Hall Of Fame
online magazine presents
The Silver Strider Hall Of Fame
Featuring
– Silver Strider Of The Year
– Sandra Madden Award
– Enduring Athletes
– Mr Grand Prix and Ms Grand Prix
– The Century Club
– Team Silver
– The Battle Of The Boomers
Photos by Bruce Fisherx
SILVER STRIDER OF THE YEAR
The Silver Strider magazine’s highest honor is “Silver Strider of the Year”. We have given this award to the Silver Strider who personifies sportsmanship, inspiration, camaraderie, and willingness to serve others. Participation in Silver Strider programs is not a requirement, but is certainly a consideration. This recognition began in 2016 and has continued each year.
This award can only be attained one time. Here are the honorees.
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#ffffff;”> ENDURING ATHLETES
Should you retire at 80? Here are Washington runners who answered “No”.
Washington’s All Time TOP IO runners over age 80 at the 5k Distance on a Certified Course
xAll time WA 5k Top 10 for Men 80-84
1. John Phillips Indy 5k x 24:01
2. Bill Iffrig Fremont 5k x 24:25
2. Bob Hoekman Fall City 5kxx 24:25
4. Robert Shirley Renton #174 26:23
5. Keith Wood 5k Tesoro 28:00
6. Mark Stocklager Kent 5k 28:08
7. George Murray Sr Games 28:18
8. Richard Olafson Kent 5k 28:21
9. Rudy Gahler Tesoro 5k 28:40
10. Gary Spidahl Indy 5k 28:58
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All time WA 5k Top 10 for Men 85-89
1. Rudy Gahler Tesoro 5k 29:44
2. Keith Wood Fall City 31:54
3. Peter Marshall Pies 33:57
4. William Weertman 86 35:06
5. Alberto Perez 35:24
6. George Murray Xmas Rush 38:26
7. Anders Jacobsen 38:49
8. Richard Zerbe 85 Park #232 39:39
9. Jerry Dietrich 85 Art 5k xx 40:50
10. Walter Bender 85 41:24
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All time WA 5k Top IO for Men 90-94
1. Frank Danes 91 FSRC Reso 45:41
2. Keith Wood 92 FSRC 45:59
3. Rudy Gahler 90 Art Dash 46:32
4. John Cahill 50:51
5. Simy Magaway FSRC Reso 53:46
6. George Murray Kent 5k 53:51
7. Jerry Dietrich 90, ParkRun x 56:25
8. Herman Diers Tac Turkey 58:40
9. Frank Hidaka 69:40
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– Keith Wood, Rudy Gahler and George Murray were the only men to make all 3 lists. Rudy Gahler is the only 85 year old runner to break 30 minutes.
– Frank Dane’s 45:41, Keith Wood’s 45:59 and Rudy Gahler’s 46:32, make them the only men over 90 to break 47:00 minutes.
– An amazing performance by Keith Wood is his 4:18:36 marathon at 80.
– 2023 saw Bob Hoekman set the all-time marathon mark by a Washington resident, 4:03:40. Hi performance bumped Keith Wood (4:18:36) down into #2 and Bill Iffrig into 3rd (4:20:30).
Bob Hoekman Super Athlete
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x xAll time WA 5k Top 10 for Women 80-84
1. Anne Wilson 84 WA Games 30:34
2. Louise Mihay Runderland 31:00
3. Judy Fisher 80 ParkRun #236 32:01
4. Silvia Angel 80 WA Games 32:07
5. Barbara Macklow Tesoro 32:40
6. Sue Stipe Cornucopia 5k 34:06
7. Isabelle Noiret 81 Christmas 35:46
8. Diane Johnson 80 Runderland 37:33
9. Kathleen Bauer Christmas Rush 37:47
10. Sally Krie Christmas Rush 40:25
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All time WA 5k Top 10 for Women 85-89
This section was deleted accidentally. It will be restored soon.1. Solveig Beck 86 45:50
2. Norval Rhodes 86 45:57
3. Chloe Parr 86 46:39
4. Barbara Macklow 85 47:07
5. Sally Krie 86 Christmas Rush 47:10
6. Ina Carlson 85 Resolution Run 48:15
7. Edythe Hulet 86 Christmas Rush 53:02
All time WA 5k Top 10 for Women 90-94
1. Chloe Parr 91 58:04
2. Judy Baxter 90 58:40
3. Helen Hopkins 90 61:27
4. Beryl Bucklin 90 62:06
5. Norval Rhodes Fowl Run 90 63:18
6. Lenora Peterson 90 64:11
7. Mary Breivik 91 67:55
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Chloe Parr, Norval Rhodes and Barbara MackLow on 2 lists. Molly Childs Marathon at age 80.
