Club History Retold by Members Maureen & Bob Knepp - Installment #4
- John McGarry
- Aug 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 11
How Did Bob & Maureen’s Running Journey Begin?
Bob grew up in Dover, NH, and Maureen from New Jersey. They met while attending a small West Virginia college in the heart of Appalachia. Bob was seeking a change of scenary, while Maureen was pursuing her physician assistant degree.After living in various parts of New Hampshire, they bought their historic Londonderry home—built in 1781—where they lived for 33 years. Their stone barn become the home for all of our equipment for years!
Their running journey started in the mid-1980s on a bet during the Boston Marathon. Maureen claimed she had never sweated in her life, but after a beer-fueled viewing, she vowed to run. Bob, a former rugby player agreed—if she ran, he’d run too. And so began decades of endurance adventures.
What Was the Running Club Like in the Early Days?
When they joined, the running club had only 10–12 members. Runs started from someone’s home, and everyone left $2 for breakfast. Despite its small size, the club hosted a race nearly every month, including:
Mack’s Apples Road Race (5 or 10 miles)
8-Mile Hampstead Trail Race (before hunting season—everyone wore orange)
Foot Health 5K around Beaver Lake
A road and trail race close to the current Tupelo Hall
The annual club dinner was held at Londonderry Country Club, and the first club logo was a foot with a blue toe—thanks to a podiatrist founder.
How Did Bob & Maureen Shape the Running Club?
They might have been the first club "power couple"
Maureen served as treasurer for 17 years, handled memberships, organized many club get togethers and was the MC for annual dinners. She has been one of the club's biggest cheerleaders. Bob was Kids Fun Run director for 10 years, continuing a tradition started by club founders. Their children grew up participating in the Kids Fun Runs and went to many other events
Maureen created the “friendly reminder” newsletter to promote local races, later expanded to include race results. Eldon took over the reminder from Maureen.
In more recent times, they launched the Knepp Brewery run, a spring and fall run visiting our local breweries.
What Was Their Running Progression?
Initially, Maureen was “stuck” at 3 miles. In 1993, they trained for the Marine Corps Marathon with friends, which sparked a marathon streak. Two of their early training partners were their neighbors, Eldon and Sachiko Burkinshaw. Maureen and Bob ran in Alaska with Team in Training, raising $10,000. Bob stopped at five marathons, favoring half marathons and shorter distances, but Maureen kept going—big time.
Inspired by a runner with a “50 States” shirt, Maureen completed marathons in all 50 states over 29 years. Her total? 54 marathons, no repeats. She ran many marathons with fellow club member, Lori Langdon. Her last was in Hawaii, during Covid and they had to have vaccine bracelets to get in to the state! Highlights:
Fastest: Boston Marathon
Most Fun: Disney Marathon
Prettiest: Leading Ladies (SD) & Avenue of the Giants (CA)
Hardest: The Manchester NH marathon and Hawaii
What Other Adventures Have they done?
When Maureen retired, she and Bob set their sights on hiking the Appalachian Trail. Starting with Vermont’s Long Trail (270 miles in a rain soaked three weeks), they eventually completed 1,500 miles of the AT, plus the NH 48 4,000-footers (twice), New England 67, and 52 With a View challenge. I'm tired even writing about all of this!!!
Where Are They Now?
After selling their Londonderry home, they moved to New Durham, NH, and helped start the Burnt Timber Brewery Running Club in Wolfeboro. Though now walkers, they remain active/ Bob volunteers at the NH Farm Museum giving tours, driving a tractor and shooting a musket. Maureen volunteers by testing water quality at 6 ponds around New Durham. Bob and Maureen have been volunteering for the Special Olympics Alpine Ski Team for over 10 years.
Bob & Maureen’s running club legacy is more than miles—it’s about community, friendship, and a lifelong passion for movement. They miss the club members terribly and come back to visit as often as they can.
Thank you both for your years of dedication and helping to shape the GDTC to what it is today.
For more GDTC Club History, check out: