Tags >> wilmington
Posted by: admin
on Oct 18, 2011
 Have you ever wondered what all this pink stuff is about? October is designated as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is the 27th year of this annual event which is an international health campaign designed by charities of this disease to help raise both awareness and funds for better research into its cause. The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a symbol of our hope to one day find a cure for this disease. During October there are usually plenty of “pink” days. This is where you see people donning pink clothing and accessories to show their support for the fight against Breast Cancer. There is also a national “Race for the Cure” walk held every year and many more walks held on the local level. The American Cancer Society sponsors “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walks across the nation. In our area there is one being held in Wilmington on Saturday, October 22.
Posted by: admin
on Oct 18, 2011
 STRIDE is a fun fitness and running program for boys in the 3rd through 5th grade. Boys have the chance to share their thoughts and opinions about various topics taught with the goal for helping develop excellent character.
Success, Teamwork, Respect, Inspiration, Determination = Excellence in Character.
Curriculum
During the 10 weeks, the curriculum covers topics that are designed to help develop excellent character. The boys are given the opportunity to talk with each other and their coaches about issues that they face in school, at sports, in the community and at home.
The topics covered are listed below:
Session #1: Who’s on the Team
Session #2: Character & Why I Need it?
Session #3: Feeling Good on the Inside
Session #4: Eating Healthy
Session #5: Drugs Stink
Session #6: The Good Friend
Session #7: Getting Along on the Playground
Session #8: It’s Okay to be Different
Session #9: Running Rocks
Session #10: Setting Goals.
Session #11: Organization
Session #12: Winning Isn’t Everything
Session #13: Working with a Team
Session #14: Conflict Resolution
Session #15: Doing the Distance - 5K
Session #16: Making a Difference - Planning & Internet Safety
Session #17: The Follow Through
Session #18: Making a Difference - In Action
Session #19: STRIDE - Putting it all Together
Session #20: Celebrate
Each lesson starts with the coaches welcoming the boys. Then the boys do a dynamic warm up that includes a related game or activity. Next they have a short discussion, do a creative running workout that again relates to the topic, and ends with another discussion and a team cheer. Each boy is rewarded for excellent character at the end of each session. Throughout the curriculum, the focus is on doing one’s personal best, not competing with each other.
2011-2012 Cost for Participants
$60.00 Non-YMCA Members
$50.00 YMCA Members
Fee Includes:
- 10 weeks of curriculum based lessons
- Trained coaches
- Lesson materials
- Program T-shirt
- 5k Registration
- Water bottle
This fall season 5k race for the boys is the William Craig 5k on December 10th. Please come out a support the boys in their first 5k. Each boy will need a running buddy to run along side them during the race. If you are interested in being a running buddy or have questions about the program please contact Amber Rogers at (910) 251-9622 Ext 224 Amber.Rogers@wilmingtonfamilyymca.org
Please visit our website at www.wilmingtonfamilyymca.org
Posted by: admin
on Jul 18, 2011
 Run any local races over the past 16 years? If so, you’ve no doubt encountered what has been affectionately described as Herb Dykes and his “Merry Men” (and of course Women as well.) at many start/finish lines. Arriving in Wilmington in 1995 after serving for years as Race Director of the Port City Pacers Running Club of Mobile, Alabama, which included several events with 15,000 runners, he joined the Wilmington Roadrunners Club and the impact was immediate. He brought with him a new way to time races, replacing the old “tried but true” method of tags and popsicle sticks, which was quite effective at the time, with data entry that sped up results tabulation.
In point of fact, Herb worked (and still does) many tireless hours to promote running and the WRRC. For years, that effort actually kept the Club Treasury afloat and he unselfishly declined offers from various WRRC Boards to be paid for all that he was doing. Eventually, he was honored as the Wilmington Roadrunners “Runner of the Year”, given annually to a member for not only their running achievements but service to the community also. He has 39 Marathons to his credit (yeah we said 39), and has literally timed hundreds of races! And talk about working well under pressure, he is the coolest guy around when having to confront race difficulties which invariably come up, most of which are not of his own making.
Herb never fails to give credit to his race day crew which includes wife Laling, Frank Morrow, and the other familiar faces we see at nearly every race. They are part of the Filipino American Association of the Lower Cape Fear and like Herb, they always seem to be there, especially over the past 10 years. Like most of us, Herb will one day retire from his position as a Process Engineer at International Paper and continue to serve the local running community at Brunswick Timing Services, which he formed a few years back. The group currently handles more than 50 events a year.
If you’ve never met Herb and the opportunity presents itself, make a point to speak to him. His easy, unflappable, manner leads to great conversation and makes you look forward to crossing the finish line. And by the way, he can spin a few running tales collected over these years of hanging out with so many runners!
Posted by: admin
on Jun 05, 2011
Back in 1978, several locals who has crossed paths with other runners, decided to meet at Greenfield Lake and the result was the birth of the Wilmington Roadrunners Club. 32 years later, the WRRC is as strong and vibrant as ever! With more than 250 members, the Club is one of the longest, continuing operating running groups in North Carolina. Seeking to promote the sport with group runs, socials, and race support, it is, and has, been involved in numerous community activities over the years. Runners and families of all abilities are encouraged and welcomed. The Club sponsors weekly activities that cater to runners of all levels. These meetings have lead many of us to years of dedicated running/fitness, not to mention long lived friendships.
One little known fact, at least these days, is that the Club actually sponsored a Marathon in the early eighties for several years. Believe it or not, the race course started in the vicinity of the downtown Hilton, through many neighborhoods, out to UNCW and back. This entailed several runs crossing College Road and Oleander Drive! Imagine trying to get that approved now! Fortunately, local Tom Clifford, saw possibilities and created the Quintiles Marathon/Half Marathon that continues to garner popularity in its first few years. Also, the Club has benefited for many years the use of Carolina Beach State Park, for various races, trail runs and even a few socials. 2 years ago, the WRRC decided to partner with the State Park, to help supplement its declining budget, using its Turkey Trot 4 mile trail run in November as a fundraiser for the Club and the Park itself. In just this short time, thanks to sponsors, volunteers, and participants, the Club has been able to add $6000 to the Park budget to be used as needed. That tradition will hopefully continue this November.
Certainly one of the major highlights in Club history was bringing running legend Bill Rodgers to Wilmington to help promote the aforementioned Quintiles Marathon in March. The 4 time Boston and New York Marathon winner, (records that still stand) spent the entire race weekend meeting and talking with locals, speaking to the pre race pasta meal, signing autographs, and actually running the half marathon. For those of us fortunate enough to spend some time around him during that visit, it was just a fabulous experience. This guy is a terrific ambassador for the sport and went out of his way to talk with everyone he contacted.
Current Wilmington Roadrunner President Andy McVey, along with last years President Frank Bourque and Board members deserve a great deal of credit for making this happen! You can spot Frank’s smiling face along with wife Sharon and Bill Rodgers at the Saturday Race Expo Autograph session in the attached photograph.
If all of this sounds appealing to you, access the Wilmington Roadrunners web site at www.wilmingtonroadrunners.org for information. New members will always feel welcomed. We’re pretty sure of that.
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