This just came across my desk: 

WV Trail Festival

Interesting. Between this and the positive growth and development of the Rim to River event series it just has me thinking that these might be opportunities for WVMTR in some way. They are big events in the state that we are not involved in (as far as I know?) I don't know that we need to work to "grow the club" or increase our influence, but we might want to consider ways to engage or otherwise support events that bring a lot of positive trail running focus to WV. 

I'm pacing a friend at Rim to River this year and am curious to attend a non-WVMTR ultra in WV for the first time.

Not really an action item at this time, but curious how others think, feel, or have interacted with these events.

I finish with final exams the week before. I'll consider attending and watch for fun.

A couple of folks at Trilogy this year have run / will be running R2R and many positive comments on the event.

@kaernigmail-com, I'm supposed to have a conversation with Alex P. (the RD for WV Trail Fest).  He reached out to me, but I'm not quite sure as to why yet as I didn't have time to talk the past couple of weeks with Trilogy.  I'm guessing its a request for WVMTR involvement.  I'm going to hear him out, but I am admittedly guarded for us to team up with "for profit" events.

Aside from that, more events -- non-profit and for-profit -- are good for WV trail running and our mission!

I’ve volunteered the last two years at Rim to River.  I found it to be a very organized and well run event.  Bryant Baker has also started two other races now in the New River Gorge Area, but I haven’t been to either of those.  It’s nice to see other trail races popping up around the state.  I hadn’t heard of the WV Trail Festival, but looks interesting.  

I think more events in the state is a win-win scenario for us.  Realistically, we're strapped for volunteers and barely have enough participation to pull off our own events.  I'm a bit hesitant to ever formally pair with an outside event.  I was approached by Grindstone this past year for WVMTR to have an aid-station.  I politely declined because it's simply not feasible, nor sustainable.

I always offer for RDs to promote their events and volunteer opportunities on our club Facebook page and offer to link through our website.  I think being the conduit for publicizing all trail running events has served us and the community well. 

I'm joining Aaron Beam for a run from Cranberry Nature Center to Richwood next weekend. He says the trail is completely outside of Cranberry Wilderness. Distance would be marathon if including 1-2 miles of road before or after. 

This is completely preliminary and there are many other hurdles to jump later, but I'm hoping the trail works out so that we can host a trail marathon as a new club race in the next couple of years. 

I'm racing Rim2River and have paced years 1 and 2 of the event. Besides little flags marking the trails I like the event. speaking for my self only. As for teaming up with other events I will tell you the donation made to the South Charleston Middle School Cross Country team was not all used this season and only went towards meet fees. Next season there will be a little pocket money left to enter a few more meets. This is one small way our club is involved in the community. I know we can't represent every where all the time, but here and there does leave an imprint for future trail runners. 

@asdolin, that donated money is certainly funds well spent.

@arhodes5 Aaron is so excited about this

I participated in the Trail Festival this past year. It was the week after HS so I just walked the 5k with a friend. I'm with Adam, when the race is for profit you most certainly cant tell as a runner. I got bad vibes all around. I have no idea who is in charge but it gave me the impression of someone out of state coming in and profiting off our trails then leaving. I have no idea if that is true, but I did not find it very well organized and the merch was sub par for a pretty expensive 5k.

As far as Bryant and the R2R races, I ran the falling water 100k (I was a relay team) and was very impressed. The trails were great, I do agree with Ashley that his markings could be better, but I think he is doing amazing work for our area! It was extremely well organized and I would support teaming up with him anytime!

My new business- Have we ever sent out a survey to ask our membership what they would be interested in as far as club events or membership benefits? I was dreaming of WVMTR regional meetups for monthly/weekly running clubs or happy hours. A way for our membership to meet each other outside of formal races. This started brewing in my mind after the annual meeting in Durbin. I met a few new friends there that I don't think I would have crossed paths with otherwise. It would be really cool to have WVMTR run clubs throughout the state (or elsewhere) that meet at a set time in a certain place and run 5 miles or something. Just a thought...feel free to tell me why this wont work haha. I have tried to do run clubs in Summersville and in the end its just me running by myself most weeks. 

@arhodes5, it would be super cool to have a WVMTR trail marathon!!

@charleannej I think this run that Aaron and Andrew are doing would be a great thing to feature in the newsletter. Aaron registered to set them up to report it as a FKT.

Posted by: @laurbeam20

↑

 

My new business- Have we ever sent out a survey to ask our membership what they would be interested in as far as club events or membership benefits? I was dreaming of WVMTR regional meetups for monthly/weekly running clubs or happy hours. A way for our membership to meet each other outside of formal races. This started brewing in my mind after the annual meeting in Durbin. I met a few new friends there that I don't think I would have crossed paths with otherwise. It would be really cool to have WVMTR run clubs throughout the state (or elsewhere) that meet at a set time in a certain place and run 5 miles or something. Just a thought...feel free to tell me why this wont work haha. I have tried to do run clubs in Summersville and in the end its just me running by myself most weeks. 

I think regional meetups are a great idea Lauren.  I’m not sure how something like that would do in a less populated area like I live, but seems like it should be feasible for Charleston/Morgantown/Hurricane areas.  Would love to see someone start one.  

@laurbeam20 Definitely great info for the newsletter.  Thanks!!