Dick Lytie Classic
SAturday, April 1, 2023
3 mile, 15K, & Half Marathon
Registration Opens Friday, November 25th!
FOR ONE DAY AND ONE DAY ONLY - GET THE LOWEST REGISTRATION FEE - DON'T MISS OUT!
DICK LYTIE CLASSIC
This year we are pushing the Dick Lytie back a couple of weeks! Lets hope for warmer weather! The Dick Lytie will take place on Saturday, April 1st with a 3 mile, 15k, and half marathon distance! We are so excited to be back in person and to carry on this long standing tradition.
The "Mighty Lytie Challenge" is the challenge to complete all three event distances in one week. How it will work, is participated must compete in the half marathon distance on race day but then will have the week leading up to the event (starting March 25) to complete the other two distances. Those distances can be completed on any route or the actual course routes. Your choice! In addition to the Dick Lytie t-shirt, Mighty Lytie participants will also receive additional GBRC swag which could include socks, gloves, bondi bands and cinch bags.
Proceeds from the race will go toward the Green Bay Running Club Kid's Running Program. Through this program we award scholarships to high school senior cross country and track and field athletes. We also support the Green Bay Shoe Closet which provides proper show attire for athletes in need.
If you have any questions follow the event on Facebook or please contact us at DickLytieClassic@gmail.com.
History:
Dick Lytie- The Running Guru
Dick Lytie was a devoted runner and run promoter in the Green Bay area. Like many runners in the 70ś, he ran for the simple joy of running. Dick owned and operated the first running store in the Green Bay area, The Joggerś Joynt which was located on the East side of town on the corner of East Mason and Main Street. He helped organize many of the locale races through the store and began Wednesday fun runs held at Ashwaubenon High School.
In 1981, Dick organized the inaugural Dick Lytie Spring Classic to give folks the opportunity to run together and compete. True to his beliefs, it was a very modest event. Only two water stops were provided, one at the start and one at the end, it was a tough course with long climbs, and was traditionally known for having bad weather. While being a competitive event, it was mostly a low key fun event for people to enjoy running together in.
After Dick's death in 1996, the race was taken over by Deb and Mark Ernst, owners of InCompetition. Sticking with tradition, the Ernst's kept the race with the same quirks as Dick did, and donated any money raised through the event to a local charity.
Due to the passing of Deb shortly after the race in 2016, the official event was not held in 2017 but a fun run was still held to commemorate the race. In 2018 the Green Bay Running Club brought back this historic race to honor the lives of Dick Lytie and Deb Ernst who created many memories and camaraderie within the running community. The event will utilize much of the original course (hills and all) that were part of the run for many years.
