We didn't have any age restrictions or "competitive standards" for our members, we still don't and we never will have. We want members of all ages and competitive levels who enjoy running and want to be a member of a team of women who share this enjoyment. We want women who will support each other and the teams Objectives.

We also found that with the internet and e-mail many of the benefits of team membership can be enjoyed even by women in different widely dispersed locations. We decided to open membership to all women. We currently have members in 4 Southeastern States. We expect this to grow, in fact there is no restriction, women from all over the country can become team members.

Early in 2001 Mary Lou Day the Editor of Running Journal and I began exploring the idea of establishing a relationship between Running Journal and the team. We concluded that the objectives of the two organizations were very similar and that by forming a relationship the magazine could help the team and the team help the magazine: your classic win/win situation. In May we met with Bruce Morrison the President of Running Journal and received enthusiastic endorsement. We changed the name of the team to The Runnning Journal Women's Running Team (or RJ Women's Running Team) and began preparations for public announcement.

We are very excited about the new team and the possibilities that it opens up. As many of you know I have been involved with promoting women's running and women's running teams for a very long time. Running Journal is committed to supporting our team financially so that we will be able to offer women a great value. With their support, my energy and the uncountable contributions of our team members I believe that we can form a group that can have a positive influence on countless women runners in the Southeast.

I hope you decide to join us. We'd love to have you.

Carolyn