Short stories about Clubs I've run for - the 1980s

 I've run for quite a few clubs across the years.  Most were in addition to my primary clubs (GLRR & CMS).

GLRR - 1981-1982 – As a junior in High School I ran a 15km road race that was hosted by the recently formed Greater Lowell Road Runners.  I finished first in the 18&Under category, but they missed me in the results.  As a replacement prize I was given a singlet (it was white with a big road runner on it, this was before the bright green singlets) and a one year membership in the club.

Whirlaway – 1985 – During the summer after my junior year at U-Lowell I did some local racing for Dave Kazanjian.  I just couldn’t decide if it was a good fit.  I’ve kicked around the idea of running for WRT a few times since but never pulled the trigger.  Dave has always been kind enough to say I’m welcome if I’d like to join (and they have a bunch of nice guys who are also fierce rivals).

New Balance - 1987-1992 – After I graduated from U-Lowell Bob Hodge helped get me some sponsorship.  I ran for the NB grass roots team until the Olympic trials in 1992.

GLRR (again) - 1987-1991 – George Davis, my college coach, was coaching the Greater Lowell Road Runners and Bob Hodge was also running for them.  I had a great deal of fun the five years I ran for the club and we had some very solid teams.  Unfortunately I wanted more and GLRR just wasn’t able to recruit the level of runners to compete at the highest levels in the region. 

Powerbar Elite- 1988 – 2002 – This was a pretty good deal.  I signed on and would get gear, gels, and bars.  I even made some decent cash.  Every time I got a photo in a magazine or newspaper (or on TV!) I’d get a check based on how visible the logo was.  Usually I’d just have a Powerbar logo on my singlet, although there were times I’d race in the singlet (generally non-team sponsored races).

Mike Beeman's Total Sports - 1989 – Present (lifetime) – Big Mike convinced me to move to Londonderry and for 5+ years we trained together nearly every day.  Mike had a sports store (if you needed cheerleading shoes, he was the only one who sold them in New England) and he made up a bunch of singlets.  We had great fun not just logging miles but doing some brutal workouts, 30 mile long runs, and of course racing.  Although the store is long gone I consider my membership to be a lifetime one.

Winners Circle Running Club - 1989? – present (lifetime) – I first joined the WCRC in order to run in the Mill City Relay.  In an attempt to circumvent the rules at the time we (me, Petey, Big-Mike, Artie, and Scott S) joined WCRC then entered as WCRC-MBTS (Mike Beeman’s Total Sports).  Fun times!  The rules were changed after that.  Since WCRC memberships are lifetime I’m still a member and do occasionally run a race in the WCRC singlet…and have even done Mill City on a WCRC team a few times.

Hockomock Swamp rats - 1989-2010 – Local running rag, by signing up for the newsletter you were a member.  I got a lifetime membership but eventually the head rat retired.