Foot Prints Issue No. 77 Panhandle Runners & Triathlete’s Club October 16, 2019

New age record set Joe Edgecombe recently returned from running the Grand Circle Trailfest in Kanab, Utah. This race consisted of 12.87 miles in Bryce Canyon, 13.91 miles in Zion National Park and 10.90 miles in the Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon. Day 1 started with 30 degrees, 7,900 feet of altitude and climbing to 9,000 feet but zero humidity! Joe cut the existing 70+ age group record by 1 hour and 3 seconds! No other 70 year old had ever raced Zion National Park or the Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon. The much cooler temperatures and no humidity counter balanced the much higher altitude. The hills were challenging but the largest impediment to running fast was simply stopping to take 30-40 photos during each race! The race set up, the course marking, food, tents, volunteers and daily entertainment was amazing! If anyone wants epic views, great fun loving "camp" mentality and entertainment, the Grand Circle Trailfest is the answer!

Here are the times/distance: Bryce 3:32:50 for 13.87 miles, Zion 2:59:38 for 13.91 miles, Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon 2:43:53 for 10.90 miles.

96 year old running coast to coast!

Marty, Andrea, Ernie, Andy and Kelly met near Crestview to join him on his quest for running coast to coast. California to Florida. This is his second time running this. He typically does about 3 miles per day. He has written a book about his adventures! Andy say that Earnie is very sharp and has a good wit about himself. Ernie say he may turn 100 by the time he completes his quest! He has his course all mapped out and planned. Imagine running across the country from coast to coast at our age, let alone being 96! See article on page 4.

Volunteers Needed The club’s Tricker Trek 5K/10K is coming up October 26th. Volunteers are needed. We have several positions that need your help. Contact Andy or Joe. We need you!

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PR&T Meeting Notice! The Panhandle Runners will be meeting Tomorrow! The meeting will be at the Trinity Lutheran Church Annex on the corner of 10th St. and Balboa Ave, October 16th at 6 p.m. We will have some new items to discuss that will hopefully help grow our club. Mark you calendars! See you Thursday. Snacks will be provided. Be sure to invite your friends. We will be having a slide show. See you then!

October Birthdays!

Tracy Newman 10/28 Ruta Plemmons 10/28

Race Results

Panhandle Runners doing 30A Half Marathon

I would love photos and a report if possible. We would love you to share your adventures with us! Thanks! (joeruns@yahoo.com)

Alejandra runs “back to back” marathons! ND and SD! Ally is running back to back marathon weekends in cold country! Counting down the states! Way to go!

Ally: 2:43:18, Hillary: 2:33:08, Becky: 2:24:00 (2nd age group!) Denise: 2:57:00, Katlin: 2:54:18. This group rocked the course on 30A! Way to go!

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Long time PRT runner turns 90! Yes, it’s true. Richard Cozart, who has been running since most of us were in diapers, has turned ninety years old. Richard has run many races and many types of races, from 5Ks to ultras to day running for six days straight around a track logging in hundreds of miles. He ran ‘round the clock runs to see how far a person can run in 24 hours. Why, he even used to run to work and back (and it was not close to his house), burying water bottles in the dirt to keep them cool till he finally made it to them. Needless to say, Richard has logged in many, many miles. More than anyone I know. He is, and has been, an inspiration to many of us. He is a great trail runner. You can see on his shirt (photo) the Mississippi 50K that he introduced Joe to. Richard was never afraid to try any type of race or challenge. Richard’s wife Shirley would be his crew and without her loyalty and commitment, it is doubtful Richard could have ever been so successful. As far as I know, there are some running records Richard set that have still not been broken. Richard had his 90th birthday party at his house and it was standing room only. Many members of Panhandle Runners Club came to wish Richard a happy birthday and visit with his wife Shirley and family. Shirley had fixed plenty of her specialty - spaghetti, wheat bread and salad. A healthy meal, which Richard always advocated. Go Richard!!! Happy Birthday dear Richard! We wish you all the best in the

