Lisa Klasman

Dear Gate City Striders Hall of Fame Committee,

It is my great honor that I nominate Lisa Klasman to the 2022 Gate City Striders Hall of Fame.  Lisa is a long-time Strider, joining the club in 1988.  With over 30 years of service to the club, Lisa has been an active member in leadership, volunteerism, and racing as well as being a fierce competitor.

Lisa is a staple in the Gate City community!  You can always count on her to be at the Nashua South Track or the Pennichuck runs on Wednesday nights and nobody loves the tradition of Hollis running more than Lisa on Saturday mornings. Lisa’s dedication to her training and encouragement to her running partners is unwavering.

Lisa’s commitment to the sport can be seen in the various leadership roles she has undertaken over the years. In the 90’s, she helped introduce the sport of running to new generations by helping to lead Fitness University as a 3-time Co-Director with the late Skip Cleaver and Traci (Swanbon) MacKenzie. For over a decade, Lisa has served on the Novemberfest Committee and more recently was a member of the Gate City Marathon Committee for two years.  Over the years, she has volunteered and raced in almost every GCS race, AppleFest, Ultimate Runner and participated in countless Mill Cities.  Contributing off the track, Lisa has presented at the Wellness Nights several times.

With over 3 decades of club contribution, going back through memory lane, reminds us of the magnificent history of our club and we can give a special thank you to Lisa for her endless hours of service, countless miles of training and never-ending commitment to running.  The greatest of all is the relationships she has developed with so many members over the years. Lisa is welcoming to all and creates a real sense of belonging with both new and experienced members of our community.

I admire Lisa's extensive running history and her lightning speed, defying age, and injury.  But most of all, I am grateful for her friendship, as someone whom I have shared countless miles and hours of conversation with over the years.  I know what a kind and generous person Lisa is and how lucky the club has been with Lisa at the core of our special running community as one of our longest remaining active members.

Thank you for your consideration.

Suzanne Barker

Recent Awards

2010 Leaps and Bounds Award: Lisa Klasman

2016 Bounce Back Award: Lisa Klasman

Racing Highlights

• Raced Mill City Relays almost every year except when injured

• Winnepasaukee Relay almost every year it was run. Was on multiple teams that placed.

• Ran in many NHGP and NEGP races from 2009 to 2019.

• Women’s 5k Race Series various times in the 90’s (Nashua, Lowell, Lawrence, Beverly, Salisbury)

• Qualified for Boston Marathon 4 times

• Winner, top 3, age group winner or top 3 age group for innumerable races over the years. Notables include:

• Won age group in the NHGP 2013

• Won NovemberFest twice

• Was on the winning women’s open team for Winnepasaukee Relay

• Placed in other various Winnepasaukee Relays

• On AppleFest winning Women’s Open Team in the 90’s

• Captained the Co-ed Masters record setting winning MCR team in 2012

• Won Nashua Pal 4th of July 5 miler in 1995

• Won a Nashua YMCA 5k ~1992

• Won various races over the past 3 decades (one in Canada)

• Age group winner of 2009 Manchester City Half Marathon

• Age group winner of 2014 BayState Marathon

• 2nd Place Age Group of 2016 BayState Marathon

• Age group winner of Chicago Marathon 5k in 1994

• 2nd place Iron Runner ~2012

Robert "Bob" Pelletier

Two term Club President 2000-2003

Applefest Half-Marathon Race Director 1999 and 2000

• AF Race Committee 1997-2000

• AF Race volunteer 1990-2010

Co-founded the current Conway Arena based Freeze Your Buns venue and course along with GCS HOF Steve Moland in 2000
Fifteen year volunteer for Fitness University Finals Day and most clinics

Secured key Southern NH Medical Center primary sponsorship of Fitness University for several years while serving as club president

Served as an eight year head coach (Bantam and Midget Boys) for the Nashua PAL JO Cross Country program.

• Team accomplishments include the BB 2000 National Championship and four other top five finishing National teams.  Seven of the eight teams were NE and Region 1 champions.

• Coached approximately 15-20 All-American runners.

• Served as the program founder and ten year CC head coach for Infant Jesus School – Nashua

Regularly served as a race volunteer at other various key club events such as Freeze Your Buns, Pack Monadnock, Medical Center 6K, Soup Kitchen 5k, Mill Cities Relay.

Founded and Directed The Salmon Brook Scramble (1998-2003) which raised about $20,000 for the Nashua based Corpus Christi food pantry.

Personal running accomplishments include meeting the 35-39 age group qualifier standard for the 100th running of the Boston Marathon in 1996  (3:12 at Montreal).

• 100th Boston Marathon finisher in 3:26 (haa, heavy traffic but passed about 5000 runners)

• Half-Marathon PR of 1:28:37 at Fred’s in Devens, MA April 1997

Greatest running memories include qualifying for Boston and the Cabot Trail Relay (Nova Scotia) in 1997

Lisa Klasman along with other GCS Hall of Fame members!

The Annual Awards Dinner was held in person on January 20th.

Lea Reilly

Joining the Gate City Striders in 2010, Lea Reilly, has been a very active member and a smiling face at GCS events. Lea has represented GCS as an Iron Runner, Granite Runner, and Mountain Runner, as well as in 12 marathons and at numerous Mill Cities Relays. As a volunteer, you've seen her at the Pack Monadnock 10 Miler, Summer Trail Series, Novemberfest, Freeze Your Buns, GCS Marathon, and more. She also served as the club Secretary and a board member, and has organized the Winter Track series at the Dome for many years. In the community, she has talked to numerous groups about running and the Gate City Striders and established a running group that includes training for both youth and adults for the Summer Trail Series. She also has assisted fellow Striders in their quests for ultra distances, and ran some herself. She was awarded the Determination in the Face of Adversity Award in 2020 for accomplishing her goal of racing a half marathon each month, despite the majority of the races going virtual. In 2022, she is working on improving her half time in the Spring and running a marathon in the fall.
Congratulations, Lea Reilly!

Richie Blake

A club staple since 2006, Richie Blake can usually be found behind the camera, with a whistle, or behind timing machines and finish lines. Early on as a Strider, Richie assisted Mike Wade with the Summer Trail Series and Dave Camire with coaching. He also served as the newsletter Editor of "Striding Along" until it met its demise in 2009. (You can still read it on the GCS website!) Eventually, he worked his way to Head Coach for both Summer and Winter track and even coached in a socially distant manner during COVID, posting workouts for club members to tackle individually. He's also timed the Freeze You Buns, Mine Falls Trail Series and other GCS races for many years. In 2012, he won the GCS Heart and Soul Award, which is no surprise as he radiates with GCS Team Spirit. You'll see him at races across New England and the country, working as General Manager for Yankee Timing, and it will always be with a thumbs up and a smile.
Congratulations Richie Blake!

The Annual Awards Dinner was held in person this year on March 11th.

Jennifer Jordan

Jen has made the club visible outside of the Nashua area with her leadership of numerous events. She was Co-founder of the Gate City Marathon in addition to being the Race Director for 4 years. Jen was also the Race Director of the Summer Trail Series for 6 years. All this time she has also been serving as the Co-Director of the Gate City PAL / Strider youth program for 9 years as well as the 8 and under girls coach for Gate City Striders for 4 years.
She is a huge supporter of youth running community.
She worked numerous hours on the Gate City Marathon and with the proceeds she has been able to support "Shop with a Cop" (which is having the Nashua Police department work with inner city kids get Christmas presents) and also contributes with fundraising for other local Charities, such as the Boys and Girls Club and Special Olympics.
Some of her other contributions include volunteering for Freeze your Buns, Fitness University, and creating the Boston Marathon Support Team and creating the SERG (Sorta Early Running Group). In addition, she has run numerous races from 1 mile to 50K wearing the GCS logo including running the Boston Marathon in one of the worst rainy cold Bostons ever.
Some of Jens awards include GCS Outstanding Contributor, most involved club member, and PAL Athletic Director Award USATFNE Youth Running club.
Jen is always trying to help others achieve their goals. She is that friend that asks if you "want to go for a run" to chat. Time and pace aren't important to Jen. Running brings people together and Jen "Love That"!
Congratulations, Jennifer Jordan

