West Florida Y Runners Club          (WFYRC.com)
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           Welcome to the West Florida Y' Runners Club.    
The West Florida Y' Runners Club started in 1978. We are a registered non-profit, volunteer organization, whose purpose is to promote running, walking and overall fitness. We are located in Clearwater, Florida with Club Membership of 300+. We feature three club races each year: Tampa Bay Times Turkey Trot (November),
Sunsets at Sand Key Park  5K series (Summer),and Discover Caladesi Island 10-Miler & 5K, (February).
Our newsletter, 'Making Tracks', keeps you up-to-date on club events.
The club gives back each year with high school Scholarships to outstanding students.  

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WFYRC Track workouts moved to Northside Christian School
We are pleased and grateful to be able to run on a real track again.   Northside Christian School in St. Petersburg has granted us permission to use their fantastic track on Tuesday mornings.  Track (incl very clean bathrooms) will be open at 5:00 am - workout starts at 5:15 am and will end before 7:00 am - 

Because of the pandemic our track at Clearwater Highschool  closed in March. Since then we did our speed workouts on the Clearwater causeway which was a nice training opportunity but not as good and fast as on a real and rubberized track.   Since track at Clearwater High is no longer open for adults (only for students) we had to find a new place and after 10 months we are very lucky to be 'on track' again.

The school is located at 7777 62nd Avenue North in St. Petersburg -almost on the border of Pinellas Park and Seminole -   Social distancing and all other corona precautions are mandatory.  Don't forget to bring a mask.  Not neccesary while we run on the track, but everywhere else on school grounds we have to put it up!  Be safe!

Big thanks to Northside Christian!  
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                 PINELLAS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR RUNNERS
                   WFYRC invites you to apply for our College Scholarship
Qualifications are:
You are graduating high school in 2021
You ran either cross country and/or track during you senior year
You must be a WFYRC member

What you should do:
Write a letter to our scholarship committee telling us why you deserve this scholarship.
Include your phone # and email address
Have your coach write a recommendation letter
Send us your current school transcripts

Deadline is March 1st, please mail to:
Mary Pulaski
9138 Jakes Path
Largo, Fl  33771-6310
phone 813-416 4579
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MAKING TRACKS (February 2021) with latest running news from the Tampa Bay just published!
  *** click on THIS LINK
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because of extremely bad weather the Discover Caladesi Island race on Febr 13 was cancelled and will be held later this year. 

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 Important message about the Clearwater Turkey Trot on November 26, 2020 
​ Because of the corona virus pandemic the 2020 race is officialy cancelled.


We are thankful to the many participants and sponsors that have attended or been involved with the Turkey Trot over the past 40 years. We know that this tradition is important to so many friends and families and we are disappointed to have to share this news. We look forward to gathering together again for the race in 2021. Until then, stay safe and healthy.
Due to the size of the event, we will not be offering a virtual race.
A commemorative 2020 Turkey Trot T-shirt will be available for purchase until Nov 25.  To order click on this link: www.runsignup.com/tbtt  More info at: www.turkeytrot.net    

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​After 5 months lockdown to stop the spread of the corona virus the very first real 5k race in Florida happened here in the Tampa Bay as 96 runners took off at Sand Key Park.  The start was at 7:00 am on Friday, August 14 and  the  Beach race was a big success. Within 5 days 100 runners had signed up. “We could have had many more but were allowed only 100 with very strict rules of social distancing before and after the event,” said race director Skip Rogers. 

Steve Wilcox (49) from Oldsmar won the race in 19:57 – 2nd place was for Tommy Ramirez (49) from St. Cloud in 20:51while Jason Larkin (40) from Seminole was 3rd male in 22:24

At the females Candace Matthies (31) from Snyder, TX, was 1st in 21:28 and 2nd place was for Haley Thornton (15) from Safety Harbor.  Maya Noble from Clearwater (23) came in 3rd in 24:25.
Results are at: http://frrm.raceresults.space/2020/2020_SunsetsSK5k_OA.htm

    MAKING TRACKS (AUGUST) with a lot of Sand Key race pictures just published!
                                            *** click on THIS LINK***





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   WFYRC College Scholarships for 17 Tampa Bay HS Seniors
Seventeen talented 2020 High School Seniors from 7 different high schools in Pinellas and Hillsborough County have earned a $2000 college scholarship from the West Florida Y Runners Club.

The money comes from our Turkey Trot races as well as from the Discover Caladesi races.

