2017 Features Archives Index

In addition to putting out a quality newsletter and maintaining an active website, Gulf Winds Track Club produces 15 "official" races each year, a Grand Prix series, weekly training sessions for beginning, intermediate and advanced runners, lectures, a...

Presented by David Yon I have run more miles with this person than any other, almost 20 years of running together. So, yes I am a bit biased and extremely pleased about this presentation. When you run that many miles with someone, you get to know a lot...

By Gary Griffin Sometimes things happen that are beyond even our wildest dreams. That has never stopped us from dreaming, and sometimes reaching for the seemingly impossible. I think that's what the English poet Robert Browning was getting at when he...

Presented by Jane JohnsonWhen I think about this year's winner of the Cleveland-Caldwell Award for the Advancement of the Sport of Running, I can't help but think of the key premise of the movie, "Pay it Forward," which goes like this:If someone did you a...

Presented by David Yon As a race director, I have always been a bit wary of sponsors and their demands. But with Capital Health Plan I have had the pleasure of working with a sponsor that has become a partner who shares a common goal. And I got to work...

Presented by Gary DrozeRunning author John Parker once likened the emergence of successful distance runners to the approach of a steam locomotive, noting that you can see them coming from a long way off. His point was that most talented runners tip their...

Presented by Mary Jean YonOur story starts 279 days ago at the 108th running of the Boston Marathon. The temperatures were some of the hottest this prestigious event has ever experienced and you can tell the scars run deep for our local running friends who...

Written in 1989 by Bill McGuireIn the beginning there were no hills in the Springtime Tallahassee 10K. In fact, the race had only about 6.5 Ks and it wasn't even on Springtime Tallahassee weekend. What it did have was Dennis Fitzgerald, a man dedicated to...

By David YonIf you asked me to select one event that best reflected GWTC, I would have a hard time selecting a better example than the Christmas Eve Run to St. Marks and or Posey's. More than anything else it is a gathering of family and friends. The run...

Presented by Judy Alexander Eight years ago, Brian Corbin and I told David Yon we would gather, sort and distribute the charitable donations garnered at the Turkey Trot. Little did we know that both of our cars would be loaded to the point that the...

By Nadine Dexter The Volunteer of the Year award allows us to acknowledge someone each year who has made tremendous contributions to the success of Gulf Winds events and even to the success of the club itself. This individual is often someone who has...

Presented by Herb Wills I've looked over the 2005 racing performances for this year's Gulf Wind Track Club Male Runner-of-the-Year. In thirteen starts he finished in the top ten in each time. These are top ten overall male finishes, even though the...

Presented by Tony Guillen This award is given to a GWTC triathlete, active in the club, whose love of triathlon is demonstrated not only in competition, but also in commitment, service & inspiration.Competition: Completed The Redhills Triathlon, St....

Presented by David Yon It used to be said that a woman's place is in the home. As I watched so many women run off and leave me in races and on trails, I have to laugh and wonder what coach potato thought that one up. There are of course still glass...

By Bonnie Wright and Jane Johnson B: Here at the Academy Awards of the Gulf Winds Track Club, Jane and I felt this award was too important to let just one person present the award. J: The Cleveland-Caldwell Advancement of the Sport Award recognizes an...

By Gary Droze It makes perfect sense that the volunteer of the year cannot be here tonight to accept his award. As club members, we should not feel slighted by his absence, any more than the producers of the hit movie "The Pursuit of Happyness" should feel...

By Jay Wallace I have known this year's men's runner of the year for about a year and a half of Saturday morning races. In that short time, a few things have become apparent. He has an infectious enthusiasm for the sport, a fierce competitive spirit, a...

By Nancy Laux Good evening everyone! It is really a pleasure to be here tonight with all of you.Due to the busy lives that many of us lead today, what with work, family, and other obligations people take upon themselves, so many have little time, if any at...

From a giddy Race Director… Jay Silvanima, 2007 Tallahassee Marathon Race DirectorIt's hard to know where to start.... I'll start with thanks to Jack McDermott, Gary Griffin, Fred Deckert, Felton Wright, and Mae Cleveland for insider information on what is...

Breeda’s Secret Training Tips-How to Reclaim & Retain Fitness Yes, it has been awhile since GWTC has rolled out a quest speaker, so why not start with someone who has been to the mountain. That is what Fred & Margarete Deckert thought when they...