CVR - Meetings

Secretary's Notes -
September 10, 2002 Meeting

Club President, Richard Cleveland, called the meeting to order at 7:16 PM.

Meeting on the back deck of vice president Norman Robinson's home, the attendees addressed a number of important issues both with respect to the upcoming race calendar and the club's future direction.

Northfield Races: Darragh Ellerson moved, and Michael Chernick seconded, a motion to establish a minimum entry age of 5 for the 1-mile children's race. The motion, which was unanimously approved, arose from witnessing a number of 2 and 3 year-old youngsters unhappily participating in the race due to parental insistence. Norm, Tim Noonan and Bob Murphy will discuss the problem with the sponsor Northfield Saving's Bank.'s staff. Should this proposal prove to be problematic, the issue can be revisited in the future. However, during post-race discussions with bank officials, they seemed sympathetic to club concerns that children, under a reasonable minimum age, were participating.

Another Northfield issue, related in significant measure to the minimum age problem, was the number of parents running through the shoot and not being timed. While the club does not want to discourage parents from running with their children, for purposes of scoring efficiency, anyone crossing the finish line will be timed. Again, instituting a 5 year-old minimum age should reduce the number of adults crossing the children's race finish line.

Mac Gardner-Morse, in an e-mail to club members prior to the meeting, had suggested staging alternative youth events at the Northfield race, but the group decided this was not an advisable path to pursue.

Participation at the 2002 Northfield races showed mixed results. The 5k attracted approximately the same number of runners as in 2001. However, even with the influx of the toddler entourage, the 1-mile race's participation level was down from last year. Northfield Savings Bank officials desire to increase the number of runners. Tim and Ellis (representing the bank) will review possibly publicity options to attract a larger participation pool.

The current course was also evaluated. Tim does not think it can be changed. Bob discussed the previous route which began in the opposite direction (heading north towards Montpelier). Tim did inquire of Richard, a Northfield resident, if an alternative route was possible which eliminates the major turn at the footpath. While Richard offered suggestions using Pleasant and Water streets, the decision was made not to change the course.

Finally, on the Northfield agenda, the meeting reviewed a proposed children's race brochure and discussed possible bank financing of this venture. On further thought, the assembled CVR members determined it would be best not to ask for the bank financing. Should the club wish to pursue this project, it would be preferable to utilize CVR funds.

Leafpeepers: With less than a month until the club's largest race set, the upcoming half-marthon/5k extravaganza was an important topic for review. While the Leafpeeper's Committee has been meeting throughout the year, there were issues to examine. Darragh commented on the problem with the online registration system and continued requests for the printed form. In fact, she needed to produce additional copies. She was uncertain how many runners would ultimately participate. The 5k numbers appeared to have plateaued. Others commented that 5k registration is usually slower. Prior to the September 27 registration deadline, the Leafpeeper's Committee will convene for a final meeting.

Paul Mailman Ten Miler/Bear Swamp: In 2002, the ten-miler race was moved form the 4th Saturday in June to Mother's Day. Dave Kissner, the ten-miler's director, reports the sponsors of the Hockomock Swamp series have requested a return to the former date. Biennially, the ten-miler has served as the series' finale. Dave expressed a willingness to return to the prior date and the membership approved this move. Consequently, it was decided Bear Swamp, which had been switched from July to late June, in order to avoid occurring the same week as the Stowe 8 Miler, would once again be scheduled for the Thursday prior to the Stowe race. By returning the ten-miler back to June, a scheduling conflict with the Shelburne Athletic Club's recently established half-marathon is avoided.

First Night: The new parking security arrangements behind the Pavilion Building in Montpelier may necessitate a slight alteration in the New Year Eve's race's course. As an alternative, it was suggested to start the race further down Court Street closer to Elm. This change would eliminate the need to turn into the parking lot and the race would finish on Governor Davis Street.

Road Runners' Club of America: RRCA, the national racing organization which is the source of CVR's liability insurance policy, is experiencing financial problems. According to a communication Norm received, the RRCA is requesting its member clubs to contribute an extra dollar for each of their enrolled members. Because our exact numbers are not certain, and lacking more details which might have prompted a larger contribution, Norm moved that CVR contributed $100.00 to the RRCA fundraising drive. Darragh seconded Norm's motion which was approved unanimously.

CVR Race Series: Bob expressed a concern that the CVR race series lacks a large contingent of participating runners. Tim commented if the interest is not present, we need to revisit the series.

CVR Organizational Visibility: Norm noted the problem of the club's visibility in the local running community and other issues related to CVR's ongoing operations. He suggested the next club meeting focus on CVR's future direction, and in particular, communications issues.

Next Meeting: The club will convene at Tim Noonan's home on Wednesday November 13 at 6:30 for a pot luck supper and then at 7:00 for a business meeting where members will discuss CVR's future direction, both with respect to the race series and, more broadly, the club's role in the running community. (See notes.)

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