GRR Racers,

April is upon us and the race season is ramping up quickly.  With the Pittsburgh Marathon soaring to new heights, we are seeing a vast increase in the number of runners and bikers hitting the city streets.  Never has Pittsburgh looked so active.  This could be a big growth year for GRR!

Here are some important dates regarding upcoming races, and some important information regarding how you can help grow GRR:

April 1: This is the deadline for early registration for the SORCAR .  Take advantage of our low prices and register today!  Use the mail-in or on-line options on the SORCAR race page.

This date is also the deadline for joining Team Salvation Army in the upcoming Pittsburgh Marathon.  If you are registered you can raise a minimal amount of $100 and qualify for the many perks of running for a charity. These include:

Saturday night Pasta Party

Race Packet pick-up at the Salvation Army booth at the expo (no lines!)

Team Salvation Army wicking t-shirt

Access to the Charity Village at the finish line

If you are not registered for the Marathon, running for a charity is the only way to get access to this Sold Out event. Raise $300 for the Salvation Army and you will receive a free entry to this year's race!  

So why help the Salvation Army?  First of all they do very important work in this city.  Second of all--by virtue of their "Most Amazing Race" they are the single biggest contributor to GRR's operating capital.  By paying us to help with production of this event they give us the capital we need to get our events off the ground.  By contributing to them, you are in effect helping GRR!  Besides--Bethann and I will be joining team Salvation Army and will be running the race as "Charity Chasers".  We will be starting at the very back of the pack and will be looking for sponsors willing to contribute some amount of money--starting at one penny and going to ??-- for each racer we pass during this race.  Neither of us is in very good shape (we just started training!) but figure we can raise a few bucks for a great cause.  Whether you want to join us on Team Salvation Army, or be a sponsor, we invite you to join us in supporting the Pittsburgh Marathon and the Salvation Army.  Drop us a line if you would like more information!

April 16: SORCAR--Season Opener Raccoon Creek Adventure Race.  We have begun setting course and can promise a fast and fun race at this season opener.  The race will include a lightly marked and very fast mountain biking leg of 12 miles.  Included in the bike leg will be a small ROGAINE orienteering section.  All CPs on this ROGAINE are optional, but if you want to win this race you better be prepared to retrieve them all.  Also included is a 6 mile ROGAINE foot travel section.  Again, all control points are optional, but winners will be vying to retrieve them all as quickly as possible.  Be prepared to travel off-trail during this section of the race!  

Start time is 9:00am and the race will have a 12:00 noon cut-off.  Everyone that arrives after noon will be penalized one point for each full minute they are late.  Awards will be shortly after, and we will have hot soup and cookies at the finish party in the Recreation Hall.  Stay tuned for more race information and visit the SORCAR  race page for registration options.

May 14: Pittsburgh Marathon Kids Marathon.  GRR will be there, representing the Walls Are Bad campaign, with a scavenger hunt.  If you bring your kids stop by and say hello.  If you have free time, we could use the help!

May 15: Pittsburgh Marathon.  Join us on Team Salvation Army, or consider sponsoring Bethann and I as we chase down the field.  Either way--hope to see you there!

That's it for now.  Hope everyone's training is going well and hope to see you all at the SORCAR!

Frank and Bethann