News

Our annual party last year was held on December 1 at the Fitness Plus facility. 23 members renewed at this time. Awards were given to the newcomers of the year (the Dandi family), to Kiara Bunton, as the outstanding youth member, and to Kathy Dockter and Elaine Wheeler as the top point winners-for the second six-month period in a row.

Elections were held with the following results:

• Vice-President Forrest Weddle 1st year
• Treasurer Tom Oakes 2nd
• Secretary Sarah Justice 5th
• Clinic Director Fred Adams 7th
• Historian Jean Brunnenkant 10th
• President Alan Poisner (year in office) 13th time

Other board members selected were: Amy Christensen, Wayne Kerns, Jean Brunnenkant, Tom Young, Moe Lago, Ruth Weddle. Alan gave the State of the Club address and thanked the officers and board members for the past year. Trudy Nepstad showed off her winter wear as usual and has offered to donate some of the sales to our Club's Development Fund. Thanks Trudy.

We learned that Floyd Delon had moved to Columbia but he will still be visiting us in in KC periodically. Fortunately, it has been fairly frequent. We received some new technical wicking shirts and some were given out at the annual party, including a (size very small) shirt to Alana Bainter-Ratzlaff. She demonstrated it while walking to the goodies table (several times).

On January 1st, we started off the New Year by taking part in the annual New Year's Day Run/Walk at the Athletic Club of Overland Park, sponsored by the KC Track Club. This was followed by breakfast afterwards. This is an annual club tradition and I invite you to join us this year.

At our January 5 meeting, Our guest speaker was Heidi Valenzuela, a yoga instructor who gave a great demonstration. Our newest members include Dr. Mark and Mary Landry. Alan announced that our club has been offered a discounted subscription to Walk! Magazine. 20 members have joined in this program which provides a cheaper rate as the number of subscribers increase. We had 9 members participating in the Ground Hog underground 5K this year. We made our usual impressive showing in our red shirts. Martie and Trudy took 1st and 2nd in their age divisions and Alan took 3rd. We had 38 paid-up members and about 3,400 hits on our homepage

In February, our speaker was Dr. Mark Landry, a podiatrist, marathoner and a new member. He spoke on foot care, injury prevention and treatment. Our membership is now 44 with new member Jimmy Sue Sells from Reading, KS.

In March. Jean Brunnenkant continued her terrific job on drills and review. This has been well received. Our membership has grown to 46, including our former member who lives in St. Louis area, Dave Couts. Hits on our homepage have increased to 3639, about 100 per month. The editor of Walk! Magazine has asked Alan to write a short description of our club for a future issue. We received the TV/DVD cart that Tom Oakes ordered to use for our club presentations. This has allowed us to have a permanent presence in our meeting room. We planned for a special April clinic by Jonathan Matthews.

April was a very busy month for HRW. At our April 5th Meeting, we had a social get-together & prepared for the upcoming Brew to Brew Relay. Tom, Forrest and Alan have been dealing with Johnson County Parks & Recreation Dept. for obtaining a memorial bench to be in Roe Park.

On April 6, we had two teams in the Brew to Brew 43-mile relay: the Walking Warriors (Mark Landry, Captain) and the Primary Perpetual Pedestrians (Alan Poisner, captain). After about 9 hours the teams finished in the same time but the PPP's were the winners because of the handicaps. Both teams then celebrated at our usual Greek feast afterwards. We hope to have 10 people again this coming year to field two teams. Check with me about your interest.

On April 17, Alan, BJ and Fred put on a clinic for Blue Valley teachers at their district headquarters at 151st & Metcalf. 17 came to the district presentation and 6 came to our regular clinic on the following Saturday. The clinic was very well received.

On April 20, Alan and Floyd did the Broadway Bridge 5K and both took first in their age divisions.

On the weekend of April 26-27. we had the delayed Clinic by Jonathan Matthews. This clinic was postponed from April 12-13 because of transportation problems that Jonathan had from Helena. It probably was a lucky break because the weather was winter-like on that weekend but was much better on the 26th. 17 people registered and two college walkers from Concordia College were able to come. This was a very successful clinic that was aided by the video camera that Forrest Weddle obtained and was later used for feedback. We used the Shawnee Mission South HS track for some of our clinic. Jonathan was pleased with the clinic and the feedback from those attending was also positive. We have now had three nationally prominent racewalking coaches who have come to present clinics: Dave McGovern, Jeff Salvage and Jonathan Matthews. All were very well received and we may plan more in the future.

At our May Meeting, we reported on the Matthews Clinic.

We had two races in May: the Steps to the Cure 5K on the 18th where we had 9 walkers. Two of our walkers also received awards in the running division: Martie Lykens took first in her division and BJ Thornburg took third in hers. On the 26th 3 walkers did the Amy Thompson 8K and Kiara Bunton did 2-mile at Loose Park.

