Starting time for the weekly runs is 7 AM. Runners can choose to do 6, 9, 12, 15 and some hardy "soles" even do the 21 mile course over the rolling hills of Clark County. Runners of all levels of ability are welcome with the emphasis on enjoying running with good friends (old and new) while surrounded by some of the most gorgeous rural scenery in the country. Come join us for a run and some good conversation and then top it off with a cup of coffee and a donut. All runners completing the 6 mile course for the first time receive a Todds Road Stumblers t-shirt. Just show up on Saturday morning or, for more information on our Saturday runs, email Judy.

If you are new running with the Stumblers, please review the Rules Of The Road.  They are for your safety.  All runners are expected to follow these.

• ANOTHER 500 MILER!  May 30, 2008 Congratulations to Jill Kearns on completing her 500 miles.  Jill is working on her PhD in Economics at UK.  She is training for the Chicago Marathon this fall; that will be her 4th marathon, she no doubt needs her running to keep her sane with all her studying.  Her birthday was the next day  - hope you had a good one Jill!

• May 30, 2008 Thanks to Barry Collins for taking these photos.  Barry is recovering from surgery but was out walking within days of his surgery.

• Skip Rafferty passed along this photo of several Stumblers in April at the Defender Classic 5K

• IN MEMORY Nick Nickell, another of the early Todd's Road Stumblers, died May 25, 2008.  Nick became a member of the 500 Mile Club on December 20, 1980.  We extend our sympathy to Nick's family.

From the Austin American Statesman:

William Harold (Nick) Nickell Jr.
William Harold (Nick) Nickell, Jr. William Harold (Nick) Nickell, Jr. passed away on May 25, 2008. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky, son of the late Dr. William Harold Nickell and Anna Bell Turner Nickell. After graduating from the University of Kentucky with a degree in business, he spent four years in the United States Air Force with duty in Tampa, Florida, and Washington, D.C., during the Vietnam War. Upon completion of his military duty, he returned to Lexington, and started working at First Security Bank where he held numerous positions. As Business Development Vice President, Nick was involved in many community activities, including Treasurer for Muscular Dystrophy; 20-plus years working with United Way as Division Chairman and Bank Chairman; and 20-plus years working with the Lexington Chamber of Commerce Contact Club in growing the membership of the Chamber. Nick remained with Bank One when they purchased First Security Bank and was a Commercial Real Estate Lender upon his retirement in 1999. He then moved to Georgia to be with his wife, who started a second career at the University of Georgia. After several years there, they retired to Venice, Florida, and joined the Venice Golf and Country Club. After four more years, Nick's wife convinced him they needed to be closer to their new granddaughter in Austin, Texas, and they moved once again. Nick was a charter member of Crestwood Christian Church in Lexington, and a member of United Christian Church in Austin, Texas, where he has served as Elder. Nick was an avid runner with the Todds Road Stumblers running club, and ran several marathons. As a member of Andover Golf and Country Club, he played golf with a regular group several days a week as well as gin with his buddies. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and the UK Alumni Association. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Patricia Young Nickell; two sons; Joseph A. Nickell (DaLynn), Missoula, Mt., and Alan M. Nickell (Glenda), Austin, Tx.; two grandchildren; Lily E. Nickell and Julian A. Nickell; plus niece Elizabeth A. Shelton (Jim) and her daughter Christina; brother Lynn Michael Nickell, Lexington, and his three boys Tyler, Jason, and Sean Nickell. His sister Ellen N. Loman preceded him in death. Honorary pallbearers include members of the UCC Elders and the UCC FED Group Nick belonged to. A Memorial service will be held at United Christian Church, 3500 W. Parmer Ln. at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 31, 2008. Memorials in Nick's name made be made to United Christian Church Building Fund, 3500 W. Parmer Lane, Austin, TX 78727

• IN MEMORY Babe Ray, one of the original Todd's Road Stumblers, passed from this earth on May 8, 2008.  Babe was an excellent athlete his entire life and ran with the Stumblers for years, becoming  a member of the 500 Mile Club on May 16, 1981.  Babe was a regular at area races throughout the 1980s; many people who ran in the mid 80s will remember him running races while pulling his two young grandchildren, Andrew and Maggie, in a two wheeled cart that he fastened to his waist.  Babe, we'll miss you! 

