Winter Series registration opens, new website and RunSignUp is launched
Newtown Pennsylvania- By Ima Runner
Panic and outrage ensued when BCRR president Johnny King-Marino raised entry fees to the 2016-2017 BCRR Winter Series to historic levels. “This is unprecedented!” opined longtime club member Manny Miles.“ Does this mean we all will have to give up our Gortex and go back to tube socks and headbands? “ “ I look terrible in those 80’s neon colors” exclaimed Manny’s wife Alota Miles. “We will all get frost bite in one hand wearing only one glove ala Michael Jackson” said top past series champion Chase Leader.
King-Marino claims inflation and other factors are to blame for the cost increase.
“The cost of Steele Cut Oats, Walnuts, dried cranberries and Almond milk are way up.” “Additionally the cost of propane for the heaters at registration and printing those numbers with each club members name on it have gone up substantially over the last twenty years.” “I am only naming a few things that are driving prices up.”
“I can’t see why we need heaters.” complained veteran club member Hillary Hillrepeater. “In the old days the volunteers just got frost bite, and they liked it!”
‘Why do we need race numbers with our names on them?” said Ultra marathoner Billy Blacktoes. “Yeah I get a bit embarrassed that I still can’t remember the name of that guy I run with every week ten weeks into the series, I just say hey buddy, or dude it works for me”
“I think the prices are going up because the club is giving so much money to charity” barked Tammy Trackstar. “Yeah, we used to sit on our money and watch it grow.” “Nowadays we keep donating all this money to our community”
Past BCRR president Larry Longrun chimed in: “Yeah, now the club has a second bathroom at Tyler, the park rangers (With a little help from Anchor Construction) were able to upgrade a second bathroom not far from the boathouse with heat and also to buy much needed tools and a new chainsaw.” If the park keeps upgrading it will be so nice that everyone will want to run there, the trails could get crowded, we can’t have more people running in the park now can we?” I used to be able to ice my butt on the toilet seat after every race!” Longrun continued: “Besides, why should we care if children get holiday gifts or people with Parkinson’s disease get more services or if a stupid museum maintains the history of Bucks County? Next thing you know they are going to give money to help stamp out ALS or some stupid food bank, couldn’t we just give them our leftover stale bagels?”
Former Winter Series woman’s champion and past club treasurer Chelsea Checkbook had this to say about what she feels is a pattern of reckless spending: “We are runners; we are supposed to suffer and eat bad food. Why have healthy delicious food when we can get free day old bagels and Skippy Peanut Butter for next to nothing” “ We all know if you run you can afford to eat all the hydrogenated fat you want! Why should the club set a healthy example?”
Club president Johnny King-Marino was quick to defend the price increase:
“With all these amenities the club is still getting about five dollars a race” “ It’s hard to find a race anywhere for less then twenty-five bucks” I think it’s a steal what else can the club do to make it’s members happy?”
“You could throw in a free uniform” said club member Sally Singlet…” I am tired of going to club sponsored races and seeing more uniforms from other clubs than our own…and yeah…I think we need choices…lots of choices!”
King-Marino pondered for as moment: “Well the board did commission the design of six new uniforms, singlets and tech t-shirts, what if we threw a choice of one free one in for each member who renews and signs up for the BCRR Winter Series?” Obviously families would get one and then pay for additional official BCRR singlets or tech t-shirts. How does that sound?
Manny Miles shot back: I will proudly wear my Members Only jacket to every race!” Alota Miles responded: “Where are my Neon headband and matching leggings?” Larry Longrun was less effusive: “Don’t expect me to eat any of that gluten free crap!”
Seriously though folks we have been getting away with highway robbery with the price of the BCRR Winter Series. Similar series in our area charge literally three times what we are now charging and give a fraction of the amenities.
When I took on the tremendous responsibility and deep honor of being club president I promised several things: More group runs, more social activities, a better web and social media experience, more spirit and a community give back that will put our growing club on the philanthropic landscape of Bucks County. No longer will we be takers, instead we will be contributors and facilitators. Thanks to the hard work of our tireless board and the many members who have stepped up to the plate, attendance at our group runs is at an historic high. We have fabulous participation at multiple runs almost every day of the week. We also launched a new more interactive website. Our club socials are well attended and we now have in addition to all the philanthropic activities nearly free CPR classes, discounted yoga and a few free socials per year with pizza beer wine and of course free pancakes.
The Board has funds set aside to anonymously pay for any member or family that can’t afford the series prices. We would never turn anyone away who could not afford to pay. If you cannot afford the series prices please contact me personally @ BCRRJohnny@gmail.com and no questions asked we will assist you in making the series affordable. This will be completely confidential.
I hope to see you for free pancakes on 12-3-2016 at our BCRR Winter Series signup party at Advanced Sports Chiropractic in Washington Crossing (details to come).