On May 28th, Martie Lykens and Alan once again represented HRW at the Johnson County 50+ Step in Shape Event. There were close to 100 people who came to walk at the Deanna Rose Family Center (and Martie & Alan did some demonstrations). Then the group met at the Ritz Charles center where there were information tables sponsored by various organizations, including US. We handed out information and had 11 people sign up to receive more info. We also gave out a free- membership in the door prize drawings. The organizers of the event sent us a big thank-you afterwards. Alan continued to work with them in preparation for the 50+ games in September.

Later that day, HRW hosted the Wednesday Night Run (WNR) for the KC Track Club. at the Lions shelter house in Leawood City Park (the same as last year). Alan set up the poster display that was used earlier at the presentation to the Blue Valley teachers. It was well received by the KC Track Club group and they gave us good PR in their internet communications.

Our June meeting featured Tom Young who discussed his elder hostel trip to Israel. He brought a map and made an excellent presentation.

Our membership was now 49, including Debbie Pahura-Bonner Springs and Shirley Coffey.

There were lots of races in June. (9)

• June 7: Iowa Senior Games: Fred Adams and Tom Young got Gold Medals
• June 7: Hospital Hill: Alan, Eileen McManus & BJ Thornburg: 10K race in some hot weather. We got our usual positive responses from runners and spectators.
• June 8: Missouri State AAU 2008 Junior Outdoor Championships-Independence, MO: Kiara Bunton took first place in her 3000 meter race: outstanding time: 18:36. This qualified her for the regional championships.
• June 13: USATF Mo Valley Jr Olympics Qualifying: Kiara Bunton, Santosh and Lakshmi Dandi - We also had three volunteers: Sarah Justice and Fred Adams & Alan, who served as racewalk judges.
• June 13: Night Flight: Floyd-5K-Lee's Summit-nightime
• June 15: Beat the Heat 5K: Eileen, Floyd, Alan
• June 20-21: Mo Sr Games: BJ, Martie, Dave Couts, Alan, Fred, Tom Young, Floyd: Lots of Gold
• June 28: USATF Masters: Rockhurst: Eileen, Julie, Raj, Wayne, Bo Kremer, BJ, Alan
• June 28: AAU Regional Joplin: Kiara Bunton-3K-Silver Medal

July: We used our July 5 monthly meeting for a picnic at Roe Park. We had more than 30 walkers and one visitor! Lori Bainter brought her two girls. Alan gave out awards for the 1st 6 months. Martie was the top with 58!

Membership: we now have 55 members. New member-Debi Waters. Amy Christensen returned from her month in Sweden. Our home page registerd its 4,000th hit.

Many races: (5)

• July 4: Freedom Run 5K and 10K (Olathe) (no walking divisions): Alan took did the 10K and Floyd did the 5K.
• July 13: USATF Region 9 Junior Olympics (Tulsa): Lakshmi & Santosh Dandi took Gold medals to qualify for the nationals. Unfortunately Kiara could not compete because of a foot injury.
• July 18: Sunflower State Games (Topeka). Jimmy Sue Sells and Alan won their divisions and qualified for the national meet in Colorado Springs next year. Last year Alan won two Gold Medals in his age division at this meet at the Air Force Academy.
• July 19: USATF National Clubs Outdoor Championships (Olathe). Eileen and Alan represented HRW (about an hour after our picnic) and took Gold (EM) and Bronze (AP). There was only one woman and 4 men in this 5000 meter race, which wins points for clubs. BJ Thornburg was a volunteer and our cheering section included Raj, Santosh & Lakshmi Dandi, Floyd Delon, Martie Lykens and Bo Kremer. HRW won 16 points by virtue of Eileen's and Alan's results and therefore our club finished 15 out of 26 clubs in overall points! The Kansas City Smoke (Mo Valley) won the most points for the men's competition. This event included all track and field events so we did well competing in only one event!
• July 20: Run to the Sun 5K (cave in Independence-no walking division): Floyd 1st in the 75-79 division.
• >July 27: AAU National Jr Olympics (Detroit): Kiara Bunton took the 8th place medal in the 3000 meter racewalk-congratulation
• July 27: ShowMe State Games (Columbia) 5K: Floyd Delon & Dave Couts represented HRW

August: At our August 2 meeting, Darren Anderson-Exercise Physiologist-gave a demonstration of VO2 and HRmax measurements on a treadmill, using Alan as the guinea pig. After the demo we went downstairs and celebrated the awards of Lakshmi & Santosh Dandi (with a cake)

Races:

• Aug. 2: ShowMe State Games (Columbia) 1500 meters: Fred Adams & Dave Couts represented HRW-taking Gold
• Aug. 16: Farmstead Stampede 5K: Floyd Delon carried the colors for HRW
• Aug. 17: Stroke Stroll (4 miles): Hy Vee-123rd State Line: Raj Dandi was 1st (M); Leah Luckeroth and Julie Haller were 1st & 2nd (F) in the racewalking division. Julie also took first in her age group in the running division. Alan took 2nd in the 70-74 running division.

