Fourth Quarter, 2005 eNewsletter

2006/2007 High School Scholarship Program

The National Black Marathoners’ Association (NBMA) is pleased to present the NBMA Scholarship Program. This program will provide awards to two students (a young man and lady) for the 2006/2007 academic year. To be considered for these scholarships, students must complete an application demonstrating that all eligibility requirements are met.

Who may apply? Applicants for the 2006 program year must:

What criteria are used in the judging? Applicants will be judged based on their:

When is the 2006 application deadline?

Application forms and instructions may be found in our Scholarships section.

For More Information Contact:

"Run a Mile, Save a Mind" Fund Raiser

The National Black Marathoners’ Association (NBMA) announces the "Run a Mile, Save a Mind" Scholarship Program. This program runs through February’s Black History Month. Our goal is to raise $10,000.  

Participation is simple. A dollar amount is pledged for every exercise-mile, which is run or walked, during February. This includes both training and racing miles. The participants do not solicit pledges from other individuals.

The donor benefits by improving their health (i.e. running or walking a mile) and the student benefits by going to college (i.e. saving a mind). This satisfies two of our organizational goals of promoting a healthy life style and encouraging educational achievement.

The runner or walker maintains a personal mileage log. At the end of the month, the money is donated to the National Black Marathoners’ Association’s Scholarship Fund. Since the NBMA is an IRS Section 501(c)(3) organization, 100% of the donations are tax-deductible. Credit card donations are accepted in our Scholarships section.

The checks should be made payable to “National Black Marathoners’ Association.” Donations may be sent to

Inquiries may be sent to NBMAScholarship@BlackMarathoners.org

Member Profile: Stanley D

Hometown:  Kimball, WV
Current Residence: St. Louis, MO
Profession: Records Manager

Athletic Background: I played high school football and basketball.

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Other Sports: I love playing racquetball often as I can and basketball from time to time.

My Favorites

List of Fitness Goals

Personal Reasons for Running: I have two young girls ages 1 and 2. They inspire me to try and keep my mind, body, and soul in the best possible shape, so that I may see them grow up to became young ladies.

Most Memorable Running Experience: The September 18, 2005 Lewis & Clark Marathon, my first marathon. There were numerous events that arose in the weeks leading up to the race. My training was put on hold. However, through faith and the encouragement I received and gave to others, while running/walking my first marathon, I was able to endure through all the pain and complete the race while meeting new people.

My Dream Run: To run a marathon in Hawaii and include a vacation for my family.

Feelings/Thoughts About Finishing Your First Marathon: I was really proud of myself for getting out there and completing my first marathon. I wasn’t impressed with my time but it gave me a goal and a desire to work harder on improving my time for my next marathon.  

The NBMA 2005 Event - The 4th Annual Lewis & Clark Marathon and Half Marathon

By Charlotte Simmons

 On Sunday, September 18th, 2005 in Historic St. Charles, Missouri, the National Black Marathoners. Association (NBMA) vision was realized at the 4th Annual Lewis & Clark Marathon and Half Marathon.

How graceful and beautiful it was. An excited group of physically fit and well trained Black American half and full, first time and veteran marathoners neatly uniformed in red singlets and black shorts representing NBMA came out to race. What an amazing historical event! These runners and their supporters represented the states of Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, Georgia, Texas, and California. (See the 2005 Events page for photos.)

The weekend started with a get together at Harrah.s Casino on Friday night. Saturday evening was the “Meet and Greet.” We were finally able to put a face with an email address. We received special commemorative NBMA race numbers. The athletes’ conversations included:

The “Meet and Greet” was followed by a pasta dinner. Angela (Chicago) noticed a full moon outside. I responded that a full moon meant that we would have wonderful weather for the marathon. Iilonga asked if a full moon meant good weather. I said I made that up because I thought it would sound good.

Sunday morning, we had perfect running weather. The NBMA participants showed up bright eyed and adrenaline filled at 6:30am to take the Inaugural NBMA photo. Iilonga, all the way from California on a red eye flight via Atlanta to St. Louis, missed the inaugural photo op because he overslept. He had been awake for more than 48 hours. However, he did make it to the race start line on time.

Despite the double-loop course, I really enjoyed this marathon. The race followed a narrow loop course that traveled alongside the Missouri River, both north and south of Historic St. Charles. The course was very flat, with the exception of one 300+ meter long uphill. Hitting this climb during the first loop after mile mark 12 was a little work. The even longer downhill felt good the first time around.

Climbing this hill during the 2nd loop, after running 25 miles, hurt. This time around, the downhill was virtually transparent. I had nothing left. I missed beating my Chicago PR (4:29:24) by less than a minute. I was proud to cross the 4^th Annual Lewis and Clark Marathon finish line at 4:30:17. I had fun. I really enjoy running marathons.

