V. 1 #7 The Rise of Team Generic

The Rise of Team Generic

While the Clifton Track Club was gaining influence on the Ohio side of the river, another organization, Kentucky’s Team Generic, was also making its mark.  This was not your ordinary running club. Here is a description of the group as related by Mark Koenig, Grand Poobah, 10^th Degree.

http://www.geocities.ws/teamgeneric/know.html

The Heart Mini 2 was Mark Koenig’s first ever race (his last race was the 1996 Thanksgiving Day Race where he won his age group and decided that then was a good time to quit racing while he was still in shape).  Shortly thereafter the Mini he started what was to become Team Generic in 1978 in order to prepare for the first Covington YMCA Pacemaker Marathon.

He began doing long 13-17 milers with Bill Bogie in order to get marathon ready.  Gradually others joined them.  Another group, Blank’s Brain Dead Runners had already been formed, but they met in Ft. Thomas and Mark and Bill didn’t want to drive over there when Rt. 8 in Ludlow was more convenient.  Besides, Rt. 8 was on the marathon course so it was advantageous to meet there in order to become more familiar with the actual racecourse.

Team Generic placed quite a bit of emphasis on the competitive racing aspect of running. They would meet twice weekly on weekends for group runs. Deelites Dairy Bar in Ludlow was the gathering place for the 7:30 a.m. (and they meant 7:30 sharp) Saturday outings. On Sundays they got together at McDonald’s in Covington. Anyone joining was forewarned. The group would be going out at a swift pace and stragglers would not be coddled.

(L-R  ?, ?, Ed Hunter, ?, Steve Marshall, Mel Baute, Paul McKee, John Lonneman, Mark Koenig, ?, ?, Ron Crawford, and ?)

This emphasis on fast training proved its worth when Team Generic members showed up at local races. They more than held their own, especially in the masters divisions. However, not everything was serious. There was also a fun element, which the group embraced with a passion. The Hudepohl 14K race had a six-pack division, which Team Generic entered.  Their appearance always garnered a lot of attention – both for the speed of the pack and for the creativity of attire.

This winning group called themselves "the Grannies."

Top row L to R, Ron Crawford, Chuck McCoullah, Mark Koenig, Bill Hopkins.

Bottom row, L to R, Ed Hunter and Greg McCormick.

Although many of the original members no longer race some meet weekly in Covington to go for an easy jog or sit around for an hour or so and reminisce.