January 2017

The Striders Racing Team began the new year with the annual Striders Resolution Run 8K in Columbia. Unlike past years when the prediction run was held on New Years Day, this year's event was held on New Years Eve. Several racing team members participated before enjoying their new years celebrations. Yasuo Oda was the closest team member to the winning time, finishing only 18 seconds before 3:00pm.

Racing Team Member	Finishing Time
Jason Tripp	2:58:08.39pm
Eric Schuler	2:59:13.81pm
Bobby Gessler	2:59:18.80pm
Noel McCracken	2:59:19.00pm
Yasuo Oda	2:59:42.64pm
Tammy Hermstein	3:00:30.77pm
John Chall	3:00:55.26pm
Kelly Westlake	3:01:52.21pm

Maryland road races are few and far between in January, but Caroline Bauer traveled to Florida to participate in the Key West Half Marathon. She placed sixth overall and second among women, running a time of 1:23:06.

The racing team got a rare opportunity to dress up in non-running clothes to attend the annual Striders Banquet. Several racing team members received yearly awards at the banquet.

Award	Recipient(s)
Most Improved Runner of the Year - Female	Caroline Bauer Rachel Collins Beth Hannon
Most Improved Runner of the Year - Male	Mark Landree
Senior Grand Master Runner of the Year - Male	Mick Slonaker
Grand Master Runner of the Year - Male	Tunde Morakinyo
Master Runner of the Year - Female	Kelly Westlake
Master Runner of the Year - Male	Jason Tripp
Runner of the Year - Female	Julia Roman-Duval
Runner of the Year - Male	Eric Schuler

Racing team members at the annual banquet and awards ceremony

The racing team welcomed two new members to the team in January. Amanda Beal, a former runner at the University of Pittsburgh, joined the Elite Team after running qualifying times at Clyde's 10K and the Down's Park 5 Miler. Adam Wytko rejoined the Development Team after taking some time off due to injuries.

The Racing Team will begin February with the Striders Penguin Pace 5K on February 5th at the Bain Center in Columbia, MD. They will also compete in the RRCA Club Challenge 10M on February 26th at Howard Community College.