The Events of the NWFTC in the 70's

1st Sanddollar Chase 10K Destin to FWB (72): Start line- Siebert Ave, Destin. Finish B Jaycee Park, FWB

1st Valentine Marathon(72): Course was run on Hwy. 98 near Hurlburt Field eventually winding through Eglin along the perimeter road and finishing at the Eglin’s Field house /Foster stadium area. Jeff Galloway was winner with time of 2:19:24. It was one of the fastest times in the country that year and remained fastest marathon time in Florida for many years. No female entries.

1st Billy Bowlegs Midnight Run 3-mile (75): Eighty-two runners trotted south down Eglin parkway in the inaugural Billy Bowlegs Midnight Run. Starting from Meigs Junior High they proceeded down the sidewalks of Eglin Parkway crossing over the Shalimar bridge and continuing down Eglin Blvd. before veering off on Highway Ave, a parallel stretch to Elgin Parkway near the east end of the Cinco Bayou bridge and finishing at Beach View Avenue.

Run-For -The Fund (75): This year’s NWFTC-YMCA event was for the United Fund. Runners with the most miles were Vince Lombardi, running as an individual, and Tom McPherson, running as a member of the Bruner Team. Each ran 27 miles, highest for the day.

Region 3 Junior Olympic Cross-Country Championships (75): The Niceville-Valparaiso Athletic Association and the NWFTC will host this event on 29 Nov. at the Rocky Bayou Country Club Golf Course.

Outstanding Runners (75): Local runners (10-12) Freddy Carley, Jimmy Hunter, Steve Fussell, Brain Stone, and Jay Moyer finished the mile in 5:21 or less.

Jackson Tennessee Marathon and 13 Mile (75): The NWFTC had a fabulous successful day of racing on this cool, sunny day in Jackson, Tennessee. Tracy Siegler (3:04.43) and Cathy Siegler (3:06), finished 1st and 2nd females in the Marathon. Cathy’s time was a record for 15 year old girls. Tracy’s time was just off the 14 year age record of (3:01).

University of West Florida 1 - Mile (75): Harold Tenant finished with a time of 6:54. Donald Tenant finished at 6:56. Mike Snodgrass, the youngest runner at age 3 finished at 13 54. Harold and Donald Tennant went on to Mobile to compete in another 1 - Mile race the same day. Harold finished at 6:46, Donald at 6:48.

International Rice Festival Marathon Crowley, Louisiana (75): Runners from this area were: Ed Sears 2:50, Dexter Allen 2:55, Mike Boyd 2:58, Dale Eiriksson 3:01 (First Marathon, still no shoes) and Stuart Towns 3:34.

AAAA State Meet (75): Choctawatchee Cross-Country boy's team ran to the runner-up position at the AAAA State Meet. Steve Haug, junior, placed 10th overall to be Choctaw’s number one man on the 3 - mile course in 14:48. Mike Clay finished 12th in 14:50. Mike Curtis had a 15:05 for 19th. Nancy McCormac grabbed the 8th position as the lone girl for Choctaw with a time of 8:47 on the mile and 1/2 course.

24 Hour Relay (15-16 Apr 76): The relay has been in existence for about six years. There has been four in this area. Some of the features of this event are the opportunity for team competition, a chance for runners to work on pacing themselves through various fatigue levels and the satisfaction of having fun continuously for 24 hours. This years relay was the most competitive ever as the first three teams all had from 250 to 260 miles. Nine teams were entered, one of which was an all girls team.

State High School Mile Champion (76): Nancy McCormac, a senior at Choctaw High became the first NWFTC runner to win a state championship with a 5:03 mile, setting a new state record for high school girls. In her record breaking run at Gainsvile her lap times were 75,80,77, and 71.

Billy Bowlegs Midnight 3-Mile Run (76): The start of the course was moved to Beal and Williams, proceeded to Hollywood Blvd and finished at the Burger King on Mary Esther Cut-off.

Dues and Entrance fees (1976): Dues: Students - $2.00, Adults - $3.00, Family - $4.00. Entry Fees: Students - $.50, Adults - $1.00, Both NWFTC members and non- members.

1,000 and 5,000-Mile Awards (76): The 1,000-mile award will be awarded to any of our members who can log 1,000 miles between 1 Jan 1976 and 4 July 1976. This is approximately 5.5 miles per day. The award will consist of a NWFTC Shirt with 1,000 Miles on the back. The second award will be a NWFTC Shirt with 5000 Miles on the back. To earn this award you will have to log 5,000 miles beginning 1 January 1976. There is no time limit on this one. To get either of these awards you must keep a daily log of the miles you run.

