Yankee Runner Article on CMS - 1977

The Central Mass striders have been in existence since about 1958 (then known as the Wachusett Striders).  Until 1977 it was basically a club made up of high school runners.  Fred and Gordon Warren have worked very hard over the years to keep the club going.  In 1977 many older runners (21-50) have joined the club and we now have a total of about 100 members.  We have a group training run on Tuesday nights, five to ten miles, and on Sunday mornings a run of 6-17 miles.  We have prediction runs, and on January 1^st of each year we will have a five mile handicap race, a buffet, and election of officers.  We are members of the Road Runners club of America and the A.A.U.

We are coordinating and/or co-sponsoring 11 races this year in Central Mass.  We believe in complete freedom in running: anyone can run in our races.  You don't have to belong to the A.A.U., the R.R.C. or any organization at all, to run in our races.  If you are an A.A.U. member you must be an R.R.C. member or guest in order to run in an R.R.C. race (this is an A.A.U. rule).   Needless to say, we have a lot of guests at our races.  Our objective is to sponsor one or two races of high quality per month.  We will have merchandise and trophies plus a medal to all finishers at all our races.  Many quality prizes, but no outrageous first place prizes followed by mediocre second and third prizes et, etc.

Also, you don't have to pay an entry fee if you don't wish a prize or any refreshments.  We will issue you a number and give you your time.

Our club is open to everyone.  If you are looking for a quality club with no political hang-ups and a lot of enthusiastic runners, we would like to hear from you.

Wayne Lamothe

Article in Yankee Runner - 1979

Central Mass. Striders

The origins of the Central Mass. Striders can be traced to the late 1950's with the formation of the Wachusett Striders.  While the name was eventually changed to the Central Mass. Striders, the club continued for nearly two decades as a small entity comprised primarily of area high school runners.  Within the last two years, the composition of the membership has changed dramatically.  Runners of all ages and abilities have joined, bringing the number of club members to over 300 at present.

With the rapid growth came an unsettled period during 1978 when the club established ties with a sporting goods concern and expanded its name to reflect this affiliation.  (My comment:  I believe this was when CMS was known as "Flying Feet Central Mass.")   However, a majority of the members found this arrangement to be unsatisfactory and, in December 1978, voted overwhelmingly to return to the time-honored CMS appellation and to revert to an independent status.

During 1978 the club sponsored and/or co-sponsored 20 races in various cities and towns in Worcester County.  While terrain and distance certainly varied from race to race, each run shared a common motif in being organized by runners, for runners.  With the exception of no entry fee runs, CMS races generally offer a large number of merchandise prizes as well as either ribbons or medals to all finishers.  What concerns the club most, however, is that courses be clearly delineated, water stations be provided when weather condition warrant, and times and places of all runners be accurately and quickly posted.

The number of area races will expand to 30 in 1979, encompassing such geographically separated location as Fitchburg, Barre, Hardwick, Worcester, Oxford, and Shrewsbury to name but a few.  Aside from two races, which are restricted to club members only, these runs are open to all runners.  The club plans to enter a number of teams in selected New England races and hopes to establish several "home-and-home" meets with other running clubs.

A bi-monthly newsletter is sent to all members featuring items of general interest, race schedules and a listing of the times and places of all members who participate in area races.