Berkeley Prep Macy Maiocco
Clearwater High Sarah White
Dunedin High Shea Porter
Indian Rocks Christian 1 Brianna Pacecca 2 Max McNary 3 Jonathan Ellec 4 Ross Panado 5 John Sirabella 6 Solomon Wellar 7 Noah Lawrence 8 Katherine Cavonis
Northside Christian 1 Sam Lameyer 2 Sydney Shannon 3 Molly O’Beirne
Palm Harbor 1 Ian Johnson 2 James Bodolay
Tarpon Springs High Anabel Ellison
                                                                                 Congratulations Seniors, Good Luck!​



Latest issue Making Tracks, April 2020 newsletter 
click on: making_tracks_wfyrc_30042020opt.pdf

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WFYRC advice on Covid-19 (Coronavirus)

When running alone or training in groups, please continue to take all precautions and please be a good health steward. Assuming that you will follow the overarching CDC advice as well as advice from Florida Governor De Santis and Pinellas County officials, the WFYRC recommends some basic do's and don't's: 
  • Don’t show up if you are feeling ill or have flu-like symptoms.
  • Don't show up if someone in your household feels ill or has flu-like symptoms.
  • Don't share fluids. Carry your own fluids to avoid contact with others on course.  Avoid or be careful with public water-fountains.
  • Don't share towels, food, gels, or any other item that runners normally share freely.
  • Do wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after using the bathroom. 
  • Do not shake hands.
  • Do practice social distancing - ensure appropriate spacing between runners. The current recommendation is at least six feet of separation.
  • Do avoid close-group selfies.
  • ​BE SMART   BE SAFE
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Latest issue of 'Making Tracks' (August 2020) is ready! 
 Check this out:   < Making Tracks Aug 2020 >
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     Over 12.180 runners at 2019 Tampa Bay Times Turkey Trot
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   The 5k had 5.969 registered finishers.   The 10k attracted 1.234 athletes.
    The 1-mile got a total of 2.410 and the 4k had 2.568 registered finishers.
  At the end of the day a total of 12.181 runners & walkers  had crossed the finish line


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                        Paige Howard (32) from Tampa placed second in the 5k as well as the 10k
                       Jacki Wachtel (40) was 2 times third in the 5 and 10k
 
                         Total results can be found at  https://app.raceresults360.com/#/race/YbeUoD/5k/

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Ramirez wins 3 Beach races
Jose Ramirez (34) from Clearwater was the overall winner of the 2nd Sunsets at Sand Key Beach 5k on June 21 - He finished the race in 19:39 -  Ramirez won also the 1st race (June 7) in 20:04 -   First female was Alanta Lofton (14) from New Port Richey. She finished in 23:28 -  Overall female winner after 3 races was Jenna Gluski (32) from Clearwater

The 2nd race started in reverse direction to avoid a large group of sea-birds (Sterns)   After the race some runners took a splash in the Mexican Gulf for an excellent cool down!    Final results are at: http://frrm.raceresults.space/2019/2019_SandKeySeriesFinal_OA.htm
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The last beach race on August 2 was cancelled because of lightning



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​Just published, the 2019 October issue of 'Making Tracks' newsletter of the WFYRC.                                                                                     >making_tracks_wfyrc_28102019.pdf<
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   2019 Discover Caladesi Island Races
had over 350 runners, who enjoyed a beautiful sunrise over Clearwater Beach.  The 10 mile & 5k runners took off at 7:30. They shared the pristine beach with the birds. At the finish there was a hot breakfast and -of course- the special handmade awards.  Results are posted at  https://app.raceresults360.com/#/race/OTM3pK/5k%20Run/​      


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               20 College Scholarships for Pinellas County HS Seniors, 

Twenty talented 2019 High School Seniors from 9 different high schools in Pinellas county will each receive a two-thousand dollar college scholarship from the West Florida Y Runners Club.   The money comes from our Turkey Trot races plus for the first time in history also from the Discover Caladesi races
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These are the lucky Seniors:
 
Indian Rocks:
  Tiffani Byun, Lauren Gramlich, Kady Cahill, Isabella DeJesus
 
Clearwater Central Catholic:  Lauren Slifer
 
Shorecrest Prep:  Reagan Quilty
 
Northeast High:  Mathew Maier
 
Palm Harbor University Prep:   Bryce Dittmar, Grace Michalk
 
Northside Christian:  Jack Knox, DyiMond Shields,  Kaylie Richarson,  Cayden Horne, Andrew Roberts, 
                                      Adrian Harris
 
