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By Jennifer Manley Special to the Rappahannock News
“I like the Fodder stack because it is a county event. It involves little kids, old folks, and it is a good thing to aim for in the spring.”
So says Merrill Strange of Viewtown, who not only ran in the first Fodderstack 10K in 1978, but who has run in every Fodderstack race since then.
She is one of the few who have run every race, but many other family members of two generations have participated in a number of the events.
“One year, 15 members of our family ran in the race,” she recalled. “It is a family thing.”
Mervyn Jeffries of Washington - at age 78 - will be running in the Fodderstack for the 15th time this year. He, like Strange, sees the Fodderstack as a family event.
Many members of his family and his friends have run in the race over the years, with several coming from out of state to participate.
Jeffries, who only runs in the Fodderstack, likes this race because it is low-key. There is no stress, and even though more and more serious runners are taking part each year it is still fun. “It is a ; good introduction to Spring,” he added. ': Lowell Owsley of Jeffersonton and Robert Gurtlier of The Plains are also runners who have participated in every Fodderstack race since its inception.
“The Fodderstack started just at a time when I needed to get back into running and get back into shape,” says Owsley. “I have run in many races, including 11 national marathons, but the Fodderstack is my favorite.”
Owsley has' already signed up for this year’s Fodderstack and he hopes family members, including four grand-children will be running with him. For him, the highlight of the event, - in addition to the joy of running - is ”the camaraderie with an excellent group of people" which this event affords.
Robert Gurtlier, who like Owsley is in his 70s, will run again this year. He ran in 115 races last year, ranging from 5k to 10 miles. “I can’t cope with the full marathons any more,” he remarked.
Gurtlier enjoys the Fodderstack because of the great scenery and the spring weather. He also praised the good food available at the finish line, and was particularly impressed with the quality of the hand-made awards.
Gurtlier’s children have run with him in some previous races, but now they are all scattered around the country and unable to join him for this event.
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