Anderson Road Runners Club

Shortcuts

• Address
• Alerts
• Contact The Organization
• Claim ownership or report listing

• 

  Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Anderson?

Our Story

This History of Anderson Road Runners is compiled by Bob Hart to the best of his recollection. • Late 1930s to the late 1950s. Anderson High School’s Track and Cross Country teams won several state championships under the leadership of Mr. Carl Bonge. His motto was, “I take regular boys and turn them into Champions”. He certainly did. Several Bonge runners eventually became members of the Anderson Road Runners: Garry Estle, Jeff Bailey, Ron Wallace, Dave McCord and Dave Davidson are a few I can member. Around the year 2000, ARRC was asked to stage a “fun run” for a reunion of Bonge runners and family members. The run was staged at Shadyside with ARRC handling the logistics. It was quite an honor to be part of it and meet several former state champions in the process. • 1970s – Hoosier Road Runners Club (HRRC) was active. Jim Kirkwood was their editor. I believe that Fred Fulcher (first ARRC President) was also active. • Mid 1970s – Several unorganized 2-lap races were staged at Shadyside by Garry Estle. He was one of the first to “measure” the bike path distance – at 2.7 miles, using a bicycle odometer. He gave trophies to the first 20 finishers. Everyone ran in the “open” division. Garry Wanted to form a local club and call it “Madison County Striders” but the idea never quite caught traction. • Fort Wayne Track Club is formed (1977) • Indy Runners is formed (1978) • Inaugural White River Run (1978) – hosted and managed by the Anderson Daily Bulletin. YMCA start, Grunewald home finish. First race was 9.0 miles, later expanded to 15K and later a 5K was added. • 1978 and 1979 (summer) – the Anderson Parks Department under the leadership of Don Seal holds weekly “Aqua Jog” 1 lap runs at Shadyside. • 1979 – ARRC formed. First meeting was held at Jim Hunter’s house. Fred Fulcher becomes first President. One Lap races are directed by the VP and Two Lap races are directed by the President. Five member board also consisted of a secretary, treasurer and editor / membership chair. • 1980s o One laps races continue and the 2 lap races are moved to the winter months. o All races start at the old gazebo. o Race results are hand-carried to the Anderson Herald office each Thursday evening and posted in the paper the following morning. o Jim and Edna West begin the Children’s Fun Run. o Pacer newsltter is bulk mailed to members each month. o Jeff Bailey passes away from Leukemia and Garry Estle proposes the Jeff Bailey Award to the ARRC board. Award is to be made only when there is a deserving member who has given much back to running. Garry has approval authority on behalf of the Bailey family. o After Jim West’s passing the James West Outstanding Youth Award is started. Jane Simmons joins Edna to help with the Fun Run. o 1982 – Run the Mounds begins as a joint venture between ARRC and Anderson University Cross Country Team o Mid 1980s – the White River Run becomes the responsibility of St. John’s Hospital. • 1990s o ARRC becomes a Chapter of Road Runners Club of America. o 1990 – ARRC becomes a partner in the Anderson to Muncie Marathon which is run from YMCA to YMCA. We handle the Madison County logistics including the start. Jerry Pierce certifies the course and the Marathon becomes a qualifier for Boston. o 1991 Anderson to Muncie Marathon continues. Bob Williams directs. o Annual pool parties held at Athletic Park Pool. o 1991 – St. John’s announces they will give up control of the White River Run. Anderson YMCA agrees to take over. Race publicity is non existent and race is cancelled. Bob Williams proposes that ARRC take it over the race is held in October. The following year it goes back to the Spring. o A few of the RRCA state meetings are held in Anderson immediately after Run the Mounds. o Multi-purpose half marathons are staged at Shadyside. (5 laps) o 1992 – ARRC takes over full control of Run the Mounds. o Joyce Hockensmith from the Ft. Wayne Track Club is our featured speaker at one of our annual meetings and inspires several ARRC runners to quest for the “50 States”. Several years later the 50 States + DC are successfully completed by Louie Harshman, Terry Spoo, Jack Stepp, Tony Martin and Lonnie Smith. o Late 90s – Road Series begins. o Web Site is started by Tom Corda. • 2000s o Indy Mini tent begins. o Activity Center competed and ARRC moves one lap races to that location. o ARRC Board expands from 5 to 7 members. o Scholarship program begins. o Thursday “Pizza Nights” resume at Pizza King after the awards. o 2001 ARRC partners with the YMCA to stage the “World’s Largest Run”. Held in conjunction with the WRR – the last year for a 15K. o ARRC is invited to have a tent at County XC meets. o Shadyside course is measured at 2.628 miles. Previous distances were 2.7, 2.65 and 2.625 miles. o ARRC youth cross country program for ages 12-17 begins under the direction of Perry Knox and Mark Volk, and runs 2003-2005. In 2005 the team goes to the USTAF National Finals in SC after capturing some state titles. There are some pictures of the XC program on Perry Knox’s FB page.