40 Year Memory Walk

"My very first race was in 7th grade. It was the mile. I was straight rocking the Windsor Knolls over-sized t-shirt and little black shorts. It was so much fun!" Timmy Watson Ran for Frostburg University and still runs leisurely with his family today.

"I ran the 400 and my legs felt like jello in the last 100 meters. But my dad cheered me through it." Michelle Marcelino

"Although honored to be chosen by my school (1983); the HBN was a life lesson in the difference between life expectations and success for me. I expected to win; small fish in the big pond. Before the race started I was embarrassed by the starter (John Grim) who fussed with me for stretching when he was giving instructions. Although I ran a good race; John Lewis beat me handily in the last quarter miles. I was upset and disappointed when I finished even shedding tears as we left the stadium." Mark Lowrie Went on to be a life long runner- John Lewis' defeat did not stop him. He is currently the Coach of Dorchester High School cross-country team and leisure runner with his family.

"Mile 1984. The culmination of Elementary School. Such a big day for a kid who grew up running. I always ran 85 to 90 seconds per lap and the other kids would gradually drop off each lap. All went according to plan through 3.5 laps. I glanced back just to make sure with 200 to go. I had at least 30 yards on the kid in 2nd (Chris Doyle from Brunswick). I didn't slow down. As I rounded the final turn the crowd began cheering loudly. As I entered the final straight the cheering had grown to a roar. Why are all the schools cheering for me? They must really appreciate a solid mile. But that didn't make sense. And then I thought....Is Chris Doyle catching up? No freaking way, my lead was huge. As I turned my head to see, he flew by me like Eric Liddle from 'Chariots of Fire.' As he went by he ripped my heart out of my bird chest and tossed it under the Frederick High School bleachers. The roar of the crow was deafening. Seriously, ,it was. I had no chance to catch him. The worst part...aside from disappointing my entire school and Coach Foreman (our [PE] teacher who is one of the toughest men I have known to this day) was that Chris Doyle had a cool spiky haircut, shades, a Hawaiian shirt, cut-off jean shorts, and freaking high-top basketball shoes on!!!! I cried." John Lewis Has never stopped running since. Went on to continue to compete for FCPS schools and still remains a runner to this day.

"I rant the 4 X 200 relay for Kemptown Elementary back in 1982, the long jump in 1983 for New Market Middle, and the 4 X 400 relay in 1985 for NMMS. Fun times! I still have those ribbons somewhere..." Robert Wilhelm Long time runner and recently retired XC and Track and Field coach after 23 years in FCPS.

"As a sprinter my [PE] teacher put me in the 800 for my very first track meet in the 5th grade. I went out and was really putting it on the field. With 200 meters to go I started to fade. Before I knew it I was dead last....how embarrassing. Hahaha. I swore that I'd never run an 800 again. Worst experience of my young track and field career" Keith Jenkins A Frederick County Track & Field All Start. Went on to run D1 and continued his coaching career at Tuscarora High School.

"I began teaching in Frederick in 1975. My school began participating gin the first few meets." Jessica Brown Retired FCPS teacher after 45 years of service to the PE department.

LAYAA youth group running team circa 1981. Many of these young athletes ran in the HBN for Green Valley and New Market Elementary. Some of them are: Kristie Landry, Mark Lowrie, Christine Perella, John Lewis, John Blanchard and their coach was Coach Hebb.

"Always a high light of the year in PE class. As a teacher and a parent, it's one of the best events put out by FCPS." Rick Conner Currently a Linganore High Physical Educator and Coach. He took many students to this meet and watched his son's excel and represent their schools well.

"Over many decades, the HBN race provided wonderful opportunities for boys and girls with or without experience in track and field. They were able to compete in an exciting all county-wide event. We truly enjoyed watching all of the participants give it their all. We also were fortunate to have known Hugh B. Nolan when he was a principal at Green Valley." Barbara Lowrie Mother of five children, four of whom participated in the HBN in some capacity over the first 20 years the event was held. She and her husband, Jim Lowrie, supported the event by working the press box for many of the last 10 years helping to teach the staff that now currently works the press box.

This is a picture of Linganore Lightning Running club circa 1995. Many of those pictured competed in the Hugh B. Nolan representing Green Valley, Kemptown, Twin Ridge and New Market Elementary Schools. Some pictured are Brittany Raymond, Timmy Watson, Amiee Shomette, Liz Lowrie, James Lowrie (participated in the 1980's), and long time starter of the meet Eric Ek.

Brunswick Railroader runners from 2015 include Sophia Porcella, Isabella Marra, Leah Cook hanging out with two of their PVYA soccer teammates Morgan Jarrells (VES) and Taylor Moran (CMES).

"I remember all of the ribbons I got from all of the events I participated in. A lot of 2nd place ribbons. I always enjoyed it each year that I participated in it. It was so much fun. Also, I got to see some of the other kids that I ran against from other track teams." Inga (Olson) Katrin Hawkins Was on the Catoctin High School team going to states every season of her career. Went on to run in college and came back to coach in the county. Continues to run with her sons and husband.