upcoming year. Gumby

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WWII Vet Running Across America Just when you think you’ve accomplished an amazing or remarkable athletic event, you meet someone like Ernie Andrus. Some people have run a marathon, some have done an Ironman triathlon, some have finished ultras and some have even done multiples of the aforementioned accomplishments. Well, Ernie has run all the way across the United States! What’s more, he is currently doing it for the second time. And now for the kicker….Ernie is a 96 year old WWII veteran! The first time he ran across the USA he was ONLY 93. Starting on Saint Simons Island in Georgia, Ernie is running a reverse course this time, telling me he would be one hundred when he finally reaches San Diego. Some Panhandle Runners & Triathletes along with Team - Red, White and Blue members went to run with Ernie two weeks ago and again this Columbus Day catching up to him just east of Crestview. Ernie runs about four miles a day - Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. When I say “run”, it is more like a fast-paced walk….but hey, he’s 96 years old! A very personable man and very savvy for 96, Ernie is raising money to send the last remaining LST #325 (the big transport ships that landed troops, equipment and even tanks at Normandy and islands in the Pacific during WWII…LST=Landing Ship Tank) to the beaches of Normandy one last time to commemorate D-Day. Ernie was a Navy man, a corpsman on an LST in the Pacific campaign during WWII. He told me it will take him a YEAR to cross Texas. Whew! Forrest Gump can’t hold a candle to this guy. If you would like to donate to his cause or even run or walk with Ernie, check out coast2coastruns.gmail.com or www.coast2coastruns.com. You can find out where he is via Facebook, YouTube or the Internet or check with Andy Weckherlin at PRT. Run, Ernie, Run! Good luck my friend. Gumby

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Panhandle Runners & Triathlete’s Club Membership Form

P.O. Box 381 Panama City, FL 32402

$20.00 Annual rate for family or individual memberships. Return this form with fee to: Memberships run from Jan. 01 through Dec. 31. Panhandle Runners & Triathletes Club Prorated Membership Amounts: PO Box 381

• Jan  –  Mar  =  $20                                    Panama  City,  FL  32402  • Apr  –  Jun  =  $15  • Jul  –  Sep  =  $10  • Oct  –  Dec  =  $25  (includes  the  next  year)  

Name ________________________________________ Sex ________ Birthday __________________ Street ________________________________________ Home Phone ___________________________ City __________________________________________ Work Phone ____________________________ State _________________ Zip ___________________ Cell Phone _____________________________ Occupation ____________________________ Email _______________________________________ Additional family members joining:

Name   Age   Sex   DOB                                          

Are you currently a runner or triathlete? ___________________________________________________

How long have you been involved? _______________________________________________________

What are your fitness goals? ______________________________________________________________

How can the club help to serve you? ______________________________________________________

Are you willing to serve the club? _________________________________________________________

Are you interested in helping at club events and activities? __________________________________

CLUB MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION WAIVER, RELEASE, AND IDEMNITY AGREEMENT I know that running and volunteering to work in club races are potentially hazardous activities. I should not enter and run in club activities unless I am medically able and properly trained. I agree to abide by any decision of a race official relative to my ability to safely complete the run/event. I assume all risks associated with running and/or participating in events and volunteering to work in club races including, but not limited to, falls, contact with other participants, the effects of the weather, including high heat and/or humidity, the conditions of the road and traffic on the course, all such risks being known and appreciated by me. Having read this waiver and knowing these facts, and in consideration of your acceptance of my application for membership, I, for myself and anyone entitled to act on my behalf, waive and release the Road Runners Club of America and the Panhandle Runners and Triathletes club and all sponsors, their representatives and successors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising out of my participation in these activities even though that liability may arise out of negligence or carelessness on the part of the person named in this waiver.

_______________________________________________________ ________________________ Signature Date

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Tarantula Run On Saturday October 12th Angela ran the 2019 Tarantula Run in Los Vaqueros, CA. It’s mating season for tarantulas right now, so they are out and about all over the mountains. Better to run than walk with these big critters around! The run had a 694’ elevation gain and this 10k course was just a tad further at 6.29 miles. She completed it in 1:15:48 and was in 8th place for her age group. The Panhandle Runner’s “Sunday Hill Sprints” events helped her up those mountains!

Wednesday night repeats group growing!

We have been steadily growing our Wednesday night repeat group. Runners, walkers and jogger welcome! Come join us!

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Upcoming Neighboring Races Oct 20 Apalachicola, FL. Running for the Bay 50K/ Marathon/1/2 Marathon/10K/5K. 7:15am. www.runningforthebay.com. Oct 26 Panama City, FL. Tricker Trek 10K/5K & 1 Mile FR.. 8am. Conservation Park Visitor Center. $20/$25; $15 no shirt. Gumby Weckherlin 850-271-5896 or Joe Edgecombe 850-774-0018. Oct 26 Destin, FL. McGuire's Halloween 5K/10K. 9am. 850-650-0000 or www.mcguiresirishpub.com. Oct 26 Dothan, AL. Dothan Half & 5K. 7am. 2241 Ross Clark Circle parking lot, (Ollie’s). Roger Rocha 205-910-6405 or racedirector@runthecircle.com. Can register at https://runthecircle.redpodium.com/dothan-half-5k

Oct 26 Destin, FL. McGuire's Halloween 5K/10K. 9am. 850-650-0000 or www.mcguiresirishpub.com.