Aline Kenney

Aline's first volunteer event for the club was the Nashua Trust / Budweiser 10K in 1988. Other events she volunteered for include but are not limited to, the Boston Marathon, Mill Cities Relay, Winnipesaukee Relay, Alec's Shoe Store, PAL, Applefest, Fitness University, Freeze your Buns, Pack Monadnock 10 miler, Nashua Soup Kitchen, Novemberfest, Candle Light relay, Gate City Marathon, Ultimate runner, and Mine Falls Clean up.
You may have seen Aline running in the New England Grand Prix and New Hampshire Grand Prix series for the Gate City Striders. She has finished 1st place in age group for Reds Shoe Barn and run on numerous women teams including the Moment Masters Dream on Mill Cities Relay which placed 2nd numerous times. Aline helped lead the New England Grand Prix 60-69 to a 1st place win, while placing 3rd overall. She was also New Hampshire Grand Prix women 65-69 1st place.
She has assisted numerous runners with their Virtual races in 2020. Recently, she helped Rob Fiero with his 100 mile walk for charity. Over the years, she has been at many races to cheer on other Gate City runners when she couldn't run.
Her plan is to continue running and representing the Gate City strider teams to help the club anyway she can.
From Coach David Salvas “Aline and I have a Love/Hate relationship. I LOVE to pick on her and she HATES me for it. “
Congratulations Aline Kenney

Tom Cassetty

Tom has been club President for 7 years and is Co-Founder of the Gate City Marathon and has been an active committee member since inception. He was the Manager of the Strider Youth XC team, for 8 years and track manager for 3 years.
He has been a member of the summer trail series committee and Co-Director of the Harvard Pilgrim race. Tom has also worked the GCS Boston Marathon tent (and even volunteered as a wheelchair mechanic during the race).
He was coach of PAL XC for 10 years, while being a middle school coach for 3 years and currently is an High School coach.
Tom is a 2011 Iron runner, was a guide for a non sighted runner at the Boston Marathon, a 2 time runner of Mount Washington (1 of those times being a guide for a non sighted runner), a numerous runner of Reach the Beach and Mill Cities relay, and completed the Ghost Train 100 mile race.
He has grown the PAL program and qualified numerous teams to Nationals, and from these teams we have seen multiple All American athletes.
Tom's always willing to show up, which has made him an asset to the club for over a decade. He is always trying to make a connection outside the club to help benefit the club.
Was told his biggest asset is he can find and share a beer with anyone!
Congratulations, Tom Cassetty

The Annual Awards Dinner was not held in person this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Stephen Rouleau

Steve’s journey with the Gate City Striders started with running the trail series race, and being asked by Mark Sage and Mike Wade to come to our Wednesday night track workout. When he didn’t show up, at the next trail run, they asked “Where in the Hell where you?” He has been a member ever since.

Steve will always lend a hand when needed and has been known to be one of the first to show up and the last to leave many of our events including Trail Series, Fitness University, Freeze your Buns, and the Gate City Marathon. Steve is always volunteering and encouraging others towards their goals.

Steve is currently President of the Gate City Striders. He was the volunteer coordinator for the Gate City Marathon. Steve has volunteered at Fitness U, Freeze Your Buns, and the race that started it all, the Trail Series. He has also volunteered for numerous other races, which include Pack Monadnock, and Mill Cities Relay. He has participated in Shop with a Cop and participated in every Mill City Relay since he joining the Striders, being a captain on many of these teams.

Steve has completed 25 marathons chasing that elusive Boston Qualifier. Other races he has done wearing the Red and Black of the Gate City Striders include but not limited to Nashua Soup Kitchen, Big Lake Half, Barnstead Fire Fighters, Mt. Washington, Ultimate Athelete, New Bedford, Eastern States, New Hampshire Grand Prix, Santa Fund, Harvard Pilgrim and New England Grand Prix. He has assisted other runners achieve their goal at the expense of his own.

Steve is currently a Vice President of IT and cofounder of Consumer Research Solutions Inc. being there 16 years.

If you ask him what his greatest accomplishment is, he will more than likely say “Being An Awesome Uncle”.

Karen Long

A member since 2007, Karen served on the BOD for two years as Treasurer, Team Leader for Fitness University, and volunteering for events like Freeze Your Buns, Applefest Half Marathon, Gate City Marathon and PAL/GCS Summer Running programs.  She coached Cross Country at Main Dunstable and Elm Street Middle School and for the Junior Olympic Cross Country teams.  Karen is also a well-deserved recipient of the Police Athletic League Coach of the Year.

Let's talk about her amazing racing career!  In her last 32 races she has finished as either the first overall female or in her age group 16 times and in her age group 11 times!  In 2018 she placed 1st in her age group for the NH Grand Prix and second overall for age graded.  She's been a Breadwinner recipient and MVP for Gate City as well!

Tom Kolb

Tom has been a member of GCS since March 1995.

Tom has been a Captain and recruiter for the GCS team and at the 2012 USATF Eastern Region Master Indoor track and field Championship with the assistance of Ollie McMahon finished fourth in their division. He was the Captain of the USATF relay teams for the National Masters Indoor championships and his teams have won Medals in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2007, and 2008. He has captained Mill City Relays teams, Lake Winnipesaukee Relay teams and Reach the Beach Relay teams.

His service to the club includes Fitness University, USATF Junior Olympics Cross Country, Pack Monadnock, Ultimate Runner, Applefest, Freeze Your Buns, Harvard Pilgrim 5K, Gate City Marathon and numerous other races either hosted or participated in by GCS.

Tom is a repeat winner of the GCS Racing Team Ubiquitous Award.

Some of Tom's racing achievements are 608 race days since 1995. Held the Single age state record for 54 weeks for the Applefest Half Marathon at 1:17:08. Gold Medal in the Masters Indoor 4X800 in 2004, and Gold in the Masters Mountain 2006 and 2011.
Has only missed one race the last nine years in the NHGP series. Competing in over 153 races over the last 25 years making him a NHGP Granite runner 16 times, NEGP Iron Runner twice and Mountain Goat once. He ran 9:48:49 in the 3000m in 1997 for an All-American performance and won the Nute Ridge Half Marathon in 1998.

Tom was also the New Hampshire Grand Prix Scorekeeper for 6 years, 1997-2002.

When not running Tom is a member of the Merrimack Concerting Association Community Chorus, Parishioner of Our Lady of the Mercy Catholic Church, Eucharistic Minister since 1989, Harmony coach for the youth ministry for 10 years, Cantor and sang in the Midnight Mass Choir.

Oliver McMahon

Oliver has been a very active member since 2009 to present.

Oliver has been GCS President, Vice President, and board member in some capacity since 2010. He has been the Co-director of Fitness University for the last 3 years. Before that he would do magic acts for the kids who weren't running to keep them busy. He has volunteered at many events including the Gate City Marathon, the Mines Falls trail Series, Harvard Pilgrim 5K and Freeze Your Buns. He was the Applefest half Marathon race director. He has been our Mill Cities representative and volunteer for 3 years. Ollie has helped coach the PAL/Strider running group, which over the years have been very successful.

Ollie joined the Gate City through the C25K program and hasn't looked back since then. He did the Millennium Mile that same year and ran 6:15. He was in all the NEGP races earning the IronRunner status and scored 36 NEGP points. Ran his first Marathon at BayState (ours wasn't invented yet!). Ollie participated in the 2012 Mass Senior games and took !st Place the the M60 in the 60, 200, and 400m. Assisted Tom Kolb with the USATF Eastern Masters indoor championships.

Ollie's commitment to the community includes Past President of the Nashua Chapter Society of American Magicians. I know it works because when ever I am in the bad mood he makes it disappear! He has done shows at Boston Children's Hospital, Lowell General Hospital, Shriner's Burn Hospital, and 10 years for the Down's syndrome. He has sung in the church choir for the last 8 years. Member of the ToastMasters and 1 year as Governor. Served on the Board of the Charles River Squadron and 1 year as the commanding officer. He was also a member of the Greater Boston Soaring Club.

The Annual Awards Dinner was held at the Nashua Country Club on January 25th, 2019 and was very well attended by club members!

Dave Beauley

Dave Beauley is simply one of the best runners ever to wear the colors of the Gate City Striders. Dave was three times the Henri Renaud Award winner as the fastest New Hampshire finisher of the Boston Marathon, winning in 1994, 1996, and 1998. Winning in 1996 was especially memorable and significant because it was the 100th Boston and the competition was intense as over 37,000 runners toed the line that year. His times were great enough to place him in the top echelons of American runners overall: he ran 2:24:16, 2:28:28, and 2:27:37 respectively in those three, and ran near the top in several other years.

Dave won our own Applefest Half Marathon twice, had a course best of 1:10:34 at the Mount Washington Road Race, and many other race victories and top finishes too numerous to mention here. He was especially strong in Grand Prix races and relays, leading Gate City’s open teams to many wins and top award winning places. He was a New England grand Prix Iron Runner.

Some elite runners simply run and let others do the volunteer and organizational work. Not Dave! He volunteered for virtually every Gate City event and outing throughout the 1990’s, and was especially dedicated to the Fitness University program. He has always helped out no matter what the need.

Dave held several leadership positions as well, serving on the Executive Board quite a few terms as Competition Coordinator, vice President and President. He was long time Captain of the men’s open team, and was Race Director for the Pack Monadnock Ten Miler, as well as assistant director for that one and several other events.

