MRA MISSION:
To promote and support the sport of running for health, fun and fitness for life to runners of all ages and abilities.
1981-1985
Welcome to the eighth monthly installment in the 50-Year History of the Manitoba Runners’ Association! You may or may not recognize many of the people, events, Race Directors, and Board Members that have made important contributions to Road Running in Manitoba from 1981 to 1985!!
MRA VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Richard Kish (1995-2003)
Marilyn Fraser (1997-2000; 1990-1995; 1982-1987; 1978)
Dave Bowman (1994-1999)
Randy Bodner (1998-2000; 1990-1991)
Michael Gwynne (1989-1995)
Don James (1989; 1991-1995)
Steve Gajerski (1989-1993)
Jim Baillie (1990-1994)
Brenda Michel-Drabyk (1991-1995)
Janice Sterling (Gill) (1992-1994)
Terry Reutcky (1989-1991)
Rosemary Gerrard (1993-1994)
Andy Schewe (1993-1995)
Randy Bodner – President 1990-1991
Marilyn Fraser – President 1998-1999; 1992-1994; 1985-1986
Les Harder – President 1994-1995
Margaret Lesage – President 1995-1997
Bob Gyde (1994-1998)
Jacquie Beckta (1994-1995)
Margaret Lesage (1993-1997)
Connie Makarchuk (1994-1997)
Les Harder (1993-1997)
Chris Glowach (1995-1997)
Lutz Mattfeld (1995-1997)
Alex Willm (1995-1997)
Ken Perchaluk (2014-2019; 1991-2000)
Joel Remis (1990-1991)
Rennie Benedict (1990-1991)
Judy Titarniuk (1990-1991)
Paula Nordal – Executive Administrator (1991-1992)
Janice Gill (Stirling) – Executive Administrator (1992-1993)
Michelle Vermette – Executive Administrator (1993)
Darlene Jarvis – Executive Administrator (1993-1999)
SANCTIONED EVENTS
The following events were offered on the MRA Race Calendar for this period:
* indicates an event that is still taking place
Alpha House
Athletes in Action
Athletes Wear
Birds Hill 20k
Brandon YMCA
Calm Air
Camp Kakeplay
Carman Annual
Cdn Mental Health Women’s Run
Children’s Hospital
Churchill Drive Ice Cream Run
Corporate Masters
Crime Prevention
Dieticians Eat to Run
Exchange District 5k Run
Falcon Beach
Falcon Lake
Grand Beach Sun Run
Great Grain Relay *
Islendingadagurinn *
Jingle Bell Run
Kilcona
Miseri 5-Mile Run
MRA Halloween Hustle
MRA Awesome Twosome Relay *
Physio Fit Run *
Puma Run Series (April Run Series) *
Reebok Fury
Run for Chiropractic
Run for the Cure *
Run for the Rainbow
Running Room New Years Eve Run (Resolution Run *)
Running Room 5-Mile Classic
Running Room Red River Ex Run
Running Room Santa Claus Shuffle*
Scottish Heritage Fun Run
Selkirk Catfish Classic
Sri Chimnoy
Terry Fox Run *
Wings Spring Fling Run Off
STARS OF THE ROAD
ALLAN BESSON
Athlete; MRA Board Member; Sports Journalist
My first exposure into the world of road running came in 1979, as a sports journalist with the Winnipeg Free Press…..READ MORE
ALBERT MARTENS
Athlete; Race Director-Polar Bear Marathon
I have run from 1980 to today – some 41 years – and my odometer sits at 47,050 km…..READ MORE
ALPHONSE BERNARD
Athlete, MRA Board Member, Race Director-Festival du Voyageur 5 Mile & Bird’s Hill 20k; Coach
Not many of our Stars of the Road can claim to have been actively involved in the MRA from its inception to the present…..READ MORE
BEV MCKAY
Athlete
In 1983, a 22-year-old woman named Bev McKay became the fastest Manitoba woman to complete the full Manitoba Marathon, with a time of 2:45:30…..READ MORE
BOB COOK
Athlete
If you were a road runner in the “golden age” of Manitoba racing, where dozens of runners raced near or below 5 minute per mile pace (mid-70’s to mid-80’s), one name that repeatedly appeared at or near the top of the race results was Bob Cook…..READ MORE
DICK SCOTT
Athlete
People in the legal community, and in the general Manitoba community, know
Dick Scott best as the man who served as Chief Justice of Manitoba…..READ MORE
DREENA DUHAME
Athlete; MRA Board of Directors
I began running on May 9, 1979. At the time I lived on Wolseley Ave. I would see a few people out running in our area and thought “I could do that”, so I did…..READ MORE
GEORGE CHAPMAN
Athlete
One of Manitoba’s most accomplished age class runners got into the sport later in life and almost by accident…..READ MORE
KEN PERCHALUK
Athlete; MRA Board Member; Coach-Road Kill Running Club
You could call Ken Perchaluk “Ken Marathon” for his signature running event but that would only cover a fraction of his achievements throughout his remarkable running career…..READ MORE
RALPH WAPLES
Athlete
Ralph Waples was an elite hockey player who after playing through his youth, went on to play 3 years of University hockey with the likes of the late great Wayne Fleming. Running was a means to a fitness end…..READ MORE
STEVE CHIPMAN
Athlete
Most people know Steve Chipman as one of the brothers who own and operate the Birchwood Auto dealerships in Winnipeg, and who co-own the Winnipeg Jets…..READ MORE