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Vancouver Front Runners president's report 2008

Thanks everyone for being a part of Super St Nick Saturday and a special hats off to Sandy and Wild Garlic for a wonderful brunch. As well. I would like to thank the board for all their work this year. Your 2008 board members are Stanley, Bob, David, Jag, Gar, Jim, John, and Patrick. And of course all the coordinators and volunteers who help make possible everything that we do: races, our regular runs and revolution runs, parties, etc.

I hope you're enjoying everything so far, There's more to come! Since I have only three minutes, I'll keep the president's report short and sweet with a selection of ten significant events, accomplishments, and moments of 2008. Please go to our website for details and pictures.

In no particular order:

  1. We now have green covered off in our rainbow collection of club shirts. Please talk to Jag about the next colour and shirt style should be.
  2. Early in the year we enjoyed a fun membership-drive party jointly hosted with the English Bay Tri Club at Score. We hope to continue with this every year.
  3. Our team placed second at the Vancouver Sun Run in our category. It's now VANOC that we need to worry about—not the Optometrists. Patrick was the captain once again and Norm and he were pleased to host a pasta dinner the evening before.
  4. We placed first in the relay at the Vancouver Marathon (relay team—community, male). Bob was the team captain. We had a pre-race dinner a Wild Garlic and a post race BBQ at Patrick and Norm's.
  5. We place second at the James Cunningham. Peter Ladner's team may have beaten us but Gregor became our mayor in Vancouver. Gar was team captain.
  6. A small group participated in the Fall Classic: good route, good food, good finishing times plus a tasty brunch at Milestones. Unfortunately, many participants were trapped in the UBC parkade after the race, including Patrick. On a side note, at this event and the others mentioned above, we had several personal bests and age-group top 10s! Congratulations to all!
  7. One of our founding members, Rick, hosted a 25th anniversary pool party in South Surrey.
  8. The club supported Team Vancouver's bid to hold the 2011 North America Outgames. Vancouver won!. Please see Patrick if you're interested in getting involved.
  9. VFR actively participated in Pride Weekend with a booth at the festival (thanks Kevin for organizing) and the Pride Run in Stanley Park (co-race directors: Patrick and Paul; sponsorship: John Andru). Many thanks to the coordinators and volunteers. The Pride Run raised almost $13,000 for the Dr. Peter Centre, thanks in large part to TELUS's $5,000 matching donation.
  10. And finally, we continue our new Vancouver Front Runners tradition. Last year's inaugural President's Award went to Stanley for his contribution to club communications. Our second annual President's Award goes to a very special friend and supporter. He's been our tireless race director for three Pride Runs and I'm very proud to present this year's award to Paul Johnson.

Patrick Tham. 2008 president

The club ended 2008 with 72 members.