Dave Joined the Striders in the summer of 1992, and his talent was noticed right away, running 5K’s in the low 15’s. Dave enjoyed the camaraderie of the club from the start and made life long friends. He was transferred to California in the spring of 1999; otherwise he would have accomplished even more for the club in both service and competition. He and his family moved back to the area in January of 2013, and immediately reconnected with the club. He was nominated for the Hall of Fame in 2015, and now joins the class of 2017.

Jim Belanger

Jim Belanger is one of the most determined and dedicated and determined runners in the 37-year history of the Gate City Striders. His determination, enthusiasm and hard work made his teammates better runners as well, especially the powerful masters and senior teams of the 1990’s and 2000’s. Jim has always put in that maximum effort, weather as a runner, a club leader, or volunteer over the 22 plus years he has been a member of GCS.

And he started off with a bang, winning the “newbie” award in 1995 and was volunteer of the year. Name a club event and Jim was a part of it, with special dedication to Applefest and to Fitness University. And in addition to being the consummate volunteer, Jim took over leadership roles in the club as well. He served on the Executive board for three years. He took over the Gate City Boston Marathon Bus coordination for George LeCours and Steve Doyle and headed it up for 10 years. He also represented the club as a Boston Marathon volunteer for many years.

Jim was the Gate City and New Hampshire representative to the RRCA, coordinated the monthly Gate City Calendar for the prize-winning club newsletter, Striding Along, and for many years coordinated the stuffing and mailing of that newsletter, which for most of the club history was the primary source of communication and club cohesiveness.

Jim also contributed to the newsletter, and was an early supporter and participant in the “BBS”, our early stage internet communication experiment which eventually grew into a club website as we know it today. Jim participated on several of our race committees, including Applefest for eight years, Pack Monadnock, Fitness University, and Freeze Your Buns, which he also directed for several years.

Jim has a remarkable competition record as well: For most of two decades he was a top masters and senior runner with numerous top 5 finishes. This includes top age group finishes at the Boston Marathon, which he finished 15 times, going sub three hours with seven and a PR of 2:52. Jim has many top 10 finishes in Grand Prix events, scoring hundreds of points in these events in multiple age groups. An example of hundreds of races: he won the St. Joes on the Go overall in 2001, and caught and passed several competitors in the 2000 Mill Cities Relay, giving Gate City its first MCR Championship by one point over Greater Lowell. Jim’s racing career was amazingly prolific, showing the club colors at hundreds of events over many years.

Trevor Ward

Trevor and his wife Leeann joined the Gate City Striders 20 years ago, and they got involved immediately as both active runners and as key volunteers. Soon they discovered it was not enough to volunteer so they began taking on a much larger role in the club, especially in leadership and race direction, in addition to volunteering for nearly every Gate City event since joining.

Trevor is coming up on eight years on the GCS Executive Board, the last few years as Membership Director. But he is probably best known by other members as the long time Director, along with Leeann, of the Fitness University program, which they ran exceptionally well for 11 years (this is 110 years in Race Director terms). Additionally, for hardy winter runners, you will recall them as the Race Directors for Freeze Your Buns for many years—10 to be exact.

Trevor has also served an essential role in helping with Gate City’s Equipment Storage, keeping everything in place and available for all events, and helping with organization and shelving. He is always on call it seems, to help with storage duties at the facility, helping to deliver and return GCS equipment at all hours and any day of the year—an invaluable service.

In addition to directing those key events, he has volunteered for nearly every event since joining, including Applefest, the Gate City Marathon, Ultimate Runner, Mount Washington, and many more.

Trevor has also led in the competitions; being captain of the Men’s Senior Team, Mill Cities Relay teams, Mount Washington, and Pack Monadnock, Reach the Beach Relay (9 years), as well as coordinating teams for most of the Grand Prix events.

Trevor’s running accomplishments are many and varied, and always in the top of his age groups, especially in Grand Prix events where he has scored many, many team points over the years. Trevor has participated in literally hundreds of events representing the club, including five Mount Washington Road Races. Trevor achieved Iron Runner status in the New England Grand Prix twice, and has won dozens of individual age group awards and, importantly, been part of many team awards as well.

LeeAnn Ward

Leeann Ward has been a constant presence at Gate City Events and functions for nearly 20 years since joining the Striders, along with her husband Trevor. She has been a volunteer at many events, event director, and dedicated runner, working and training to become one of the better senior and veteran runners in New England. It seems that season after season she and her teammates win age group team awards in race after race, often winning top honors in Grand Prix events and relays.

Leeann, along with Trevor, is probably best known as thee long-time co-Director of the Fitness University for Kids program, having been at the helm for this unique award-winning program for 11 years. Additionally, she has c-directed the Freeze Your Buns Winter Series for nine years through the winter of 2015-16.

Leeann has volunteered for nearly all Gate City events since joining nearly two decades ago, including Applefest Half Marathon, the Gate City Marathon, Ultimate Runner, Mount Washington and Pack Monadnock.

She not only directs events and volunteers for many, but she also runs them-and very well. She has scored high in her age group both individually and as part of the team in nearly all New England Grand Prix and New Hampshire Grand Prix events year after year. She has achieved Iron Runner status in the New England Grand Prix three times, and has completed four races up Mount Washington—but after all, the is only one hill in the entire course.

Leeann has proudly worn the Gate City uniform in literally hundreds of races of all types, training hard to become one of the better senior and veteran runners in the region. She has also led her team and contributed in many ways to the club with vigor and enthusiasm. As many will say, and as they have proven over the years—if you want something done or want representation at events, call the Wards.

And now they are both members of Gate City’s Hall of Fame, a token of the club’s appreciation for all they have done.

Damian Rowe

Damian Rowe has been a member of Gate City Striders for over 20 years, and has been a member of the Executive Board, a Race Director for many GCS events, an outstanding volunteer, a competitive runner and team contributor at a very high level for most of his membership term.

He has held several E-board positions, headed various committees, managed membership and served as Vice President from 1999 to 2001.  Damian served on the Applefest Half Marathon Committee from 2002 to 2008, two years as Race Director.  He helped create the Southern New Hampshire Medical Center 6K, which Gate City developed as a funding source for Fitness University, and was integral to the race operations for the entire history of the event.  He also timed dozens of Club and non-club races (when GCS did computer timing) for several years to also obtain income for Fitness University and the club generally.  He timed races and instructed other Club Members in race timing.

Damian managed Strider Team Wear for 2 years.  He helped with the digital transformation when he and the committee transitioned GCS from a BBS communication platform to Web.   He was a key contributor to Striding Along, the Gate City Striders newsletter.   Damian took the reins for the Pack Monadnock 10 Miler again last year helping it continue and then volunteered to take over as Director for Pack in 2016.

Competitive and Team Contributions:

Damian was the role model for team event participation, running race after race at a very competitive level for GCS masters and seniors teams, often taking on team captainship, including for Gate City’s first Mill Cities Relay Championship in 2000.  If not running events he volunteered at for many years—again, often acting as team captain.

In 12 years of running the Mt. Washington Road Race he scored in the top 5 Clydesdales 7 times, winning First Clydesdale in 2006 and second in 2005.  Also at the MWRR he scored twice on the USTAF National Senior Championship team, 2008 and 2010.

He helped to start the Gate City equipment storage shed so equipment could be consolidated and not stored at individuals’ houses.

Races he directed include the Amherst 10K, Freeze your Buns, Pack Monadnock 10, Applefest Half Marathon, SNHMC 6K, and others.  Damian also assisted in coaching activities when needed.  He was voted GCS Volunteer of the Year twice and was honored as RRCA volunteer of the year.

David Salvas

Who he is:  Dave Salvas has been a member of the Gate City Striders for over 25 years, and a distance runner for far longer.  During his quarter century of service to the club he has volunteered for many GCS events including Fitness University, Freeze Your Buns, , Hollis Applefest Half Marathon, the new Gate City Marathon, Food & Shelter-Soup Kitchen 5K and 10K races, the Medical Center 6K, Hollis Fast 5K, Harvard Pilgrim Corporate 5K, Pack Monadnock 10 Miler, and many more.  Where there has been a club or community need, Dave has always answered the call.

And his service continues.  He was a member of the original Race Committee creating the inaugural Gate City Marathon in May of 2015.  He recently coached fall marathon runners at Wednesday workouts and has been one of the Gate City Striders Marathon coaches for 3 years. He also helps to provide water at Wednesday night track workouts. He has been Captain of the Men's Senior Team, Captain of many Mill Cities Relay teams as well as Winnipesaukee Relay teams in the past.  He participates in nearly all GCS events as well as New Hampshire Grand Prix events.

Dave’s Additional Contributions:  Yes, his contributions to the general running community, as well as the greater regional community are also impressive.  He was one of the original members of the Sanders Snails (before it was Lockheed-Martin and then BAE) and a board member of that group. He brought many of the old Sanders Snails to Gate City Striders membership.

