LRC History
If you have additional information or corrections to our club history, submit your info to support@lakelandrunnersclub.org.
1970s
In 1974, John F. Scimone founded the Lakeland Runners Club when he helped the Lakeland Parks and Recreation Department hold the Civic Center Runs. The Civic Center Runs were the first organized road races in Lakeland and one of the first in Central Florida.
John F. was born in Medford, MA and ran on the cross-country team at prep school in Cambridge. He ran a 4:52 mile and was captain of his cross country team. In 1966, he brought his family to Lakeland, settling near Dobbins Park where John did his running. He was a mail carrier, and as walking was a big part of his day, he often competed in events as a race walker.
In October 1978, Scimone was diagnosed with cancer, and he died at age 44 in December 1978.
1974 – John Scimone
1975 – John Scimone
1976 – John Scimone
1978 – Norman Strand and Rob Mason
1979 – Rob Mason
1974
1st Civic Center 2.5 and 5 Mile Run.
The Civic Center runs were a Lakeland Parks and Recreation run that started at Lime Street and ran around Lake Hunter.
1977
1st Lake to Lake 10k
There were 315 runners in the first Lake to Lake 10k, held on October 15, 1977. The first race was won by Steve Foster, who then held the American record in the mile, and former Olympian Barry Brown – they finished together in 30:21 (4:53 per mile).
1978
1st Lake Morton 5k (morphed into the Mayfaire 5k in 1980)
1st Lake Paker 20k
1st Saddle Creek 4 mile cross country race
1st One Hour run at Dennison Memorial Stadium
1977
John Scimone worked with Harold Walker of the Athletic Attic to create the Lake to Lake 10k. Even though the Civic Center runs were older, they ended in 1987 making the Lake to Lake 10k the oldest continuous race in Polk County.
1978
The final section from of the Lake Hollingsworth multi-use path from Cleveland Heights to Crystal Lake Drive on the south side of the lake was completed. The first section from Cleveland Heights to Florida Southern was constructed in 1966, and then in 1968 it was extended to Crystal Lake Drive. Homeowners fought the construction of the path citing that the path would “attract undesirables to the neighborhood”
1979
As of January 15, there were 17 paid members of the LRC.
1980s
1980 – Rob Mason
1981 – Rob Mason
1982 – Rob Mason
1983 – Rob Mason
1984 – Rob Mason
1985 – Rob Mason
1986 – Rob Mason
1987 – Rob Mason
1988 – Bob English
1989 – Don Roberts
1980
1st Mayfaire 5k – May 10
The initial course for the Mayfaire 5k was three loops around Lake Morton at 8:00 AM. There were 64 entries. The winner was Mike Wachholz of Jacksonville. The overall female was Jaci Roberts of Winter Haven.
1983
The 3rd Mayfaire 5k had 83 entries, and had expenses of $316.89, netting $8.11 for the club.
1984
1st Christina 5k
1986
Track speed workouts were offered at Lakeland Highlands Middle School
The Mayfaire 5k course advertised to include Lake Morton and parts of Lake Hollingswoth
1989
1st Last Chance 50-Miler at Lake Hollingsworth
The 50-Miler was a 1.748 mile out and back, followed by 17 full laps of Lake Hollingsworth. It was a runner’s last chance to submit a documented time with entry for the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run.
1982
In the middle of the year, the Lakeland Runners Club became a custody account of the Lakeland Family YMCA and changed its name to Lakeland YMCA Runners Club.
1990s
1990 – Rich Mistretta
1991 – Rich Mistretta
1992 – Bob Trimble
1993 – Ed Plowman, Dan Windley, Bob English, Greg Parks (each served one quarter)
1994 – Dianna Campbell
1995 – Judy Cline
1996 – Bob English
1997 – Bill Little
1998 – Fred Wiechmann
1999 – Richard Fansler
1990
The Mayfaire 5k was moved to Sunday morning, and then after the race, the decision was made to hold it on Saturday event to coincide with the street dance in 1991.
1991
Mayfaire 5k is held at 6:00 PM and the start and finish are in Munn Park. The course is an out and back and includes Lake Mirror, Iowa, Lake Morton and South Ave.
1994
After the death of LRC member and founder of Discount Auto Parts, Denis L Fontaine, the Denis L Fontaine Foundation becomes a long term financial supporter of the Lake to Lake 10k.
1996
1st Summer Sunrise Watermelon Series
from the race brochure “All three races will be held at Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland. The series will provide runners with incentive to improve and stay motivated during those tough, hot summer months. The entry fee for the series is $8. Each race is $3. Only those who run all three races will be eligible for the series awards to be presented following the August 31 race. This is a no frills race. There will be no T-shirts and no individual race trophies. However, there will be watermelon after each race.”