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x The Sandra Madden Award
Sandra Madden completed all 29 races in the 2014-15 Grand Prix Series. This was the first time anyone accomplished this feat. Sandra was awarded a special glass trophy in recognition of her dedication to the Series. It was announced that anyone duplicating this feat in the future would also receive a special trophy. It would be called the Sandra Madden Award. Here are the Sandra Madden award winners.
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Each year this title is bestowed on the man and woman who complete the most Grand Prix Series race during the year. Here are the honorees.
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the Silver Strider online presents
The Century Club
xMembership in the Century Club honors those athletes who have completed 100 Grand Prix Series races. The purpose of the Century Club is to give recognition to Silver Striders for their continuous participation in the Grand Prix Series throughout the years.
Announcement of the first three charter members to be inducted into the Century Club was made at the Tortoise and Hare awards party on October 14, 2017. They were Dave Sherman, Judy Fisher, and Marsha Murray.
On the same occasion, three new Century Club members were inducted, having completed their 100th Series race that day. They were Jerry Bronson, Audrey Kirkwood and Sandra Madden.
More runners and walkers will be added to the Century Club Hall Of Fame as they reach 100 Grand Prix races. x Photos by Bruce Fisher – Profiles by Betty Dietrich
xThe Century Club Hall Of Fame
Century Club Profiles
Judy Fisher has the honor of being the first Silver Strider Grand Prix Series runner to be inducted into the Century Club Hall of Fame. Judy has been a GP Series finisher every year since its inception in 2010. She was Miss Grand Prix in 2011. In 2017, 2018 and 2019. She achieved the unparalleled feat of completing 27 GP races in a row with a perfect score of 10 points in every race. Judy was a Battle of the Boomers champion W70-74, Silver Strider Runner of the Year twice and Super Athlete in every year. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, she frequently contributes race reports for the Silver Strider magazine. Though she is a world class athlete, Judy is modest about her achievements. She always has a kind word of encouragement for her fellow Silver Striders. The Century Club is proud to welcome Judy as the first recipient of this honor!
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Dave Sherman began participating in the Grand Prix Series in its second year and has competed in every Series since then. He was the first male to run the most races in the 2012-2013 Grand Prix Series and earned the title of Mr. Grand Prix. In the 2014-2015 Series, he ran 19 races and tied for most races by a male in the Series. He was a Super Athlete in 2016 and has qualified in 2017. Dave has dominated his age division in the Series, winning an impressive 4 times. Dave is an outstanding competitor. He is also known for his good sportsmanship. Dave is always ready to help and encourage other Silver Striders. Dave has contributed many Grand Prix Series race reports for the Silver Strider Magazine. His achievement in running over a hundred GP races and willingness to help the Silver Striders when needed is a testimony to Dave’s loyalty and generous support of the Grand Prix Series. Welcome, Dave, to the Century Club!
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No one has celebrated being a part of the Grand Prix Series more than Marsha Murray. She ran 21 races in the 2012-2013 Grand Prix Series and earned the title of Miss Grand Prix. In the 2013-2014 Series, she tied for the title of Miss Grand Prix running a total of 21 races. Marsha has enthusiastically championed the Grand Prix Series. She came up with the idea of a Silver Strider Grand Prix Series T-shirt which has greatly benefited the awards program. In addition to her running accomplishments, Marsha has brought her great sense of humor to the Series. All of the Silver Striders look forward to seeing the creative costumes Marsha comes up with at GP races. Who could forget Marsha galloping through Seward Park as a pony at the Run Scared 5k! Racking up over 100 GP races through the years, Marsha has brought much fun and enjoyment to the Grand Prix Series. We are delighted to welcome Marsha to the Century Club!
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Jerry Bronson began competing in the Grand Prix Series 6 years ago and has won his age division for the past 4 years in a row. Jerry has been a consistent participant in the Grand Prix Series. He has run 14 to 18 races in every Series, accumulating enough races to achieve the goal of 100. At the Tortoise & Hare Fun Run, Jerry has been the first male runner to cross the finish line for the past two years. He is currently qualified for Super Athlete – 2017. Jerry took on this challenge by tackling all 4 required distances, including the Tacoma City Marathon. Jerry’s commitment to the Grand Prix Series is strong. He is always ready to contribute when needed. He has written race reports for the Silver Strider Online Magazine. He is always affable and enjoys hanging out with the Silver Striders. Jerry has praised the Grand Prix Series stating that the camaraderie has provided “both physical and social benefits” to his life. We are pleased to welcome Jerry to the Century Club.
