are not always friendly as I am. He's even seen a couple of black bears.

Well, I have a real warning for you runners. I like to chase squirrels, chipmunks and the aforementioned rabbits around my backyard, and a few weeks back I had an encounter with a groundhog that didn't fare too well for me, but was even worse for Mr. Groundhog.

But the fiercest of all creatures ambushed me last night.

If you ever encounter him when you are running, you better run in the other direction.

As I approached the strange beast in what I thought was a stealth-like manner, he got me.

The creature, which had a hide resembling a tuxedo-clad lounge singer from the Poconos, unleashed an acrid, foul smelling spray that burned my eyes and allowed him to escape.

Frustrated and feeling like a tear-gassed rioter, I approached the safety of my deck. Soon after my mom opened the door to let me in, she panicked. "It smells like something's on fire," she said.

Indeed, the smell was something like burnt rubber.

Whenever mom or dad seems upset, I scurry under the dining room table. Sure enough, dad knew something was amiss. He took one whiff of me and exclaimed, "Ruby was sprayed by a skunk."

Now I don't know a skunk from caviar, but I'll tell you this, My last 24 hours have been a nightmare.

First, I've been quarantined. No more going in mom and dad's room for a while.

Next, I have been subjected to numerous tomato juice baths. (although it doesn't taste too bad), and I've been lathered up with mixtures of baking soda and peroxide. And, what's worse, mom and dad seem to be avoiding me like the plague. And, I'm told that our house smells like that skunk character.

So, if you're out there for a nice run through the woods and you see a skunk, run like you've seen a striped, black and white ghost. A skunk is a nasty creature.

I'll take a groundhog any day.

GO LOCAL

Local races are h backbone of road racing.

Local races are often well-organized and usually benefit local causes.

Following is an article that was published today in my monthly running column in the Republican Herald newspaper. www.republicanherald,com

If you live in eastern Pennsylvania I highly recommend this popular local race.

October is a great month for runners and for running.

Temperatures are crisp, races abound and times are fast.

Runners appreciate races that are well-organized, offer plenty of awards and amenities, serve a good cause and provide a course that is suitable for fast times.

All of those boxes can be checked Sunday, Oct. 18.

The 6th annual Rhoades Race 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk will be held, beginning at the Saint Clair Industrial Park, between Saint Clair and Port Carbon. The Fun Run will begin at 10 a.m. and the 5K will start at 10:30 a.m.

This course is flat and fast. The race starts at the Industrial Park and proceeds north through Saint Clair, looping through the borough, and back to the finish. Unlike most Schuylkill County courses, there is not a hill to be found along the route.

For the Fun Run, all participants receive a finishing ribbon, and the top three male and female runners under the age of 13 will receive medals.

In the 5K, the top three male and female finishers, as well as the top male and female Master’s finishers (40 and over) will receive cash prizes. Unique handcrafted pottery created by local potter Mary Byrne of Mad Potter in Pottsville will be awarded to first-place winners in each age group. Second- and third-place finishers will receive medals. There are 12 age divisions, ranging from 13 and under to over 70.

The oldest finisher will receive the William I. Messerschmidt Memorial Award.
Proceeds from this event will be used to promote the Rhoades Foundation mission through scholarships, donations, events and other means, to educate, encourage and enrich our local communities.

The James J. and Mary Edith Rhoades Foundation was founded in October 2008 in memory of Senator James J. Rhoades, who was unexpectedly killed in an automobile accident on his way to a local high school football game where he was to be honored at halftime. Senator Rhoades’ wife, Mary Edith, and children chose to establish this foundation to carry on Senator Rhoades’ selfless spirit, highlighting his lifelong dedication toward education, giving and community for years to come.

The family of Senator Rhoades has continued his legacy of service through this race, as well as through many other community events.

The Rhoades Race is the final leg of the second annual Schuylkill County Triple Crown 5K series.
In August, the Sol Lipton and Truskey 5K events were held.

What binds these local races together is the family spirit of giving that all three events exhibit. The Lipton, Truskey and Rhoades families all donate their time in order to ensure success of these races; then they utilize race profits to offer scholarships to deserving youth of the region.

Two top local runners, former Blue Mountain standout Justin O’Brien and state champion and Nativity graduate, Samantha Snukis, are poised to capture the Triple Crown honors for the second consecutive year.

It is difficult for any athlete, in any sport, to repeat as a champion, so their efforts are to be commended.

The Rhoades Race is a family event that has quickly become a favorite race for runners of all ages.

For a race entry blank, and to learn more about the James J. and Mary Edith Rhoades Foundation, visit www.rhoadesfoundation.com, and click on the 'Upcoming Events' tab.

                                          Samantha Snukis-2014 5K Triple Crown WInner

VIRTUAL FLEXIBILITY

Runners are afforded more options than ever these days.

Adverse weather conditions can be averted by logging miles on the treadmill.

On any given weekend, runners have the ability to attend a race somewhere close to home.

Now, your options have increased, thanks to a virtual race series, conducted at: http://www.beactivevirtualrunning.com/

Following is description of the event.

Welcome to the Summer 5k, 10k, Half Marathon Virtual Run. This race can be completed anywhere in the USA, International participants are also welcome. The charities supported by this race are the Arthritis Foundation, Feeding America San Diego and Hope for Haiti. Donations are not required but they are encouraged! All registered runners will receive a medal, emailed bib and goodie bag, shipping charges are included in your registration.Time submissions are not required to receive medals, bibs, and goodie bags.

Where: Everywhere. Your own course, you choose, any city, worldwide.

When: July 1st- 20th 2015. Sign-ups are allowed until July 20th 11pm est. Times must be submitted by July 25th 11pm est Who: All ages, competitive runners and walkers are welcome. All registered athletes will recieve a medal, emailed bib and goodie bag. Top race finishers will be awarded (3 deep) ***Times must be submitted for finisher award. Submit your time on our webpage. Race results will be emailed after competition. Tag your photos on our Instagram @beactive_events 
Event details and schedule.

You can sign up at:  http://www.active.com/san-diego-ca/running/distance-running-virtual-events/summer-5k-10k-half-marathon-virtual-run-2015

You can choose your distance, AND you can choose where and when you want to run. Finally, you can do it all for a good cause.

Sounds like a great running deal to me.

CAL STATE GAMES

We love running and runners.

We enjoy passing on our knowledge and expertise to our youth, with the hope that they, too, will appreciate the joy of running.

Recently, I received a message from a father of two young men, ages 8 and 14, who have distinguished themselves as accomplished runners.

Dad would like to further their running experience by taking them to the Cal State Games competition on July 18 and 19.

Being a father of four children, the costs associated with attending are a bit prohibitive.

I'm a great believer in "Paying it forward," in order to keep good young people in our sport.

Check out the following links, and lend a hand if you can.

http://www.gofundme.com/calstategames

http://www.calstategames.org/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n51CzmDzd5I

https://www.youtube.com/user/MrVpk6