He has coached and helped organize many marathon teams for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, including taking several of these teams to such far-away marathons as Anchorage, Alaska and Dublin, Ireland.  He personally raised ever $35,000 for Leukemia & Lymphoma when he ran across the state of New Hampshire twice—west to east and north to south.  He recently ran in Massachusetts for Cancer in young adults, and even more recently raised funds for Breast Cancer Research in honor of Karen Pattalena in November.

With Team in Training over a 6-year period he coached over 300 runners who each had to raise over $3,500, or just over 1 million dollars.  Dave has been a member and organizer of High Hopes (NH wish-granting organization) for over 13 years, one year as President, raising over 1 million dollars.

He was Founder and Race Director of the Chrisman Race/Walk, which raised over $200,000. He is a Race Committee member for the Leprechaun Leap 5K in Nashua.  He coached Souhegan High School XC, and indoor and outdoor track for 4 years.

 Not only has he helped so many others, his own running achievements are impressive:

He has completed 90 Marathons, including 20 Boston Marathons.  As noted, he ran New Hampshire from Canada to Massachusetts (221.8 miles) with the assistance of numerous Gate City Striders at age 62.  He ran across New Hampshire from the Atlantic to Vermont (116 miles), again with the assistance of Gate City Striders at age 64.  He ran north to south across Massachusetts (59 miles) to assist Young Adults with Cancer at age 65.  He was honored to carry the Olympic Torch as it wound across New Hampshire for the 1996 Atlanta Games.  He ran a marathon each month for 12 consecutive months to celebrate his 60th birthday year.  He has run several Half Iron Man Triathlons, winning age prizes four times.  In summary he has run hundreds of races and relays over the years, most of those representing the Gate City Striders.

Kevin Reynolds

Kevin joined the Club in the summer of 1995 and almost immediately sought ways to help out and volunteer for every possible event, outing, and program. He has done so ever since—volunteering at nearly every GCS event for 20 years. He has taken it upon himself to supply water at the track and on the trails dependably week after week, month after month, and year after year.

He has been in charge of the Equipment Storage area for years, and as such insures that everyone gets what they need for every event. He organizes equipment, maintains the shed, provides access when needed (usually at all hours of the day and night), and purchases new equipment as needed. This is no small task because GCS owns a lot of stuff.

Kevin has gone out early before GCS races and events to place signs, cones, tables, water—whatever is required. And he then picks up all that he has dropped off—all too often including a lot of trash. When most member volunteers and participants are still sleeping on the day of an event, Kevin is usually out preparing. Long after when all participants and volunteers are finished and enjoying the post race party, Kevin is still out there working—picking up equipment and returning it to the storage area.

He has single handedly provided water at GCS track and trail workouts season after season, week in and week out. Kevin has volunteered for nearly every event held by Gate City since 1995, and has been instrumental in many—including Freeze Your Buns, Applefest, Fitness University, Mill Cities Relay, SNHMC 6K,  Harvard Pilgrim 5K, and others.

Kevin can be seen placing water and cups in Mine Falls for every Strider workout. He is famous for handling the water stop on the Mill Cities course, as well as handling cones and signage for the first handoff in that event, for many years, all alone. He recently took on the same duties at the weekly Good Times 5K Series in Lowell, singlehandedly handling a double water stop.

Kevin recently turned 65, and shows no signs of slowing down, especially in regard to his contributions to the club. He is also a true artist—a glass blower by trade. His attention to detail has been amazing year after year. And his contributions to the club have been endless, invaluable, and very much appreciated, especially by event directors.

Much of what he does goes unnoticed by participants and even to most members. But those of us who know him and have watched him operate and have appreciated his dedication and innumerable contributions can only say “Thank you, Kevin”, you are one of a kind and we are privileged to have you as a member, and now as a Hall of Fame recipient as well.

Bill joined the club in the fall of 1985 after receiving an invitation form the club following his run in the Applefest Half Marathon. The following spring began a long career as a volunteer, race director, board member, event innovator, outing planner and race participant. He began as a volunteer at the Pepsi 10K, which at the time was the second GCS signature event along with Applefest.

From that time on Bill volunteered for nearly all club events and during the 1980’s 1990’s and into the 2000’s, and attended (or helped to organize) most GCS social events and attended nearly all meetings. He often hosted other club members at his home in the many “Come Run My Run” happenings. Bill still volunteers for events such as Novemberfest and Mill Cities Relay.

He, along with Cookie Gray, was instrumental in starting Fitness University and helped direct it for the first four years. He also helped to organize the first few years of Freeze Your Buns. He served two terms as Treasurer and one as Vice President, always taking an active part in club functions, meetings and events.

Bill ran the Strider Store for several years—week in and week out at the track workouts and at club functions. He directed or co-directed Applefest Half Marathon for seven years, and acted as parking coordinator for 15 more. He often organized or helped to organize Saturday morning workouts in Hollis and helped to create the Parkers Maple Sugar Barn runs from Brookdale Farm in Hollis to Parkers in Mason. (He poured the start line and finish line with maple syrup.)

While Treasurer he arranged for the incorporation of the Club as a 501 (c)3 non profit, allowing us to purchase insurance at better rates and receive postal reductions for all mail, including the Monthly “Striding Along” newsletter. He also helped to produce and stuff newsletters. Bill was RRCA New Hampshire State Representative for several years, during which time he started the RRCA New Hampshire Grand Prix, which still exists today as Grand Prix, although RRCA is no longer involved.

He helped organize club outings to several events, including marathons such as Montreal, Toronto, Grandma’s in Minnesota, Hospital Hill-Kansas City, Chicago and Marine Corps. He attended many RRCA conventions, representing the club and the region. He has also participated in—and helped to organize—many relays from Winnipesaukee to Cabot Trail to New York Adirondacks, 100 on 100 in Vermont, and more.

Bill still runs road races but concentrates mostly on trail runs and trail ultras, turning 61 this year and enjoying his new age division and running strong. His contributions to Gate City helped build the foundation of the strong club we know today.

Inductees were formally announced at our club’s annual awards dinner on January 16, 2015. Inductees had their name added to a large Gate City Striders – Hall of Fame plaque. Inductees also received a small plaque (to take home) commemorating their induction.

Dave Camire

Dave is the founder of www.coolrunning.com the world’s first Website dedicated to the sport of running, and has founded and directed dozens of races, most prominently the invitational Mill Cities Relay (30 years), the Good Times Series in Lowell, Massachusetts (10 years), and the Wild Rover Irish Pub Series (5 years) among many, many others, including the Baystate Marathon and Half Marathon. He is a long time coach, member of many running clubs, and an exceptionally competitive runner in the open and more recently masters divisions.

His Contributions to the Club Include:

• Gate City Striders club member for many years
• Provided coaching to Gate City Striders for several years through 2011
• Coached the Gate City Striders to consecutive Mill Cities Relay Championships
• Volunteered free services of Yankee Timing for the Novemberfest Trail Races
• Donated prizes for several Novemberfest Trail Races

His Contributions to the Running Community Include:

• Founder of Coolrunning in 1990's which is the top running website used many millions of runners
• Founder, owner and operator of Yankee Timing Company, the top timing company in New England.
• Founder and Race Director of the Mill Cities Relay
• Founder and Race Director of BayState Marathon
• Founder and Race Director of the Good Times Series in Lowell
• Founder of the Wild Rover Irish Pub Series (5 years)
• Directed 100's of races all over the continent
• Providing timing services for the NYC Marathon and timed 1000's of races
• Former President and Hall of Fame member of the Greater Lowell Road Runners

His Running Accomplishments Include:

• Dave's point scoring was with the Greater Lowell Road Runners.
• He was one of GLRR's top runners with 2:30 marathon time.
• He was one of the top runners in the area back in the 80's and 90's

His List of Awards Include: 

• The Fred Brown Cup
  During their annual meeting in Fitchburg, Massachusetts on Sunday, January 4, 2009, Jeff Gould, President of the venerable North Medford Club, presented Dave Camire with the 2008 Fred Brown Cup for outstanding contributions to the sport of running over many years. Camire, originally from Pelham, New Hampshire, currently resides in Nashua, New Hampshire and Naples, Florida. He has been active in the running community of the Merrimack Valley and beyond for decades. This award was first presented in 1992, and is an annual highlight for the North Medford Club in honor of their founder.

• The Phil Quinn Award
  Dave was the first recipient of this prestigious award in 1991, and in 2013 it was awarded for the 23rd time. It has been presented annually as determined by the MCR Alliance Committee and member clubs. It is given for outstanding, meaningful and lasting contributions to the sport of running in the Merrimack Valley. Dave Camire, who also co-founded the event, guided it as Commissioner for the first 26 years, and continues to guide it on the MCR Committee going on year 31, as well as scoring with Yankee Timing. Camire is also the only person to direct two different clubs to the Mill Cities Championship-Greater Lowell (he is a GLRR Hall of Fame member), and the Gate City Striders.