If anyone has a photo of Babe with his TRS t-shirt or pulling the cart, I would love to put it on the website.  I can scan it, or if you can send me an electronic version that would be great, email Wes.

From the Herald Leader:

Leonard Babe Ray  

RAY Leonard Babe, 80, husband of Ann Ray, died Thu, May 8, 2008 at his residence. Born in Jefferson County, he was a son of the late Leonard E. and Ida Ray. He was retired from Provident Mutual Insurance Co. and was a Navy veteran. He played football for the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. He played football for Bear Bryant, caught the longest pass from Johnny Unitas, and carried the olympic torch for the olympic games. He was a member of the K-Men, volunteered for Big Brothers, Meals on Wheels and the Ronald McDonald House. Survivors other than his wife are a son, Kenny (Linda) Ray, Lexington; two grandchildren, Andrew and Maggie Ray, Lexington; one sister, Lois (John) Hummel, Louisville; a brother, John (Doris) Ray, Louisville; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 10am Mon, at the Newman Center. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9-10am Mon at the Newman Center. Kerr Brothers Funeral Home-Main St. is in charge of arrangements. Contributions are suggested to Big Brothers of Lexington, 1122 Oakhill Drive, Lexington, KY 40505, the Newman Center, 320 Rose Lane, Lexington, KY 40508, Hospice of the Bluegrass, 2312 Alexandria Drive, Lexington, KY 40504, or the Ronald McDonald House, PO Box 22414, Lexington, KY 40522.

• TODDS ROAD STUMBLERS ANNUAL SPRING FLING POTLUCK BREAKFAST, May 10, 2008

Click on photo to see larger photo

          Kiawah Island                          Rocket City

We're taking donations to buy a tree and plaque in appreciation and memory of Mr. Doug Gay, whose generosity and friendship helped make possible the Todds Road Stumblers, along with the generosity of Mr. C., the original Stumbler.  The tree has been planted but we are still collecting for a nice outdoor plaque.  Suggested donation for long-time Stumblers that can afford it (and you know who you are) is $20.  Of course we'll take that kind of donation from anyone, but if you're a student or have other special circumstances, please give what you comfortably can.  See Marty, Barry, or Wes to make your donations.

Tree and Plaque Contributors to Date:  January 19, 2008

Steve Olson              Martin Ginocchio         Paul Walmsley            Ernie Peel                     Jim Pierce

Virgil Johnson           Dan Wells                   Rhonda Uber              Judy & Mark Duncan      Jim Thornton

waLLy Stefaniak         Barry Collins               Don Nicholson            David Sheeks                Carol Miles

Wes Moody              Judy Collins                Jon Walker                 Neil Armstrong               Rhonda Morphew

Bill Sanborn               Chuck McQueen         Phil Waters                 Herve Antoine

Tom Scally                John Trump                 Terry Ringle               George VanMeter

SCENES ENJOYED ALONG THE ROADS  where else are you gonna find this kind of scenery?

to view larger photos click here

• ANNOUNCEMENT  Have YOU signed up for Donut Duty lately?  If you've picked up donuts in 2008 or have signed up to pick up donuts in 2008 - then you're off the hook.  If you have done neither, please sign up for donut duty before you grab that well-earned donut on Saturday morning.

If you're fairly new you might not have any idea of how the donuts get there, or how the coffee gets made, or how the clubhouse gets cleaned up each week.  It's really quite simple and painless.  You're coming out to run anyway, right?  Committing to picking up donuts is just an added incentive to come out to run.  REMEMBERING that you have Donut Duty is perhaps the hardest part about donut duty, and you don't want to disappoint your fellow Stumblers by not remembering when it's your turn.   So, we've made that easy too!  If you can't remember which day you signed up for donut duty - check the bottom of this page to see who has Donut Duty.

