29 Jan 2007 PTCRC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE LYNN FAIRLEY
Lynn joined the PTCRC at the running of the 1985 Peachtree City Classic. He says it was the last time he was able to run the Classic due to being a dub volunteer for each race thereafter. He served as club treasurer from 1988-1989 and as equipment manager for four years from 1998-200 I. He then took over as club president in 2002 and served for two years. In 2004 he was nominated for and received the RRCA volunteer service award. He has also received the 1,000 mile club designation every year since its inception in 1989.
Lynn says he began running about 1977 because he wanted to stay in shape year round to have an advantage in two Men’s League Basketball programs he played in. He took basketball very seriously and thought he could gain an advantage by running year round. That is when he caught the “running bug” and gave up basketball.
Lynn ran his first marathon at age 50 at the inaugural Disney Marathon with a goal of breaking four hours. He finished in 3:59:14 – mission accomplished. His next goal was to run one marathon a year for as long as he was physically able. His PR was the 20th Marine Corp Marathon in 1995 in 3:46. Too many miles and too many injuries forced him to run his sixth and last marathon on his 60th birthday. Knee surgery in 2005 forced him to give up competitive running, but he still tries to get around the I OK course with the club on Saturday mornings in pursuit of another 1,000 miles. He hopes to pass the 17,000 mile mark in 2008 and one day join Bill Werling (assuming he gets in one more year) and Joe Maloy in the 20,000 mile club.
Lynn says he treasures the many friendships he has made through his years with the dub. “My personal club hero, and I have told him many times, is Bill McBride. To see how running changed him from an overweight smoker to an elite runner and Hawaiian Ironman is simply amazing. What’s not to admire in such a success story?”
Lynn says he is “truly humbled” to be considered worthy enough to stand alongside the previous 14 inductees in the PTCRC Hall of Fame.
The PTCRC Hall of Fame was instituted in 2004 and had nine inductees the first year, three more the following year, and two last year. The criteria for selection to this institution is stringent. You must have been a club member for five years, have made significant contributions to the club, have served in a club leadership role, have been a recipient of the RR.CA volunteer award, be well respected, and have served as a positive role model for club members and presented a favorable image to the racing community.