In the early 1970s the first running boom started, capped with Olympic medals by Frank Shorter in 1972 and 1976. [Later, in 1995, Shorter met his match as I held off his finishing move at the George Mason Invitational Master's Mile 4:56 to 4:59.] All over the area, people were awakening to the joys of running and racing. One of the largest clubs in the United States, with well over three thousand members, the Montgomery County Roadrunners Club was not the first but, by virtue of its size and influence, is the granddaddy of a large group of fine running clubs in the Washington area. The club started in the winter of 1978. By August, it had started a race, now called the Rockville 10K, that has run continuously since then. [Oddly enough, it had 500 finishers last year as well as in its first year.]

Much of the club's success has to be attributed to its management as well as the thousands of volunteers hours put in by the many hundreds of volunteers who fuel the club's efforts. For the first ten years, there was a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. In the first five years, membership grew to over six hundred, and by ten years, it was nearly fifteen hundred. Five more board members were added. There have been eleven presidents. All except the first, Jack Kaminsky, worked their way up through the board positions. Unlike some clubs, where elections were a popularity contest, Montgomery County groomed each one of its leaders. They began their positions already familiar with the job, making for smooth transitions. On the inside cover of The Rundown, the club's national multi-award winning news magazine [1987,1990,1996], is a comprehensive list of many other committee members that direct this luxury-liner of running clubs.

When I joined the club in 1988, the club's reputation was already secure. It continues to lead the way in many aspects of road racing. I heard about the club first during the sixth year of the Fritzbe's 10K. This spectacular race was a jaunt through the streets of Rockville followed by a not-to-be-equaled, all you can eat, smorgasbord that was a runner's dream. With burgers and chicken and ribs and made-to-order omelets and salads, washed down by soda and beer, it is no wonder why it quickly became the largest race in Maryland. With fudge brownies and gallons of ice cream for everyone down to the last of the sometimes 4,000 finishers, it was a showcase for the whole country. Indeed, the 1987 RRCA convention, hosted by MCRRC, deemed it the national championship 10K. Keith Brantly set the state record for 10Ks with an exciting 29:57 win.

The race lasted until 1993 as festival-style races started to give way to charity-driven races. [I had volunteered 1989-1992. In 1993, I raced and won an age group, which had been traditionally given a complimentary entry for the next year.] Man, we were sorry to see that race go. Soon after, one of our original members, Lyman Jordan, decided we needed to revive that kind of race.

In 1996, after nearly two years of planning, Pike's Peek stormed MCRRC back onto that scene. John Sissala, former Fritzbe's race director [as well as former RRCA Eastern region VP, MCRRC club president, and one of a small handful of race course certifiers], was the natural choice of director for the new race. This fast point-to-point race across Rockville soon was known nationwide. In 1998, Andre Williams broke the record with 29:40 while Jennifer Rhines secured the big $20,000 payday with her sub-33:00 record 32:45. The following year Dan Browne obliterated the new record with his 28:35 for a $20,000 bonus plus $400 for the win. Knowledgeable runners pooh-poohed criticism that second place Peter Sherry, who earned $200 for second place in a world-class time of 28:45, was letting Browne do all the work. Browne led wire-to-wire. [Sherry explained that he was trying to win. All the other 2057 runners were drafting off Browne as well. He was just closer.]

When I am asked about joining a running club, I always mention Montgomery County. While all clubs' memberships are a bargain, MCRRC is the best. The membership is just $20 for members and $25 for families. Nearly all the races are free. Since joining in 1988, I have run more than 250 races that were free. The races are run as if they cost you money. No, there are not T- shirts or awards but you get a well-marked, accurate course and the results are posted online within two days at most. All members' times and places will be printed in the bimonthly Rundown.

Many members join just to receive the magazine, which is nearly forty pages of results, photos, runner profiles, volunteer acknowledgements, running articles, and a timely race calendar with accurate directions. Also, there is a smaller newsletter arriving at your door on the off months to keep you informed of what is happening. There is a club line [301-353-0200], which has to-the-hour updates on race information, track workouts, and training runs.

When do you want to run? With nearly thirty races to choose from during the year, you are going to want to train. Fifty-two weeks a year there are Saturday and Sunday morning runs starting on the bike path in Kensington by the Ken-Gar Recreation Center. The club always provides water, juice, and bananas. The runs start on the USATF certified course that runs north for seven miles or south for eighteen miles. There are mile markers and water fountains all along the way. During the warmer months, the place is swarming with runners often starting more than an hour before the official starting time of 8:00 AM. Six miles south is the Meadowbrook stables, which generously allows runners access to restrooms and water. [Since 1988, I have run twenty-one training runs of marathon distance or longer on this, sheltered from the roads, course.]

For years, I had hinted that this would be a great course for a marathon. Former President Denny Steinauer reminded me of the club's firm policy, "If you want to try something new, you will have to be in charge of it." It was not long before we had a champion to start up the marathon. It was the one distance for which the club did not have a race. I was not surprised that Race Director Brian Tresp would be the man. One of my first memories of this former board member was hearing him ask a surprised volunteer, "How come you get to bring the water to the Wednesday night workouts?"

