HOW DID THE LONGVIEW RUNNING CLUB GET STARTED?

Once upon a time in about 1968 B.C. (Before Running was Cool) there were just a hand full of peculiar people in the Longview area who could be remotely classified as roadrunners. One of these hardcore physical fitness enthusiasts was a 58-year-old man named Harry Henke who claimed that he was running for his life. (And another was fleet footed Tony Gibson.)

As the story goes Harry had suffered some severe pains when he tried to roll up a rug (he should have left his wife, Esther, do that!). This incident caused Harry to change his life style by taking up running. After a couple of years of basic training, Harry started traveling to Dallas where he participated in the 10.9 mile loop around White Rock Lake with the Dallas Cross Country Club. He then moved up to the marathon distance and participated in the early Galveston, White Rock, and Denton Marathons.

In the early 1970's Harry attracted several running friends who sometimes accompanied him to races. Among them were Ken Roden and a couple of LeTourneau College students. At first the only races that were available were in Dallas. Later races sprang up in Shreveport, Texarkana, and Tyler. It would have been worse than science fiction to think that there would be sizeable races held in remote places such as Overton, Naples or Tatum within a decade of time!

In the fall of 1974, Harry called an organizational meeting at the Longview YMCA. This meeting was attended by Don Martin, Tony Gibson, Ken Roden and the then director of the YMCA, Bob Cappel. Ideas were exchanged, and after another meeting or so Harry was designated as President and Ken Roden as Vice President. The first official club race was held on February 8, 1975, and the results of the tough 4 ½ mile race were as follows:

1. Jimmy Reed Tyler 37 25:44

2. Don Martin Longview 36 25:45

3. Stan Lightfoot Tyler 37 25:52

4. Bill Jones Texarkana 30 26:01

5. Norvin Wilson Texarkana 33 26: 02

6. John Carter Tyler 16 26:15

7. Tony Gibson Longview 29 27:01

8. Ken Roden Longview 34 27: 15

9. T.H. Holland Tyler 32 27:38

10. J.B. Outlaw Tyler 56 29:05

11. Bill Ebener LC Student 19 30:03

12. Earl Roberts, Jr Longview 38 31:39

13. Winn Talley Forney 47 31:46

14. Bob Ralston Longview 52 31:56

15. Dale Weaver LC Student 18 32:02

16. John Cherrie Longview 46 32:32

17. Roy Dunkel Tyler 32 32:39

18. Floyd Bishop Longview 49 32:43

19. Riley Abercrombie Gladewater 57 34:03

20. Greg Lightfoot Tyler 10 36:36

21. Jack Herber Longview 56 36: 36

22. Barbara Lightfoot Tyler 33 37:04

23. Ben Brooking Longview 21 46:14

Two of the more unusual races held during the first year were a three-man relay race where Riley Abrecrumbie took a wrong turn causing his team to lose, and a handicap race where about 20 high school athletes from Kilgore descended upon the Longview Running Club. Tony Gibson had the best time but ended up in twelfth place in the race. Kilgore coach John Heffner got first prize since he was so modest about his ability.

The early emphasis in the races was "participation". Completion was rewarded with a LRC ribbon. One and two mile races were also held for younger children, ladies, and friendly dogs to encourage family participation. Teague Park was usually the place for starting and finishing the races.

The rest of the story can be gathered by talking to any one of the early "forerunners", but the versions may vary slightly.