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In the 2014-2015 Grand Prix Series, Sandra Madden became the first Silver Strider to run every race in the Series, running all 25 of the 25 races. For her exceptional performance an award was named in her honor to be given to anyone who could replicate her achievement in the future. Sandra has won her age division four times. She competed in the Battle of the Boomers. She was a Super Athlete in 2016 and has repeated as Super Athlete in 2017. Sandra was the captain of the Silver Strider women’s team at the Rhody Run. Sandra’s love of running and pride in being a part of the Silver Striders recently led her to travel to Viet Nam as a member of Team Silver Strider at the Da Nang Marathon. This past year, Sandra took over the duties of Social Chairperson, keeping the Grand Prix Series participants informed of important developments in the lives of its members. Her commitment to the Silver Strider Grand Prix Series is reflected in her willingness to help out whenever needed. Welcome, Sandra!
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Audrey Kirkwood was the youngest competitor in the 2011-2012 Grand Prix Series. She has competed every year since then, making her a 6 time finisher. Despite work and family commitments, Audrey has found the time to run an amazing number of races in each Series. In the 2014-2015 Series, she ran 20 out of 25 races. Audrey and her daughter, Andrea, represented the Silver Striders as members of Team Silver Strider at the Da Nang Marathon. Audrey’s enthusiasm for the Grand Prix Series has been shown in many ways. She came up with the idea of a Silver Strider Fun Run & Potluck. She provides donations from Emerald Downs for the awards party each year. When the Silver Striders get together for lunch after a race, Audrey brings delicious homemade cookies and cakes for dessert. Her ice cream cake is legendary! Audrey’s dedication to the Grand Prix Series is reflected in her being among the first to be inducted into the Century Club Hall of Fame. Welcome, Audrey!
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In 2010, when the Grand Prix Series was created, Larry Larsen became one of its first participants. He was runner-up for Mr. Grand Prix the first year. Since then, he has enthusiastically completed every Series. He is one of only 4 men who can claim the distinction of being an eight time finisher. Larry became Mr. Grand Prix in 2012 when he ran 16 GP races. Two years later, he set out to achieve this goal again. He ran 19 races and once again won the title of Mr. Grand Prix. Larry was a member of TeamSilver when they won the Jefferson Cup at the Rhody Run in 2015. He earned a purple shirt for his participation in the Battle of the Boomers. Larry has always been there to help at Grand Prix Series functions whenever he is needed. He has worked behind the scenes every year at the Awards and Potluck parties, helping to set up the events. The Century Club is happy to welcome Larry to its roster of Silver Striders who have completed 100 races.
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Nancy Larsen was introduced to the Grand Prix Series when she walked and jogged the Greenlake Gobble in 2011. Since then, there has been no stopping her! She graduated from walking to running and has since finished every Grand Prix Series. She has racked up an incredible number of races each year. Nancy was a member of TeamSilver in 2015 and 2016. This year, she has already run every race in the Series, completing all 19 races so far. As if this isn’t enough to show her enthusiasm for the GP Series, Nancy has also contributed her amazing skills as an event planner for the Silver Striders. She has been the Potluck Chairperson for the past 3 years. Her creative centerpieces for both the Potluck and Awards parties have helped make those events a great success. Her centerpieces have been so popular that they have been included in the raffle drawings . The Silver Striders are thankful to have Nancy in the Grand Prix Series and are delighted to welcome her to the Century Club.
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Susan Hall first learned about the Grand Prix Series in 2010, but it was too late for her to complete the required 8 races to be a finisher. She has completed every Series since then, winning her age division 4 times. She is one of the strongest and most active supporters of the Grand Prix Series. Susan credits the encouragement she has received from her Grand Prix Series “family” for expanding her running goals. She not only ran her first marathon, but she even ran a 50k. She has run many marathons since then traveling with her GP friends. In 2017, she traveled to Da Nang as a member of Team Silver Strider. Susan was thrilled to be invited to participate in the Battle of the Boomers for her age division. Everyone who has had the pleasure of participating in a Grand Prix Series event with Susan Hall, knows how much the Silver Striders mean to her. When informed that she had completed her 100th race and was now a member of the Century Club, Susan was overcome with joy. Welcome to the Century Club, Susan.
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Charlea Sherman ran her 100th Grand Prix Series race at the Road-Odendrun 6 mile Solo. She won her age division at the race and set a course record. Her fine running and competitive spirit earned her a purple shirt and 2nd place in her age group at the final Battle of the Boomers last year. Recently, Charlea competed in the Maui Oceanfront Half Marathon and brought home the first place medal in her age division. Charlea has participated in every Grand Prix Series since 2011. Charlea’s sense of humor and generous nature have made her an invaluable member of the Silver Striders. She can always be counted on to contribute articles and photos when needed. Charlea ran her first marathon last year, selflessly putting aside her own goals to help another Silver Strider achieve theirs. She is the 10th runner to be inducted into the Century Club. The Century Club is delighted to welcome Charlea Sherman to its roster of runners who have completed 100 races.