Soon after, Brian was cradling the microphone to make announcements at the weekly track sessions. Art Drisko took over the well-worn microphone a couple of years later. [In keeping with the policy of grooming members for the new positions, Drisko is Deputy Race Director for the Marathon in the Parks as well.] During the winter months, these vital track sessions are run under the lights at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville. During the summer months, when there is sunlight for the 7:00 PM workouts, they are held at Montgomery College. I mention these three days first because they are the core of club training events.

Maybe you volunteered for a race on Sunday and want to run Monday night. Done. Board Member Marty Horan has a group of runners organized at the Kentlands in Gaithersburg. Tuesday is better? Be more specific. There is an elite group of runners training in Bethesda with Coach Jim Whitnah aiming for lofty goals such as sub 60-minute 10 milers and sub-three-hour marathons. Or, if that is too fast, there is another interval training program at a high school track in Gaithersburg. If these seem too much like work, meet with Richie Weiss Tuesdays and Thursdays at Wintergreen Plaza in Rockville. Much as Richie likes to run, he likes to eat even more. After every club event, runners converge on bagel shops, breakfast spots, donut shops, ice cream and pizza parlors for refueling and lively story- telling. Richie scouted nearly every new spot out first. Giuseppe's Pizza in Rockville is MCRRC turf every Wednesday night.

You want to run Friday night too. That's crazy! There is a race Saturday morning. There are many MCRRC sub-groups springing up all over the county in places such as Wheaton Regional Park, Greenway Trail in Gaithersburg, Capital Crescent Trail in Bethesda, Seneca Park in Germantown, and on the C&O Canal Towpath from DC to Harper's Ferry. If you are a beginning runner, there is a program for you. Ready to run your first marathon? The First Time Marathoners group has gotten so large over the years it is like an army with many regiments. Many of the marathoners come back the next year to be 'first time' marathoners all over again. There is a Young Run Series with a fun run that accompanies regular races or is held as a stand- alone track meet. Many of the women had their first race at one of the many RRCA Women's Distance Festivals. They trained for these 5K races with the Beginning Women's Training Program that has been going strong for a dozen years.

Next, you will be thinking of joining a team. MCRRC has teams at all the major races. Everyone is welcome but be prepared to come home with a trophy. MCRRC has a superb record at such world- class races as Cherry Blossom, Army, Marine Corps Marathon, Boston Marathon, Philadelphia Half Marathon, Shamrock Sportsfest, and USO Defenders 10 Mile. The Maryland State RRCA Championship is comprised of eleven club races from all over the state. Each club has a race on its own home turf. The series begins February 24, 2002 in Columbia with the RRCA 10 Mile Challenge. MCRRC swamped the other clubs last year with huge participation at all levels after finishing second in 2000 on a technicality. The challenge race is also free for club members.

There are five major events held each year that cost money to enter. The Pike's Peek 10K, which is a major fundraiser for the club, comes first. Then, on usually the hottest day of the year, thousands flock to downtown Rockville for the Rotary Twilight 8K. The race starts at 8:45 PM and winds through Rockville past the college and back to the courthouse where the band is playing and the beer is flowing. They have the unique idea of posting random numbers on a large bingo-like board. When you see your number any time during the evening, you claim your prize. Then, and only then, is your number erased and a new number placed on the board. This way everybody gets a decent and fair shot at a random prize without missing any of the fun.

In October, MCRRC has its club entry in the MD RRCA series, the Rockville 10K. With its accompanying 5K, MCRRC can lay claim to the longest continuous race held in the county. For a dozen years, the Halloween Young Run for children has continued to grow. Gude Drive is closed off and thousands of children ages twelve and younger get a taste of racing from one-quarter to one mile to cheering crowds, with many of the volunteers dressed in Halloween costumes.

Toward the middle of November when you are thinking about a day to be thankful, the third annual Marathon in the Parks will be run. This well-planned race has one of the highest volunteer-to- runner ratios, nearly one volunteer for every three runners. Race director Brian Tresp eagerly awaits your comments on his always up-to-date website so that he can respond with, "Thanks, but we already thought of that and it has been taken care of." There is a challenge. Find a way to improve this race.

There is always more. There is a Cross Country Series with prizes and recognition for the winners with the best three of five events. The Championship Series has everything from the mile to the half marathon with your best four of seven events counting. Maybe you just want to be at every race. Just showing up at half of the nearly thirty club events and volunteering twice will you earn prizes in the Participation Series.

At the club picnic in the summer, the president and her staff come out to grill burgers for the members. At Christmas, the club meets at the Rockville Civic Center mansion for a party, and in late January, MCRRC celebrates with special recognition, series winners, volunteers, race directors, and finally announces the coveted Runners of the Year for masters and open men and women.

What else do you need to know to join this wonderful club and enhance your running experience? Stop by any of the races, which are race day sign up only, and start saving or ask anybody at any of the workouts throughout the week. Many of the MCRRC members have RUN tag numbers on their cars, which makes them easy to follow to races.

For more information, write to MCRRC, PO Box 1703, Rockville, MD 20849 or call the club line at (301) 353-0200 or go online at http://www.mcrrc.org.

And by the way, no club appreciates its runners more. No matter how poorly I think I am running, every race I run dozens of MCRRC runners call out my name when we pass. At one race, the runners in my group were so surprised by the consistent cheers for me that they asked, "So, are you someone famous?" "No," I replied, "They cheer for everybody," though sometimes I feel like the club mascot.