National road runners convention zooms into Memphis |

The guardians of Graceland may notice visitors whisking through the Jungle Room lickety-split this week.

The Rendezvous’ waiters may observe patrons zipping down the staircases double-time to their world famous racks of ribs.

The ducks swimming in the Peabody’s fountain may sense they’re surrounded by humans moving like greased lightning in mid-March.

People who cover ground in unusually rapid fashion are Memphis bound this week!

The Road Runners Club of America National Convention is headed full tilt for our community! If the Memphis visitors this week are not so fleet of feet any longer, they certainly know those who can run like the wind!

These are the grassroots people who organize every manner of “fun run”, 5K races, 10K events, half and full marathons. They present workshops and special training events all about the sport of running. Here’s the convention link, complete with poetry! http://www.rrcaconvention.org/ In addition to workshops, expert speakers and expos, the Germantown Half Marathon will be catapulted to the 2012 RRCA National Half Marathon Championship Race! It’ll happen on Sunday, March 18th right alongside the 27th annual Germantown Mayor’s Cup 5K. You can learn more about these running events and register at http://www.germantownhalfmarathon.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=site.display&page_id=1716.

At this writing, nearly 2,100 people have registered for one of these two events. You’re invited to the Hilton in East Memphis to attend the RRCA’s 54th Annual National Convention starting on Thursday, March 15th. It’s expensive. Members of the MRTC: Memphis Runners Track Club can buy a "Green Pass" entry for $99. Admission goes up from there!

Those attending the Saturday luncheon will hear from Christopher McDougall, author of Born to Run, a national best seller. Friday lunch time guests will hear from Memphis’ own Dave Wottle, winner of the 1972 Olympic Gold Medal in the 800 meters in Munich. Finally, a National Awards Banquet will honor those who have contributed to the sport of distance running.

It promises to be a fun weekend in Memphis so be on the lookout pronto for these good folks who get a lot accomplished in very little time!