WVMTR Annual Letter for 2017

December 28, 2017

Dear Friends,

It’s a cold morning across the Mountain State, below zero at dawn in much of the eastern mountain counties and single digits statewide. Certainly it will warmer for our first club event of the year. Frozen Sasquatch is 9 days away. I spoke to Mike Dolin earlier this morning and he’s promising slightly warmer, but still frozen temps for the race . . . a relatively safe prediction.

The following Saturday January 13^th will be our Annual Meeting. You might think that an annual gathering in January in Helvetia a bit unwise, and possibly more would attend should it be in July. Could be the last January meeting, maybe you should plan on coming. We’ll have a run, a warm, plentiful lunch and a meeting where you can help plan 2018 activities. 10:00am at Lehmann’s. Feel free to bring something for the table. If you have comments for the meeting, but cannot attend, please forward. There is plenty of floor space and several couches if you care to stay Friday or Saturday.

Here are a few notables for 2017. . . . . .

• WVMTR membership, it is strong and growing. Membership increased 10% over 2016. 1900 runners participated in out race events this year, highest ever.
• Mountain State Trail Run Series – higher participation this year
• The club supported member-organized club runs in Thomas, S. Charleston, Winfield, Elkins and Marlinton.  Others are encouraged.
• We continue to work with WV Running Resources Network, check out their new website.
• Partnered with the USFS to field mark Wilderness boundaries in northern Mon National Forest, work to be in 2018
• Held Volunteer Trail Work days on the Mon NF, Kanawha SF, Fox Forest Elkins, Little Creek Park So Charleston, Haulin’ and KT race courses
• Had a heck of a good time!

Some years at this time you have the opportunity to vote for Board of Directors. This year there are three expiring seats. The three current board members, Ashley Dolin, Pete Daly and Adam Casseday agreed to serve again, there were no additional nominations. Consistency is good, but so too can be change.

All the best to you in the coming year,
Dan Lehmann

The West Virginia Mountain Trail Runners is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization whose purpose is to promote running and the healthy, positive qualities running and fitness encompass.