Nov 1 Panama City, FL. Ironkids Florida, Nov 2 Panama City, FL. Ironman Florida. 7am. Info: www.ironmanflorida.com. Nov 9 Panama City Bch, FL. Patriot 5K. 8am. American Legion Emerald Coast 402, 17680 Ashley Dr. $30/$35 Rebecca DeBell 850-527-9265. Nov 2 Dothan, AL. Montessori Madness 5K/FR. 8am. Starts at Dothan Montessori School a the Episcopal Church, 205 Holly Ln. Tara Black 386-697-3947. Entry at www.dothanmontessorischool.org. *** DRC GRAND PRIX RACE *** (drc eqpt)

Nov 2 Dothan, AL. Angela Marie DiLillo 5K Fun Run. 8am. Westgate Trail. Kiwanis Park. Chris Paulson 334-618-6706. Nov 30 Panama City Beach, FL Home for the Holidays 5K Run/Walk, 8 a.m. at Frank Brown Park, for information: Joe joeruns@yahoo.com Dec 7 Panama City Bch, FL. Panama City Beach 1/2 Marathon/5K. 1/2M-7am; 5K-8:30am. Pier Park. No race day registration. www.pcbmarathon.com.

Dec 14 Tallahassee, FL. Ultra Distance Classic 50K/50 Mile. 7am ET. Wakulla Springs State Park. No RD reg. Gary Griffin at runlong@nettally.com or www.gulfwinds.org.

Dec 31 Panama City Beach, FL New Year’s Eve Ball Drop 5K Run/Walk Frank Brown Park. For information: Joe joeruns@yahoo.com

Jan 12 Mobile, AL. Service First Bank Mobile Marathon/1/2 Marathon. 7:30am. Info: Marty O'Malley 251-438-2094 or www.mobilemarathon.org.

Jan 25 Dothan, AL. Raider Run 5K/1Mile. 9am. Starts at Houston Academy. www.houstonacademy.com. *** DRC GRAND PRIX RACE *** (DRC eqpt.)

Feb 8 Destin, FL. Valentine 8K "Kiss 'Em To The Finish". 9am. The Track Recreation Center. Steve Cookman 850-585-0980 or scookman@cox.net or www.nwftc.com.

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What was you childhood ambition? What is your current occupation? If money were no object, what profession would you choose? Favorite running memory: Indulgence: Non-running hobbies: How and when did you get interested in running: Best place to run near Panama City: What is your perfect day? What is your biggest challenge? Bonus Question: What is it about you that no one would or could guess? Thanks. This will be fun!

Member Profile in time form I am trying to get members to know each other a bit. A little more than “what was your time” type of information. I will include some of these in the newsletter. Please fill out, copy and paste or whatever is the easiest to get to me. Email it to: joeruns@yahoo.com Tell us a little about yourself! Thanks!

Current Club Officers and Contact Numbers Presidents: Jow Edgecombe, joeruns@yahoo.com, 850-774-0018 Vice-President: Angie Klopf, byrflygrlang@yahoo.com, 607-481-5362 Secretary: Treasurer: Marty Kirkland, makruns@yahoo.com, 850-814-6102 Equipment Mgr: Andy Weckherlin, weckham@bay.k12.fl.us. 850-769-1828 Webmaster: Alejandra Alvarado (assisting us) please be patient!

Fund Raising/Race Organizing

The Panhandle Runners & Triathletes Club will lease race equipment, coolers, tables, finish line clock and timers to individuals wishing put on a fund raiser/run/walk. The equipment rents for $150 with a refundable $200 security deposit. There is a lease agreement that can be downloaded off the club’s website: www.panhandlerunners.com . The lease will itemize what equipment is needed, date of pick up and the date of return. The person leasing the equipment will need to get with Andy Weckherlin, Equipment Manager, 2 weeks prior to the event date to determine when pick up will happen and delivery is expected. The equipment fee does not include people to help put on the event. Club members in good standing (members for 6 months) or that have assisted with races will be able to lease the equipment for $75 with the same $200 refundable security deposit.

If there are any questions concerning the equipment or putting on an event, you may contact one of the officers for additional information. __________________________________________________________________

Request to Local Race Directors: We are starting to have many races in the area. I have a personal request…Please check the race schedule and see if any races are scheduled for Panama City or Panama City Beach. 2-3 races in a small town on the same day gives runners options but do nothing to help you reach your fund raising goals. It actually hurts some of the races. These things still will happen but please just check and if possible, find a date that will help optimize your fundraising goals! When renting the equipment, you must contact the equipment manager to arrange the pickup and delivery 2 weeks prior to your date. It is imperative that those renting the equipment must have a vehicle with a 2” ball, lights and insurance! Thanks!