28 Jan 2005 PTCRC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES JOE and BERNICE WASSELL
Imagine having to choose your best run when your memories include runs through snow-covered forest trails in Germany, runs along the spectacular coastline of Newport, Rhode Island, runs along the ancient canals of New England, runs with the Hillingdon club in England, or early morning runs at sunrise by the bay in Yokosuka, Japan. Joe and Bernice have literally run all over the world, and with Joe approaching 43,000 miles over the past 25 years, he is actually more than halfway around his second loop.
The Wassells were both born and raised in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania and have been together over 40 years. Bernice and the kids—Christopher, Sarah, and Nicole—followed Joe around the world in a 25-year naval career. Rumor has it that you can actually have 25 years in the Navy and never spend a night on board ship!
Joe and Bernice joined the PTC Running Club in 1993 and have been some of our most active volunteers ever since. Both have been awarded the RRCA 2,000-hour Volunteer Award. They were joint race directors for the Classic in 1997 and 1998 and also served as the sponsor coordinators those years as well. Bernice was the club’s Volunteer of the Year in 1998 and Joe in 1999. Joe also received the President’s Award in 2000. Joe has worked on the Legacy newsletter for the past three years and continues to be our Membership Coordinator. Bernice has been responsible for most of our great social activities over the same period. In a word, the club owes Joe and Bernice an extremely large “thank you” for the tremendous amount of work and time they have given, and continue to give, to the club.
Joe has done 15 marathons with a PR of 2:59:12 at the Shamrock Marathon and a 10K PR of 36:36. He has his 10,000-mile jacket, and Bernice is sneaking up on her own 5,000-mile version. But most importantly, they are two great members of the Peachtree City Running Club, and the club is the better for it. Congratulations to Joe and Bernice.