Red Cross Rescue Racers

This year’s 16 members of the Red Cross Rescue Race team includes, from left (front) Rein Mungo, Kerri Seramur, Cathy Stevens, Michelle Winstead and Rebecca Causey; (back) Grand Strand Running Club Coach Terry Layton, Lori Church, Penny Seramur, Ellen Brady, Program Chair Susan Mungo, Red Cross CEO Angela Nicholas, Ginger Leggett, Barbara Allen, Coleen Parr, Tom Russo and GSRC Coach Randy Melko. Team member Barbara Vahey is not pictured.

Withers Preserve sponsors new marathon training program

Individuals who want to run or walk in the popular Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon or Dasani Half Marathon can do so with a purpose thanks to a new training program established through the local American Red Cross and sponsored by Withers Preserve.

Called the Red Cross Rescue Racers program, participants with varying levels of fitness, can train successfully to run or walk the half or whole marathon. Now in its 11th year, the marathon attracts attendees from across the nation.

The local Coastal South Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross has partnered to create the program to promote good health while encouraging safety in training for locals who wish to run or walk the half or whole marathon on Feb. 16, 2008. In 2007, more than 10,000 people came to Myrtle Beach to attend the marathon, which has grown rapidly over the last 10 years, according to co-founder Shaun Walsh. Team members have the benefit of structured coaching and training from experienced Grand Strand Running Club members as well as educational sessions in the areas of nutrition, proper footwear, body mechanics, relaxation and other helpful topics. Participants also benefit from the experience and guidance of seasoned local marathoners who can share how they achieved success.

Flexible training plans are established for novice, average or experienced runners/walkers, with Grand Strand Running Club President Terry Layton on hand for all meetings to offer support and advice to participants.

“This is the inaugural year for the program,” said Angela Nicholas, Coastal South Carolina Chapter Chief Executive Officer, “and we expect our numbers to grow each year as the public learns more about the program and its value.”

This year, there are 16 members of the team, including Nicholas and local Red Cross board member Susan Mungo, who is serving as program chair, and Grand Strand Running Club Coach Randy Melko. Other team members include: Barbara Allen, Ellen Brady, Rebecca Causey, Red Cross board member Lori G. Church, Ginger Leggett, Rein Mungo, Coleen Parr, Tom Russo, Kerry Seramur, Penny Seramur, Cathy Stevens, Michele Winstead and Barbara Vahey.

For participants who sign up for the training program, there is a $25 registration fee, and each participant commits to raising a minimum of $500 for the local Red Cross to use to provide services to the community, which include disaster response and emergency military communications.

Joining the team guarantees your slot in the race, which fills up quickly; race attire bearing the Red Cross Rescue Racer and Withers Preserve logos; team meetings and a pre-race pasta party hosted at the Old Train Depot in Myrtle Beach, and catered by Carrabba’s.

The team will also host an informational booth at the Race Expo being held from 5-9 p.m. Feb. 14 and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Marriot Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach. Withers Preserve is sponsoring Red Cross mini-first aid packets to be handed out at the booth and Cabot Creamery has donated low-fat cheese snacks.

While entry into the race through the team has closed for the 2008 race, information for entry next year can be obtained by calling (843) 477-0020. You can email Redcross@coastalscarc.org for more details.