April 2025 Newsletter

The second and third races in the race series (St. Paddy's Day 5K, Rise and Rebuild 5k) were held.  Runners gathered for the course preview fun runs (Rise and Rebuild 5K and Point of Honor 5K).  And a number of club members challenged themselves at the Shamrock races, the Charlottesville 10 Miler, and the Terrapin Mountain Trail races.

St. Paddy's Day 5K
A record 395 runners and walkers showed up and enjoyed the race course which had some minor alterations this year (because of the amphitheater construction downtown) so runners went a little farther up the Kemper Street spur.  Youth dominated this day with 17 year-olds Emerson Bryant and Bryce Wall of Madison Heights finishing first and third in the Men's race - Ed Lane splitting the pair in second.  On the distaff side, Maryanne Kilgore, Lena James, and Mary Helen Brickhouse Bryson were the podium residents.  Proceeds from the race benefited Park View Community Mission's Food for Thought program, helping to combat childhood food-insecurity across our region.

Rise and Rebuild 5K
With a new course this year (free from the Peaksview Park flooding issues), 330 runners and walkers turned out for the race that supports the Lynchburg Free Clinic, which suffered a fire last year - hence the Rise and Rebuild theme!  The women's race saw the first three running under 23 minutes led by Rebecca Irby who was chased by Holly McCanless and Maya Altland.  On the men's side, LU graduate student Drew Thibault crossed first followed by Ed Lane and Tyler Schmidt.  Jeff Harrington and Jodie Chandler took the Master's crowns.

Upcoming Fun Runs

April 24th 600 pm run for their Lives 5K Course Preview Fun Run - Liberty University Indoor Track Complex
In preparation for the sixth spring race series events, we will have a fun run for runners to familiarize themselves with the course (or just have some fun).  Our apologies that we cannot have a course preview fun run for the Runway 5K (for obvious reasons).

May 10th Mother's Day Weekend Nomad Coffee Fun Run
Join us for a Fun Run to kick off Mother’s Day weekend! This event is open to everyone – bring your kids, pets, spouses, and grandparents. All ages, paces, and distances are welcome! Whether you want to run, walk, or simply enjoy the day, you can choose how far you want to go.

We’ll start at 8 AM on Saturday, May 10th, at Linkhorne Middle School. After enjoying the Blackwater Creek Trail, plan to finish at Nomad's Coffee at the Awareness Gardens (a.k.a., the Ed Page entrance of the Blackwater Creek Bike path) for a complimentary coffee/tee/drink from Nomad, courtesy of the LRRC. Then, feel free to stroll back to the middle school at your own pace. This is a fun, laid-back event for everyone, and the best part is it’s completely free! We hope to see you on the trail!

To give Nomad a good headcount, please signup on RunSignUp (it's free).  https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Lynchburg/MotherSDayWeekendNomadCoffeeFunRun

Lynchburg Museum 50th Virginia 10 Miler Exhibit Lives on - Digitally!
ICYMI, last year's exhibit ran from the beginning of August through the end of November.  Many of you were able to enjoy this amazing display.  If you missed it, fret not, it has been preserved digitally.  https://www.lynchburgmuseum.org/virginia-10-miler

LRRC Singlets/Tech Shirts
A couple of people have inquired about buying the sweet, silky LRRC singlets or tech shirts - see preceding photographs if you don't know what they look like.  To place an order, we need a minimum of 10 items.  If you're interested, shoot me an email and if there are enough people interested, I'll open the 'store' and we'll proceed.

News from Other Races
Please email your race results from non-LRRC race series results.  Your LRRC clubmates like to see what other members are up to.  Some recent results (my apologies if I missed you).

