European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 1, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                For fitness fun and Charity funds Story and photo by John Millar Wurzburg Bureau it was a split second greeting Between two runners going in opposite directions. They waved while huffing and puffing and then returned to the task at hand a getting one foot in front of the other at a steady Pace for just one More mile. For More than a year the two runners passed each other while jogging through City streets vineyards and Strawberry Fields surrounding Wurzburg West Germany. The pattern was broken one Day when they stopped and talked. They became friends and began to run together. That was 1987. By 1990, what had started As two people s passion for pounding the pavement turned into an organization of runners skiers and bicyclists More than 100 Strong. The organization eventually would offer barbecues Christmas parties and ski trips to Austria and generate thousands of dollars a year for local charities. Dennis Sherrod founding member of the Wurzburg running and sports club said that he and Rodger Machacek Quot just sort of agreed that we ought to form a  Machacek has since moved to another assignment the clubs first meeting was held in the fall of 1987. Quot we got about 15 people Quot Sherrod said. Most if not All were runners. Those who attended agreed however that Quot there were a lot of other people out there who were interested in sport activities but not necessarily Long distance running Quot said Sherrod who is the education services officer in Wurzburg. Quot the club Core is still probably runners but we Are attracting a lot of other people. I think that s great because we re getting people involved in just the common love of  those who share that love of sweat and strained Muscles meet once a month in a classroom at the Leighton Barracks education Center in Wurzburg. Runners often take a Short jog just before the meeting. Sherrod said presentations Are held at the meetings at least every other month on topics ranging from bicycle safety and maintenance to Cross country and Alpine skiing. There have been discussions on stretching exercises and Marathon training to please the avid runners in the club. Just As it was in the beginning an average of about 15 people show up for the monthly meetings. Quot we be had As Many As 25 to 30 people and we be had As few As three Quot Sherrod said. In december 1987, Only two showed up he said. Quot so now we done to have a meeting in december we have a  party attendance is fairly Good he added. Those who pay the $6 for a year Long membership Are also offered Low Cost trips. Quot we be had four or five weekend trips to Austria and i Don t think our prices can be beat Quot Sherrod said. The average Price per member for bus transportation lodging and breakfast is about 50 Marks a Day. Trips Are also offered for events such As marathons. The Good part is members who Don t want to run can still go on the trip and get the same Low Cost Deal. The club can afford to offer such Low Price trips and everything paid for parties partly because of Money generated from the fun runs it sponsors. Most of the Money raised by these events however is donated to Charity. A Good example is the Quot Rocky Quot series Dennis Sherrod left founding member of the Wurzburg running and sports club in Germany jogs with club member Deborah Snowberger. 24-hour runs co sponsored each year by the club and the warrant officers association in Wurzburg. The two groups have raised More than $18,000 for organizations such As the red Cross army Community service toys for tots and the Wurzburg High school swim team and scholarship funds. This year More than $10,000 was raised. The clubs main goal remains that of fitness and fun. It draws both military and civilian members of All ranks. Their interests in sports and Levels of intensity vary As much As ski boots and running shoes. Sherrod for instance is a die hard runner. At age 43, he a run 38 marathons. In the 13 years he a been at it he has logged More than 25,000 Miles a a distance equal to a trip around the Equator. He s the kind of Guy who Quot goes crazy Quot when he can to run he said. Not everyone in the club suffers from the same affliction. Activities in the club Are geared toward the less experienced Sherrod said. For instance when the club runs at monthly meetings and on saturday morning Quot garbage runs Quot to nowhere in particular the group stays with the slowest Jogger. Quot a lot of people join because they want to learn How to be a better runner or want to run a Marathon or half Marathon and need the training Quot Sherrod said. One such person is Angie Putney. The mos librarian said she s always wanted to run a Marathon but was Quot afraid to just go do  through the club she met someone who offered to train with her and now Putney plans on trying a Marathon. Quot i figured of Why not in a going to do at least one  More important Putney said she a made lasting friendships through the club and has found other women to run with. Quot women have to run with the Guys a lot because they can to find other women to run with Quot she said. Quot they have to go out and really push hard. Its Nice to go with somebody maybe More your own Pace. You can relax and have a Little bit of fun so you re not out there killing yourself. I guess meeting people is one of the biggest  sports minded people interested in the Wurzburg running and sports club can Contact Sherrod at ets 350-7181 or Herve Lucier at ets 355-2790. Yearly membership fees Are $6 per person or $15 for families. Monday october 1,1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page 13