September: Sept. 6: We had the dedication of our memorial bench in Roe Park. This park memorializes and honors special past members: Lew McNaughton, Ed Levy, Al Armstrong and Don Swegel. Remarks were made by Alan, Wayne, Floyd, and several family members, including Jean Levy and Peg Armstrong. Afterwards we had a brunch at the shelter house. The bench looks great and photos from the dedication are on our homepage. Club members and families of our late members made contributions that covered the cost ($900). Thanks to all who made contributions and those who helped with the refreshments and also the logistics in getting the bench: Tom, Forrest and Alan.

Membership: Charles Zarrelli recently joined after walking at the 50+ games. Laurie Bell also joined, although we have yet to convert her to a racewalker.

Past Races:

• Sept. 7: Head for the Cure 5K:Corp Woods-Alan and Floyd represented HRW;Alan took 1st place in the 70+ division.
• Sept. 11: Patriots Day Run (9 hours and 11 minutes): (Two-Trails Park) Olathe. We had 24 walkers on two teams: (13 on one the Avengers-2 and 11 on the Perpetual Pedestrians-2). This was an increase from the 22 that we had last year. The proceeds went to the Salvation Army. We once again got great PR, many photos on the internet, and kudos from the racing community. The Perpetual Pedestrians won by 1.5 miles over the Avengers. Awards were given by BJ the DJ. Thanks to all who made this another memorable event for HRW.
• Sept. 14: 50+ Games 5K: Olathe (Heritage Park). HRW had 7 members and good PR. Forrest Weddle took some pictures and brought some home-grown pears before the race-thanks. Larry Burch, a member who lives in the Northland was first overall. Alan worked on the organizing committee. Also competing: Charles Zarrelli, Fred Adams, Floyd Delon, Tom Young, Julie Haller, Jean Brunnenkant. Alan was the club volunteer.
• Sept. 28: Kansas Senior Olympics (Topeka): Gold medals by Nancy Perih, Jimmy Sue Sells, Julie Haller, Martie Lykens, Jean Brunnenkant, Eileen McManus, Alan Poisner, Fred Adams & Tom Young. All qualified for the National Senior Olympics which will be at Stanford next August. We are still making our club known at the nationals.
• Sept. 28: Free to Breathe 5K (Overland Park): Floyd took 2nd place in the 70+ division.

October: Oct. 4: Be-A-Walker at Shawnee Mission South. This year we had a 1600 meter (4 laps) race. Awards were given for the top three in the predicted-time event and for the top walker in the age-graded category (Martie Lykens) and to the fastest walker (Santosh Dandi). The results and pictures are posted on our homepage. Forrest Weddle used our video camera to record our walkers and we will play it back at our year-end party. The reason that we moved away from our usual 5K site at Roe Park was because another organization had reserved Roe Park for a 5K. We will decide next year what venue to use.

November: Nov. 4: We were treated at our monthly meeting to Nancy Perih telling us about her elder hostel experience in Iceland. Thanks, Nancy.

Member news: Fred Adams was remarried recently and we wish him and Betty much happiness in the coming years.

Races

• Nov. 2: Cliff Hanger 5K: We had 7 walkers and 2 volunteers at the race this year. The top walkers in the 5K: Males (Raj Dandi, Santosh Dandi, Fred Adams, Moe Lago, Chuck Zarrelli; Females (Lakshmi Dandi and Martie Lykens); we had one walker in the 8K: Alan Poisner. We also had two volunteers: Tom Young and Sarah Justice. Moe Lago walked to the race from his home (less than 1500 meters). We had the usual pancake breakfast afterwards. Fred Adams and Martie Lykens also won awards in the running division. The KC Track Club has continued their friendly cooperation with us for this race and we should continue to support it.
• Nov. 23: Gobbler Grind (5K and half-marathon). On a very cold day, HRW had three walkers on the 5K and 2 in the Half-marathon. The Dandi family walked off with the honors in the 5K (Raj, Lakshmi and Santosh, in that order. Alan and BJ Thornburg were our two in the longer race. The results should be posted soon to our home page. Rusty Collins who has worked with Alan before provided awards to the racewalkers. Lakshmi and Alan also won awards in the running division. BJ the DJ made his usual complimentary remarks about racewalking at the finish. We should continue to support this event; and they will make awards to the top 3 male and female walkers-if we can supply the numbers.

Prospects for 2009: We look forward to an exciting 2009 when HRW defends its medals and ribbons at the national stage at the National Senior Olympics, the National State Games of America, and the Huntsman World Games.

Also, we hope to expand our outreach in the KC Metro by encouraging more adult and youth walkers. We look forward to more accomplishments from our youth corps: Kiara Bunton, Lakshmi and Santosh Dandi. We will continue to keep the media advised about our activities. In the past we have been successful in being covered by TV, newspapers, radio and the internet. We hope that our current members can continue to serve as PR representatives for our club: by word of mouth and by handing out material, such as club cards. Suggestions for other forms of outreach are welcome.

With the dedicated members that we have now, there are good reasons to optimistic. I hope that we can continue observe our main club goals: Don't get hurt AND Have fun.