Charlottesville 10 Miler
Michael Craig 55:27
Ashley Palmer Thomassey 1:03:47
Andrew Deal 1:07:22
Jacob Cage 1:17:03
Teddy Tharp 1:21:48
Steve Shields 1:22:21
Jodie Chandler 1:23:14
Niro Rasanayagam 1:23:18
Dylan Myaing 1:27:08
George Cook 1:30:23
Meredith Buckley 1:33:28
Felix Lopez 1:34:35
Kristin Morgan 1:34:59
Baron Becker 1:37:33
Allie Murphy 1:41:03
Rick Jaminet 1:43:07
Kevin Chandler 1:45:23
Linda Shields 1:50:39
Randall Holt 1:51:23
Susan Coalson 2:06:11
Lindsay Beebe 2:20:53
Tracie Sugden 2:20:59
Tammy Brown 2:27:57
Tim Smith 2:28:27

Terrapin Mountain Half Marathon
Matthias Grutz (Men's winner) 1:46:14
Dacia Reed (Women's winner) 2:08:55
Hoilly McCanless 2:45:47
Michael Moses 2:46:52
Tony Smith 3:00:36
Stephen Morris 3:08:06
Chelsea Viar 3:08:55
Wilbert Hooper 3:20:11
Mike Mitchell 3:50:19
Terri Ripley 4:03:18
Lesley McPhatter 4:03:19

Yuengling Shamrock Marathon (VA Beach)
Tyler Schmidt 2:59:45
Brent Steinweg 3:36:29
Jacob Gage 3:48:05
Jesse Harrell 4:06:55
Chris McCown 4:09:41
Jael Vogt 4:21:59
Katie Harris 4:25:20

Yuengling Shamrock Half-Marathon (VA Beach)
Jesse Terre Blanche 1:26:50
Ben Wells 1:32:35
Ashley Craig 1:34:44
Michael Giles 1:36:25
William Nugent 1:42:57

Yuengling Shamrock 8K (VA Beach)
Ashley Craig 34:37
Galnn Gumpman 41:34

Jack Toms Invitational (Track Meet at UL)
Michael Craig 5,000 Meters 16:13

Meet Local Runner - Gerry Anderson
When did you start running and what led you to this sport?
I really didn't think of myself as a runner until 2008 when I was trying to get back in shape. I heard about these trail runners in Roanoke (Mountain Junkies) and I started training and running their races.

What is your proudest running related accomplishment?
When my daughter ran her first marathon with me in Virginia Beach last year.
 
How many times per week and how far do you run? 
I try to run 3 or 4 times a week and typically around 20 miles a week (unless I have a long distance race coming up, then I may run 5 times a week and double the mileage).
 
Where do you like to run?
Blackwater Creek is the standard, but I also enjoy the trails at Poplar Forest and New London.

What do you enjoy about running races?
Taking in the scenery and zoning out to music while I try to keep the rabbits in sight as long as I can.

What are your favorite races to run and why?
I still love the trail racing series that Josh and Gina Gilbert put on with the Mountain Junkies. I also really like the local Lynchburg Road Runners series, but I miss the Lynchburg half marathon (I really hope that comes back sometime soon).
 
What goals do you have in your running career?
I'm trying to run a half marathon in all 50 states (I think I have at least 35 more to go). I would also like to rerun some races with my wife and daughter so they can see how cool some of them were back when I ran them.
 
Why should local runners be part of the Lynchburg Road Runners Club?
If you're planning to run either recreationally or competitively, you'll really appreciate the support and guidance from everyone associated with the LRRC. It doesn't hurt to save a few bucks on entry fees too 
 
You have a big race tomorrow, what are you eating tonight?
My daughter has convinced me that sushi is a really good choice!
 
You have a choice of free tickets to Taylor Swift, Coldplay, or Noah Kahn, who are you going to see (most people answer this incorrectly)?
I think I would gift the tickets and just sit out at the fire pit and listen to Sturgill Simpson.

How have your friends and family supported your running career?
My wife and daughter run most races with me. My sister and her family have recently started running and we try to plan races when either family travels together. My wife surprised me with a secret birthday trip to run the Gulf Coast half marathon and got my sisters and close friends to come and run with us! The running with Coach K group has also been instrumental in having a great time with friends whenever we get together to run several times a week!