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May 8, 2008

Jerry Musco Memorial 8K Run and 2-Mile Walk set for June 8

Milt Schumacher offers some compelling reasons for runners to circle June 8 on their calendars:

SHOULD YOU DO THE MUSCO?

Road racing. If you are a serious runner, you are likely to unfold a large yearly calendar early in January and start filling in weekends with race names and locations that you would like to “do” over the coming 12 months, subject to changes as the year advances forced upon you by such things as: short term weather forecasts, injury, or where your running buddies are racing on any particular weekend. By year’s end, the races listed in your running log may look nothing like your “January calendar”, and you may reflect on which races actually fit neatly into your January Do List goals.

Every road race, be it in Rhode Island or elsewhere, has something of unique value to offer us as runners (or walkers). Each of us are unique, as well, and it is a valuable exercise to spend a little thought in making the right choice at the right time when converting our “do list” into an actual race registration. When it comes to considering a new event other than your same old did it last year race, look carefully for clues (on the application or the race website or anecdotal word of mouth testimony) that help to reveal the heart and soul of the event; why should you DO that race? Are you up for another “flat and fast 5K”, another “supersize production” that creates kind of a Boston Marathon without the pain atmosphere, another try at taking a second off your 5K personal best finish time set before the reign of George II. Perhaps you are and that may be the perfect choice for you right now. If not, read on…

So, why should you “Do the Musco”? If you have noticed the race flyer, you know it’s called the Jerry Musco 8K Run / 2 Mile Walk, will start at 9 AM from Lincoln High School, and also offers shorter Kids races on the nearby track. Because the race evolved from two separate events, the proceeds go to two charities: Project Learn Adult and Family Literacy (www.projectlearn.org), and the Jerry Musco Memorial Scholarship. (more about the scholarship, Jerry Musco, and the race at www.rirr.org). But wait, there’s much more…

This is one of the sponsored races of the Rhode Island Road Runners, RI’s largest running club (so there should be enough of them so you will never feel alone on this challenging course). Did I say challenging? It is RI, and Lincoln being far from the coast (by RI standards) and the course, being chosen for its distance and other attractions, just happens to NOT be flat and fast. Why 8K? RI is full of 5K’s, a splattering of 10K’s and at least one 15K, but I am unaware of another 8K offered. This deliberate choice (only .03 miles less than 5 miles) is a clue to its other unique offerings. The hills alluded to above happen to be two (the remainder is flat and perhaps fast if you can recover from the hills), the second requiring the most discretion on ascending during mile four. Jacques Benun, the RI Rhode Runner who designed the course, calls the scenic loop around Kirkbrae CC the roller coaster of RI road racing. Enjoy the ride.

Just a couple of more reasons to Do The Musco: We unabashedly declare this race to be the RI 8K Club Championship. The challenge goes out to all area running clubs and running teams to send their best on June 8th. Open teams of three will be scored on total time and at least one team will receive an award in addition to the bragging rights as champions. In future years, we hope to expand the awards as well as encourage other clubs to offer Club Championships for other race distances. Need I mention the RIRR are known for their post race parties as much as for their love of the run: plenty of Ronzio Pizza, awards, raffles prizes…

Lastly, I encourage you to think about why you choose the races you choose, what do you know about their causes, their history, what is it that makes a race unique. Go to the websites above to discover more about who was Jerry Musco, what is Project Learn, how is this important to you. Do The Musco

Milt Schumacher, co-director, the Jerry Musco 8K Run / 2 Mile Walk

Posted by Carolyn Thornton at 9:36 AM | Comment | TrackBack