Garage Sale (76): Alice Hunter will be holding a Garage Sale in the next few weeks to raise money for helping to finance trips for Age-Group Runners. Call her if you have salable items such as furniture or toys to donate.

Athlete of the Week (76): A NWFTC committee will select an athlete-of-the-week during the track and cross-country seasons covering the area of Northwest Florida from Panama City to Pensacola. The award will be open to all age categories and will consist of a certificate and hopefully some newspaper publicity for the best performance of the week.

Athlete of the Week (76): At the last track club meeting we decided to give an award to the High School Track and Field Athlete of the week in Northwest Florida. We will give a similar award to the Junior High Athlete of the week in Okaloosa County. At the end of the season we will give a trophy to the outstanding athlete for the entire season in both of the above categories.

Runner of Week Awards (76): Due to difficulties in getting the results of all the track meets in the Northwest Florida Area in a reasonable time, we will not be able to offer these awards weekly as we had planned. We still plan to give awards at the end of the season for the overall winner.

Florida Relays (76): Our NWFTC Age Group runners set four new records at the Florida Relays on 26-27 March. Freddy Carley and Jimmy Hunter both broke 5 minutes for the mile, certainly a milestone in any young runner’s career. Laura Partin and Ester Stovall ran what must be close to an American Record in winning their mile race.

College Cross-Country Scholar-ship (76): The Northwest Florida Track Club selected a woman, Lisa Dutson, as the recipient of the first College Cross-Country Scholar-ship.

Midnight Run post race chatter (76): Most of the Midnight post race chatter was about local young Fred Carley who finished 2nd overall behind Jeff Galloway.

1st One-Hour Run (76): Jimmy Hunter set a new age group record for 13 year Olds with 9 miles, 1552 yards. Ten runners broke the 10-mile barrier.

Melbourne Marathon (76): Mike Clay became the first NWFTC runner to break 2:40 as he ran 2:33:50 to win 5th place. John McCormac had 2:54:47 for 30th place and Eric Prentice had a 3:25 for 92nd. There were 138 finishers in the race.

Outstanding Runner (77): The most consistently outstanding runner in the Northwest Florida Track Club in 1976 was 13 year old Freddy Carley. Freddy ran a 4:44 mile (national age group record for 12 year Olds), a 10:02 two miles (World age group record for 12 year Olds) and a 15:11 three-mile at the Billy Bowlegs Midnight Run. He was undefeated in Okaloosa County Junior High cross-country Competition, winning the boys county championship. He won age group at the National RRCA championships in New York as well as the National Junior Olympic AAV meet in St. Louis.

High School Cross County Awards (77): Steve Haug and Lisa Dutson were chosen by the NWFTC as the outstanding boy and girl high school cross-country runners in Northwest Florida. Steve’s accomplishments this season included a 5th place finish at Cypress Gardens early in the cross-country season. He was the District I, 4A champion and lead his team to a second place finish in the state meet at Ft. Lauderdale. He was also chosen top Northwest Florida runner by a Pensacola News Journal poll. Lisa Dutson is a junior at Niceville High School. She finished 3rd in the State High School cross- country meet at Ft. Lauderdale with a time of 9:01 for the 1.5 mile course, a remarkable achievement as this was her first cross-country season.

RRCA 13-Mile State Championship(77): This race was held near the Timberlake area. Heavy rains left some soft spots in the clay roads. Dale Eiriksson, running on a surface ideally suited to his bare feet led all the way to the finish with a time of 1:15.7. Adrian Hall ran well to take second and Tracie Siegler had an outstanding performance among the women.

Florida Relays (77): Freddy Carley ran a 4:36 mile at the Florida Relays (a new American record for 13 year Olds) to lead the Northwest Florida Track Club age group runners. Laura Partin had an outstanding performance (5:11) for 13 year old girls.

NWFTC High School Track and Field Athlete of the year Award (77): Lisa Dutson won the female award. Lisa ran the mile in 5:17 in the state meet. Steve Haugh and Jody Henderson tied for the male award. Steve ran the 2-mile in 9:23, Jody ran the 440 in 48.8. Both finished 4th in the state for their events.

County Junior High Events (77): Laura Partin ran a 5:04 mile. Freddy Carley ran a 4:30.4 mile and a 9:41 two-mile.

All Comers Track Meet (77): The first informal all-comers track meet was conducted by coach Don Foy at Niceville.

Atlanta Peachtree Road Race (77): The NWFTC was well represented. Ester Stovall (40:33) and John Oeltmann (44:04) won their age groups and Steve Fussel (35:31) came in 3rd in his. Dale Eiriksson had the fastest time for NWFTC runners. His early pace was too fast, hurting his overall time. His 4:33 (mile) and 9:45 (two miles) were PR’s.

