Running club makes big strides

      The Las Vegas Track Club is making huge strides in recruiting runners and walkers of all ages and talents. In the last three months, membership has climbed from 615 to 825.
      Tom McGrath, recently appointed president of the club, hopes it doesn't stop there. His goal is to reach 1,000 members in his first year as president.
      "It's so easy to go about running. Go buy a pair of running shoes, a running outfit and you're out the door," said McGrath, who has been running the greater portion of his life. "What's great about our track club is there's just a lot of real good camaraderie amongst the runners. We have informal training groups where a bunch of us will meet on Wednesday nights or Sunday mornings all around Vegas."
      The club, which originated in Las Vegas on April 30, 1969, also holds low-key races throughout the valley almost every weekend. Many of the races only cost $2 for members and $3 for nonmembers.
      One-year membership fees for the track club are $16 per person or $24 for a family. Fees for students age 19 and younger are $8. Members receive a monthly newsletter; a quarterly race schedule; invitations to picnics, parties and other functions; discounts on certain races; and a 10-percent discount at participating athletic stores.
      "Most of the events we do are 5Ks," said Andrew Simanski, who coordinates many of the races, "but every race has a one- to two-mile run associated with it. So if they are not feeling up to a 5K length, they can do the one mile or two mile."
      In addition, the club does noncompetitive trail runs on Sunday mornings at Mount Charleston or Red Rock.
      Recently, Simanski put together what he calls the "First and Possibly Last Red Dress Run." Yes, race participants, including men, were required to wear a red dress.
      "Our wives showed up very embarrassed," McGrath said.
      "The course went through some of the neighborhoods," Simanski said. "Two people went out and laid the trail and the rest of the runners followed. A couple people said `What are these guys doing running in red dresses?' and then all of a sudden É there were probably 70. All the neighbors were calling each other, saying `Look outside, look outside.' "
      Special plaques were given for the ugliest red dress, the flat-out ugliest red dress and to the person most likely to wear a red dress after the run.
      The club recently created a Web site at www.lvtc.org, which also shows members' race results within 24 hours.
      Those interested can call McGrath at 242-1804, or the Runner's hot line at 594-0970.