Merrimack Valley Striders Welcome to the
Merrimack Valley Striders (MVS),
a club organized to encourage and
enhance running at all levels.



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All the news . . .

On April 23rd, due to differences in guiding the direction of the running club, the Executive Board of the Merrimack Valley Striders voted to remove me as webmaster of the club's website and to create a different site managed by others.

I want to thank those who have contributed to this site since I created it in 1995, and those who have offered their support over the past 13 years.
Measured by statistics, the site is visited by over 1000 people every day.
More importantly, it has been a platform for our love of running and racing. May we not lose that love.

If you are interested in continuing to follow my road rambling, you can find me On the Road.
Dave Smith

Change in Training Site
Tuesday and Wednesday Track at Haverhill High School

The site for the Spring and Fall adult training program on Tuesday and Wednesday is Haverhill High School.
In recent years, the site has been the North Andover High School track. However, North Andover's new rental policy prevents us from using the North Andover track. Please note that the North Andover track is not available and should not be trespassed.

Directions to Haverhill High School, 137 Monument Street, Haverhill, MA

From Points North
  • 495 South
  • Take the RT-97/RT-110/RT-113 exit. This is exit number 50-49, toward Downtown Haverhill/Salem NH -- 1/10th mile
  • Keep RIGHT at the fork in the ramp -- 2/10th mile
  • Keep LEFT at the fork in the ramp -- 0/10th mile
  • Turn LEFT onto Broadway/Route-97 South -- 2/10th mile
  • Turn LEFT onto Monument Street -- half-mile School will be on your right
    Note: To return home on 495N, go straight through the traffic light.

    From Points South
  • 495 North
  • Take the RT-97/RT-110/RT-113 exit. This is exit number 50, toward Haverhill/Salem NH -- 4/10th mile
  • Stay in center lane, cross RT-97 onto Monument Street, straight through traffic light and blinking light, staying on Monument Street
  • Haverhill HS will be on your right
    Note: To return home on 495S, turn right at the traffic light.
    Or make your own map here.
    Boston Marathon Results
    Dan Vassallo, 2:25:10
    Todd Lagimonier, 2:44:03
    Frank Row, 2:58:42
    Brian Reeves, 3:00:15
    Tom Kinneman, 3:09:16
    Greg Hallerman, 3:09:36
    Tina Dowling, 3:12:42
    David Dargie, 3:13:20
    Bob Lussier, 3:13:53
    Jason Kramer, 3:15:01
    Tim Harris, 3:15:20
    Steve Seide, 3:16:52
    Mike Teixeira, 3:21:03
    Thor Kirleis, 3:26:34
    Marielle Yost, 3:27:00
    Sharon Seabury, 3:28:07
    Marsha Hogan, 3:28:54
    Kelly LeCours, 3:29:58
    Deb Sakr, 3:31:04
    Fred Clark, 3:32:02
    Henry Jao, 3:32:07
    Cristina Winsor, 3:33:56
    Jen Popowicz, 3:36:09
    Glenn Simm, 3:37:18
    Charlie Farrington, 3:37:20
    Jen Carbonneau, 3:41:17
    Julie Moore, 3:41:40
    Ann Domingan, 3:42:44
    Dawn Mickee, 3:42:54
    Meg Slattery, 3:45:18
    Sue Langlois, 3:47:33
    Chris Chetsas, 3:47:51
    Ron Devoe, 3:49:25
    Dan Hill, 3:50:01
    Cesar Maiorino, 3:50:15
    Sydney Walsh, 3:52:15
    Bernie Zelitch, 3:52:50
    Beth Clarke, 3:55:05
    Carol Blanchard, 3:57:10
    Joelle Michigan, 3:58:19
    Rich Fortuna, 4:03:33
    Kelly Cenca, 4:04:15
    Scott Masse, 4:05:46
    Jana Tarbox, 4:07:50
    Leo St. Louis, 4:08:09
    Stephanie Hirst, 4:09:31
    Matt Rivet, 4:09:57
    Charlie Nasser, 4:09:57
    Chuck Batchelder, 4:11:19
    Dave Tyler, 4:12:41
    Will Meredith, 4:13:20
    John Elkaliouby, 4:14:48
    Tom Licciardello, 4:15:28
    John Adams, 4:16:35
    Lisa Hodge, 4:17:29
    Lana Popova, 4:21:27
    Maureen Hangac, 4:25:32
    Renee Cammarata, 4:27:03
    Bill Pennington, 4:34:11
    Judy Gallagher, 4:38:21
    Beth Shiff, 4:46:51
    Ken Shiff, 4:46:51
    Herb Cunha, 4:48:33
    Jane Madore, 4:53:40
    Martha O'Brien 4:55:56
    Zoe Alexi, 4:56:40
    Jocelyn Marion 4:59:59
    Colleen Falardeau 4:59:59
    Henry Wilder, 5:00:01
    Ken Skier, 5:10:15
    Jeremy Roberts, 5:14:39
    Greg Baletsa, 5:16:50
    Mary Hebert, 5:35:40
    Shawn Intorcio, 5:56:42
    Jim Laprel, 6:19:21