1997
The Summer Sunrise Watermelon Series expanded to four races. In 2017, the series was shortened to the original three race format.
1999
The 10th and final Last Chance 50-Miler.
1990
At the November meeting, an amendment to our current by-laws was presented that called for the Club to sever ties with the Lakeland Family YMCA effective December 31, 1990. Motion carried by overwhelming majority of the ballot.
It was moved to authorize the club officers to start proceedings to form a new club. Motion carried.
The statement of activity from December 1990 indicates that the club paid $402 for RRCA membership & insurance (134 members).
1991
In February, the LRC requested federal tax-exempt status as a subordinate 501(c)(3) nonprofit and was issued EIN 59-3045942.
In April, a new LRC logo was adopted. The artwork was created by Harry “Preston” Stafford, a runner and art teacher (LHMS & GJHS).
1997
In February, the club filed Articles of Incorporation as a not-for-profit corporation in Florida.
2000s
2000 – Jim Pearson
2001 – Matt Werd
2002 – Nick Sudzina
2003 – Bucham Walsh
2004 – Bucham Walsh
2005 – Sue Abrahsom, Louis Irwin
2006 – Louis Irwin
2007 – Louis Irwin
2008 – Steven (Hank) Hankins
2009 – Rob Mason
2006
1st Aching Quad Challenge – Four Races in 24 Hours was held with 21 men and 8 women completing a 5k Friday, a 1 mile and 2 mile on Saturday morning, and another 5k on Saturday evening.
2009
LRC joins Facebook with a public group.
2010s
2010 – Bryan Graydon
2011 – Bryan Graydon
2012 – Bryan Graydon
2013 – Bryan Graydon
2014 – Bryan Graydon
2015 – Chuck McDanal
2016 – Gail Hardy
2017 – Gail Hardy
2018 – Gail Hardy
2019 – Sarah Kozul
2010
1st Go Green 5k at Circle B Bar Preserve
2012
3rd and final Go Green 5k.
2015
The LRC offers the first middle school cross country development program and cross country team, the LRC Lightning, competes at meets at Holloway Park and Disney.
2016
33rd and final Christina 5k
2017
1st Double Down 5k at Lake Bonny Park
2018
The Double Down 5k relocates to Peterson Park
2019
3rd and final Double Down 5k
2010
The LRC was host to the Road Runners Club of American annual convention.
2011
The first scholarship was awarded from the proceeds of the Summer Sunrise Watermelon Series.
Holloway Park, a private park with cross-country trails, opened.
The LRC website lakelandrunnersclub.org launched.
2013
Construction of Phase I of the Three Parks Trail connecting Peterson Park, Woodlake Park, and Common Ground Park begins.
2014
Grace Owen was recognized as the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Outstanding Youth Program Director of the Year.
Lakeland receives the RRCA Runner Friendly Community designation.
2019
The LRC logo was refreshed due to the loss of vector (print ready) art.
2020s
2020 – Sarah Kozul
2021 – Sarah Kozul
2022 – Michelle Hoffert
2023 – Chris Baker
2024 – Chris Baker
2020
1st Mean & Green 5-mile trail race at Holloway Park
2022
3rd and final Mean & Green trail race at Holloway Park
17th and final Aching Quad Challenge, Four Races in 24 Hours
2023
The club started its 50th year with a Running Festival at George Jenkins High School track. The festival featured a 50-minute run, kids races, a t-rex inflatable costume race, and one-mile time trials.
The club partnered with Bonnet Springs Park to hold the first Bonnet Springs Park 5k benefitting the Carol Jenkins Barnett Endowment for Bonnet Springs Park.
2024
The Bonnet Springs Park 5k expanded to include a kids fun run.
Mayfaire 5k is named a RRCA Florida State Championship Event.
2023
The club renewed its application for the Runner Friendly Community designation for the City of Lakeland. The Lakeland Runners Club, City of Lakeland, Bonnet Springs Park, Galloway Lakeland, Fleet Feet, and Black & Brew Bistro wrote letters of support.
2024
In January, the club released a new logo. Limitations in printability and adaptability across digital platforms prompted the decision to reimagine the logo.
Created in collaboration with the creative team at The Lakelander, the logo is anchored by a forward-facing swan that reminds us to keep moving forward. Swans are the iconic symbol of Lakeland, connecting our logo to our community.
Our club’s five focus areas are represented in the five wing sections:
• Fitness – enrich lives through running events and fellowship
• Community – create a culture where everyone belongs
• Stability – ensure long term success through leadership planning
• Viability – safeguard our financial health
• Relationships – strengthen bonds with community groups and organizations
Our color palette is a vibrant reflection of Lakeland’s many lakes and sunny days.