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It is with great joy that the Silver Striders welcome Tiare Bailey to the Century Club Hall of Fame. No one has been more excited to be inducted into this honored group than Tiare. Tiare has been an enthusiastic fan of the Silver Striders since its inception in 2010. A photo of Tiare, smiling as she finished the Tacoma Narrows Half, was the cover of the first issue of the Silver Strider magazine. Tiare began competing in the Grand Prix Series in 2011 and has competed in every Series since then. In the current Grand Prix Series, Tiare recently won her age division with a perfect score of 80 points. Her loyalty and love of the Silver Striders has been demonstrated many times: offering a ride to those traveling to a race, her home for a place to stay overnight, or delicious treats she has baked for post-race celebrations. Tiare is a treasured member of the Silver Striders and we are proud and happy to include her in the Century Club Hall of Fame.
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At the first Grand Prix Series awards party in 2010, Tim Oguri scored the most points in his age division but ran 7 races, just missing the required 8 to be a finisher. He never let that happen again! Since then, Tim has consistently performed at an outstanding level each year. Not only has he finished every Series, but he has also dominated his age group . Tim races in the most competitive age division in the Grand Prix Series. Yet he has won his age group 7 out of 8 times, achieving a perfect score of 80 points every year. Because of his running ability, Tim was among those elite Washington State runners invited to compete in the Battle of the Boomers. Tim arrives at most races with his favorite running companion – his dog. Trying to get his dog to pose with the Silver Striders during a group photo is guaranteed to give everyone a laugh. An amazing runner and an avid Silver Strider fan, Tim is a welcome addition to the roster of runners who have completed 100 Grand Prix Series races.
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The 13th Silver Strider to reach 100 races is Betty Dietrich. Lucky 13! Betty achieved this goal at the Rhody Run 12k in May. Betty also earned a bronze medal. It is one of her proudest achievements because of the competition level in this large event. Her strength on hilly courses has given her many medals and trophies, especially on uphill courses at Mt. Charleston in Las Vegas. Betty is the co-founder of the Silver Strider magazine and has been enjoying her role as editor for the past 8 years. She has been a finisher in every Grand Prix Series since its inception in 2010. Setting up the Grand Prix Series schedule every year and working on the annual awards presentation are two of her favorite projects. Betty is honored to be a member of the Century Club and is thankful for the camaraderie of the Silver Striders. Her goal is to keep running in every Grand Prix Series and to enjoy being with the friends she has made. Welcome, Betty, to the Century Club Hall of Fame! – Profile by Jerry Dietrich
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What can you say about the man who started it all? Jerry, founder of the Silver Strider Magazine, is the brainstorm behind the Grand Prix Series, the TOP 10, and most recently the Century Club. The number of hours Jerry dedicates to these projects is beyond belief. Yet he still has found the time to win his age division in every Grand Prix competition since the Series began in 2010. At the Flight For Sight 5k, Jerry reached his 100th race and became a member of the Century Club Hall of Fame. Jerry competed in the Battle of the Boomers. He organized TeamSilver, winning the Jefferson Cup at the Rhody Run two years in a row. Jerry has devoted the past 8 years to motivating Silver Striders to live a healthy lifestyle and to overcoming age discrimination. The Silver Strider has given a voice to runners and walkers 50 years of age and older. Jerry is their voice. What can we say about the man who started it all? How about thank you, Jerry Dietrich, and welcome to the Century Club.
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Arne Hales is the 15th Silver Strider to run 100 Grand Prix Series races and enter the Century Club Hall Of Fame. Previous athletes who have achieved this honor have been surprised when they were notified. Arne is such an enthusiastic fan of the Series, that he kept records over the years and knew when he would make 100. Arne began competing in the Grand Prix Series the first year it began and is one of only 4 men who have competed in every GP Series. He has dominated his age division, winning every year but once. Arne helped TeamSilver win the Jefferson Cup in 2015 and 2016. In 2017, he competed in the Battle of the Boomers and was the 70-74 age division champion. Arne made the TOP 10 in the 5k, 10k, Half, and Marathon in 2016 and 2017 and is the proud owner of two Super Athlete rings. Arne’s dedication to the Grand Prix Series have made him an invaluable member of the Silver Striders. Congratulations, Arne, and welcome to the Century Club.
