Enhancing the community we live in through the sport of running....

The essential thing is not knowledge, but character. -Joseph Le Conte

As we enter the festivities of this year’s holiday season, many are faced with the challenge of having to do more with less. The burdens are greater than ever within our community, and impact many different circles. The real life stories are spread throughout the pages of the Kalamazoo Gazette. United Way is reportedly at 65% of its 10.9 million dollar goal, reflecting the decrease in cash donations many local charities are facing. Despite the downward trend in giving, people who never thought they would need assistance from local charities are knocking at their doors, increasing the need for support. Over the next couple of weeks, we will have opportunities to give a little something to the community through our favorite pastime, the sport of running.

Coming up this Saturday, November 22 is the WMU Turkey Trot 5k Run. Runners will have an opportunity to compete for age group honors, and support the community at the same time. Donation boxes will be located throughout the Student Recreation Center for collection of non-perishable food items for Loaves and Fishes. In addition, community runners have an exciting opportunity to support the Girls on Track Program through the event. A sister program of Girls on the Run, Running Buddies are sought to run with the 160 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders enrolled in the program. More information can be found here.

Next Thursday, November 27 at 9:00 am is our annual Turkey Trot Time Prediction 5k Run. This fast rapidly growing event is offered, and always traditionally has been free to the community. New this year, participants are asked to bring one or more donations to a local charity as their entry fee. We contacted both the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission and the Portage Community Center to identify their specific needs as they enter the holiday season. We learned The Mission experiences a high demand for warm socks, and we encourage participants to clothe as many feet as they can. The Portage Community Center has a need for personal care items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes and shampoo, or if you would like to delight a child, a small toy. Boxes will be designated for both organizations.

Thursday, December 4^th at 6:30 is the Run Through the Lights 5k, presented by Gazelle Sports and Kalamazoo Area Runners. The evening features a discount night on store merchandise, post run refreshments and prizes. Like the Turkey Trot, there is no entry fee for this event. Participants are once again encouraged to bring donations of nonperishable food items to be donated to Loaves and Fishes.

Take the time to join us, celebrate the holiday spirit and spread some good cheer with running friends. Support a community in need, and have some fun on the run at the same time.

Hot Club news and Events

Free to the Community! KAR Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5k Time Prediction Run Registration is now OPEN!

An annual holiday favorite, the Kalamazoo Area Runners is pleased to announce we are partnering with Kalamazoo Gospel Mission and Portage Community Center for this year’s Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot Time Prediction Run 5k. Admission is still absolutely free, but we ask all participants to bring either a pair of adult socks to donate to the Mission, or a small toy for a child, toothbrush, toothpaste or shampoo for the Portage Community Center. All donations should be new items. Multiple donations are welcome. Thanks to Harding’s Friendly Markets, Portage Woodbridge for donating our fun holiday themed prizes! Winner closest to their predicted time wins a Turkey; Furthest a sack of potatoes! Run begins Thursday, November 27 at 9:00 am with registration beginning at 8:00 am. Click on Turkey Trot Registration to sign up. Advance registration is strongly recommended.

Have questions or are interested in volunteering for the event? Please contact Race Director Scott Taylor at sctaylor75@verizon.net. A KAR Volunteer Program Event!

Free to Members! Beyond Marathon Training Registration is Now OPEN! HOLIDAY PARTY!

Registration for the popular Beyond Winter Marathon Training Program is now open! Check out www.karbeyond.blogspot.com for program updates. The Beyond will run December 13 through April 11 and kicks off with a festive Holiday Party for ALL KAR Members! Join us at the Lawrence Education Center Auditorium at Borgess Hospital at 7:00 pm December 2, 2008. Holiday Party presented by Prater Chiropractic will include festive holiday appetizers and desserts, a Winter Apparel Clinic by Gazelle Sports, a Hydration Clinic by Brenda Stoddard and our famous Yankee Swap! A brief marathon training orientation for all those signing up for the Beyond will follow the evening’s festivities. Thank you to our generous sponsors Prater Chiropractic Center, Kalamazoo Valley Orthopedics, Healing Moments Massage, Kalamazoo Family YMCA, and Gazelle Sports.

