From the Desk of the President
Although not a sellout, this year’s Lincoln Marathon & Half Marathon fueled by American Ethanol was another resounding success. It was blessed by great weather conditions most of the weekend (Mayor’s Run, too). Course records were set in the men’s half marathon by Sammy Rotich with a time of 1:04.11 and in the women’s half marathon by Pasca Myers with a time of 1:14.54. In the marathon, Hillary Too won the men’s race in 2:21:06, and Misiker Demessie won the women’s with a time of 2:50:14. Complete results are here. See more highlights from the half marathon and from race day here and here.Additionally, discretionary and directed funds totaling $25,573 were contributed to Project Purple and the Jayne Snyder Fellowship Grant dedicated to pancreatic cancer research. This brings contributions over the last five years to a remarkable sum of $156,002.
Following the marathon, the 41st Annual Pinnacle Bank Run for Charity was held on Saturday, June 1, under ideal conditions once again. Forty-three teams participated, resulting in contributions of $4,425 to local charities. In addition, the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) established this year’s 10K Race as a State Championship event.Also, we are very proud to award six $2,500 scholarships at LTC’s 6th Annual College Scholarship Award Program on Sunday, June 2, at the Jayne Snyder Trail Center. Details and photos from this event are located elsewhere in this newsletter. The Lincoln Track Club now has awarded $68,500 to thirty-one aspiring track and field and cross country student athletes in its first six years of providing these additional financial aid awards. Those wishing to apply for a 2020 scholarship may do so by obtaining an application from any Lincoln or Lancaster County High School head track or cross-country coach. All applications need to be submitted to the LTC Scholarship Committee by March 18, 2020, and up to six recipients will be selected to receive $2,500 each.
Finally, we have jumped into our hot, fun, summertime events. The ever-popular Lincoln Mile was run on Sunday, July 7, followed a week later by the Nebraska Football Road Race, which is LTC’s charity event as all runner fees are collected by the university to be donated to the pediatric brain cancer research efforts at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha. LTC is the primary sponsor in partnership with the Nebraska football team and the University Athletics Life Skills Department. This is an especially fun time as the entire team volunteers and socializes with all the runners, kids and adults alike. Additionally, the first 1,000 entrants will be invited to a football practice in August—how cool is that!The summer events will finish with the 43rd Annual Buffalo Run on Sunday, September 8. In between the Nebraska Football Road Race and the Buffalo Run on Saturday, August 10, the LTC will be supporting the Run FOUR the Pines 4-mile fun run and toddler trot to raise funds for a connector trail between Prairie Pines and the Murdock Trail. So, come out and enjoy the coolness of an evening summer non-competitive run, complete with a food truck and live music at the finish line . . . a unique and fun attraction.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 RUN•CONNECT•GIVE BACK to the community in many ways. If you are not running an LTC event, please show your support by volunteering.—Glen Moss, president, Lincoln Track Club