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At the Christmas Rush 5k, Ray Arrington ran his 100th Grand Prix Series race and became the newest Silver Strider to be inducted into the Century Club Hall Of Fame. Ray began participating in the Grand Prix Series in 2011 and has completed every Series since then. In the 2012-2013 Grand Prix Series, Ray ran 16 races and was only one race short of winning the title of Mr. Grand Prix. He has consistently accumulated an impressive number of races every year in the Grand Prix Series. Ray’s enthusiasm for the Silver Striders and the Grand Prix Series is unequaled. Ray has been an ambassador for the Silver Striders, letting runners and walkers over 50 know about the program and encouraging them to participate. The Century Club is delighted to include Ray Arrington to its roster of runners who have completed 100 races. Congratulations, Ray, and welcome to the Century Club Hall Of Fame!
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It has been only 5 years since Steve Husko began competing in the Grand Prix Series, but what an amazing 5 years it has been! The first year, Steve ran 11 races. Every year since then, he has run more Grand Prix races than any of the other male competitors. Steve won the title “Mr. Grand Prix” in 2016, 2017 and 2018. He is tied this year for the title with 18 races completed and only 3 more GP races to go. Steve is always in the top 3 of his age division and has won first place in the GP Series M65-69 age category this year. He is currently ranked in the TOP IO at 3 distances for 2019. Steve, and his wife, Patty, competed in every race in 2017 earning the Sandra Madden Award. Steve is always ready to come to the aide of the Silver Striders. At our post-race luncheons, Steve has become the official photographer capturing memories of the good times we share. Steve ran his 100th race at the H.I.T. The Trail 5k. It is with great pleasure that we welcome Steve Husko to the Century Club.
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The Silver Striders received a great gift when Patty Husko joined the Grand Prix Series. Patty hesitantly ran her first 5k in 2015 and from then on, there was no stopping her! She has completed 19 or more GP races every year since and conquered every distance. In 2017, Patty ran her first marathon. Her goal was to run every race in the Grand Prix Series – all 28 of them. In order to achieve this goal, Patty had to do the final race of the Series – the Tacoma City Marathon. She did it! Patty became 1 of only 4 people to run every Grand Prix Series race and win the Sandra Madden Award for Exceptional Performance. Patty’s endurance and determination are an inspiration. Patty loves the Silver Striders and is always ready with a big smile to help in every way. At the annual Potluck, everyone eagerly looks forward to Patty’s fabulous cookies. At the Tulip Run 10k, Patty ran her 100th Grand Prix Series race and became the newest member of the Century Club. Congratulations, Patty!
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At the North Olympic Discovery Marathon, Molly Childs ran her 100th Grand Prix Series race and became the newest Silver Strider to be inducted into the Century Club. Molly began participating in the Grand Prix in 2011 and has completed every Series since then. Molly was among the first to sign up for Team Silver in 2015 helping to win the Jefferson Cup. Molly has had an illustrious running career over the years competing in marathons and triathlons. At the age of 80, her goal is to run another marathon and earn a Super Athlete ring. She inspires all of us with her amazing fitness and positive attitude. Molly has volunteered every year at the awards parties. She helps encourage new runners by manning the Silver Strider table at upcoming GP races. She recently undertook the challenging task of compiling a roster of all Silver Strider GP participants. Molly is a cherished member of the Silver Striders and we are delighted to welcome her to the Century Club Hall of Fame.
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Steve Ramsdell ran his 100th Grand Prix Series race at the Strawberry Short-K in Olympia and became the 20th Silver Strider to be inducted into the Century Club. Steve began competing in the Grand Prix Series in 2012. In his first Series, Steve ran 10 races. Since then, he has competed in every Series, gradually increasing his total number of GP races each year. In the 2018-2019 GP Series, Steve completed an impressive 20 races. This was double the total number of GP races Steve completed in the first Series he entered. Steve’s efforts put in him a 3 way tie for most GP races and earned him the title of Mr. Grand Prix of 2019. Steve has been an ambassador for the Silver Striders since he first began participating. At the 2019 awards ceremony, Steve was recognized for showing his Silver Strider spirit by wearing the GP Series logo shirt to almost every race. The Silver Strider is delighted to welcome Steve Ramsdell to the Century Club Hall of Fame.
