1980 - 1984
1980 to 1984 (by Sue Johnston, President)
For the first five years, we trained in Golden Gate Park under the dedicated supervision of Jim Scannell. Our membership surged to 30 women, with 15-20 participating in workouts on Kennedy Drive, rain or shine, dark or daylight. Early members and stars on the team included Eileen Brennan-Erler, Peggy Lavelle, Agnes Lourdes Livingston, Marty Mattox, and Nelda Williams We enjoyed early successes, always placing several Impalas in the top 10 at local races, and frequently winning them. Both Karen and I, as Masters, achieved our goals and were recognized by National Masters Newsletter, Runner Magazine, and Runner's World. Karen was first on the National charts in 1982, holding 6 different National Road Records at one time, and I was ranked 4th nationally, in 1983. By the first Women's Olympic Marathon Trials in 1984, the Impalas very proudly had a qualifier to represent our team, Jeanne Lavin.
Throughout the early years and up to 1987, the Impalas always entered a competitive, costumed centipede in the Bay to Breakers, winning every year with an average time of 51 minutes. Spirit and togetherness were cornerstones of the early membership, and this was immediately recognized when we showed up in large groups at local and out of town races. One outstanding example of the power of Impala blue was at the annual Tahoe Relays. While most teams were hard pressed to put together a single team, the Impalas managed two, along with a large support crew.
For the first five years, we trained in Golden Gate Park under the dedicated supervision of Jim Scannell. Our membership surged to 30 women, with 15-20 participating in workouts on Kennedy Drive, rain or shine, dark or daylight. Early members and stars on the team included Eileen Brennan-Erler, Peggy Lavelle, Agnes Lourdes Livingston, Marty Mattox, and Nelda Williams We enjoyed early successes, always placing several Impalas in the top 10 at local races, and frequently winning them. Both Karen and I, as Masters, achieved our goals and were recognized by National Masters Newsletter, Runner Magazine, and Runner's World. Karen was first on the National charts in 1982, holding 6 different National Road Records at one time, and I was ranked 4th nationally, in 1983. By the first Women's Olympic Marathon Trials in 1984, the Impalas very proudly had a qualifier to represent our team, Jeanne Lavin.
Throughout the early years and up to 1987, the Impalas always entered a competitive, costumed centipede in the Bay to Breakers, winning every year with an average time of 51 minutes. Spirit and togetherness were cornerstones of the early membership, and this was immediately recognized when we showed up in large groups at local and out of town races. One outstanding example of the power of Impala blue was at the annual Tahoe Relays. While most teams were hard pressed to put together a single team, the Impalas managed two, along with a large support crew.
