We are at the halfway point in LTC’s running event calendar and enjoying the warm days of summer. The club’s biggest achievement of the year has been the extremely successful completion of the 40th running of the Lincoln Marathon. Once again, more than 14,000 runners registered, and these participants would not have had the elite running experience they received without the efforts of the many volunteers it takes to conduct an event of this size in conjunction with a great weekend of weather delivered by Mother Nature. The support of all the event sponsors and especially the City of Lincoln from the first Lincoln Marathon on May 8, 1977, cannot be overlooked. This year’s event was especially special as many past champions returned to be recognized at an evening social gathering and dinner with some choosing to participate as well. As an added touch, Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray was on hand to share some words of wisdom and provide professional input on the organizational aspects of our event. In summary, Dave communicated a lot of kudos for the “awesome job” we all do! He was most impressed by our ability to do what we do as an all-volunteer organization, which is a positive reflection on all involved. (See photos by Gary Dougherty here and the highlight video by Barton Funk here.)As many of you know, Project Purple, an organization formed to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research, has been LTC’s designated Lincoln Marathon charity partner for the past several years. I am proud to announce that $33,009 was contributed to Project Purple in conjunction with the Lincoln Marathon entry process. Once again, the folks at Project Purple have designated these monies toward the continuation of the Project Purple Jayne Snyder Fellowship Grant. This grant provides funding for a pancreatic cancer research team of scientists at the Buffet Cancer Center in Omaha. Most LTC members will remember Jayne Snyder as a former LTC board member who lost her battle with pancreatic cancer in 2011.LTC’s fourth Annual College Scholarship Award program took place on Sunday, June 4, at the Jayne Snyder Trails Center. Four recipients received $2,500 each in scholarship aid. Details and photos from this event are located elsewhere in this newsletter plus there is a nice recognition photo in the June 24 Lincoln Journal NeighborhoodEXTRA. Those wishing to apply for a 2018 scholarship award may do so by obtaining an application from any high school head track or cross-country coach. All applications need to be submitted to the LTC Scholarship Committee by January 31, 2018.Up next are our hot, fun summertime events. The ever-popular Lincoln Mile is approaching quickly on Sunday, July 9, followed a week later by the Uplifting Athletes Road Race on July 16. Uplifting Athletes is LTC’s charity event as all registration fees are collected by the Uplifting Athletes organization and designated toward raising awareness and funding for pediatric brain cancer research. LTC is the primary sponsor in partnership with the Nebraska Football team and the University Athletics Life Skills Department. This an especially fun time as the entire Nebraska Football team turns out to volunteer and socialize with all of the participants.New this year will be the resurrection of a dormant Night Run that LTC once organized. On Saturday, August 5, at 7:00 p.m., the GSK Orange Run 5K and 1-Mile will start and finish in front of the Fallbrook YMCA. LTC race organizers are planning some unique social opportunities for race participants. Registration is open. Check out the atmosphere of a cool summer evening race. Finally, summer running will come to a close in Pioneers Park on Sunday, September 10, with the 41st annual Buffalo Run—LTC’s oldest event.As always, thanks for being a member of the LTC and for your ongoing commitment to the Lincoln running community. Your involvement enables LTC to give back to the community in many ways. If you are not running an LTC event, please show your support by volunteering.Glen MossPresident, Lincoln Track Club