Here's how it works:

1.  Commit to a date and write your name on the calendar provided (on the counter next to the coffee pot)

2.  Pick up the donuts before coming to run on your scheduled date from Magee's Bakery at 726 E. Main St. anytime after 6:30 a.m.  (if you need directions ask).  You don't even have to pay for them.  Through the generosity of Alex Campbell they are already paid for.

3.  Deliver the donuts to the club house (don't forget this part, it will be tempting to eat them before you get to the clubhouse).

4.  Plug in the coffee pot, Barry Collins will already have the coffee ready to go!

5.  Between 9:30 and 10:00 start cleaning up - empty and rinse the coffee filter and pot, put away all condiments and cups.

See - easy as eating a donut.  There are only 52 Saturdays in a year, so if every active Stumbler signed up for just one Saturday we would probably only have to do Donut Duty once per year.  A very small price to pay for that delicious donut at the end of your run - and we know you like the donuts!  As an added incentive to sign up for Donut Duty we plan to reserve the parking spot closest to the clubhouse for the person bringing the donuts.

• Thank you to Vernon Childers who is hosting our web site, and to Judy Duncan and Wes Moody for publishing content.  If you have any suggestions of how this site can be more useful to the Stumblers, please email Judy or Wes.

PARKING REMINDER

Please do NOT park along the road across from the clubhouse.  Some runners have been parking along the road and blocking access to the warehouse.  Parking is permitted in the clubhouse yard (but don't block anyone in) and in the REAR of the Pine Grove Grocery Store parking lot.  Leave the parking spaces closest to the grocery for patrons of the store.

We share the roads around the Clubhouse with cars and we all know who the loser would be in a collision.  As pedestrians we have a right to be on the roads, but we also have a responsibility to run safely.  Every runner is responsible for their own safety.  Please be careful and follow the:

• Stay on the left side of the road, facing traffic, this puts you in a better position to anticipate and react to vehicles, and it's the law.

• Get into single file, as far to the left as practical, whenever there is any traffic and on curves and hills.

• Wear reflective clothing at dawn or dusk and in the dark or fog.

• Be especially careful in adverse weather like rain or snow.

• Try to run or walk with a partner.

• Get off the road if cars are approaching from both directions.

• Use your ears as well as your eyes, listen for approaching traffic, don't wear headphones.

• Anticipate potentially dangerous situations and be prepared to act to protect yourself.

• Stay alert, be careful of fatigue, "runner's high", or any lapse of concentration.

• Be courteous to drivers, a friendly wave is appreciated.

• Do not be confrontational, if there is an incident with a reckless driver try to get the license number but do not engage in an altercation.

• Help other runners/walkers be safe, remind them of the rules.

The Song of the Ungirt Runners

by Charles Hamilton Sorley

We swing ungirded hips,
And lightened are our eyes,
The rain is on our lips,
We do not run for prize.

We know not whom we trust
Nor whitherward we fare,
But we run because we must
       Through the great wide air.

The waters of the seas
Are troubled as by storm.
The tempest strips the trees
And does not leave them warm.
Does the tearing tempest pause?
Do the tree-tops ask it why?
So we run without a cause
       'Neath the big bare sky.

The rain is on our lips,
We do not run for prize.
But the storm the water whips
And the wave howls to the skies.
The winds arise and strike it
And scatter it like sand,
And we run because we like it
       Through the broad bright land.

Items of Interest

• Get to Know

• News Archives

• Photos

• Scenes Along the Road

• Race Calendar

• 500 Mile Club

• Stumbler Updates

• Running Links 
• Historic TRS Newsletters (from 1983-1988)
• History of the Todds Road Stumblers (from Fall 1983)
• Being a Responsible Runner (from Fall 1986)
• Map of the Old 6 Mile Course
• Map of the Old 9 Mile Course

  .
"A dog is a dog until you look him in the eye, 

then he's--Mr. Dog."