Please RSVP Bonnie Sexton at besrun2003@yahoo.com by November 28, 2008 if you plan on attending the Holiday Party. Sign-ups for the December 13^th KVO Gait Analysis Clinic also will be held December 2^nd. If you cannot attend the party and wish to sign up for the KVO Clinic, please email Bonnie by December 6. The clinic will be held between 1:00 – 2:30 in the afternoon and will be divided into 3 groups.

Free to the Community! Run Through the Lights!

Come join a fun annual tradition! The Run Through the Lights, presented by Gazelle Sports and Kalamazoo Area Runners is Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 6:30 pm. This FUN RUN is absolutely free to the community. Do bring a canned food item to donate to Loaves and Fishes. In addition to food and refreshments, there will be several costume prizes. Questions? Enjoy a discount off Gazelle Sports Merchandise! KAR Volunteer Program Event!

Informal Saturday Runs from the Portage YMCA!

Come and join us for informal runs from the Portage YMCA on Saturdays mornings at 7:00 am (we don’t hold them the first Saturday of the month due to Gull Lake Run Days) Bring your own hydration and wear reflective wear. For questions contact Bonnie Sexton at besrun2003@yahoo.com.

Were you absent from the Club Series Party?

Your Club Championship Series Award will be available for pickup at the upcoming KAR events:

KAR Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot Time Prediction Run.

Holiday Party and Beyond Marathon Training Orientation

KAR Table at the One One Run

Attention Race Directors!

Do you want your greater Kalamazoo/Battle Creek area race to be considered for inclusion in the 2009 Club Championship Series? Kalamazoo Area Runners is accepting requests for events not currently on the roster. In order to be considered, events new to the Club Championship Series program must be chip timed, are required to participate in our Race Discount Program by offering at least a $2 discount, and the event date must be prior to September 30 of the upcoming year. Events participating in the 2008 Club Series are grandfathered in. Please submit your request to Bonnie Sexton at besrun2003@yahoo.com no later than January 31, 2009. We will automatically contact Race Directors on events on last year’s list.

KAR Membership Dues Increase Coming Next Year!

Heads up! The KAR Board has voted to raise annual membership dues to $20/Individual and $25/Family effective January 1, 2009. Kalamazoo Area Runners has not raised dues in more than 5 years. The new pricing we believe still represents exceptional value and will enable us to continue to offer the vast array of membership programs and benefits!

Next KAR Board Meeting!

The next KAR Board Meeting will be held Monday, January 5 at 6:30 pm at the Borgess Health and Fitness Center, meeting room #3. As always, all members are welcome to attend. Questions? Contact Bonnie Sexton at besrun2003@yahoo.com.

KAR Strategic Planning Session Scheduled!

KAR has scheduled its Strategic Planning Session for Sunday, January 11 from 12:00 – 4:00 at Borgess Health and Fitness Center Meeting Room #3. We strongly encourage our members, particularly those who serve in a leadership capacity in the running community, to attend as we begin planning for the next five years. Questions? Contact Bonnie Sexton at besrun2003@yahoo.com.

Kalamazoo Area Runners Connection!

Are you seeking training partners or looking for others to share carpool or hotel expenses with? Let us know and we will be happy to publish your request (in good taste of course) in the Rundown. Email Bonnie Sexton at besrun2003@yahoo.com and we will include it in the following edition! Here are several great opportunities to get connected!

Latest Running Community News and Events

WMU Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot
The oldest event in greater Kalamazoo, the 45^th Annual WMU Turkey Trot will be held Saturday, November 22 at 9:00 am. Online Registration deadline was Monday, November 17^th. You can download a hard copy at Registration Form (download). Click here for a Course map. The 5K (non-certified) course will go around the beautiful Western Michigan campus. The starting and ending point for the race will be the SRC Indoor Tennis Courts. Participants may register for the race at the IM Office, mail in their registration form and payment, online or at the event. Participants and spectators are encouraged to bring canned foods or non-perishable items to the event. Donation boxes will be located throughout the SRC during the registration period. All items go to Loaves & Fishes of Kalamazoo.

Free to the Community! SHufflers Registration is now Open!

For those who prefer a lower intensity style of marathon training, registration is now open for the Kalamazoo SHufflers. New this year, the SHufflers will be offering a Galloway based Half Marathon Training program targeting the Borgess Run for the Health of It! Find out more at SHufflers Registration