The greater Washington area running community lost a good friend last fall when Ray Blue of Oxon Hill, MD passed away. Ray was 84 and had courageously struggled through multiple medical problems for the past 18 months.

Ray was raised in Council Bluffs, Iowa and joined the Army after high school. His illustrious military career covered three decades and, as a master sergeant, he fought in Europe during WWII and in Vietnam. He moved with his wife and children to the Washington area following his years in the service and worked for the U.S. Postal Department for many years before retiring.

Ray began running in the 1970s and participated in many local races, often placing high in his age group. About six years ago Ray and four others, all seventy-year-old runners, joined me for monthly lunches at Kilroy's Restaurant in Annandale, VA. Our group, all now in our eighties, still meets quite regularly. Ray seldom missed our get-togethers and we always enjoyed his company, especially his dry sense of humor.

When he turned 80 his running pace slowed down just like the rest of us octogenarians, but, rather than give up the sport, he began assisting at local races conducted by Capital Running Company. Many of you will recall seeing Ray at packet pick-up or the finish line, stringing ChampionChips, greeting runners as they came in, and directing them to the water and refreshment areas.

Ray Blue will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Editor's Note: Ray Blue was always a Ranked Runner. When the 50 Plus Club began in 1997, Ray decided that he could handle fifty races in a year. His pals Bill Osburn (84), Walt Washburn (86), Ray Campbell (76), and Dixon Hemphill (83) became members as well.

In 1998, Ray ran 59 races, adding 65 in 1999, 53 in 2000, and 78 in 2001. He was injured in 2003 and only ran 8 races at age 79. One of those races was a big age group win of 23:34 at the Ferndale 5K. The following year he bounced back to 42. He was always ranked near the top of his divisions. More than once he did earn the top spot, enjoying a friendly rivalry with his peers.

He retired from the 50 Plus Club in 2004 but he kept up with all the members.

50 Plus Club Racing

Races   Year 
59	1998
65	1999
53	2000
78	2001
8	2003
42	2002
2	2004

See Ray Blue's profile from 2001