Greetings Bayou City Road Runners

The Word from the Bird

The HARRA Spring Series continues with the Bayou Bash Relay THIS SATURDAY! And BCRR is the managing host of this race. So you know it's going to be a great event. Plan on being part of the fun on Saturday, April 29, at TC Jester Park.

The club is coordinating and paying for BCRR relay teams as long as members are current with their BCRR and HARRA dues. Check in with your age group captains NOW to join the party (or for more info):

LADIES' TEAM CAPTAINS

Open Ladies: Christina Jones Young
40-49 and 50-59: Anna Helm
60-69: June Harris

MEN'S TEAM CAPTAINS

Open Men: Andrew Young
40-49: David Piper
50-59: Joe Lengfellner
60-69: Joel Dubois
70 and above: Mike Mangan

BONUS: For current BCRR members, the race registration fee is paid courtesy of the club! DOUBLE BONUS: HARRA membership is currently in “Early Bird” season. Renew (or join) now during the HARRA membership Early Bird Registration period to enjoy $5 OFF the regular membership price! That covers you for the relay race and the entire next year of HARRA benefits!

As many of you know, this annual event is a 4-person X 2.2 mile relay. The course is a single loop in TC Jester Park. This race will begin at 4 PM. For complete details visit the BCRR info page Bayou Bash Relay. Remember, runners registered as BCRR members help earn the club points towards the intra-club series competition!

CALL FOR EVENT VOLUNTEERS: Not running, lend a hand!

Set-up (Boat shed duty)
Tear down (Boat Shed duty)
Water Stop Captains
Road Guards
Registration/Baton Distribution
Finish Line/Relay Exchange/Timer help

BCRR Volunteer link = https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/TX/Houston/BayouBash

Bottom line: Come out and run for a BCRR team! Put one together yourself or let one of our Team Captains find one for you! BCRR pays for your team entry if all runners are current BCRR and HARRA members. Remember the club gets HARRA points for each of our teams. Not only that, running the relay is a great way to meet and bond with members if you are new to the club.

The Relay is followed immediately by the HARRA Member Appreciation Family Picnic. The picnic is FREE to all race participants and HARRA members and their families.

Volunteers are also needed for the HARRA Picnic for grilling, food distribution, and set up and tear down. HARRA support link = https://harra.org/volunteer?event_id=280

HARRA Spring Series Reminder

The Houston Area Road Runners Association (HARRA) organizes two major racing series, one in the Fall and one in the Spring. Both series offer contests for individuals as well as interclub competitions - and each race series features significant prizes for the winners! We are currently in the middle of the HARRA SPRING SERIES 2023:

~~Jan 15 - Aramco Houston Half Marathon - GRB Convention Center~~
~~Feb 18 - HBA Fun Run 8K - Sam Houston Park~~
~~March 4 - Bayou City Classic 10K - Houston City Hall~~
~~April 1 - Bellaire Trolley Run 5k - Bellaire~~
April 29 - Bayou Bash Relay - T.C. Jester Park
May 13 - LP Run (33 1/3 min) - Rice University track

For more details checkout the HARRA race series link .

Board Nominations Due May 1

BCRR is currently accepting nominations for the 2023-2024 Board of Directors. Our members are invited to suggest a friend to join the Board, or nominate oneself, by May 1, to be placed into consideration. The club will vote for the new Board at the annual banquet. During the banquet, prior to the vote, the ballot will be open to last minute nominations from the floor.

Board of Director positions mini-overview:

President - Presiding officer at all Board meetings and primary representative to external audiences and functions. Suggested Requirements: 3 years membership in club.
Vice-President - Stand-in for president whenever president is unavailable, and additional liaison to external audiences. Suggested Requirements: 2 years membership in club.
Treasurer - Chief accountant and signatory. Minimum requirements: 2 years membership in club. Working knowledge of basic principles of accounting.
Secretary - Drafts board meeting agendas and records minutes. Tracks membership. Suggested Requirement: Good listening and note-taking skills. 1 year membership in club.
Regular Members (3 positions) - Represent the membership at board meetings and provide personal perspective and insight regarding all matters before the club. Minimum Requirement: Current membership in club.

NOTE: The above mini-overview is very general in nature. For detailed information regarding these volunteer opportunities please contact any current Board member.

Winning Team

Yesterday, Elvind and Leyla Østerhus, represented BCRR well with a pair of first place wins at the Vintage Half Marathon and 5K. Leyla won her age group in the half marathon and scored a PR in the process. Elvind took top honors in his age group in the day's 5K race. The races began and finished at Klein High School in Spring. Joe Lengfellner was also there. He paced for the half marathon and took third AG.

Running Warehouse Discount

BCRR is proud to welcome our newest supporter; and we invite all our members to take advantage of the special 10% discount BCRR members enjoy on most items at RunningWarehouse.com.

Discount Code: See members' email.

New Members

Know a running enthusiast or fan that would make a great addition to the club? Invite them to join us! We're always happy to welcome new members to BCRR!

Happy Birthday!

This week's birthday:

April 25: Shawn Woodland

Social Calendar

This week's Happy Hour is at CounterCommon (5413 Bellaire Blvd)! Join us Friday night starting about 7 PM. Despite it being a Friday night, BCRR members receive special "happy hour" prices courtesy of CounterCommon! Watch the club's Facebook page for details and updates.

Sundays Need Hydration Support

Who likes water during the Sunday long runs? Especially as the summer temps arrive! Our Sunday morning hydration team could use a little more help as people go on vacation. Please contact Loris at Loris0105@yahoo.com for more information on how to volunteer!

Friendly COVID Reminder

As the number of cases fluctuates, the BCRR Board kindly requests that you receive the COVID vaccination to minimize the risk to yourself and others. Wearing a mask is still encouraged. Please maintain social distancing prior to and following club runs. Additionally, if you are feeling ill, have a fever, or have been exposed to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, please do not attend club runs for 2 weeks.

Want to share your race results with the club??

Email Scott Bounds - SpyderBounds@hotmail.com - with your race results and we will start publishing race results in the weekly email!

Weekly Club Runs

Mellow Monday

7pm at Memorial Park Tennis Center for a 3 mile casual paced run around the Park and dinner to follow

Wednesday Run

6:30pm at First Christian Church for a 3-6 mile run around Rice University and Hermann Park followed by drinks at Valhalla

Friday Speedwork

5:30am at Memorial Park Running Center. Contact Peter Griffiths for more info

Sunday Long Run

6:30am at Memorial Park Tennis Center for a 10-12 mile supported run w/ water at 2 locations followed by breakfast at Starbucks (1300 Post Oak Park Drive)

**Please note that in cases of inclement weather, i.e. thunder & lightning, group runs will be cancelled for safety reasons. Check the BCRR Facebook Page for the latest updates on run cancellations**

If you are feeling ill, have a fever, or have been exposed to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, please do not attend club runs for 2 weeks.