Stan Klem

Stan has been a member of the Gate City Striders for two decades, and his contributions to the club as a volunteer and organizational driver have been notable and impressive. His contributions to the sport generally and especially in the Merrimack Valley have been tremendous over many years. Stan likes to work behind the scenes, which is why he is often overlooked in terms of his tremendous contributions to the sport he loves. He brings humor and enthusiasm, and terrific hard work and dedication to our sport, both as an organizer and as a participant. He embodies the character of both the Gate City Striders Running Club, as well as the Mill Cities Relay he has worked so hard to help make a first class nationally recognized relay.

His Contributions to the Club Include:

• Served on the Gate City Executive Board for four terms
• Timed dozens and dozens of races in the region.
• Constant volunteer for literally hundreds of events such as Fitness University and Applefest and many more.
• Served as one of the parking volunteers at Mount Washington for many years, enabling the club to get guaranteed entries into that prestigious race.
• Served as a coordinator for the GCS Club cookout at Mount Washington (this while driving up on his own just to volunteer, not even running the race).
• Been on the Mill Cities Organizing Committee representing the Gate City Striders for 14 consecutive years,
• Organized the first leg of the Relay, working with police and ambulance officials in both Nashua and Hudson, worked to secure permission from the city to use either the Nashua YMCA or lately the Dr. Crisp Elementary School, securing insurance permits, porto-lets, recruiting volunteers, etc.
• Twice been nominated for the prestigious Phil Quinn Award.
• Helped organize the famous Applefest Half Marathon
• Helped organize Pack Monadnock 10 Miler.
• Helped organize the Freeze Your Buns Winter series.
• Organized the prize-winning Fitness University for Kids Program;
• Substantially involved with the Santa Fund 5K/10K
• Guided the Medical Center 6K and helped in making it a NE Grand Prix event.
• Served on the organizing committee for the Novemberfest Trail race for 12 years,
• Key organizer of the Last Supper for GCS, also for 12 years.
• Served as unofficial Social Director when it was not a board position.
• Helped produce the growing phenomena of the Good Times Series in Lowell

Michelle Poublon

Michelle was Club President from 2008 – 2012. In that time club membership grew from 400 members to 780. Even after Michelle stepped down as the President she continues to be a big supporter of the club & continues to help PAL / GCS youth teams. Michelle runs a home & supports three children in school while also doing a part time job. Her church is also important to her and she does all this & supports her running club.

Her Contributions to the Club Include: 

• Club member since 2003 (also from 1991 to 1997)
• Board member since 2006
• Club President from 2008 – March 2012.
• Promoted youth running in the club.
• Produced numerous articles for the Presidents Column in Striding Along.
• Volunteer for the clubs Summer Trails Series.
• Gate City Striders won their second consecutive Mill Cities Relay and proved that our win in 2008 was no fluke.
• Big supporter of AppleFest -on the board & worked the food tent for many years.
• Freeze Your Buns race volunteer
• Santa Fund supporter.
• RTB Relay (Team Capt.).
• Cross-country running coach PAL / GCS.
• FitnessU. Board member & helped obtain sponsorship.

Her Running Accomplishments Include: 

• 31^st New Bedford ½ marathon. 1:43:48
• 2010 Bill Luti 5 m race - 37:58.2 (7:36 pace)
• NHGP 2007 2^nd female runner in her age group.
• Red’s Shoe Barn 25^th 2006 9^th / 35
• Medical Center 6K. 7:40 pace.
• Moose on the Loose trail race. 2005   6:54 pace.
• Pack Monadnock 2006.   9:33 pace

Bob (Bubba) Thompson

Bob is one of the longest tenured members of our club, having joined in 1983. He has been a model and inspiration to many newer members and has represented Gate City well in all events and functions. He is also one of the most active members, missing few events and serving as a volunteer on most events over the 30+ years he has been a member. His contributions, attitude, humor, experience and guidance have been legendary, and greatly appreciated by new and older members alike.

His Contributions to the Club Include:

• Club member from 1983 to present
• Board of Directors, Serving two terms
• Volunteer for just about every race and event ever held by Gate City
• Key contributor to Fitness University and Applefest.
• Captained teams and organized logistics for many events.
• Organized teams for 100 on 100 Relay, Mill Cities Relay, Winnipesaukee Relay and Reach the Beach Relay many times.
• Served as race director for Novemberfest for 15 years and before that he was on the organizing committee with three other Hall of Famers, Steve Doyle, Skip Cleaver, and George LeCours. He was one of the founders/originators of this event, which benefits Nashua Children’s Home thanks to Bob’s hard work.
• For many years he wrote a regular column in our Striding Along newsletter, “RanDumb Thoughts”, an excellent and creative read.
• Committee member for the Last Supper celebration.
• Organized many social events such as softball games, golf outings, and halloween parties
• Took over as GCS racing team coordinator when Phil Quinn moved to DC—the second Coordinator in club history.
• Helped to initiate the first formal GCS track workouts along with Bob Main in the early 1980's

His Running Accomplishments Include:

• Scored points for Gate City in many, many Grand Prix seasons, over decades, both New Hampshire and USATF.
• Recently joined the 50-59 age group and is running better than in many years at all distances.
• Ran the first Applefest Half Marathon in 1983 and the last Applefest Half Marathon in 2013
• He ran the first Mill Cities Relay in 1984 and nearly every MCR since
• Has run 6 Boston Marathons
• Personal records
  • 1 mile - 4:42
  • 5K - 17:50
  • 5 miles - 29:32
  • 10K - 38:24
  • Half Marathon 1:31 (Applefest)
  • Marathon 3:44

Michael Wade

Michael is the chief motivator, communicator & cheerleader for the racing team. He’s tremendously adept at organizing teams and arranging scoring to bring the most advantageous placements in grand prix competition and especially the Mill Cities Relay, where he presided over the SIXTH consecutive GCS Championship in 2013. Michael is one of the most energetic, active, efficient and knowledgeable members of the running club and one of the best Board Members ever to serve, and that is saying a great deal. Outside of running, Michael has won numerous awards in the field of Historic Architectural Preservation. He is also a devoted husband and father of 4.

His Contributions to the Club Include:

• Joined Gate City Striders in April of 2003.
• Mens Open Team Captain: 2004-2005.
• GCS Winny Relay Team Coordinator: 2004 – 2007.
• Regular Newsletter Contributor: 2004 – 2011.
• GCS Competition Coordinator: 2005 – Present.
• Mill Cities Relay Team Coordinator: 2005 – Present.
• Helped organize Saturday group runs in Hollis.
• Reach the Beach Team Coordinator: 2006 – 2013.
• Founded GCS Summer Trail Series 2007.
• Summer Trail Series Race Director: 2007 – 2013.
• GCS Executive Board Member: 2007 – Present.
• Club Representative for NEGP: 2007 – Present.
• Club Representative for NHGP: 2007 – Present
• Club Representative for Boston Marathon: 2007 – Present
• Began and administers the Racing Team Awards: 2007 – Present
• Webmaster for GCS Website: 2009 - Present
• GCS Facebook Administrator: 2009 - Present
• Club Rep for Mount Washington Volunteers: 2010 – Present

His Running Accomplishments Include:

• 3-time NHGP Granite Runner.
• Has run over 30 NHGP races.
• 2-time Mountain Goat – 1 USATF, 1 WMAC.
• Has run over 40 NEGP races.
• 1-time NEGP Iron Runner.
• Has run over 20 Marathons and 5 Ultramarathons.
• Overall Winner 2007 FYB Series Points Championship.
• Overall Winner of 2007 NHGP 5k Championship.
• Overall Winner of 2009 Girls Inc 5k.
• 2012 - Finished first 50m race in 8:12 - qualifying for Western States.
• 2013 - Run/Hiked all 48 of NH’s 4000ft mountains in 7 ½ days.
• 2014 – Founded “100 Miles for Sam” a fundraiser for The Progeria Research Foundation in the memory of Sam Berns.
• Youngest member ever to be elected to the Gate City Strider Hall of Fame.

Inductees were formally announced at our club’s annual awards dinner on January 17, 2014. Inductees had their name added to a large Gate City Striders – Hall of Fame plaque. Inductees also received a small plaque (to take home) commemorating their induction.