    Caroline Bjune PRs at Olympic Marathon Trials
    At the Olympic Marathon Trials in Boston on April 20th, Caroline Bjune took 3 minutes off her PR to finish in 2:42:02. She was 35th out of 124 finishers. She was 5th New England runner and 2nd Massachusetts runner.
    MVS Uniforms at Athlete's Corner in Andover
    All merchandise is available at Athletes Corner in Andover Center.
    Time to Renew Your MVS Membership
    If you have not yet renewed your MVS membership for 2008, you should do it now.
    You may renew online here, or you may complete a form here and mail it in.

    TriFury Options
    You may renew your TriFury membership, or join TriFury on the MVS membership form. Note that you no longer need to join MVS to become a member of TriFury.
    MVS Training Program Recommends Races
    The MVS Training Program, under the direction of Coach Fernando Braz, will be recommending additional races throughout the year that complement the USATF-NE Grand Prix Series. These races provide additional opportunities for club members to experience road racing, to test their progress, and enjoy the un-matched "high" of running a race.

    Three races recommended already by the Training Program were part of a series called the Wild Rover Irish Series. They were a 3 mile, 4 mile, and 5 mile race, on consecutive Sundays beginning February 24th.
    To read about the series, go here.
    Here are the races:
    Frozen Shamrock, February 24, 3 miles, 1pm, Haverhill
    Claddagh Pub 4-Mile Classic, March 2, 4 miles, 11am, Lawrence
    Hynes 5 Mile Road Race, March 9, 5 miles, 1pm, Lowell

    Also on February 24 was the excellent Jones-Town & Country 10-mile Road Race in scenic Amherst, MA. In 1999 this race was in the Grand Prix Series. It's a classic event and a great tune-up for Boston. For details, go here.
    MVS Yellow Pages -- 2008 Edition, with 19 Advertisers
    2008 MVS Yellow Pages -- Available Now, with 19 advertisers who support MVS.
    Show your support by taking a look at what they offer. You might find exactly what you need.
    Where Do Striders Get Discounts?
    Here is a chart of stores that offer discounts to club members on running shoes and clothing. Each store's return policy is listed.
    Memorial Scholarship Program
    In 1998 MVS established a Memorial Scholarship Program in memory of Mike Dowe, Ralph Rockwood, Dean Peterson, and Greg Gumbinner. You may learn about the program here.

    Since 1998, the program has awarded $19,600 to 54 graduating seniors from the Greater Merrimack Valley. For funding, the program depends upon the contributions of club members and others. Please consider participating in this program by sending your contribution to the MVS Memorial Scholarship Program, P.O. Box 3174, Andover, MA 01810.
    Your gift is tax-dedcutible to the extent of the law. If your employer has a matching gifts program, please enclose the form. Thank you for giving generously.
  • Grand Prix Races for 2008 || MVS Racing Program
    March 16New Bedford Half-Marathon, New Bedford, MA
    May 11Medical Center 6K, Nashua, NH
    June 1Rhody 5K, Lincoln, RI
    July 29Yankee Homecoming 10 Miler, Newburyport, MA
    August 9Bridge of Flowers 10K, Shelburne Falls, MA
    September 6Ollie 5 Miler, South Boston, MA
    October 19Bay State Marathon, Lowell, MA
    Race Results
    2007
    2006
    2005
    2004
    2003
    2002
    2001
    2000
    1999
    1998
    1997
    MVS Contacts
    MVS Email Addresses

    MVS is a member of --
    USATF-NE [club #112].
    Road Runners Club of America
    Mill Cities Alliance