Columns

By David Freeze

Salisbury and Rowan’s biggest race, the 38^th Annual Winter Flight, is back with its 2021 version, with the race date set for Jan. 17. Normally the last Sunday in January, the date change isn’t the only thing that will be different. But first, we’ll cover the things that stay the same.

New Sarum Brewing is the title sponsor again and will continue for four more years. There are still the 8K (4.97 miles), 5K (3.1 miles) and a fun run (1/2 mile). All the race proceeds will go to Rowan Helping Ministries. Meredith Abramson’s very popular hoodie is back for all 8K, 5K and wheelchair participants. Ainsley’s Angels will again provide able-bodied runners to push physically challenged kids in wheelchairs to kick off the 8K/5K races.

The 8K will again be nationally certified through the United States Association of Track and Field (USATF). A dynamic sound system will be in place to enhance race announcements and Neal Wilkinson’s stirring pre-race national anthem while also providing pre-race and finish line music. The race will again be chip timed by Agape Timing of Concord.

Here are the differences. For the first time in 38 years, the race will not be held in Salisbury. All races will start and finish at the Millbridge Ruritans building across from Sloan Park. The race location is at 490 Sloan Road. Instead of city streets, the race will be run entirely in a rural, low-traffic environment with two rolling hills and lots of flat stretches. Locke and West Rowan fire departments will handle the safety on the courses with various volunteers, including many from Rowan Helping Ministries, supporting them. The western Rowan area around Sloan Park and Kerr Mill is one of the prettiest road race courses in the county. It’s dairy country and you’ll see way more cows than cars.

All races will follow Road Runners Club of America and North Carolina coronavirus guidelines. Masks are required when not racing and wave starts will be used. The event will not include an indoor gathering and all participants are encouraged to practice proper distancing.

Now for more of the usual good things that make this event one of the best in the Southeast. The 5K run/walk encourages walkers to participate and they can win age group awards. There remains a 90-minute course limit for the 8K. All race participants will have a chance to earn about 180 awards provided by the Trophy House.

We expect another highly competitive race with top local runners, Matthew and Jonathan Martin, in the lead pack. The twins finished 1-2 last year. On the women’s side, Rebecca Parker will again return to chase another win in the 5K. Multi-time winner Molly Nunn from Clemmons returns in the 8K. There are cash payouts for a new 8K course record which can be won by beating the Salisbury course best times. Other 8K cash payouts go to the first male and female to the mile and first Rowan County male and female finisher and first male and female overall finisher. This race usually draws participants from five or six states.

The men’s course record is a sizzling 23:07, set in 2015 by Kenyan Eliud Ngetich. Olympian and Carrboro resident Joan Nesbit set the long-standing women’s record of 26:48 in 1992. In its long history, the 8K has hosted many Olympic hopefuls.

Rowan Helping Ministries Executive Director Kyna Grubb said, “This year has been about protocols, partnerships, prayers and pivoting. Planning for Winter Flight and how our partners have re-imaged and overcome barriers to ensure a fun and safe run has all of these components. Winter Flight will provide much-needed funds to our agency and give our community a healthy, fun, and safe opportunity to participate in this longstanding tradition.”

Top sponsors at press time in addition to title sponsor New Sarum Brewing are the Millbridge Ruritans, the Trophy House, Dr. Robert Glassgow, David Post and Catawba College, even though the event will not begin and end on their campus as usual.

A packet pickup and late registration will be held from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 16, at Ralph Baker Shoes, 428 N. Main Street in Salisbury.

Online registration continues at runsignup.com and a printable race brochure with more information available at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org .

By David Freeze

  In the past week, I’ve lost two women who meant the world to me. Two women who have touched my life in many different ways. But although they didn’t know each other, they both worked off the same script. They taught me a lesson that’s worth sharing today. The second funeral is tomorrow, and they are both on my mind tonight.

   Ollie McKnight was 90 and had lived across the road from me since I bought our farm. Well over 30 years ago, I moved in with a wife and five blended kids. Our farm needed a lot of tender loving care and that included a house built in 1900. Most of it looked bad. My own mother passed away shortly afterwards, and Mrs. M took over. I didn’t think I needed scolding much, but she sometimes did. I grew to love her just like my own mother. Thankfully, we had a nice conversation the evening before she went to the hospital for the last time.

    Patsy McBride, only 73 at her passing, came later. I didn’t know Patsy until I made my first cross country bicycle trip in 2013. I began to get short supportive texts from her along the way from Anacortes, Oregon to Myrtle Beach. Over 4200 miles and 54 days, I wondered how Patsy knew when I was struggling because she always seemed to send a message when I needed positive thoughts. Patsy was a talented musician who had lived in lots of places, even including a stint in Hawaii. I finally met her in person when our local newspaper hosted a reception following the completion of that bike ride. A brief interview with the editor got Patsy mentioned in the Salisbury Post the next day. She gave me a crocheted angel that has ridden along on every single long-distance ride since, now totaling well over 20,000 miles.

     Both these women had health issues that I discovered but seldom learned directly from them. They didn’t dwell on those things and always kept forging ahead. Ollie had heart, knee, kidney and other issues. She spent several years on dialysis until she was awarded a kidney much later in life than most can hope for. Patsy battled cancer since the time I met her. I remember that she could only stay a few minutes the night that she attended that first reception. Doctors kept finding ways to treat the cancers and Patsy fought right along with them.

      The world that knew these women as Ollie and Patsy didn’t hear complaints from them. What they saw was an incredible spirit and an intense desire to keep living life no matter the physical issues. Ollie kept the road hot in her car and truck. Church, grange, weddings, funerals and visiting plenty of friends. Patsy kept playing the organ and directing the handbell group at Shiloh Reformed Church, even when she told me that she could hardly feel the piano keys. She was on so many treatments that her days were a struggle, yet she said often, “I’m playing Sunday.” And she usually did.

      While my memories of these women are chocked full of so many things, it is easy to say that they inspired me. Inspiration comes in many ways, and I’ve already mentioned how they were steadfast in continuing their activities as long as possible. They lived and loved life.

      I realized over the last week that they both had a special skill that I’m determined to learn. One that few of us do well but some, just like these two women, have made into a world class trait. I haven’t documented anywhere near all the physical issues these women dealt with daily. I don’t know their complete list of struggles and here’s why. They hardly discussed them! I was fortunate to have long talks with both and regular discussions on numerous topics, those topics chosen because they didn’t want to burden others.  

      Here’s just a little sample of how our conversations went. I often knew something about the trials they faced, but most of the facts came from other sources. So, after just a brief description of their issues, both were gifted at shifting the focus to me or whoever else they spoke to. They genuinely didn’t want to linger over trials but quickly lifted the conversation to positive things and plenty of the how, when, why and what they genuinely wanted to learn about others. I didn’t realize it at the time, but they were pros at lifting spirits. I always felt better after talking to them! Help me Lord to learn from Ollie and Patsy!