COMING...
---Run It/Walk It for Chris Brown 5K February 14...
Team Bird 2 travels to Dawson Indoor...
FEBRUARY 6 - Proviso West High School in Hillside, Illinois was the site of another Team Bird 2 showing on the indoor track circuit.
   Brooke Werstler lowered her marks in 3000m with an 11:45 and in 800m with a 2:43. Madison Miller was not to be outdone and smashed her previous 3000m time by more than a minute, crossing the tape in 12:39. Ryan Smith, coming off a slight injury, clocked 10:03 in 3000m and posted 2:20 in 800m.
   New Team Bird members, Jocelyn and Sydney Willis, clocked 3:18 and 2:58 in 800m, 6:41 and 5:48 in 1500m and 12:33 in 3000m.
   The Woods sisters opted to help the team by running shorter events. The duo took earned bragging rights in the 400 by out-running many of the sprinters. Jillian Woods clocked 1:28 in 400m for and Maddie ran 1:13.
MORE RESULTS AND PHOTOS ON THE TEAM BIRD 2 PAGE --- HERE

Bill Rodgers in Fort Wayne...
FWTC honors James Martin and Kate DeSimone...
Rodgers talks about coaching young kids --- HERE
JANARY 31 - The legendary Bill Rodgers, four-time winner of the Boston and New York marathons, spoke Sunday night to a full house of Fort Wayne Track Club members and guests at the Marriott Inn,

Rodgers started running at age 15 and was drawn to the marathon based on success of his college roommate Amby Burfoot.

"Today we live in a brave new world," Rodgers, now 62, said. "Age is being re-defined."

Rodgers told the audience that the hardest thing about running is just getting out the door.

Rodgers said he tried playing golf, played baseball, even hockey. "But running was the only thing I was good at," he said.

To the area coaches in the audience, Rodgers reminded them that "coaching is a wonderful thing. You are a real giver."

Rodgers was motivated mostly by racing. "I was always a racer and tried to win," he said. "I like winning. I still like to compete."

He described Alberto Salazar, another Boston Marathon winner, as "one of the fiercest competitors I ever met."

Comparing the early days of the running boom and development of distance running, Rodgers said today's environment is so different.

"Everything is so professional - the organization, the medical support, everything."

While winning many races and accolades over his career, Rodgers said, "The ultimate honor was to travel to other countries to represent our country."

After his remarks, Rodgers assisted the FWTC in honoring the Chris Brown "Runners of the Year": James Martin and Kate DeSimone. Josh Graham, along with Brad Hess, Kaylee McClanahan and Brianna Johnson were also honored.
Runnin' with Bill Rodgers...
JANUARY 31 - Several members of the Fort Wayne Track Club got the opportunity to run with Bill Rodgers this morning. Rodgers is in town as a guest to the annual FWTC banquet tonight.
Winter Carnival 5K...
Elias Rojas first at Winter Carnival 5K --- COMPLETE RESULTS
JANUARY 30 - After a 6-year hiatus, the Winter Carnival 5K drew 44 runners back to Syracuse to race on a frigid morning.
   Elias Rojas of Ligonier was the overall winner in 16:12, exactly one minute ahead of race director Brian Shepherd in second. Shepherd was also the masters champion. Chuck Schlemmer, another masters runner, placed third overall in 17:23
   Team Bird's Maddie Woods and Brooke Werstler were the top female runners. Woods placed 8th overall in 21:11 and Werstler was 9th in 21:12. Betty Nelson was the female master winner in 26:56.
   Air temperature at the start of the race was nine degrees with a windchill below zero.
   "It was cold, chilly, but you just go out there and do what you gotta do," said Rojas.
   Rojas has been logging his training miles outdoors in preparation of a half-marathon and is comfortable running in cold conditions. Keeping his hands warm is his biggest concern.
   "My hands are the first to go," he said. "Other than that my lungs are good, my legs are fine, as long as I have a good warm-up going."
   Despite the cold weather, several youngsters who are members of Team Bird 2 competed in the race. Luke Griner won the 12-and-under age division and Ryan Smith won the 13-15 age division. Madison Miller won the female 11-and-under division and Kaely Bame won the female 16-19 division.

Brooke Werstler of Team Bird 2 sets new PRs --- TEAM BIRD PAGE
Team Bird 2 runners compete on home track of Olympian Dave Wottle...
Team Bird 2 runners compete in Illinois...
JANUARY 17 - Three members of Team Bird 2 traveled to Bloomington, Illinois on January 17 to compete in an indoor meet at the Wesleyan University Shirk Athletic Complex.

   Sam Griner, a 4th-grader, posted times of 3:10, 6:19, and 13:19 in 800m, 1500m, and 3000m.

   Ryan Smith, a Central Noble 9th-grader, ran 2:23 in 800m and 4:38 in 1500m.

   Kodi Mullins, a Homestead HS junior (right photo), finished the 800m in 2:05, ran 4:27 in 1500m, and 9:23 in 3000m.

   Team members will travel to Bowling Green, Ohio on Saturday, January 23, for the Blackjack Indoor Track Classic.

Photo below: Team Bird 2's Sam Griner lines up on the outside lane at the start of the 1500m run.

Mike Cole wins Dave's 10-miler in Delta, Ohio...
Photo below - Mike Cole of Corunna runs in second place shortly after the half-way point. He broke away before the 6th and went on for the win.