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Becoming a member of the Century Club was an important goal for Silver Strider, Gretchen Ramsdell. In order to reach this goal, Gretchen ran 17 Grand Prix Series races in a row. At the Kent Cornucopia Days 5k, Gretchen ran her 100th Grand Prix Series race and officially became a member of the Century Club Hall of Fame. Gretchen thrives on friendly competition. Though she is in a very competitive age division, Gretchen has finished in the top 3 every year. The camaraderie of the Silver Sriders is of equal importance to Gretchen and she actively participates in all of the social activities offered. Her enthusiasm is unrivaled and she spreads the word about the Silver Striders every chance she gets. Gretchen has written race reports for the online magazine and contributes to the awards party prize drawings every year. The Century Club is very happy to welcome Gretchen Ramsdell to its roster of Silver Striders who have completed 100 races. Congratulations, Gretchen!
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It was a lucky day for the Silver Striders when Karen Lichtenstein began participating in the Grand Prix Series. Karen ran her 100th GP race at the Anacortes Art Dash. Karen’s list of athletic accomplishments are many. She has won her age division and earned a perfect score of 80 points nearly every year. She was a 2017 and 2018 Boomer competitor. She is the 2019 Silver Strider 5k State Champion in her age division. And she has qualified for Super Athlete of 2019. In 2018, Karen traveled to Viet Nam as a member of Team Silver Strider. Despite all these accomplishments, Karen finds the time to give wholeheartedly to the Silver Striders. As Project Liason Chairperson, Karen is responsible for many activities in the GP Series. Her organizational talent has provided a fresh and exciting approach to the Grand Prix race reports. It is with great joy that we welcome Karen Lichtenstein to the Century Club Hall of Fame.
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When Edythe Hulet crossed the finish line at the Anacortes Art Dash, she achieved her goal of walking 100 Grand Prix Series races. Edythe’s journey began with the 2012-2013 GP Series. Edythe earned the title of Ms. Grand Prix in the 2016 Series by finishing an impressive 22 races. Edythe is an accomplished walker. She competes in every distance from the 5k to the half marathon. In addition to GP Series races, Edythe is an active participant in track and field events at Senior Games. At the highly competitive Huntsman Games last year, Edythe earned a gold medal in the 5k. In addition to her athletic goals, Edythe is an advocate for equal treatment of all race participants. She is committed to overcoming age discrimination and frequently contacts race directors and sponsors in pursuit of this cause. The Silver Strider is fortunate to have Edythe Hulet as a spokesperson. We are very pleased to welcome Edythe to the Century Club.
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The Grand Prix Series was announced in the first issue of the Silver Strider Magazine in 2010. Nick Bailey was one of the original 6 pictured in the group photo. He began competing in the Series in 2012 and is an 8 time finisher. Nick loves to race and has done over 360 races in the last 9 years. The Half Marathon is his favorite distance and he ran his 100th in Orting last April. He travels to races all over the northwest in his RV. So it comes as no surprise that Nick ran his 100th Grand Prix Series race recently at the Run Scared 5k and achieved his goal of being the newest member of the Century Club. Besides being an avid runner, Nick’s interests include cycling. He builds bikes, as well as rides them. He’s always ready to provide help when needed. When one of the Silver Striders needed a special bike for therapy, Nick came to the rescue driving over 60 miles each way to deliver it. The Silver Strider is very proud to welcome Nick Bailey to the Century Club Hall of Fame.
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Keith Lerew, an outstanding athlete, began competing in the Grand Prix Series in it’s 2nd year. He has finished every GP Series since then, dominating his highly competitive age division. From 2013 through 2017, Keith came in 1st place every year and tied for 1st in 2018. In the 2013-2014 Series, Keith was awarded the title of Mr. Grand Prix, finishing 18 races with a perfect score of 80 points. In 2016, Keith earned a silver medal at the Rhody Run helping to win the Jefferson Cup for Team Silver. Keith was among the fastest athletes to be invited to the Battle of the Boomers 3 years in a row. In 2017 and 2018, Keith excelled in all 4 distances of the TOP 10: 5k, 10k, Half & Full Marathon. He is the proud owner of 2 Super Athlete rings. Keith regards the Silver Striders as family and is always interested and supportive of their accomplishments. He ran his 100th Grand Prix race at the Resolution Run 5k. It is with great pleasure we welcome Keith into the Century Club.
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Louise Mihay began competing in the Grand Prix Series in 2013. At that time, she was in the Women 70-74 age division. At the conclusion of the series, Louise won the honors. She came in first place with a perfect score of 80 points. Louise went on to compete in every Grand Prix series after that, always finishing in the top three. In addition to her series competition, Louise has competed in several prestigious events. She was among the elite runners invited to compete in the Boomer races. When she turned 80, Louise ran a 5k in 31 minutes. This incredible performance earned Louise first place on the list of All Time Washington State 5k runners. Louise also holds the title of Silver Strider 5k Women Champion in her age division two years in a row – 2021 and 2022. Louise enjoys hiking and takes on a challenging hike as part of her weekly exercise routine. This all around athlete just seems to get better every year. Becoming a member of the Century Club was her goal. One which she truly deserves. It is with great pleasure that we welcome Louise Mihay to the Century Club Hall of Fame.