Lori Lambert

Lori (pictured with husband Gary) joined the club in 1987. She has a long list of accomplishments, as a board member, race director and in racing:

·       GCS President (1992-1994)
·       GCS Treasurer (1999-2001)
·       Received GCS Lifetime Achievement Award (1994)
·       Race Director - Nashua Trust 10K 1989-1991 (part of NEGP Series and had prize money in excess of $10,000)
·       Race Director for United Way Race (1991-1992)
·       Race Director for Santa Fund Race around 1993 or 1994 for 2-3 years
·       Founded Women in Motion Race in 1992 or 1993 (now known as Nashua Soup Kitchen Race) and continued as Race Director through 1997. (The race originally was to benefit the YWCA, but when they had to close their doors, the race continued with the Soup Kitchen as beneficiary.)
·       Served as Open Team Captain during the early 1990’s
·       Member of Fitness U Committee for several years in early 1990’s
·       RRCA delegate to National Convention in 1992
·       Regular Volunteer at many GCS events
·       Applefest Winner – 1997
·       Other notable races won:  Lowell Half Marathon 2002 (PR of 1:24:00) Wakefield Half (1997 or 1998)
·       Won Crossen Cup at Mt Washington Road Race (1997) for First NH Female
·       Lowell St. Patty’s Day 5 Mile (1998)
·       Regular age group winner across many distances
·       Remains competitive in the Master’s division with several wins, including the All Women’s Half in York (2010); one of the Soup Kitchen 10K (2009?); Sparkler 5K in Merrimack (2004); Most recent - Patriot’s 10K in Nashua on July 4 (2012)
·       Currently working with GCS/PAL youth teams
·       Helped coach St. Christopher School XC team (2009-2010) and coached 6th grade team (2011)
·       Memorable Experience: “Training for marathons in the late 1980's through early 1990's with the core group of members at the time resulted in many wonderful friendships that remain strong today.”

“A very special thank you to Jane Levesque and Vickie Sears who spent many hours on the roads with me as a new runner and instilled a love of running not just for the physical benefits, but for the mental and emotional benefits as well which have gotten me through many days over the last 25 years. “

Traci Moorcroft

-         Pack Manadock Race Director

-         Race Co-Director/Director YWCA Women in Motion 5k Race
-         GCS liaison for the Women’s Twilight Tetrad Race Series when it existed in the 90’s
-         Fitness University
-         GCS Board – Volunteer Coordinator
-         In Charge of the Half-Fast running group at track – several years
-         Served as NH Representative to the RRCA
-         RRCA Volunteer of the Year award
-         GCS Volunteer of the Year award
-         Basically from 1990 to 2006, especially during the middle years, Traci was always, always volunteering for GCS. Most weekends, if she wasn’t running a race, she was volunteering at one.   She rarely said no when asked to lend a hand. For a while there, she was the face of GCS.
-         If there were an award for being the loudest, funniest, most distracting and sometimes obnoxious cheerleaders for her friends and teammates…and total strangers, she’d win it. 😉
-         Completed 9 marathons
-         Won or AG placed numerous races
-         AppleFest PR 1:31. something (1993)
-         Winning teams
o   Winnipasaukee Relay  – Women’s Open, Mixed Open
o   Vermont City Relay (women’s team)
o   AppleFest Open Women’s Team (when there was such a category)

In August, my good friend Lisa asked me to haul out anything I had regarding GCS. Little did she know that would require a forklift. I complied.Our other good friend, Laura, came over while we went through memory lane. It was a wonderful afternoon of looking at pictures when my hair was many different colors and I was so thin!!! Oh to be young and running again.

I joined Gate City Striders in 1990 with my husband Walter and I instantly volunteered for whatever was needed. I was either running in a race or volunteering at a race every weekend. I pretty much continued in that vain for many years. Walter and I hosted many runs from our house and went to every single Wednesday night work out for almost two decades. We participated in every event and tons of races over that time. If you ever ran with Walter you came to know that five miles was probably eight or maybe even ten.

Volunteer Efforts:

•    Being the RRCA Rep: we’ll say they were an interesting bunch of people to manage. I think it was two years… maybe three
•    The women’s series – The Twilight Tetrad Series. I was the GCS liaison. One year the women really went for the series title and I think we missed it by just a few points but we all had a wonderful time that summer.
•    Pack Monadnock . I was the race director …again who can remember when and for how log… it is all a long list of events.
•    Co-Race Director with Lori Lambert and then race director for Women Moving Forward
•    On the GCS Board – Volunteer Coordinator
•    Lots of involvement with Fitness University – mostly choosing design and colors for the T-Shirts and being the “caretaker” of the celebrity with Lisa
•    I was in charge of the “Half-Fast” runners for track.

Highlights:

•    The many friends and experiences that Gate City Striders enabled.
•    Being faster than Mike Haggerty (ok not for long) but I was.
•    Without a doubt – the relays – top of the list Cabot Trail
•    I have run every leg of Winnie.
•    We won the Best Spirited Award in the Catskills. It was fun to jump onto the roof of the race director’s car and put the yellow jog bra with the smiley face on the “iron man statue”
•    More recently – the Cape Cod Relay – where I got a whole bunch of people to wear their underwear on the outside
•    Reach the Beach – Sally and I got married in the back of the van…. Don’t ask
•    Lots of involvement with Fitness University – mostly choosing design and colors for the T-Shirts and being the “caretaker” of the celebrity with Lisa

People

•    I met Skip while I was running in the “Club” which is now the YMCA
•    I met Jane at a start line in Nantucket. I remember she had a few kids… now one of them is my dentist!
•    Viet (is that the correct spelling) was such a wonderful coach – I couldn’t understand anything he said but he was determined that we would all improve if we followed his program and we did.
•    I met my BFF, Lisa, at the end of a baton - third leg of Winnie

Remember when:

•    We went camping in Maine?
•    We ran and sang Christmas Carols at many houses (do you still do that)?
•    We also used to wear costumes and run for Halloween.
•    We lost a runner in Mine’s Falls for hours! Long story – we finally found him.
•    We had summer picnics at the Scanlon’s camp?
•    You learned what a full fruit cup was – Thanks – George!

What has Running Done for me?

•    Given me good health
•    Allowed me to see the world in a different way – there simply is nothing more serene than a trail run after the rain
•    Given me confidence
•    If I am in a meeting with a big mucky muck and he is intimidating – I think – I’ve done nine marathons what have you done?
•    I see a beautiful woman walking down the street and I think I bet I can beat her in a 10K (ok maybe not now but for a while there I might have been able to)
•   You know that you can make your body give you just a little more speed or a little more distance than it has before and that feeling is priceless

It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t mention the Gate City Strider Mascot – my beloved dog Barney – he went to many, Gate City Events and parties and was a friend to all. He was the best running partner a girl could have. Thank you so much for this honor it truly means the world to me!

Alan Sears

·        Served as GCS Executive Board Member from 1981 to 1989
·        Vice President at the time Phil Quinn (HOF member, 2011) was President
·        President from 1986 to 1989 and assisted with the incorporation of GCS
·        Applefest Race Co-Director 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989
·        Co-founder and co-director of Fitness University
·        Finish line coordinator for the Pepsi 10K and Applefest Half Marathon
·        Results coordinator for Applefest Half Marathon
·        Served as State Representative to the RRCA
·        The Athletics Congress (TAC) Board Member

Unfortunately, Alan (who currently resides in South Carolina) could not be present at the Awards Dinner in January to receive his honor in person, but he sent along his heartfelt thanks and reminisced about his days as a Strider via e-mail:

“One of my favorite newsletter writers is Bobby Thompson and his Randumb Thoughts.  Here is my attempt at the same:

·        I trained for my first marathon, Twin Cities, while being a member of the Striders.  Phil Sipka did the long runs with me and even ran the race with me.  We got separated after the start but reconnected with 6 miles to go.  Boy was I glad, because I needed his encouragement to make it to the finish line!
·        We always had a blast at the Quinn's home on New Year’s Eve.  I’d blow the trumpet and all of us would run thru his neighbors’ house at the stroke of midnight.  Running at the Nashua H.S. track on Wednesdays was always a good workout.  I’d run one lap hard then stand by the fence and throw up.
·        Co-directing Applefest was one of the most exciting and nerve racking things I've done.  One year Hurricane Gloria came to visit two days before the race.  Most of the Striders spent Friday sweeping the course, yes, the whole course.
·        Fitness University was a wonderful program that that far exceeded our expectations for participation by the children across New Hampshire.  Dave Sargent had to hold me back from a city official when they setup a stage for the Mamas and Papas on our finish line at the Nashua Ball Park!
·        As the state representative to the Road Runners Club of America, I had the opportunity to attend national conventions in Miami, Colorado Springs and Indianapolis.  Several Striders attended with me and all of us learned things that enhanced the programs we offered the running community in New Hampshire.
·        I was not a very good long distance runner, spending most of my time at the back of the pack.  My passion was working with members of the Striders to offer a great experience for all runners, both inside the club and for those that ran in our first class races.