Osceola Fundamental:  Meghan Gregoire,  Olivia Dorsky,  Tyler Ellison
 
Seminole High:  Maggie Bradley
 
Largo High:   Ethan Beaman
 
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          2018  -   40th annual Turkey Trot
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​Perfect running weather this year at the 40th annual Turkey Trot in Clearwater. A total of 13,607 runners finished one of the 4 different races, among them the Eberhardt family (husband and wife) from Palm Harbor who had done all 40 years, which is fantastic!   6675 runners finished the 5k  The 10k had 1503 runners, 2791 people finished the 4k (new this year) and 2638 runners conquered the 1-mile.
The Clearwater Challenge set a new record with 248 participants
 
Anyway, Noah Perkins (20) from Seffner won the 5k 'Wingding' in 15:05 and 22-year old Lauren Csubak from Parrish was the first 5k female in 18:09
In the 10k 'Turkey Trot' 34 year old Tim Moore won the race in 31:55. He took the lead at the end of the first mile and kept going at a nice 5:08 pace - First 10k female was Haley Germack (30) from Pittsburg in a swift 38:15.   

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                Amazing Turkey Trot Family!
At the 2017 Tampa Bay Times Turkey Trot, Cavan Wilson won both the 5k and the 1 mile. His younger brother Colin came in 8th and 2nd. Both were in the front in 2016... as high school athletes this in an inspiring story.

Cavan and Colin come annually at Thanksgiving to visit their Gold Star Grandmother on Indian Rocks Beach. Grandma's kitchen is filled with top finisher mugs as the boys, their dad, mom, aunt and cousin(s) have all participated in the events.

Mom placed in the Grandmasters last year. Grandpa, story is, won the x-country in the '51 Pan Am Games as part of the West Point Pentathlon Team which won a gold medal and was the "trainer" for the '52 Olympic team.

Cavan was a state stand out in cross county and was scholar athlete of the year and outstanding athlete last year from Coral Gables High School. He now runs for UF.

Colin was the over all winner of the Draft Legal USAT National Triathlon Championship last month in Sarasota; he is also the age 16- 19 champ.

The boys will be back this year so keep your eyes on them...  Both are outstanding young men and exceptional high school athletes!
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      Lots of fun during 2018 Sunsets at Sand Key 5K races
John Robida (38) from Clearwater was the overall male winner of the 2018 Sandkey races; his total time at all 4 races was 1:16:33 - Second place was for Jonathan Domico (35) from Clearwater (1:26:24) Third place was for Andres Florez (31) from Tampa (1:31:10)
Overall female winner was Carol Bancroft (58) from Safety Harbor who cranked out 1:45:08 - Second 
was Lindsey Bauer (32) from Largo (1:53:41) while Karen Alexeev (65) from St. Petersburg came in third with a total time of 2:03:44
complete results can be found at:
 
http://frrm.raceresults.space/2018/2018_Sunsets4_Series.htm





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Nineteen Scholarships for Pinellas Seniors



Congratulations to 19 Pinellas County Seniors who received the  WFYRC College Scholarship for $2,000. 
We celebrated their awards with family members, high school coaches and WFYRC members on April 23rd at Sheraton Sand Key.
The students are heading to many different schools within the state and out of state. 
Good luck to them all thanks for making running a part of your life.
 
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2017 Turkey Trot races attracted over 14.000 runners.
  Results are posted online at: http://www.coolrunning.com/results/17/fl/Nov23_39thAn_set1.shtml




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Results of 2017 Sunsets @ Sand Key Beach 5k races can be found ​at:    

 http://www.floridaroadrace.com/Race-Results/06-09-2017/Sand-Key-Beach-Series-Race-1

 http://www.floridaroadrace.com/Race-Results/06-23-2017/Sand-Key-Beach-Series-Race-2

​http://edge.raceresults360.com/rr360/race/fjhYR/#/results::14999425926970     Race 3
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http://edge.raceresults360.com/rr360/race/mOp4v3/#/results::15024968627720    Race 4


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             WFYRC- Scholarships for 20 Pinellas Seniors

Happy faces from 20 talented High School Seniors who graduated from 9 Pinellas High Schools.  Each of them got a $2000- scholarship from the West Florida Y Runners Club.  It happened at the 2017 Scholarship Banquet op May 25 at the Sand Key Sheraton in Clearwater Beach.   WFYRC president Skip Rogers made sure everyone had a great night and Chairperson Mary Pulaski (who also presided over the Scholarship committee) took very well care of the official part.   More photo's in the July 2017 issue of 'Making Tracks'
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PICNIC


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Picnic on Saturday April 22, 11am at Philippe Park Shelter 7 was fantastic.  Everybody had a great time and there was lots of laughter and great food.
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              25 Scholarships for 2016 High School Seniors
25 Talented 2016-High school Seniors from Pinellas County got a $2000 Scholarship (each) from our club.  It happened on May 18 at the Scholarship Dinner Party at the Sheraton Sand Key hotel.  more info at 'Scholarships'
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 2016 Sunsets @ Sand Key Park
​           Beach series 5k are done!

winners:  Jeff Hurd (43) Largo  (1:21:13 total time for all 4 races = 6:32 pace)
​                Julie Blum (36) Largo (1:39:27 total time = 8:00 pace)                                                               more results at: 
http://www.coolrunning.com/results/16/fl/Jul15_Sunset_set1.shtml​



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2015 Tampa Bay Times Turkey Trot races attracted 17439 runners, walkers and other creatures who enjoyed a sunny albeit windy start of Thanksgiving day. The event attracted a lot of fast runners-also- from other countries. The 5k was won by 22-year old Carl Dunne from Dunleer, Ireland in 15:39. First 5k female was Kristen Tenaglia (29) from Clearwater in 17:52. Andrew Dimitrakis from Athens, Greece set a new course record in the 1-mile Gobbler. His time: 4:10 Fastest female in the mile was Kristen Courcelle from Colchester, VT in 5:43. Overall winner of the 10K was Chris Trebilcock (27) from Tampa in 33:43 while on the female side Becky Howarth (26) also from Tampa smoked all other women in 17:52.
Our WFYRC track group did very well; in the 5k Wingding Burch Baskett (46) finished in 20:45; Yvonne Bryant (49) ran 23:30 and Kathleen Crowley (56) followed in 23:58, just behind Dawn Taylor (36) who ran 23:56 
The 10k Turkey Trot was rerouted a bit because of road-construction. Mile-markers were spot on and volunteers at the waterstops, finishline and in the stadium did a fantastic job. Greg Carro wore his brand new shoes and finished in 40:32 Behind him was Walt Sieg (55) in 40:37 who was followed by Michael Weiss (53) in 40:41 Adam Fahey (17) finished in 42:00 and coach Albert Wieringa (69) cranked out 42:39. Dan Dorsey (50) finished in 44:10 while Kathleen Roach (56) grabbed her mug after finishing in 50:48. Gar Flisek ran all 4 races -better known as 'the Challenge'. Congrats to all of you guys! Your hard work payed off! Race director Skip Rogers did a great job (as usual) and was seen in a flashing black police car with all the trimmings.
results are at: http://www.coolrunning.com/results/…/Nov26_37thAn_set2.shtml

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   WFYRC gives 50,000-dollar to Pinellas High School Seniors
Happy faces of 25 top seniors from (12) Pinellas County high-schools at our 2015 Scholarship Dinner. The food at the Sheraton in Clearwater Beach was first class. Gordon Curry had a great speech and everybody enjoyed a perfect evening. Each of the 25 seniors received a 2000-dollar scholarship made available by the West Florida Y Runners Club. Chairperson Mary Pulaski congratulated the recipients on behalf of the Scholarship Committee.
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Complete results of the 2015 race(s) are at: 
http://www.coolrunning.com/results/15/fl/Jan24_Discov_set1.shtml


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2014 Tampa Bay Times  Turkey Trot
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28 Seniors from 10 Pinellas High Schools got awarded with a $2000.- Scholarship at our 2014-WFYRC Scholarship Dinner
For more photo's and a complete list of the graduates click on 'Scholarships'

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Most recent Newsletter :  making_tracks_wfyrc_30042020opt.pdf

:: Recent Race Results :: 

Discover Caladesi Island 2019 - (Febr 9, 2019)  Clearwater Beach, FL

Sunsets at Sand Key Park - (Summer 2019)  
http://frrm.raceresults.space/2019/2019_SandKeySeriesFinal_OA.htm

Times Turkey Trot - (November 28, 2019) https://app.raceresults360.com/#/race/YbeUoD/5k/


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