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The Century Club began in 2017 honoring athletes who had completed 100 Grand Prix Series races. The first Silver Strider event John competed in was the 2012-2013 Grand Prix Series. At the time, John was in the highly competitive Men 60 – 64 age division. He finished the series in 2nd place.
John enjoyed the competition. He was in the top 3 in his age division nearly every year after that. In 2019, John had aged up and was then competing in the Men 70-74 age division. His competition had aged up as well, but John was running stronger than ever. At the conclusion of the series, John finished in first place, racking up a perfect score of 80 points. With no races taking place in 2020, because of covid, it looked like John would be unable to achieve his goal of membership in the Century Club. In 2021, the Silver Strider began a variety of series to encourage runners to stay motivated. The Silver Strider committee decided to count these races. We are happy that John Marsteller has completed enough races to be inducted into the Century Club. Welcome, John, to the Century Club Hall of Fame.
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One of the most exciting chapters in Silver Strider history was the formation of TeamSilver. The Rhody Run in Port Townsend was a challenging 12k and part of the Grand Prix Series schedule. It was a favorite among many of the Series participants. The race sponsor, Jefferson Health Care offered “The Jefferson Cup” as a prize for team competition.
Before 2015, the Jefferson Health Care team had won the cup every year. That year however the Silver Striders decided to field a team comprised of some of the top runners in the state.
Some of the team members had been doing the Rhody Run for many years and were familiar with the difficulties presented by the big hills and the May heat. Chloe Parr and Jerry Dietrich declared this race their all time favorite. Dave Anderson, Nora Collings and Judy Fisher had done the race numerous times. Additionally, three of the team members held course records.
Judy Fisher held the course record for Women 65-69. Judy Fisher also held the course record for Women 70-74. Chloe Parr held the course record for Women 80-84 and possessed 4 Gold, 4 Silver and 2 Bronze medals from past efforts. Jerry Dietrich held the course record for Men 80-84 and possessed 2 Gold medals.
The team looked very strong on paper although someone remarked that having 13 runners on the team was bad luck. The five highest finishers would determine our points.
When the race was over, the team had won 1 Gold, 2 Silver and 2 Bronze to win the Jefferson Cup by a wide margin over the defending champions.
When the Silver Striders were announced as the winners, cheers broke out and hugs were shared by the team members.
In 2016 so many Silver Striders joined the team that we decided to enter two teams. A Men’s and a Woman’s.
Once again Silver Striders overwhelmed the competition finishing 1st and 2nd. This win was met with a little less enthusiasm because it was expected.
Jefferson Health Care decided to retire the cup to the Silver Striders ending the team competition marking the finish of a brief but exciting Silver Strider foray into team competition.
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TxxThe Battle Of The Boomers 2015-18
Historically, The Battle Of The Boomers was the most popular Silver Strider event among elite athletes over 50. This was probably due to the generous prize money and the prestige of being recognized as a top athlete. The top six ranked runners in each age group were invited to participate in this competition which spanned three years.
The brainchild of Dennis Zaborac, the race sponsor, the Boomer Races were an immediate success. Each age group battle was incorporated into a popular existing race over a period of two years. The “Final Battle” included all previous entrants who competed on an age graded basis.
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xxxxxThe Final Battle – Who Won?
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by Dennis Zaborac with photos by Bruce Fisherx
After nearly two years to the date, on July 15, 2017, the final “Battle of the Boomer’s” race returned to the course where the series originally started, the Kent Cornucopia 5k. Under a warm and sunny day, fifty-two Boomer’s lined up to compete for the title of “Best of the Boomers” in an age-graded competition for money and trophies.
At age 68, I was pretty much in the middle of the Boomer’s demographics, where the youngest runner was 50 year’s old and the oldest competitor was 88 year’s old. I had no delusion of winning it all. Like most of the runners, I was out to run my best, maybe taking down one or two in my age group, and hoping to land in one of the lucky spots paying $100.
At the start line, a small group of the fastest “ purple shirts” formed near the front. The rest were scattered further back among all the other runners. I slipped into the middle of the pack, thinking those in front of me would pull me along, while those behind me would push me forward. That, of course, didn’t happen. The ones ahead of me took off, and the ones behind me trampled me.
