Website Update

As Michele reported today, the website has been updated to make our Sunday run more inviting to potential members.  Thanks, Michele.

 

It occurred to me that it might be of interest to our members to see the write-up which I provide  to out of town runners who ask to join us when the are visiting.  I am pasting below the info which I send them.  The write-up has some interesting history on the Sunday run.  It also gives them directions on how to find us

 

Here it is:

 

THE WINTER PARK 7:00 A.M. SUNDAY RUNNING GROUP

 

OVERVIEW

The Winter Park Running Group traces its roots back 30 years. It has been a source of pleasant running experiences and friendships for hundreds of runners over the years. Some of the current regulars have been running with the group for about twenty-five years.

 

We encourage and welcome runners of all ages and speed to join us. The age span ranges from teenagers to people in their late 70's, thus covering three generations.  The group is about evenly split by gender. A good percentage of the people who show up become regulars.  It is our policy to ensure that people new to the group are warmly welcomed and that they do not get lost on the course.

 

The Sunday run is under the auspices of the Orlando Runners Club and welcomes all local and visiting runners. The group is very eclectic.  Sunday turnout usually draws between a dozen to two dozen people. We get the best turnouts when the weather starts turning cooler.

 

The most popular distances range from five to ten miles, but the course easily accommodates shorter loops.  Typically we also draw people who are training for marathons or half-marathons and wish to do more extended mileage.  There is a pretty good range of speeds, typically a nine to ten minute pace.  Those running more slowly tend to be in the eleven to twelve minute range.  The course offers exceptional scenery and runners have the option of doing smaller loops of three, four or five miles.

 

Since Orlando is a tourist destination, we also have the good fortune of drawing visitors from five continents, thanks to the Orlando Runners Club website.  Visitors from Europe are not uncommon, particularly from the UK.  We also have hosted visitors from Australia (Brisbane), Asia (Tokyo, Japan) and South America (Brazil). In addition, we have drawn visitors from Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Canada and quite a few states (including Pennsylvania, Colorado, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, Maryland, Indiana, New York, Virginia, D.C., Arkansas, Tennessee, etc).

 

THE ROUTE

The run starts in downtown Winter Park at Central Park.  Winter Park is a very charming and scenic town just north of downtown Orlando.  Rollins College is situated at the south end of Park Avenue. The village also boasts fine restaurants and boutiques.  The route passes by a golf course, several lakes and beautiful neighborhoods. The topography is generally flat with a few small "Florida hills". Water is available at Miles 1.5, 4 and 7.  In addition, there is a convenience stores at Mile 6 where water and sports drinks can be purchased.

 

DIRECTIONS FOR VISITORS STAYING IN THE RESORT AREA

From International Drive, Kissimmee and the Disney area, go East on Interstate Route 4.  About 15 minutes later you will pass through downtown Orlando.  Begin to watch for a sign:  "Winter Park next three exits". Take the second one which is Fairbanks.  Follow the exit to the light and turn right on Fairbanks.  About five minutes on Fairbanks you will cross a railroad track.  Go two more traffic lights (only two blocks) and turn left on Park Avenue.  (Rollins College will be on your right at this point).  Proceed through two more traffic lights (again only two blocks) and start looking for a group of runners milling about.  There will be a park on your left.  There is ample parking space on the street.

 

If you are using GPS or Mapquest, punch in 142 Park Ave. South.  This is the address of a William Sonoma Store in the block where we meet.  We start promptly at 7:00 AM.