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| Club
History |
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| The Tidewater Striders Track Club was formed
on September 23, 1972 when 15 committed fitness devotees met at Chesapeake
College. Dues were set at $5.00 per year and each paid member was
to receive a track jersey. The club held its first race, a five-miler,
in a field next to the college a few weeks later. The clubs first
newsletter, Dear Striders was published on December 26, 1972. |
| The clubs involvement in road racing really began when one of its
founders helped establish the Virginia Beach Rotary Shamrock Marathon,
which later became simply the 'Shamrock Marathon'. There were 54 entrants
in that first Shamrock. By September of 1973 the membership had grown
to 104. |
| In 1975 the club was putting on 15 races per year and the club also
gained official admittance into the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA).
On November 18, 1975 the club was incorporated by the Commonwealth
of Virginia. |
| On August 5, 1978 the Striders presented the first all-women's
race in Virginia at Mt. Trashmore. By December the membership had
grown to 427 and the race schedule included 15 races and a six event
summer track series. |
| By July 1979 the membership had grown to 920.
A sampling of the membership showed that the preferred race distances
were 10 Kilometers and 10 Miles. The first Elizabeth River Run 10K
was held, and later would become the largest 10K in Virginia. |
| In 1980 the Golden Runner class of membership was inaugurated. This membership
class allowed a member to pay a yearly fee which would allow free
entry into any club race during the year. |
| In March of 1981 the name of the newsletter was changed to The Rundown and the Grand Prix series
was begun. By December the membership had grown to 1772. The Club
24-hour telephone Hotline was implemented to provide information about
upcoming races and events. |
| In 1982 the club race schedule had grown
to 45 club races. The clubs first college scholarship was awarded
and the club was now the 12th largest in the United States. The Shamrock
Marathon had grown and now boasted 1,111 finishers, and the Elizabeth
River Run 10K received television coverage. |
| During the ensuing 13
years the club has grown more modestly, while providing greater services
to the membership and the community. The number of scholarships has
been increased, a youth Grand Prix series was instituted in 1991,
at least four general meetings, open to the public, are held each
year where guest speakers discuss various fitness related subjects,
and several community service projects have been instituted. |
Today the Tidewater Striders Track Club is one of the largest running clubs
in the United States with over 1,600 members. The club presents over
50 events yearly, has an annual budget of over $60,000 and has raised
hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities in its 24-year
history. The club is dedicated to the promotion of physical fitness
including running, walking, and multi-sport events in southeastern
Virginia. The club is comprised of all ages as well as all levels
of ability from beginner to Olympic Trial qualifiers. Whether you
have never run a step in your life or are a seasoned competitor, our
club has something for you. |
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