First of all, I'm truly honored to be able to lead this club.  I'm proud of our long history as Maine's oldest, active running club.  When I moved to Maine a couple years ago, I never imagined that I would become so involved in the local running scene, much less become the president of a running club.  It's almost unbelievable how quickly it seems I went from moving to Maine, to running my first Quarry Road race, to attending a Striders meeting, to being elected club Vice President, to starting weekly summer pub runs, and now to being elected President. 

I have to acknowledge that I would never have made it to this position without the inspiration of previous club members and officers.  I'd especially like to thank former President Brendan Gilpatrick, former Treasurer Ron Peck, and former Communications Director Alicia MacLeay for making me feel welcome to the Central Maine running community and for encouraging me to get involved.  Thank you for your years of dedication to the club, and I hope we continue to see you around at club events this year and beyond.

As President of the Striders, I want to bring more value to your membership in the club.  I plan to get more discounts for club members in local races.  I will try to have more opportunities to get free or discounted Striders-themed running gear.  I intend to improve communications with our members through more email newsletters and regularly updating the webpage, and through our Facebook group.  I want to continue to host our summer pub runs and track workouts, but also want to add some additional social runs that are not focused on pubs or tracks.  I am also hoping to add an additional Striders sponsored road race or two, possibly in the 1-mile and/or 10k distances.  Most importantly, I want the Striders to continue to be a club that welcomes runners of all abilities, backgrounds, ages, and interest levels.

I'm looking forward to keeping the traditions of the Striders alive, but I also hope we can begin some new events and activities.  We have a lot of exciting things planned for the Central Maine Striders in 2020.  I hope to see all of you out there running and attending club events!

-Ryan Goebel, Central Maine Striders President

Ron Peck served as the club's treasurer from 2015-18. Ron has overcome his initial fears to actually enjoy racing distances from 3K to marathons. He can often be found at club pub runs and the weekly Quarry Road Summer Race Series, and he is a member of the club's annual team for the Down East Sunrise Trail Relay.

​Ron was a finalist for the 2016 Strider of the Year and is an associate professor of biology at Colby College. He has appreciated the chance to meet many CMS members while serving as treasurer. Thanks, Ron!

Alicia MacLeay served as the club's communications director from 2015-18, overseeing the Striders website, newsletter, race calendar, and other outreach efforts. She enjoys trail running, being outdoors, and documenting beautiful and random moments on the run (#thingsiseewhenirun).

Alicia has run race distances from 3K to 100 miles and in 2015 was named a Strider of the Year. She is the co-founder and editor of Trailspace, an outdoor gear review site. Thanks, Alicia!

Greetings, Central Maine Striders club members and friends.

Above and below you’ll find our January-February Interval newsletter (PDF).

This inaugural issue of 2015 is filled with club news and updates including:

• results and pictures from the first club race of 2015, the January Thaw
  
• a calendar of upcoming local races, including the February 22nd Quarry Snow Shuffle 5K
  
• profiles to get to know your 2015 club board members
  
• a chance to share club history and photos, as CMS turns 40 this year
  
• and more
  

We hope you find it informative, and that you'll share your own running news and ideas with us for future issues.

Membership Renewals
If you haven’t already, please renew your membership with Central Maine Striders for 2015. The cost is still only $15 per family and covers all the runners in your household. Your membership is integral to supporting our volunteer running club, the oldest active running club in Maine.

Please renew today, so you can continue to get this newsletter, plus get reduced registration rates at certain local races, 10% off at the new Granite City Running shop in Hallowell, and more.

Join or Renew: http://www.centralmainestriders.com/join.html

Thanks for being part of Central Maine Striders! We hope to see you on the roads, trails, or track in 2015.

Alicia MacLeay
Interval editor

Download the December Interval club newsletter, courtesy of editor, Linda Benn. 

This newsletter was Linda's last issue. Thanks for all of your dedication and service to the club, Linda!

Check out the November issue of the club Interval newsletter, courtesy of editor Linda Benn.

Check out the October issue of the club's Interval newsletter, courtesy of editor Linda Benn.

Check out the September issue of the club Interval newsletter, courtesy of editor Linda Benn.