(published February, 2004)
According to RTC newsletter archives, the idea of a series of track-club sponsored races in which runners competed for points to determine the "overall" winner in various age groups, was partially inspired by a similar racing series for members of the Minnesota Distance Running Association (MDRA). According to Roger Spee, Track Club president in 1983, the original intent of the Grand Prix was to encourage more of the local competitive runners to stay in Rochester and run the local races. Other members of the board that year were Jeannie Block, Betty Brekhus, Mary Jo Dahl, Jerry Goodrich, Terry Guenthner, Ted Kelley, Jay Lucas, Dwight Pierson, Rita Roque and Dean Stenehjem. The first year, 1983, runners paid $5 to become part of the series. Concern about runners registering only after they knew they were going to win and low participation resulted in eliminating the fee the next year.
Steven Fetzer, a chiropractor at the Northgate Chiropractic Clinic, had contacted RTC about becoming sponsor of a major race. When he met with the board, it was also mentioned that the club was looking for a sponsor for the Grand Prix Series. Steve liked the idea of promoting a series of races and agreed to be sponsor. This relationship continued for 12 years, until his untimely death in 1995 when he was struck by lightning on a golf course. The following year, Kevin Lund, a partner in the firm Lund and Patterson, attorneys at law, agreed to have his firm become sponsor, which continued until 2001. In 2002, the Track Club continued the awards without a sponsor. The following businesses have agreed to co-sponsor the event in 2003-2004: Affiliated Credit, Med-City Marathon, Northgate Chiropractic Clinic, and Van Der Heyden and Ruffalo PA.
In the early years, only the winner in each age group received an award. That was soon expanded to the top three in each age group who competed in at least 3 races. A few times 4 awards were given in age groups with the largest number of competitors. The age groupings for each gender, under 20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50 and over, remained the same until 1997, when Pat Brown, became the first 60 and over winner. Karen Connelly became the first female 60 and over winner in 2000.
The number of races making up the Grand Prix circuit have varied from 6 ( in 1987, when the cross-country race was cancelled), to 9 (including 1984 and 2003). The races in 1984 included the Rochester 20K (the only race still part of the Grand Prix, now the Steven Fetzer 20K), Life Run, Advantage 10K, Basic 4, Bridgeman's Sundae Run, Lionhearted 7, Godfather 10K, Stride for Fitness 10K (no longer in the Grand Prix series, though it has continued as a popular race), and Hardee's Halloween Run.
The Giuseppi's Half Marathon was added in 1985 (now Holiday Inn Half), the Mayo Open Cross Country race was added in 1986, the All-Comers Mile in 1986, and the Women's Race in 1989. When the Lionhearted 7 race was discontinued after 1992, the Douglas Trail 11 miler took its place. The Bridgeman's Sundae Run (1984-86), was replaced by the Razz Run (1987-88), the RTC 10K (1989-94), the RTC 8K (1995- 97) and the Aviary Trail Run (15K and now 10 Mile). The last race added to the schedule was the Spirit Run 10K in 1996.
Over the years, the Grand Prix results have been compiled by John Resman, Doc Craddock, Ross Hamernik, and (currently) Steve DeBoer. Steve is quick to admit that occasional errors are caught by other sharp-eyed track club members.
Some of the dominant runners in the early years included Donna Mueller (2nd in 1984 and 1st in 1985-87 in age 20-29), Lois Lucas (2nd in 1984 and 1st in 1985-87 in age 40-49), and Jim Parry (1st in 1987-1990 in age 20-29).
Though not all of the following individuals have consistently won their age group, they have ALL placed in the top 3 at least 5 of the 20 Grand Prix years:
| Tim Anderson |
5 (won 1) |
|
Jim Clennon |
7 (won 5) |
| Erik Virchow |
5 (won 1) |
Pat Brown |
7 (won 6,all in a row) |
| Rosemary Harnly |
5 (won 2) |
Carol Prescher |
8 (won 4) |
| Jack Igel |
5 (won 4) |
Karen Connelly |
8 (won 7, 4 in a row) |
| Tony Poirier |
6 (won 4) |
Deb Thomford |
8 (won 8, 6 in a row) |
| Gwen Sibbers |
6 (won 6, all in a row) |
Jim Hannon |
9 (won 6, 5 in a row) |
| Jane Sloan |
7 (won 0) |
Brad Kautz |
10 (won 7, 5 in a row) |
| Pete Huffman |
7 (won 2) |
Sabrena Resman |
11 (won 2) |
| Marty Luhmann |
7 (won 2) |
Jerry Wille |
12 (won 6, 5 in a row) |
| Al Shufelt |
7 (won 4) |
Carmel Vrabel |
12 (won 9, 7 in a row) |
And who knows how many more Carmel might have won if she had not moved away?
The most consistent (though not the most winning) performers over the past 20 years have been Linda Gentling (14, won 6) and "Streak" DeBoer (16, won 2). Interestingly, Steve and Lin also have accumulated the most running miles for their gender over their careers, among those who completed the Running Questionnaire published in the last issue of the RTC Newsletter. Lin thanks Carmel Vrabel, Deb Thomford and Susan Powers, while Steve thanks Brad Kautz, Jerry Wille and Jim Hannon, for providing them with the sometimes unbeatable age group competition.
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