Club History Retold by Member Maureen Marcotte - Installment #1

Our most tenured members, Maureen and Pete moved to Derry from Central Mass. Most of the interview was with Maureen, although Pete popped in a couple of times to contribute

They actually met at work and lucky enough for them, they worked on different floors at their company. They are celebrating 56 years of marriage!

How Maureen’s running journey began:

Maureen was working at Sears at the mall in Manchester. She and a coworker literally chased a thief down the street who stole from the store. Even though she exercised, that experience coughing and wheezing running after the thief was the catalyst to start running.

How Maureen found out about the club and joined in 1979:

Even though the club was only formed the year before (1978) they were already well established and had many members. Maureen knew a few of the members and signed up.

What was the club like in the early days?

Although the club did not have as many activities as it does today, there was still plenty going on. She was the “membership chairman” for a long time, which meant she was the one who would connect with members after they joined. She would also meet with all of the members in person to make sure they paid their dues and renewed every year. She had to renew members on the anniversary month they joined, instead of one time a year for everyone. That doesn’t sound like a fun job!

A very interesting fact:

She said 5k’s were not a thing back in the 80’s. Most of the races were 5 miles or more and the biggest one in Derry was the Allen Motors race, a 6.5 mile road race. Allen Motors was at the sight of the Woof Meow store. The club was very involved either running or volunteering to help put the race on.

There were a few “beer” races including one put on by Parkland Hospital. She said there were a couple of 2 miles races in Manchester that she enjoyed. A big event the club used to do was the Cigna 5k in Manchester. It was as a big of a race then as it is today.

She said the annual dinner used to be at the Marion Gerrish hall in Derry. We have come a long way with that event!

Maureen starting taking her daughter, Michelle to the kids fun runs when she was 7. Years later, her grandson Travis participated when he was just 1 1/2 years old. The KSFR still remains her favorite club event

Funny Running Story:

Maureen fell and hit her head on ice (not the funny part). She had to go to the Concord hospital to spend a few days getting evaluated. There was swelling but everything was ok. She decided to run the Bill Luti race later that year to celebrate her clean bill of health , since the race went by the hospital. The end of the race goes around a ball field and finishes on track. When she attempted to run on the track, she tripped and face planted. So not only did she fall right before the finish, she did so in front of a large crowd of people. Way to finish with a bang Maureen!!

Did you know Maureen is a 3rd degree Black Belt in Muay Thai kick boxing??

Although Maureen and Pete aren’t running today, they are still very active. Pete’s knees never gave him the opportunity to run much but used to play a lot of racquetball. He plays pickle ball 3 days a week today and has been playing tennis for most of his life.

Maureen does virtual 5k’s and loves to do 50, 75, and 100 mile challenges using her fit bit.

I asked her what she loved most about the club and she said the people. Many of her running friends that she would do winter runs with 40 years ago are still friends today. She loves that the club is so socially active today, and still does so much for the community.

She said the Couch to 5k is the best new addition and such an important program to introduce running to beginners.

You will see Maureen volunteering at all of our events. She and Pete are regulars volunteering at the Sonshine Soup Kitchen too.

Thank you Maureen and Pete for your years of dedication to the GDTC. We are honored that you still represent us after all of these years.

For more club history, click here.