To include your results from major out of town races in these listings send the information to notc@runnotc.org.
Two NOTC competitive teams did well at 2007 Azalea Trail Run held Saturday, March 24, in Mobile, AL, placing first in the Womens Open division and third in the Mens Open division. Womens team members were Santilla Victorian, Kelly Nicholas, Laura Magann, Heidi Melia, Sophie Chaze, and Tiffany Kitto. Mens team members were Sean Fitzwilliam, Ronnie Palazzotto, Byron Adams, Rocky Silva, Bill Plunkett, and Scott Hoxie.
The NOTC donated $30,000 to New Orleans City Park for the purchase and
installation of drinking water fountains. These fountains are stainless
steel and similar to the type installed in Audubon Park. There are sections
for pets and humans to drink, as well as overhead water sprays. Look for
them in City Park in the near future.
The 11th Annual United Way of St. Charles Bridge Run presented by Valero
Energy Corporation and Motiva Enterprises took place off the bridge for the
first time this year.
A meeting took place early on the morning of the race at the East Bank Bridge Park between the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's office and the NOTC Race Director. Weather conditions at the time (6:00 AM) were looking good. However, the Sheriff's department was in contact with the regional weather offices who had forecast details that placed a band of showers and heavy winds at the race site possibly as early as 9:00 AM. With an 8:30 AM start this forecast if it stayed the course could cause serious problems for the 1500 plus participants high atop the Hale Boggs Mississippi River Bridge with nowhere to seek safety during the race. Rainfall is generally no problem for NOTC races, in this situation, heavy winds and strong gusts atop a bridge was the major concern. The decision was made to move the course to the alternate 5K route on ground level in Luling at the Westbank Bridge Park. The out and back route proceeded on River Road and Sugarlands Parkway. All NOTC volunteers quickly moved all start equipment and personnel for registration over to the Westbank and coordinated all activities on that side.
With $4000.00 in prize money on the line, a good field of runners took part in the race. Meyer Friedman and Michelle Hymel were the first overall finishers, each winning $500.00. Their times were 15:35 and 18:37. Meyer was the 2007 and 2005 New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon winner, while Michelle was the first local female in the recent Crescent City Classic 10K. Finishing 2nd were Andrew Huston at 15:52 and Santilla Victorian at 18:50. Rounding out the top three were Sean Fitzwilliam at 16:02 and Michelle Friedman at 19:53. Masters overall winners were Wayne Chenet at 17:28 and Margo Braud from Austin, TX at 20:06. The Grand Masters division winners were Al Guevara and Fillis Friedman at 18:56 and 22:56. Seniors overalls were Juan Perez and Yvonne Thomas at 19:19 and 26:14.
Thanks to the many NOTC volunteers and the United Way of St. Charles volunteers. Race proceeds benefit the United Way of St. Charles.
We appreciate our volunteers! Thank you!
All enjoyed a great day with great food...crawfish, corn & potatoes, Corky's Bar-B-Que chicken, shredded pork, baked beans, coleslaw, buns, dessert, drinks, and beer!
The Officers and Members-At-Large of the Board of Directors for
2007-2008 were elected at the General Membership Meeting held
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at The Foundation Center in Lafreniere
Park, Metairie, LA. The new officers are Mo Emory, President,
Aaron Boudreaux, Vice-President, Betsy Boudreaux, Secretary, and
Tony Stolz, Treasurer.
Elected Members-At-Large are Tina Abbott, Pam Congemi, Della Donner, Judy Lasseigne, Kenny Mire, Louis Schultz, and Mary Stadler. Appointed board members will be named at a later date.
RRCA President Bee McLeod approved the appointment of Betsy Boudreaux to serve
as the Louisiana RRCA State Representative.
Betsy has been actively involved as a member of the New Orleans Track Club (NOTC) Board of Directors and has served in such positions as race course, registration, T-shirt and results coordinator. She is Vice President of the Best Bank Track Club and an active member of three New Orleans area track clubs. She is the co-founder and race director of Christ the King School fundraiser. She served on the NOTC RRCA convention host committee in 2005 and has been the NOTC Representative at the 2006 and 2007 RRCA conventions. She and her family spend most weekends volunteering at local races.
She has been running for six years and is an avid runner who rises each morning at 4 AM to train with some ladies in her neighborhood: three days running, two days brick training and lifting weights three days a week as well. She has placed in the top five of the NOTC Grand Prix series in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Betsy has run two marathons; the most memorable was finishing the 2005 Mardi Gras Marathon inside the Superdome and her son waiting for nearly five hours to place the finisher's medal around her neck. When she and her family evacuated several months later for Hurricane Katrina that medal was one of the few mementos she took with her. Betsy has also completed twelve half-marathons and six triathlons, winning her age division in three of them.
Betsy's background includes a career in property management and a stint as multi-store manager for a chain of women's clothing stores. When she and her husband married she was able to pursue her dream of being a self-employed landscaper and left the corporate world to "cut grass for a living and play in the dirt!" She declares "life is good."
Betsy's goal as the RRCA State Rep for Louisiana is to raise awareness of what the RRCA is and how it can benefit even the smallest of running clubs. She wants her clubs to know we are all working towards a common goal and that is to improve the sport of running!
Betsy currently resides in Terrytown, LA with her husband Aaron and son Tyler (15).