Outstanding High School Runners Award (77): This award was an Open Award, that any member of the NORTHWEST FLORIDA TRACK CLUB could win on a point basis.

Richard Westbrook (77): One of the founding members of the track club, Richard Westbrook, left the area for another coaching position. Richard devoted a lot of his free time to help young runners with their running program. He even coached the Ocean City, Choctaw and Pryor track teams the same school year.

Junior Olympic Track and Field (77): The Junior Olympics provide an opportunity for young runners to continue their track and field competition through the summer months. The local Junior Olympic meets were handled by Fred Carley. Participants had to place in the top three in preliminary meets in Niceville, Mobile, and Troy to qualify. Only the 16-17 age groups were eligible to go on to the National. Nineteen members representing the NWFTC competed in the following events:) 1 and 2-mile run, Mile relay, 880, 1 and 2-mile Racewalk, 100, 440, and 880 Yd Run, 440 Dash, 440 Yd Relay, Long Jump, Shot Put & Discus. The Regional III meet in Auburn was the end of the competition for most local participants; however, they put on a great showing of talent with four 1st places, five 2nd, four 3 & 4th, two 5th, and six 6th place finishes. In team competition, the NWFTC Midgets and Bantams finished 4th. The Junior’s and Seniors finished 6th out of 12 teams. Candy Carley set a National Record with a 4:19.5 first place in the 880 Race Walk. Fred Carley set a Regional Record with a 2:03.9 first place in the 880 Yd Run. Helen Hearne qualified for National with a 9:04.1 (2nd)in the Mile Race Walk.

1000-Mile Club (77): It was decided to start a new 1,000-mile shirt award for paid members of the NWFTC. The requirements were to run the 1,000 miles between October 1, 1977 and April 1, 1978. Registration and log verification by designated NWFTC official was required.

1st Annual Mullet Festival Cross-Country Race (77): More than 75 runners finished the 1st Annual Mullet Festival cross-country race. Overall winner of the 4 - mile course was Okaloosa - Walton Junior College (OWJC) Cross Country Team member Dale Erickson. His time wasn't furnished in the October 77 Newsletter. Second place finisher was Ruckel Junior High School student Fred Carley with a time of 21:51. The lowest time listed for women was Esther Stoval in the 14-17 age division at 26:59

Northwest Florida Race (77): The 10-mile race will be with 3 person teams drawn from at the start of the race.

Faulkner State Invitational Junior College 5 - mile (77): OWJC team members Dale Erickson (26:40) and Max Birnkammer (26:55) finished 1st and 2nd. The OWJC team finished 2nd in the meet with 35 points to Jefferson State's 30. Other team members were Tom Kidder, Adrian Hall, and Tom Gray. The team was coached by Chuck Pulley.

Cross-Country Season (77): Several local runners distinguished themselves this X-Country season. Heading the list is Jr. High runner Freddy Carley who won just about everything including the RRCA Runner of the Year Award. By winning this award he joins such elite company as Bill Rodgers and Don Kardong. Laura Partin won the country Jr. High Championships, the women’s division of the 10KM Vulcan Race in Birmingham (38:40) and placed 8th in the Atlanta Bonne Bell Women’s 10KM (40:06). In the local High Schools Lisa Dutson of Niceville finished 4th in the state and George Collier of Choctaw finished 12th. Okaloosa Walton Junior College had two runners qualify for the Nationals. Max Birnkhammer finished 5th in the state and 84th in the Nation. Judy Ludvigsen finished 28th in the Crowley Rice Festival Marathon in 2:53.28, a PR. Don Widhalm had a 3:30 despite a severe side stitch.

One-Hour Run (77): Last year we had ten runners who broke the 10-mile barrier. Dale Eiriksson had the longest distance with 10 miles 1611 yards.

RRCA Postal Competition (77): The NWFTC did well in the one - hour run on a Nation wide basis. The following won awards: Dale Erickson (5th Open) - 11M. 34 yds., - George Collier (2nd Junior) - 10 M. 1647 yds., Nancy McCormac (1st Jr. Female) - 9 M.423 yds., --- Ester Stovall (2nd Jr. Female) 8M.1567 yds. Teams - Male: 1st - NWFTC (Erickson, Collier, Hall, West, McPherson), Female: 1st - NWFTC McCormac, Stovall, Brighton)

Northwest Florida All Sports Association Winner (77): Record setting runner, Lou (Doc) Gregory, from Pensacola was selected as the amateur athlete winner of the NWF All Sports Association Banquet.