“The Gate City Striders and their many accomplishments hold a special place in my heart.  Never prior to, nor since, have I been involved with a more dedicated group of people.  People dedicated to excellence when it comes to the running experience. The running experience covers the gambit from coaching and support all the way to hosting world class running events. I had the honor to play a small part over the course of 9 years acting in various capacities with exceptional members that frankly, made me look better than what I was.  It truly was the sum of the parts that made the club with it continues to be today.  Please accept my sincerest thanks to the GCS Hall of Fame Committee, GCS members and my many friends for this humbling honor.” -Alan

Inductees were formally announced at our club’s annual awards dinner on January 18, 2013. Inductees had their name added to a large Gate City Striders – Hall of Fame plaque. Inductees also received a small plaque (to take home) commemorating their induction.

Steve Doyle

Steve is a long-time member of the Gate City Striders with a very distinguished record of service to his community, the PAL organization, and GCS.   His many contributions include:

· 1989 to 1998 Race Director of the Nashua PAL Race
· 1991 to 1997 Course Manager of the Applefest Half Marathon
· 1992 to 1998 Organized the first Boston Marathon Coach Bus
· 1992 to 1996 Course Director for Pack Monadnock 10 Mile Run
· 1993 to 1994 President of the running club (resigned early due a promotion at the Nashua Police Department)
· 1993  to 1996 Assisted with the United Heart Fund Race
· 1993 to 1996 Assisted with the Santa Fund Race
· Co- Founder and course Director for the Novemberfest Run
· 1999—After 20 years service to the Nashua Police Dept., retired and moved to sunny southwest Florida, returning to assist with Novemberfest for many years.
· 2003 to 2004 Founded and Race Director of " Victim's First " race Ellenton, FL
· Completed 23 marathons, including 16 Boston Marathons
· 2009 Ran Boston (16th and final time) raising over $ 3600 for Hattie B. Cooper's Center for Children in Roxbury, MA.
· Served on Nashua YMCA’s Board of Directors
· 2007 to 2011 Assist George LeCours with the Hollis Fast 5k
· Co-Founder of the Wednesday Evening Church Group
· Mass State Police Race, two-time age group winner

Steve now splits his time between sunny Florida and Merrimack, NH, where he is the caretaker of the YMCA’s Camp Sargent property. He has maintained several close relationships with his GCS teammates, with whom he attends the occasional “Church” service.

Shu Minami

Shu’s daughter, Yuki, summed it up perfectly:

“My father has been a positive influence to the running community and to the Gate City Striders since he started running at the age of 50. It is the friendships and team camaraderie that have made him passionate about running. He would do anything for a fellow Strider and for the good of the team.”

Highlights of Shu’s involvement in the club:
· Most Rewarding Experience: assisting Skip Cleaver in organizing the memorable Marine Corps Marathon trip in 1997. An Amtrak train car full of GCS participated in MCM that year, probably the largest marathon participation from GCS in a single event outside the Boston Marathon. “I was involved in planning the trip, recruiting the participants, and organizing the weekly long runs. I feel proud when some members attribute their marathon experience to my encouragement and persuasion.”
· Most Memorable Race: “I normally do not dwell on my PR in any road race distance I participate, since my primary reason for racing is the joy of excreting hundred percent of my ability and the camaradarie with fellow runners that follows. However, I cherish my only sub 3:29:38 marathon PR which I accomplished at the 1994 Bay State marathon. In the spring of the same year, I finished my second Boston Marathon at 3:33:04 which turned out to be my best Boston Marathon finishing time.”
· Has completed 41 marathons since his first marathon (Clarence De Mar) in 1992, 17 of which are the Boston Marathon.
· Frequent volunteer at GCS sponsored races whenever not participating as a runner.
· Frequent volunteer number at non GCS-sponsored races such as Boston Marathon, CIGNA Corporate Challenge, Mt. Washington Road Race, and Chase Corporate Challenge in Boston, all of which reward the club financially or with bypass numbers.
· Regular volunteer for Fitness University for many years.
· Team captain for Male Senior and Male Veteran for several years.
· Submitted 16 articles for the newsletter on various subjects. Four in particular that drew some attentions from GCS members:

“My Kannon-San “(June-July, 2007)
I received a number of comments from readers suggesting that the mysterious lady who helped me on my final stretch of 2007 Boston Marathon was probably practicing the alternative medicine called Reiki Healing.
“My New Jacket” (October, 2000)
This article somehow drew attention of the Runner's World magazine and my proud Number Jacket was introduced to the national audience in the January 2001 issue. I still wear the jacket when I participate at a marathon, and at least a handful of people come up to me and admire the jacket and ask where I got it made or ask if I can make one for them.
“Oxygen Intake” (August-September, 1999)
I discussed the reason for difficulty in running in hot humid weather from a chemical engineer's viewpoint a few years earlier. I resubmitted it with simpler tabulation in response to some member's interests.
“How Many Reasons does BAA Need to Bend the Rules Just a Little?” (June-July, 1997)
As many Boston Marathon aspirants do, I tried to twist the BAA's arms in vain to obtain the waiver number whenever I missed the qualifying time. This attempt produced only a polite "sorry but ...” response from BAA as usual, but New England Runner magazine thought I deserved better. I got the waiver from GCS that year anyway.

Note: For those of you interested in (re)reading Shu’s articles, just click on the title of each

Bill Spencer

Bill has amassed an impressive list of accomplishments as a competitor, a coach, and as a member of the Gate City Striders. Since joining GCS in 1992, he has held numerous positions in the club, including Secretary (1993-1995), President (2000), Competition Coordinator (1999), Team Captain (1995-2001), Youth Coach (1999-2009), and Newsletter Editor (2001-2003). Over the years, he has set numerous NH State Records at various distances (records which he himself maintains as the NH records Keeper at www.nhrunning.com).

Bill Spencer

Some highlights:
· Began running as a high school Junior in North Quincy, MA
· Continued running track and XC at Northeastern University, serving as Captain in his Senior year
· Participated on medal-winning Hood to Coast relay, Mt. Ranier to Coast relay, Cabot Trail relay, and many Lake Winnipesaukee and MCR relay teams

· Completed three Boston Marathons

· Member of the 65 Plus Running Club Hall of Fame (2007) and the Millenium Mile Hall of Fame (2010)
· Frequent participant at the XC National Championships, as well as the Indoor and Outdoor National Track Championships. His most satisfying race experiences include:

Cross-country: “My first National XC Championship in 1998 where I out-kicked two other runners over the last 50 meters to win.”

On the roads: “the 2004 Bedford 12k race. I was leading the whole way when I got passed by another 68-year-old with 800 meters to go. I recovered and took control with 400 to go for a new National record (50:45).”

Track: “In 2007, at age 71, I won the 5k (21:06) at the Nationals in a sprint to the finish beating Bill Iffrig (many time National Champion) for the first time. Also, the World Masters T&F Championship last year (3rd in the 800m in 2:56) is high on my list.”

Despite a seemingly endless list of accomplishments in competitive racing, what satisfies Bill most is the time he’s been able to spend working with and seeing the progress of the youth members of GCS, PAL, and most recently, the Bishop Guertin girls’ cross country and track teams.

“Clearly winning individual championships, as I have, is fulfilling but it is nowhere near as satisfying as seeing a kid that you have worked with for a few years succeed.” - Coach Bill

Inductees were formally announced at our club’s annual awards dinner on January 20, 2012. Inductees had their name added to a large Gate City Striders – Hall of Fame plaque. Inductees also received a small plaque (to take home) commemorating their induction.

Warren Church

Skip Cleaver

George Lecours

George joined the Gate City Striders in the early 1980’s, not long after the club was established, and has been instrumental in the culture, growth, and success of the club. He has made significant contributions to the club as a board member, competitor, race director, and mentor.

Major Achievements and Contributions:

• Vice President and several times member of the Executive Board
• Director and Founder, Pack Monadnock 10 Miler
• Board Member for many years, Applefest Half Marathon Volunteer from initial race, 1983
• Applefest Volunteer and Coordinator with the town of Hollis
• Race Announcer for many GCS Events, including Novemberfest and Applefest
• Co-Founder—The Last Supper End of Season Party, First Communion Spring Kickoff at Club National
• Co-Director, Novemberfest Trail Run and Party with Bob Thompson (and chief chef)
• Originator and administrator of the GCS Boston Marathon bus and hotel for many years
• Developed Avia Sponsorship for GCS Running Teams—shoes and uniforms (which he      designed) through his ownership of Sunshine Sports chain of stores.
• Obtained major sponsorship and $10,000 in annual prize money from Nashua Trust—sponsorship for the Pepsi Challenge (later Nashua Trust) 10K.
• Helped establish the Nashua Trust 10K as the TAC New England Championship, late 1980’s
• Contributor and Volunteer for Fitness University and helped (with Skip Cleaver) to bring Frank Shorter in as Dean of Fitness.
• Host of many GCS outings-Post Golf Tournament Barbeque
• Also hosted the summer GCS Adventure Challenge in Temple for several years.
• Ambassador for GCS—has attracted more members to the club than any other person
• Coach and host for beginners for many years
• Coach for the Couch to 5K (C25K) program at GCS track and separately in Hollis
• Coordinator—Indoor Track at the Hampshire Dome in Milford (with Skip Cleaver)
• Newsletter contributor for years
• Host and coordinator—long distance training runs
• Founder-Director, Saucony 4.5 Miler
• Founder (with Dave Camire) and Race Director for the Hollis Fast 5K
• George hosted many clinics for members about running shoes, fit and function

In the words of his good friend, Bob Thompson, “No one has contributed more to the growth and success of the Gate City Striders as much as George LeCours.” He has been a constant source of energy and enthusiasm, supporting new and long-time members alike. He has also been instrumental in keeping the network of contacts for previous members, and his knowledge and connections within the sport and the industry of running are legendary, as is his sense of humor (George holds many records for repeating the same old jokes over and over, but somehow they remain funny if only because of his enthusiasm in the telling!)

