The Fulmont Roadrunners Club was formed in 1983 to support and promote the sport of running and other physical recreational activities for people of all ages in Fulton and Montgomery Counties. The club was incorporated, as a not-for-profit entity, in 1987 and became affiliated with the Road Runners Club of America in 1992. It currently has more than 180 members. Races: The club hosts two major races each year: the 2.2/4.4-mile "Winter Wimp," which takes place in January, and the "Mule Haul 8K," which takes place in June (on Father’s Day). In addition, club members act as consultants, provide race-day assistance, and otherwise support other organizations that conduct races locally. They currently include the Fulton County YMCA (the YMCA Easter Fun Run in Johnstown), Lexington Center (the Lexington 5K in Johnstown), St. Mary’s Hospital (the Heart Smart 5K in Amsterdam), Cornell Cooperative Extension of Fulton and Montgomery Counties (the Clover Combo Classic in Fort Hunter), the Duanesburg Area Community Center (Duanesburg 5K Dash in Duanesburg), and the Northville/Sacanaga Lions Club (the Great Sacandaga Road Race in Northville). Adopt a Highway: In 2008, the club committed on a regular basis to clear debris on Maple Avenue Extension, between Midline Road and Route 30, in Amsterdam. Arrangements for this "green" initiative, associated with the New York State Department of Transportation's Adopt a Highway Program, were made through the Montgomery County Department of Public Works by club president Joyce Poulin. Shown with the bounty from the inaugural cleanup, held July 19th, are (from left) Ed Poulin, Dave Mosher, Jane Constantine, Bill Platt, Jake Smith, Tom Constantine, Jim Moore, and Jim Louison. Ed Bown and Bill Austin (not pictured) also took part. Youth Programs: The club recognizes a special allegiance to youthful runners and makes a major effort to encourage and reward their participation in the sport. It does this is by organizing special kids races, such as the Family Fun Run at Amsterdam High School, and by conducting shorter-distance running events just for youngsters at its major races. The club also sponsors a competitive scholarship program aimed at college-committed high school seniors from the community who have competed in varsity track or cross country. It is named for the late James R. Dern, a long-time Fulmont Roadrunner who had a keen interest in high school athletics, particularly running. He was a Beechnut executive who lived in Canajoharie. In addition, the club has an awards program that recognizes outstanding male and female cross-country competitors in Fulton and Montgomery County high schools. The winners receive walnut plaques and are invited to run, at no charge, in the club’s Winter Wimp foot race. The plaques are presented at that event. In addition to the overall winners, the Fulmont Roadrunners select the top male and female cross-country runners in each of the eight Fulton and Montgomery County high schools that field cross-country teams. The winners of these "Outstanding Cross-Country Runner Awards" receive a certificate of merit. Club Activities & Programs: The club has monthly business meetings, holds weekly fun runs and training workouts for its members, and sponsors a variety of programs designed to encourage and reward the achievements of its members. For example, there is the Mileage Challenge in which members establish a yearly running (or walking, biking, canoeing, etc.) goal at the beginning of the year and are recognized at the end of the year for their accomplishment. Members who accumulate 5,000 miles in the Challenge receive a club jacket embroidered with the words "5,000-Mile Club" free of charge. Additional embroidery is added when members reach 10,000-mile and greater milestones. The club also sponsors a Grand Prix in which members who participate in selected races (the fourteen Grand Prix events, of which a member's top eight results count) score points in their age divisions according to how they finish relative to other club members in a particular race. First place gets 10 points, second 8, and so on. At the end of the year, the members who score the most points overall and in their age divisions receive Certificates of Achievement and other awards. These and the club’s "President’s," "Rookie of the Year," "Come Back of the Year," "Volunteer of the Year," and "Special Achievement" awards are handed out at the club’s annual "Pizza Bash" Awards Banquet, held in early November. Finish Line: The club has a monthly publication, the Finish Line, that reports on upcoming meetings, races, member achievements, etc., and enables the club leaders to communicate with the members. The publication is a four-time winner of the Road Runners Club of America’s Jerry Little Memorial Eastern Region Journalism Award. Apparel: The club has its own line of wearing apparel that it sells to its members without profit. The line, embroidered or screen-printed with the FMRRC logo, includes several kinds of shirts, jackets, and vests, along with a hat and headband. Dues: Yearly memberships are $18 for individuals ($10 for students), $20 for couples, and $25 for families.