At the suggestion of several club members, the LMJS Board recently joined the USATF. This organization is the official national governing body for track & field, long distance running, and race walking. It makes, oversees, and enforces the rules that keep the playing field level for the athletes. It is also the organization that selects our Olympic athletes and competitors in other international competition. LMJS will belong to the Pacific Association of the USATF. The club will continue to also be a member of the RRCA.

The Pacific Association sponsors individual and team competition through its Grand Prix race series in road racing, ultra racing and cross country. The road series consists of ten to twelve road races spread around Northern California throughout the year. The races range in length from 1 mile to the half-marathon and with point totals being kept over the race series for both individuals and teams. To view the road race series, click here. For the first time in over 10 years, an LMJS team officially competed in a Pacific Association Grand Prix Championship race, Zippy 5K on April 18. The team members in order of finishing were Karen Andrews, Lorraine McVey, Laury Fisher and Elaine Merrill. The team will be scored as either a Masters or Seniors, runners from older age groups can be dropped down. The next race the team will compete in is the Marin Memorial Day race. BZ Churchman has agreed to be the contact for our women team members, so please e-mail her with any questions, or if you would like to join the team, at: bzchurchman@sbcglobal.net

In order to compete for the club, you must join the Pacific Association and the cost is $30 per year. If you are already a PA member all you have to do to compete for LMJS is to change your affiliation. The club will probably support the team members either in-kind or with financial assistance of some type, but that has not been finalized. In addition, we hope to also field a men's team, but need someone to volunteer to spearhead that effort.