George is a sub-3:00 marathoner and a winner of many prizes as an individual and team member, and is also a champion X-C skier. He has been a constant positive influence, a significant contributor to the club in so many ways for so many years it is difficult to quantify.

Jane Levesque

Jane was a charter member of the Gate City Striders in 1979-1980 when the club first formed- a small group meeting weekly at the YMCA in Nashua, and sharing a run now and then. Jane is the only member of this core group to remain active in the club during the entire 31 years of its history.   Some others have left briefly and rejoined, but Jane has been a stalwart member year after year. As such she is ahead of almost all members in total volunteer appearances. And she is also right up there in total races run under the club banner, despite losing a few seasons to injury. Jane has likely scored more points in grand prix racing, been a member of more winning teams, and won more individual age group awards than any other member. She has become a fixture at all events, workouts, and club activities.

Some of Jane’s accomplishments and contributions to the Gate City Striders:

• Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
• Several times member of the Executive Board including Membership Coordinator
• Volunteer, Applefest Half Marathon (from the beginning in 1983)
• Committee member and Volunteer, Nashua Soup Kitchen Road Race
• Volunteer, Alec’s Shoes Road Race
• Volunteer, Fitness University Finals for almost all years since its founding in 1990.
• Volunteer, Fitness University Clinics—Watermelon, anyone?
• Volunteer, Medical Center 6K
• Volunteer, CIGNA Corporate Challenge
• Volunteer and Runner, Freeze Your Buns 5K Series
• Runner and Volunteer, Pack Monadnock Challenge
• Represented Gate City in 20 Consecutive Mill Cities Relays.
• Newsletter Mailings, nearly every publication, since inception

Jane is one of the hardest working runners in the sport, and she brings that same dedication and determination to her volunteer assignments. She has always been exceptionally positive and focused on improvement. Very few GCS events, from races to outings to hikes to clinics, have happened without her presence. She has won literally hundreds of age group awards and team trophies—masters, seniors, and veterans. In only her second marathon (Montreal in 1989) she qualified for Boston as an open runner, although a master at the time. She has run the vast majority of the Tufts 10K races, and won age group awards in marathons and Mount Washington. Her record is as distinguished as it is lengthy, and she has been an inspiration to hundreds of younger members and an icon in the sport.

She worked with her husband, Dr. Adrian Levesque, to develop computerized timing for Gate City events in the early days before there were programs available. They provided the first computerized results for Applefest and other club races.

She is the ideal volunteer, year in and year out; always available, never complaining, providing a wonderful role model for all. Though her children are long since grown, she remains active in all Fitness University activities.

Steve Moland

Allan Rube

Dave Sargent

Dave joined the Gate City Striders at a time when there were fewer than 50 members. He remained active in the club for over 15 years in many capacities- as a competitor, a race director, board member, volunteer, and as club representative to the RRCA and USATF.

A few of Dave’s contributions to the Gate City Striders include:

• Served 2 terms on E-Board as Vice President
• Represented GCS at 4 National RRCA conventions
• Represented GCS at various USATF-NE meetings
• Co-founder (with Alan Sears) of Fitness University in 1989
• Director of Fitness University 1990-1993
• Race Director, Applefest (4 years) and Co-Director (3 years)
• Developed the Freeze Your Buns Winter Race Series
• Frequent contributor to Striding Along
• Volunteer, most GCS-hosted races and events
• Organized several GCS marathon and relay trips
• Assisted in establishing GCS BBS in the early days of online communications
• Co-founder of Healthsource (now Cigna) Corporate 5K
• Race Committee Member, Cigna 5K, seven years

Although his membership lapsed some time ago after moving to North Carolina, Dave continues to keep tabs on the club and runs with old friends when he is in the area.  The impact of his contributions continues to be felt with the popularity of Fitness U, which began as a result of a seminar at the RRCA convention in 1989. He writes, “It’s great to see that Fitness University is thriving; you guys have brought it to a new level!”

“I’d like to thank…the GCS board for my inclusion in the Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, I cannot make it back to NH…but I am very honored to be remembered in this way. I never really considered my contributions to the club as accomplishments, they fed the same addiction that is common to many of the Striders past and present, a love of running and being active.” -Dave

Shaun Scanlon

Shaun is one of our long serving pioneers, having joined the club in 1981. He and his wife Betty opened their lakefront summer home in Goffstown to the famous GCS Summer Outing for the better part of two decades. Shaun has been the rock of Fitness University, taking on the role of Field Leader for over 15 Years of the program.

Some of Shaun’s most significant contributions are:

• Recipient of Lifetime Achievement Award
• Fitness University Field Operations Director, Committee Member, and Clinics Manager 1991 to 2007
• Volunteer, Applefest Half Marathon
• Volunteer, Medical Center 6K, Pepsi Challenge 10K, PAL 5 Miler, Nashua Fourth of July Seven Miler (Holman), Freeze Your Buns 5K Series
• Finish Line Timing Manager, Pack 10 Miler
• E-Board Member, various positions
• Veterans’ Team Coordinator
• Volunteer, Mill Cities Relay
• PAL Youth Coach

Always the first to volunteer for any event, usually the first to arrive and the last to leave when everything was cleaned up and put away, Shaun has been a constant source of energy, enthusiasm for nearly 30 years. The annual summer outings at the Scanlon’s lake-side cottage in Goffstown were a highlight of the year for members: swimming, canoeing, running, hiking, biking (Tour de Bud), and a fabulous cookout, on or around the Fourth of July.

Shaun never wanted or sought the limelight, but has been the perfect example of selflessness and dedication to the club throughout his 30 years of membership.

Phil Quinn

Phil was a founding member of the Gate City Striders and it is no exaggeration to say there would likely not be a Gate City without his input; he placed his mark on the Club early and without a doubt GCS would not be the same without his input and guidance in the early years. Moreover, running in the Merrimack Valley was heavily impacted and influenced by his input in race organization, club competition, race timing, and the outright establishment or assistance with many events.   Phil was a Board member for five years and president for two. He founded, or helped to establish, three huge events: Applefest Half Marathon, the Mill Cities Relay, and the Pepsi Challenge 10K. Phil moved to Maryland in 1988, but his influence has been lasting. “The Phil Quinn Award” presented every year at the Mill Cities Relay is representative of enormous and lasting contributions to the sport of running in the Merrimack Valley.

Some of Phil’s highlights:

• Founder and second President, Gate City Striders
• Founder and Director (with Dan Landry), Applefest Half Marathon, founded 1983
• Founder, (with Dave Camire of Greater Lowell and Marty Cardoza of MVS) of the Mill Cities Relay in 1983
• Club Representative and Board Member, Mill Cities Relay
• Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Montgomery County Running Club (Maryland), 2001
• Founder and Race Director of the Pepsi Challenge 10K
• Established Pepsi Challenge 10K as New England TAC Championship
• Competition Coordinator, many years
• Executive Board Member—various positions, 1980 - 1988
• Host- Outings, long runs, short runs, and parties in Chaplin, Connecticut
• Helped to establish Striding Along newsletter
• Operates Race Management Service (Race Timing Company); is one of then foremost experts in race timing and race management in the USA
• Committee Member, Pikes Peak 10K and Cherry Blossom 10 Miler, Washington, D.C.
• Chief Timer and Scorer, USATF National Cross Country Championships, 2009
• Mirroring GCS, board member of MCRRC for five years, President for two
• Has a hand in just about every major race in the D.C./Baltimore area, except for Marine Corp Marathon.

Phil is alive and well, living in Maryland (sometimes runners think the Phil Quinn Award is a ‘Memorial Award”, however Mr. Quinn is still extremely active in the sport of running—in fact, it is his passion and his profession.) GCS is fortunate to have had his guidance and influence during the formative years. Applefest and Mill Cities, as well as the thriving club itself are testament to his dedication, vision and expertise. While he is no longer an active member of GCS, he remains very active in Maryland and hugely influential in the running industry in general.