The Lynchburg Road Runners Club (LRRC) publishes a monthly newsletter packed with running tips, race recaps, upcoming events, photos, and features on local runners. While the previous month's newsletter is available to the public, current LRRC members can access the latest edition and an archive of past newsletters by logging into their RunSignup account via the "Sign In" link at the top right corner of our website. If you're not a member but are interested in joining, simply click the "Join" button at the top right corner.
December 2025
November brought us the third and fourth races in the race series (CASA Superhero 5K and the Lynchburg Turkey Trot 5K) and in December runners will enjoy the last two races in the fall race series as well as four fabulous fun runs to close out the year.
There are a number of opportunities to join fellow runners for casual fun runs in the month of December. These events are free - to give us a headcount, please signup using the links below.
December 8th 4:30 pm Depot Grill - Get Lit Fun Run (see the downtown Christmas lights. There may (or may not) be the opportunity for all you can eat ribs for $20 afterwards.)
December 20th 8:30 am Riverside Runners - Jingle Bell Jog (join Santa and his elves for a fun run, tasty treats (bring some of your favs to share), and maybe a last minute Christmas purchase for your favorite runner.
December 24th 8:00 am EC Glass High School - Christmas Eve Fun Run
December 31st 8:00 am EC Glass High School - New Year's Eve Fun Run (your last opportunity to log 2025 miles.)
January 1st 9:00 Riverside Park - New Year's Day Fun Run (sleep in a little bit and get 2026 started off with a run to downtown and pushups at the top of Monument Terrace.)
CASA Superhero Run
This year's Star Wars themed CASA 5K attracted 327 runners, 89 walkers, and countless children for the 5K and kid's mile. As usual, the costumes impressive, they were. In addition to various Star Wars characters, Superman, Wonder Woman, and others frequented the event. LRRC's Tyler Schmidt (17:42) and Robbie Stephens took first overall and first male masters. Tracy Wu (19:55) and LRRC's Jen Lully (20:50) took those honors in the female division.
Photos below courtesy of Drew Wilds.
Lynchburg Turkey Trot
Nearly 4000 folks registered and just under 3300 runners and walkers participated in this year's Turkey Trot. The race has grown exponentially since it was run as a 5K at Timberlake Christian School in 1988 under the direction of Don Lucy. (Now there was a 5 mile version of the race in the early 1980s, but that history has been misplaced.) I attribute the growth of the race to Turkey cooking bags which has shortened meal preparation times and allows families to enjoy the event and still have time for the later day festivities.
The race itself was filled with lots of quicks - twelve men under 18 minutes led by Brayden Davis of Forest (16:01) and ten women under 21 minutes led by LU alum Nicole Palmer (17:23).
In addition to a rafter/flock/gaggle of literalists (i.e., Turkeys that were trotting), it was special to see the ageless John Kurisky - well he's not quite ageless, he's actually is 87 years young and he covered the course cranking out 15 minute miles! If only all of us could do that at his age.
Photos below courtesy of Robert Coplelan
Coming Soon - Riverside Runners/LRRC Lending Library
A curated collection of running and fitness books for checkout/return will be available soon at Riverside Runners. LRRC is providing the community with the best in biographies, group biographies, human interest, training, fiction, and children's books (including everyone's fave - Loud Mouth George and the Big Race). There will be two easy means to checkout/checkin books. One, using your phone and two, the old-fashioned card method. Note that this is not a borrow a book, return another book, library. Please return all books so that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy.
Runner of the Month - Michael Blido
When did you start running and why?
My first taste of running came in the early 1990s during my time in the Swedish military. We were issued Swedish-made Lejon shoes that were stiff and unforgiving, so running was more of a chore than anything I enjoyed. Everything changed after I moved to the United States in 2002. I gained some weight and wanted to get in better shape before turning 40. I cleaned up my diet and started running on a treadmill. I ended up losing a little over 50 pounds. My first race was the 2013 Virginia 10 Miler, and that experience flipped a switch. Later that year I watched NBC’s coverage of the Ironman World Championships in Kona and wondered what I might be capable of if I really committed. To test myself, I trained for the Richmond Marathon and ran it in November 2014. The next year I completed four triathlons: Angel’s Race, the Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon, Ironman 70.3 Raleigh, and Ironman Maryland at the full 140.6-mile distance.
How often and how far do you run?
My normal year-round routine is three runs per week: a weekend long run (4-6 miles), a 5K hill run, and an interval session. When training for a race, I follow a specific plan. For Ironman Maryland, that meant training six days a week for a full year.
Where do you like to run?
Most of the time I run in Forest. I do hills in the Ivy Lake neighborhood, intervals near Valtim, and long runs on Elkton Farm Road. I enjoy racing at Percival’s Island because it is flat and fast.
What are a few of your best running memories?
Traci (my wife) and I love to run when we travel. Running across the Djemaa el Fna square in Marrakech, Morocco is one of my favorite memories. I once did 20 miles on the deck of a Caribbean cruise ship while training for a race. We have run through the beautiful countryside on the Swedish island of Öland, along the beach in Maui, and we hope to get a few miles in while visiting Iceland this Christmas. My worst running memory was on the Galapagos Islands when Traci fell on the cobblestones and smashed her face. I will never forget that day.
What is the toughest race or run you have done, and why?
Absolutely the marathon at the end of the 140.6 mile Ironman. After swimming 2.4 miles and biking 112 miles, you feel like you have nothing left, but you still have to find a way to keep going.
What is the most fun running event you have participated in?
The CASA Superhero Run is always a great time, and I enjoy the Deck the Heels Run in Altavista every Christmas. But nothing comes close to the Virginia 10 Miler. It feels magical. I have run it seven times, four of those in the Color Guard. I became a United States citizen in 2017 and was invited to run with the American flag in the Color Guard less than a week later. It was incredibly meaningful to do that as a new citizen.
How many triathlons have you done, and what was your training like?
I have done Angel’s Race twice, the Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon twice, three half-Ironmans (Raleigh, Ohio, and Virginia), and one full Ironman. Training for long-course triathlon requires a lot of time and discipline, with many early mornings.
What was it like moving from Sweden to the United States, and how are Swedish Christmas traditions different?
Traci and I grew up in similar towns and similar families, so moving to the United States never felt strange or difficult. Sweden celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve, the 24th, and we also have a beautiful celebration on December 13 called Saint Lucia Day.
Traditional Swedish farms have a house elf called the tomtenisse who must be kept happy to ensure good luck and a good harvest. The Swedish version of Santa, called the tomten, comes from that folklore. While many countries celebrate Saint Nicholas, Sweden held onto the older tomte tradition instead.
Tell us about your non-running talents.
I have a lot of hobbies. I have a pottery wheel and kiln and love spending time in my pottery studio. Every year we make traditional Swedish dipped taper candles, which has become a fun social tradition. Traci jokes that I like to imagine I am the male version of Martha Stewart. We live in a 1950s home in Forest that requires constant work, but it is perfect for entertaining. We hosted both of our kids’ backyard weddings there, and I officiated both ceremonies and made the wedding cakes.
I also recently took up fly fishing and have had a great time exploring local rivers while hunting for trout.
Why should a runner belong to the LRRC?
Lynchburg Road Runners Club is the heartbeat of the running community in this area. It is a welcoming group of people who share a love of running, and we truly enjoy being part of it. Plus, members get race entry discounts.
The question should have been: What is the best Christmas present for a runner?
The answer is: A signed copy of the Virginia 10 Miler book.