In an age-graded competition, it is impossible to know from your position in the race who is actually winning. It comes down to how far ahead of you is that 50-year-old kid. And how close behind you is that 80-year-old man. You are basically left to running against yourself. You push yourself to the limit and hope for the best. Still, that competitor in you will never go away.
While running, I still found myself trying to guess the age of any “purple shirt’ near me. When I passed someone, I took a good look to see if they were younger than me, and when someone passed me, my confidence would drop if they looked older than me.
All along the course, Boomers were passing each other. To spectators along the course, it must have seemed like the purple wave of a UW football game. Only, no one was passing footballs.
Trying to keep track of 52 runners while you are running in a regular race is a challenging task. Trying to keep track of 52 runners in an age-graded race is an impossible task. Like all the other runners in the Boomer race, when I crossed the finish line I had no idea of who had won or how I had fared. All I knew was that It would take awhile to calculate who had the best age-graded time and determine a winner.
However, as I looked around at my Boomer competitors, and saw the health they had, the camaraderie they shared, and the smiles on their faces, I immediately knew who had won.
We had all won.
We were winners long before we even stepped up to the start line of the Cornucopia 5K. We had the credentials to prove it. We had the purple shirts. We were the best in our age groups, and by some means, through the decades, had found a way to outrun “father time” and remain active and healthy well into our senior years.
In age graded, any age can win money.
1st Joe Sheeran 59, 17:29 $500 + Trophy
2nd Jane Treleven 68, 22:51 $300 + Trophy
3rd Patricia Warner 71, 23:49 $200 + Trophy
10th John O’Hearn 55, 18:18 $100
20th Keith Lerew 59, 19:51 $100
30th Dave Sherman 63, 21:39 $100
40th Louise Mihay 76, 32:57 $100
50th Chloe Parr 88, 53:24 $100
2nd to last Jerry Dietrich 83, 41:09 $ 50
The Agony and the Ecstasy
****Note from the sponsor****
I want to thank all of you for participating in the Boomer series, and I want to thank Betty and Jerry Dietrich and the Silver Striders for making it happen. My intent was to bring the best of the best together and put a face to the names on the Top Ten Lists. In so doing, I believe we have brought the state’s running community a little closer together.
I hope to see you all at the start lines of races for years to come.
Dennis Zaborac
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One year later the competitors returned for the “Final Battle Part 2”.
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TxxxxThe Results Of The Final Battle of the Boomers – Part II
July 14, 2018 – Kent, WA
After three years of competition, Jane Treleven, age 69, has emerged as the Battle of the Boomers Champion. Jane got up from a sickbed to compete in the first Final Battle and still finished 2nd. This time she was in top form.
Her World Class age graded score of 92.7 was by far the dominate performance of the entire Series.
Here are the results showing the winners. The performances were amazing. The age group winners crowned State Champions at the Cornucopia 5k were true 2018 Champions of their age divisions.
The Battle of the Boomers series was the created and funded by Dennis Zaborac, a true patron of the running world.
Boomers Final Battle Part II Winners on July 14, 2018
XXX XXX Here is tHere is the final wrap-up for the Battle of the Boomers 2015-18
The total prize money won In all Boomer Races was as follows:
1. Jane Treleven$700 2. Joe Sheeran $500 3. Carol Sexton $340 4. Louise Mihay $310 5. Pat Warner $200 5. Mark Billett $200 5. John OHearn $200 8. Ed Heckard $150 9. Dave Sherman $130 10. Keith Lerew $120 11. Judy Fisher $100 11. Regina Joyce $100 11. David Crawford $100 11. Chloe Parr $100 11. Kristen Mossman $100 11. Richard Olafson $100 11. Arne Hales $100 11. Bryan Sepal $100 11. Barb Bumann $100 11. Larry Glenn $100 22. Jerry Dietrich $80 23. William Waters $70 24. 13 Runners $50 25. 11 Runners $40 26. 10 Runners $30 27. 9 Runners $20 28. 7 Runners $10 _________ Total Prize Money $5,640Top Battle of the Boomers performances age graded
Red = WORLD CLASS Blue = NATIONAL CLASS Jane Treleven 92.70 Joe Sheeran 90.57 Pat Warner 89.83 Judy Fisher 89.57 Mark Billett 87.58 Carol Sexton 86.70 Gail Hall 86.17 Regina Joyce 85.38 David White-Espin 85.23 Lisa Knoblich 84.90 David Longmuir 83.85 John OHearn 83.80 Carol Grisso 83.63 Kristen Mossman 83.52 David Crawford 82.83 Donna Jackson 82.34 Becky Backstrom 82.31 Kent Sizer 81.06 Denis Villeneuve 80.60 Doug Beyerlein 80.04
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