ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 6 8 10 11
RRCA Mission Strategic Plan Letter from the President Financial Report Report from the National Office
RRCA PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 12 13 14 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 30 32 34
Kids Run the Nation RunPro Camp Roads Scholars Elite Support Grants Championship Event Series RUN@WORK and RUN@School Day Runner Friendly Community Program Coaching Certification Program Race Director Certification Club Running and Inside Track 2015 RRCA Convention Recap National Running Awards Road Race of the Year We Run the Nation – Updates from our State Reps Donors and Sponsors
We Run the Nation! RRCA.ORG
2 • RRCA Annual Report
CONTENTS
RRCA Annual Report • 3
THE MISSION The Road Runners Club of America is the oldest and largest national association of running organizations dedicated to growing the sport of running since 1958. The RRCA champions the development of community-based running clubs and events that serve runners of all ages and abilities in pursuit of health and competition.
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THE VISION To see organized and active running clubs and events in every community in the U.S.
VALUES • • • • •
All runners and their safety Diversity in the sport and an enjoyable atmosphere for all Anti-doping compliance Positive relations with members, volunteers, donors, and sponsors Best practices in organizational governance and management
* The RRCA uses the term “running” as a catch all word that encompasses the broad spectrum of “running” in the United States including competitive running, jogging, fitness walking, race walking, and wheelchair fitness on roads, trails, and tracks.
RRCA Annual Report • 5
RRCA
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10 Point Strategic Plan 1
To be the leading authority on the organization of running clubs and training programs and to be the largest association of grassroots running organizations in the United States that serve the needs of individual runners and make their safety a top priority.
2
To have sufficient financial support from members, sponsors and individuals and to have leaders actively engaged in the solicitation of financial support to ensure organizational stability so the RRCA can be outward-focused in the promotion and support of running in the United States.
3
To be the leading authority and resource for the establishment of new grassroots running organizations and training and education programs for runners, running coaches, race directors, and other special interests that emerge as priorities as the sport evolves.
4
To have a major public profile and major name recognition as the leading voice for running clubs, events, and fitness runners in the United States, with increased use of emerging technologies as a means of communication to reach out to the public.
5
To be a leading force in ensuring that participation in running remains constant or grows over the next decade through community support of event hosting, long term sustainability of local clubs, and maintenance and promotion of running as the most affordable form of regular exercise.
6
To engage in best practices in organizational governance and management and to encourage our members to operate according to our standards of ethical conduct to ensure integrity in the sport of running and with the ability to adapt positively to a changing world, which includes generational leadership changes.
7
To continually invest in and improve existing programs and services, develop new programs and services that are beneficial to the members, and to seek maximum participation in our programs and services by our members.
8
To be a major, collaborative partner with health organizations and other running related organizations, but only as long as the partnerships enable the RRCA to achieve our strategic goals as an organization and for the sport of running.
9
To integrate elite and developing American runners into the RRCA’s promotion of running in the United States in order to provide good role models for American youth runners and to contribute to the ongoing pipeline of potential elite athletes.
10 To work with members to actively engage the next generation of runners to participate in running clubs and events to ensure the long-term stability of the sport and to develop future leaders for the sport.
Read the detailed Strategic Plan at www.rrca.org/about/governance/ …Connecting the dots – we will outline throughout this report how we are working towards the strategies outlined in the RRCA 10 Point Strategic Plan by referencing the numbers noted for each strategy. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
RRCA Annual Report • 7
PRESIDENT’S REPORT ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
In the pages of this annual report, you will find information showcasing another great year for the Road Runners Club of America. We continue to see growth at all levels of the organization from membership growth at the local level, to event growth in both size and number, to RRCA program growth by engagement from our members.
Dan Edwards – Treasurer, Jean Arthur – At-Large Director, Craig Minyard, RRCA Member, and Keating Vogel, RRCA Member. Thank you to the Nominating Committee for their thorough and thoughtful efforts to recommend leaders for the RRCA Board: David Epstein – Chair, Chris Burch - IA State Rep, Betsy Boudreaux - LA State Rep, and Rachel Tambling – CT State Rep.
At the Annual Meeting of the RRCA Membership in March 2016, my term as RRCA Board President will come to a conclusion. It has been my great pleasure to serve on the Board of RRCA for the past eight years. As I reflect back on my years of service, I am especially proud of the work the Board has accomplished in teamwork with the RRCA National Office.
