Happy New Year!
The Asheville Running Collective is excited to bring you the first official newsletter of 2020. We plan to use these regularly scheduled missives to share team members' race highlights, spread the word about club events, and recruit new members for our club's leadership positions.
In order to build our community in the most effective way possible, we need a wide range of perspectives involved in the decision-making process. Please reach out if you any questions or ideas. Your feedback is greatly valued.
Get Involved (Please!)
There are a number of different organizational opportunities to get involved with in order to meet our club's goals. Our community is filled with talented individuals. If you have skills in design, photography, budgeting, marketing, accounting, writing, etc, we could really use your help! While we would love assistance with year-long club organization, there are also needs for one-off events (photography or filming at the Wedge Run 10k, for example) so don't be intimidated about large time commitments.
We definitely need help with the following committees, so please reach out if you would like to lend a hand (or take on a position of absolute power!):
Finances - manage bank accounts, collect dues, and plan for the future
Social Media Coordinator / Communications - manage Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and website; write race recaps and newsletters; promote events; take photos and videos
Wedge 10k RD / Planning - manage backend logistics, promote the event, and manage volunteers
Logistics and Membership - rally teams for races, arrange travel, order gear, manage membership, and plan team events
Community Outreach - organize group runs, team events, and community service projects
Fundraising - bring in the big bucks through event and team sponsorships, as well as grant writing
Club Events and Volunteer Opportunities
February 20th - Club Photoshoot
Meet at the Foundation prior to Wedge Run for a lowkey photoshoot
Club member Ashley Arnold will take some shots to be used in upcoming newsletters, social media, and event promotion
We have too many photos of the old guard (especially Javan), so we need new members to participate!
Thursday Mornings - Montford Morning Hills
Weekly 5:30 AM Hill Workout (#hillz4bfast) beginning February 20th
Led by new club member Mark Kauffman
Contact Mark at 443-835-5585 for more info
March 1st - Girls on the Run Chili Cookoff
This event benefits our community partner GOTR WNC
3-5 pm at Noble Cider
More info here
April 1st - Hellbender 100 Miler Aid Station (we need help!)
Support the WNC trail & ultra community at this great event
Our aid station was very popular with racers and a ton of fun for volunteers
Help with planning or pitch in on the day
April 16th - Sneaker Soiree
Support our community partner GOTR WNC
7-10 PM at plēb urban winery
More info here
May 2nd - Wedge Run 10k
Race or Volunteer (we need help!)
The club's major fundraising event of the year
Race as a Team
Running a 5k this weekend, a spring marathon, or a trail race sometime soon? Let us know, so we can support your racing and celebrate your successes.
In the Loop
With our growing membership, it can be hard to keep track of all of the PRs, debut marathons, and badass accomplishments of our team members. Help us stay in the loop by joining the Asheville Running Collective Strava group, tagging us on social media posts (@AshevilleRunningCollective on IG and FB), and emailing us your recap or highlight (subject line: RACE RESULT). Remember, your 6k XC PR or road 100k debut may be the spark that ignites one of your teammate's motivation to take on a new challenge!
Recent Racing Highlights
Team events:
2020 CRC Winter Classic NC USATF 8k XC Championships
Asheville Running Collective had multi-team representation this year at the North Carolina cross country championships. We placed first in the women's team competition and a close second in the men's team competition. The women's team racers were Kate Schwartz, Eliza Parker, Margaret Brennan, Kelly Montague, and Valerie Patenotte. The men's team was represented by Brian Atkinson, Mike Zeberkiewicz, Alex Griggs, Luke Paulson, Caleb Masland, Noah Allison, Javan Lapp, Gabriel Malloy, Mark Kauffman, and John Douglas.
2019 USATF Club XC Championships
For the first time, we had two full teams in both the women’s and men’s open competitions as well as a notable performance in the women's masters race. It was a very wet and muddy day in Lehigh PA for all the runners. In true cross country fashion just keeping your feet on the muddy course winding through the cornfields was an accomplishment. The women’s team finished 33rd out of 48 teams from around the country and the men’s team finished 50th out of 77 teams.
Individual Highlights:
Ginna Reid – Chicago Marathon – 2:50:30 (6th master, PR)
John Douglas – Chicago Marathon –3:05:43 (7th AG, PR)
Holly Renee Davis – California International Marathon – 2:44:16 (OTQ, PR)
Margaret Brennan – USATF Club XC Championships 6K – 22:35 (2nd Master)
Valerie Pattenote – JFK 50 miler – 7:34:52 (7th place)
Luke Paulson – JFK 50 miler – 5:54:51 (3rd place)
Annie Zeberkiewicz – Houston Marathon – 3:01:30 (PR)
Michael Fisher – Asheville Hot Chocolate 10k – 34:56 (1st place)
Matthew McDaniel – Jekyll Island Marathon – 3:24:33 (14th place, 3rd AG)
Tilda Helgesson – Frosty Foot 30k – 2:24:03 (1st place)
*Side note: we need your help in this area -- If you run a race and would like us to feature your result via our various social media channels, please tag us!
2020 Team Race Opportunities
May 2, 2020 - Wedge Run 10k - Asheville, NC
May 30, 2020 - Running of the Bulls 8k - Durham, NC
September 2020 - Blue Ridge Relay - Asheville, NC
December 12, 2020 - USATF Club Cross Country Nationals - San Francisco, CA
Look the Part
Every new member of the Asheville Running Collective will receive a team-issued singlet. We have restocked our women's uniform tops and we are in the process of ordering a new batch for the men. Please reach out if you are in need. Here are a couple of options:
Grab one at the Wedge Run - every Thursday at 6:15 pm at the Wedge at Foundation
Reply to this email with your address and we will mail it
Hats!
We are finally set up with a new vendor and have 24 hats on order. Those who have prepaid will be notified the moment they arrive. We will also send out a call for new orders at that time. Thanks for your patience.