I enjoy the camaraderie, the challenge of the course, and watching the miles melt away. And at this marathon, the first time ever, NBMA supporters held signs which read .Go Charlotte!. Yes, they were talking about me. It made my day! Thanks Tony, Sybah, Henry and all the other supporters.

Iilonga had about 28 minutes of recovery when I crossed the finish line. He crossed the finish line at 4:01:59 and was very proud of it. I wonder if the extra sleep helped. Being a true Partner, he tried to be there to cheer for me when I crossed the finish line. He thought I was lost but I was having a massage. I had told him I would finish in about 5:00 hours.

This was supposed to be a training run for the Marine Corps Marathon, which I will be participating in on October 30th, 2005. The flat course and great weather made it impossible for me to treat this as a training run. I left everything on the course. All NBMA participants made it safely to the finish line. We were especially proud of Stanley from St. Louis. It was his first marathon!!! He’s profiled in this eNewsletter.

Sunday night, we went to see Sinbad at Harrah’s Casino. It was a great way to wrap up our day. Iilonga suggested that all future NBMA gatherings be centered on where Sinbad is performing. Before heading to the airport on Monday morning I enjoyed breakfast with Sybah and Miss Francis from the Advondale Running Club of Cincinnati. It was a wonderful weekend with a wonderful group of people.

Thanks to everyone for making the Inaugural National Black Marathoners’ Association event a success!

Click here to see the event photos.

Visit our News Section to see media coverage about the event in the Missouri Runner and Triathlete magazine.

Member Profile: David S

Hometown:  Milford, DE
Current Residence: Lakewood, NJ
Running Clubs: Inducted into the Delaware Afro-American Sport Hall of Fame in March 0f 2005; Shore Athletic Club, Ocean Running Club, Freehold Area Running Club, New Jersey Road Runners Club, and Jersey Shore Running Club

Profession: Retired educator 1971-2001; Recruiting Consultant 2001-05; Manager-J-1 Cleaning & Maintenance Services 2005

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Personal Reason for Running:  To glorify the name of Jesus Christ!!! Running is a spiritual experience, as well as mental and physical. I want to show our Black youth, that we, as Black folks, are able to run distances and can be great.

Fitness/Running Goals: To continue advocating the glory and mercy of our God. Our body is a temple and Jesus does not want us to destroy it. Also, I'd like to run a marathon in under 3:15 in the 60 to 64 age group.

Most Memorable Running Experience:  The Lewes Seashore Marathon. I was third place overall. This was a personal best time of 2:38. I could do no wrong. I completed this race and just walked away from the finish line, no problem. I was so excited, and thrilled at this accomplishment. My family, friends, and running companions were amazed at this accomplishment. I was not, for I was running with Jesus Christ at my side. Isaiah 40:31.

My Dream Run: To run the Great Western 100-mile race.  This has been a long, long time dream of mine.  Glory be to God, this I will accomplish, also.

South DeKalb (GA) Striders Running Club

The South DeKalb Striders Running Club members consists of runners of all classes; elite runners, top runners, family runners, slow runners, and walkers. Their purpose is to have fun as well as stay fit. In 1989, the group that started out with three runners, Edward Driver, Joyce Jordan and Lucius Felder.

They began running together in the South DeKalb Mall, Georgia Perimeter College, Columbia Drive area in South DeKalb. When they met other area runners, they would invite them to join their Saturday or Sunday run. Today, up to 15 runners participate on the weekends. Most of the runners were members of the Atlanta Track Club. The Striders became a certified running club in March of 1990 with 12 charter members.

The Striders continue to hold their Saturday and Sunday morning group runs. The runs began at 6:30 a.m. and some days up to 30 runners participate in the group runs that always begin with a prayer. They also enjoy a Tuesday/Thursday 5:30 a.m. run with 10-12 participants.

Their biggest event is the annual 5K For Hope Road Race. It’s held on the fourth Saturday of August. The proceeds from this road race are used to benefit Our House, a childcare facility for homeless children. They have raised and donated approximately $25,000.00 for Our House and various other charities in the South DeKalb area.

In December, the Striders hold their annual awards banquet. Some of the awards are runner of the year, new runner of the year, most improved runner of the year, come back runner of the year, volunteer of the year and on occasion, the president's award. The Striders also present the mileage awards for the year. Everyone, who runs 1000 miles or more, receives the Gold Award. 800-999 mile runners earn the Silver Award. And 600-799 mile runners earn the bronze award.

They also hold a Strider Grand Prix where a monthly road race is chosen and points are awarded on the basis of a runner’s prediction for the event and bonus points are awarded in the event of age group wins. They also host a fellowship run in South DeKalb with the South Fulton Running Partners, another Black running club, in the spring of each year and are invited by the Running Partners to a South Fulton location in the fall.

For more information about the club, visit their website at http://www.southdekalbstriders.com/.