Ultrarunning Matters (the non-profit organization that puts on the Green Lakes Endurance Runs and will put on the Can Lake 50 Ultras this year) is transitioning to become a membership ultrarunning club. Ultrarunning Matters (UM) wishes to serve runners across Central and Western New York at all levels of ability interested in all types of ultras... road, track, and trail races beyond the standard marathon distance.  UM wishes to promote healthy ultra running as well as environmentally sound and socially responsible ultrarunning participation and race management.

In December 2008, UM started a free Yahoo! Group to connect with runners interested in the sport and the potential of a membership club.  Ultra runners and future ultrarunners at all levels of ability are invited to join the dialogue on the free Yahoo! Group at http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/ultrarunningmatters. 

UM has already had significant success at theraces.  On January 1^st, Matt Chaffin from Manlius was the overall winner of the Freedom Park New Year’s Ultra Run in Morganton, NC.  He ran 125.45 miles in 24 hours.  This performance has earned him a place on the US team going to the 24-Hour Run World Championship to be held in Bergamo, Italy on May 2-3, 2009.

And, at the USATF 50K Road Championship on March 1st at Camsuett State Park on Long Island, Jill Perry was the second place woman overall, running 50K in 3:41:21.  UM runners won three age groups: Jill Perry, Manlius - Women 35-39; Todd Baum, Fayetteville - Men 50-54 and Pat Riccardi, Syracuse - Men 55-59