One-Hour Run (78): This years Hour Run featured a world age group record by Lou Gregory and a 11 mile 34 yd performance by Dale Erickson. Doc Gregory’s 7 mile 1654 yds. broke the old record of 7 miles 900 yds. for 75 year old men.

Florida Relays (78): Ruckel Junior High’s Freddy Carley set a new 14 year old age group record for the 10,000 Meters at the Florida Relays with a time of 32:49.4. This bettered the old record by about one minute.

Track Club Scholarship (78): On May 23rd Lisa Dutson, Niceville High Senior, became the first woman in the history of Okaloosa Walton Junior College to sign an athletic grant. The NWFTC also selected Lisa as the recipient of a $250 Cross-Country scholarship to O.W.J.C.. Sarah Brinkammer of Fort Walton Beach High School will join Lisa on the Raider cross-country team. Sarah received an O.W.J.C. scholarship for academic excellence. Max Brinkammer was the first man to receive a cross-country scholarship at O.W.J.C.. Max was the front runner for the Raiders last season as a freshman.

New Track Club Record (78): George Collier in the Athletic Attic Classic. Two-miles in 9:12.

Choctawhatchee High School Senior George Collier (78): George Collier ran a 14:40 3- mile at the FSU Invitational on Sept 30th. Collier broke the course record of Herb Willis who is now #1 on FSU’s X-C squad as a freshman.

Timberlake Half Marathon and Two-Miler (78): Conditions- light snow flurries and freezing temperatures. The male winner was Reedy Buford of Pensacola with time of 74:35. Becky Sears of FWB was female winner with time of 98:25.

Huntsville Marathon (78): Tom McPherson led the way for at least a dozen NWFTC members in an assault on the marathon course in Huntsville as he zipped to a 39th place overall finish and fourth in his age group with a time of 2:41:36. His time was 8 minutes better than John Ludvigsen’s and 10 better than Dale Eiriksson’s. Dale ran his first marathon with shoes.

Valentine Running Festival-Eglin AFB (78): Marathon, 1/2 Marathon, 5-Mile, 1-Mile Ankle Biter.

First Fort Walton Beach C of C 10K race and Trailblazer XX-C (79). The 1st C of C attracted two hundred and three runners for the inaugural 10,000-meter race through downtown FWB. Personnel did a fine job under the leadership of Mark Flynn and Jose Alvear. The European XX-C race put on by Mark Flynn attracted 35 rugged individuals for the 5-mile and 22 for the 3,000 meters.

24 Hour Relay (79): A new state record was set by Dale Eiriksson’s Panhandle Eight with a team total of 267 miles. Joining Dale on the record setting crew were former Tate High School standout Pat Duke, Gulf Breeze senior Ruben Hocutt, Pace High=s David King, OWJC’s Ray Hall, Choctaw’s Don Ekman, Fort Walton’s Mike Zerresson and Niceville’s Robbie Schloemp.

State Track Title (79): Choctaw’s Sr.George Collier captured the first boys state track title for the Indians as he sprinted the last 330 yards to demolish his competition and clock 9:08.8, a PR. Laura Partin, Choctaw sophomore, placed second in the girls mile (4:59.8). Collier finished up his state championship with a 5,000-meter victory at the Athletic Classic in Tallahassee (14:24). In the same event Ruckel Jr. High’s Freddy Carley clocked an outstanding 9:12 to win the 2 mile event over a field of older runners. The time puts Carley four seconds within the national record for 9th graders.

AAU(79): The NWFTC is affiliated with the National Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) through the Playground Area YMCA.

Labor Day Santa Rosa Mall Road Race 10,000 Meter (79): The first Labor Day Santa Rosa Mall Road Race was another success on Saturday, Sept 1. World class competitor Ken Miser of Tallahassee was the overall winner with a 30:58. Dolly Harrison of Valparaiso was the ladies winner win a personal record of 37:34. 5,000 Meter: Tom McPhearson (OWJC) took the 5,000-meter competition (16:08) out kicking Eric Day of Pensacola (16:13). Laura Partin of Choctaw was the ladies champion with a 19:09.

1st Trailblazer (79): Frank Kohlensten and Becky Sears were the male and female winners. Frank, Pat Duke, and Chuck Pinney tied for 1st in the 3k. No mention of female winners in the 3k.

Decade ends: As this decade ends perhaps it would be appropriate to note that Until the club was started in 1973 by Richard Westbrook and Jim Oeltmann the only road race around was Doc Gregory’s Labor Day race in Pensacola.