NY Flyers History 2005-2010

Deb M

Blogmaster's note: This is the 4th in a series of blog entries on NY Flyers History.  Please click here to view the other entries.

2005

The year 2005 was led by Heather M as incoming President and her executive board. One of the biggest achievements during this time was the passing of the new Bylaws, Stage I, which enabled the club to make future changes.

Two assistant running coaches were hired this year to assist Coach Toby, Joe Y, and Eileen C, which helped provide more feedback to members, especially during speed workouts. The Speedwork Open House for interested members began in 2005.


Volunteers at the Central Park Clean-Up

The Multisport Carnival hosted by the Flyers was a successful event bringing together various partners from the athletic community and open to all. Volunteerism in the Flyers started gaining momentum with the regular Central Park Conservancy clean-up days and the Flyers providing volunteers needed at the NYRR races. This showed that the NY Flyers were giving back to the running community and the park we all love. The Flyers also donated $2,000 for Hurricane Katrina relief after the disaster in New Orleans, exemplifying good will within our club.

Flyers Club Team Championships Photo 2005

2006

Dan G came in as President in 2006, a fairly new member who became very involved with the Flyers immediately. The successful More paceleading efforts started this year with Flyer ladies pacesetting the 2006 MORE Magazine Marathon and Half Marathon runners by pace group. This is still a tradition to this day, although the marathon has been disbanded and the More Half now allows all ages to participate (it started as 40+ females only).

Flyer Volunteers at the More Fluid Station

Our paceleading teams were led for years by Jo Ann M and helped build a good relationship with NYRR and gain visibility for the Flyers. Dan has since moved to NH with his lovely wife, Lisa who he met in the Flyers, but both still remain active and come to events when they can.

2007

In 2007, President Christine M and her Executive Committee team led us to a speedy year with the Veterans Women winning awards, and the Master Ladies led by Christine placing in many races. The Masters Men team also ramped up with faster times recorded by men in this division and getting speedier in the years to come.


Flyers Team Photo

Glen W, with the blessing of Pres. Chris M,  created and spearheaded the Flyers Fall Marathon Training Program, which included the first ever Three Bridges 20 Mile Run.  Amy M chaired the successful Flyer Awards Gala over the next several years together with her committee at some wonderful loft spaces in the city that were well attended with good times had by all.

2008

Scott S took over as President in 2008 with a focus on volunteerism. He emphasized the need for all Flyers to take part in the club and volunteer for the various events we held. From the Central Park Conservancy  clean-up days to the NYRR races and social activities, all members could be involved. The Flyers Bylaws were revised, spearheaded by Jens H and Justine K, including to establish procedures for resolving ties in Flyer elections, and to allow for electronic election voting.


Scott S, Sensing the Historic Moment,
Delivers Speech at Inaugural New Flyers Social Event

Other notable accomplishments included Deirdre M launching the New Flyer Socials, David G overhauling the Flyer financial reporting systems, and Laura G spearheading an update of the Flyer website (e.g., advertising open positions, and relying more on the Flyer website than the weekly emails to communicate news to club members).  The Marathon Training Program (MTP) continued as the Flyers put the training schedules into a little red MTP booklet for the first time this year.

2009

Classic Flyer Shirts Displayed at Anniversary Party

In 2009, Jo Ann M was elected President along with her executive board. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the New York Flyers. A celebration party was held for all members with drinks, food, prizes and good times for all. Jerry F was presented with an award for all of his efforts with the Flyers since inception.   Brian H joined Glen W in co-leading the MTP program, and the training plan was featured in the NY Times Blog.  Olympian Brian Sell spoke at the annual pasta party.

At Flyers 20th Anniversary Party
-Past Presidents and Flyers of the Year-

Jo Ann also continued to lead the successful paceleading groups for the two NYRR long training runs in the summer. This effort not only helps runners keep on pace for their long runs leading up to the marathon but it instills camaraderie among Flyer members and a good relationship with NYRR. The club also gets paid for our efforts by NYRR, which helps pay for our Annual Awards Gala! The Flyers also had a team go out to Oregon for the Hood to Coast relay this year after years of not getting into the race. This is definitely a great team bonding experience for all.

2010

Glen W came in as President in 2010 and, along with Vice President Brian H, led the very successful Marathon Training Program (MTP). The popular small red booklets presenting three alternative training plans were distributed at an MTP event that included guest speaker Mary Wittenburg, Executive Director of NYRR.  The MTP was brought to an even higher level in 2011 including by recruiting a coaching team led by Head Coach Todd W and providing personalized fall marathon training programs. The MTP has led to more new members joining the club. Also, Glen and Brian’s involvement with Team for Kids has brought some wonderful new members to the Flyers in the past couple of years.


Mary Wittenberg with Pres Glen W at
2010 MTP Kickoff Event

Under Glen’s reign, social media tools were implemented as new ways to communicate within the Flyers. The Flyers Blog was started by Eric S and then handed over to Blogmaster Dave K.  A NY Flyer Facebook page was implemented by Amanda R as an additional means to communicate to many club members. And a Twitter feed began with Leslie L's expertise to promote various offerings by the Flyers. Lastly, some successful events included the Annual NY Flyer Pasta Party with inspirational speaker Matt Long and the Awards Gala at the beautiful Battery Gardens.

2011 promises to be another good year for the New York Flyers under the leadership of Glen W once again. Stay tuned for a recap of the next five years…

-Deb M.