I think when you read or hear the words written on this SCR Hall of Fame nomination you are going to repeatedly say “I didn’t know that”. This is no surprise since Gary Castner is a low-key sort of quiet and humble individual.

Gary Castner began running as a teen, lettering in cross country at Lee High School in Jacksonville and Florida State. Running continued to be important and almost a way of life following his formal education.

Gary coached track for many years at DeLaura Middle School and inspired a lot of young runners and family members. He has been a Space Coast Runner member for years, only Gary knows how many, but I’ll guess for over 30 years. Matter of fact, a lot about Gary is known only by Gary. His wife, Stephanie, can’t even come up with good estimates. Gary is a past member of the SCR Board. He was on the Board when the SCR Runner of the Year series was started. The Board at that time came up with the concept, guidelines and the initial rules. Over 25 years later, the SCR Runner of the Year series is still going strong.

Gary, along with Don Dore Sr. (SCR Hall of Fame inductee) worked together and developed the SCROY results system. They tabulated the results prior to the computer age by paper, pencil and hand. They did this for many years, and I’ll estimate for 15 years. Keep in mind, the last race of the season was like it is today, typically two weeks prior to the SCR Awards Banquet. Besides tabulating the results, they ordered, picked up and delivered the awards.

Gary is a past race director and participant of the now defunct “Harold Tucker, Worlds Longest Beach 50K Ultra Marathon”. Granted, this race never drew a very large number of runners, but it was still an undaunting challenge recruiting volunteers, delivering supplies to the water stations, enduring the often cold, bad weather. This race was a winter race, typically held in December. Gary was also a key volunteer working with Bill Dillard on the SCR Marathon that used to run in Melbourne (BCC, Wickham Road and the surrounding area).

Most people do not realize that Gary can often be found helping with the scoring at almost every race that uses the Henry Campbell system. Gary is seldom asked to help, he just does it. He enters the race, runs the race, crosses the finish line and starts to help with the scoring. Now, you may think that last statement is an exaggeration, but it isn’t. Gary races almost every race along the Space Coast.

Again, I don’t know the number of years for sure, but I think Gary (the STREAKER) has run every SCROY race since the inception of the series. Don’t know how many years, but I believe he placed in the top three in his age group every year. Talk about Streaking, Gary hasn’t missed a Jacksonville Gate River Run since that race started. He is one of only a very few runners who can make that claim. I think 2009 was the 35th running.

Did you know that Gary ran the Boston, New York, Marine Corps, Disney, Peachtree and of course, the Space Coast Marathons?

Gary continues to enjoy running, continues to volunteer and help at races, and probably most importantly, continues to inspire others. It is with great respect that I nominate Gary Castner to the Space Coast Runners Hall of Fame. Nominated and submitted by Marty Winkel