I also thank Mark Grandonico for his eight years of service on the Board in the role of Eastern Region Director. He has done an outstanding job engaging new State Reps and chairing the annual Performance Review Committee designed to provide feedback to our executive director, Jean Knaack, and to establish annual compensation for her. I thank Dan Edwards for his seven years of service on the Board in the role of both Secretary and Treasurer. Dan’s efforts to form a formal Finance Committee for the Board will have a positive and long-lasting impact on the organization.
During my tenure, two key developments for the organization stand out for me. In 2007, my wife Sharlee and I provided the RRCA with a permanently restricted gift for the purpose of developing the Kids Run the Nation Fund. Through donations from our supporters, the RRCA has been able to make meaningful investments in youth running throughout the U.S. In 2008, at the request of then RRCA President Brent Ayer, one of my first tasks on the Board was to chair the efforts to develop a strategic plan for the RRCA. This plan was finalized and introduced to our members at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Membership. Since that time the RRCA’s 10 Point Strategic Plan has been a fundament guiding document for both the Board and the National Office Staff. As president, I have a duty to ensure we appoint great people to our two standing committees for the organization, the Finance and Nominating Committees. Thank you to the members of the Finance Committee for their detailed and diligent reviews of RRCA finances:
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The Board of Directors thanks our members for their ongoing support of the RRCA and the sport of running. We will endeavor to continue “Elevating the Future of the Sport.”
2015 RRCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
David Cotter President
Ron Macksoud Southern Region Director
Mitchell Garner Vice President
George Rehmet Western Region Director
Dan Edwards Treasurer
Kelly Richards At-Large Director
Mark Grandonico Eastern Region Director
Jean Arthur At-Large Director
Sue Brown-Nickerson Central Region Director
RRCA Annual Report • 9
2015 FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE RRCA This report reflects the audited financial information for the RRCA as of December 31, 2015
YEAR 2013 2014 2015* YEAR
YEAR 2013 2014 2015
ASSETS ASSETS
LIABILITIES LIABILITIES
$2,255,010 $2,255,010
$1,006,618 $1,006,618
$2,457,082 $2,457,082
$1,069,092 $1,069,092
$2,470,671 $2,470,700
$1,103,630 $1,094,031
INCOME
WORTH NETNET WORTH $1,248,392 $1,248,392 $1,387,990 $1,387,990 $1,367,041 $1,376,669*
EXPENSES
NET PROFIT
YEAR REVENUE EXPENSES NET PROFIT 2013 $2,594,027 $2,403,595 $190,432 2013 $2,594,027 $2,403,595 $190,432 2014 $2,975,988 $2,836,390 $139,598 2014 $2,975,988 $2,836,390 $139,598 2015 $3,050,85 $3,033,270 $17,585 * $406,370 in net worth is restricted by Board designation, $47,002 is temporarily restricted for program use in future years, and $10,000 is 2015 $3,050,854 $3,033,270 $17,585 permanently restricted. The Board approved the use of unrestricted funds to support the Olympic Trials grant project in 2016. * $406,370 in net worth is restricted by a board designation, $47,002 is temporarily restricted for program use in future years, and $10,000 is permanently restricted.
RRCA FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES REPORT INCOME INCOME Insurance Program Income Insurance Program Income Membership Income Membership IncomeProgram Income Coaching Certification Program Income Sponsorships Sponsorships Contributions & Other Income Contributions & OtherIncome Income Investment Investment Income TOTAL INCOME TOTAL INCOME EXPENSES – PROGRAMS EXPENSES – PROGRAMS Championships & State Programs Championships & State Programs CoachingCoaching Certification Program Certification Program General RRCA Programs* General RRCA Programs* to Kids Run the Nation Kids RunProgram the Nation - RoadsProgram Scholar Program RunPro - RunPro Roads Scholar InsuranceInsurance Program Program SUBTOTAL SUBTOTAL EXPENSES - ADMINISTRATIVE * EXPENSES - ADMINISTRATIVE * National Office Management National Office Management Board Services Board Services Fundraising Fundraising SUBTOTAL SUBTOTAL TOTAL EXPENSES TOTAL EXPENSES *Net Profit/(Loss) Net Profit/(Loss)
1 2 3 4 5
2014ACTUAL ACTUAL 2014 $1,589,789 $1,589,789 $587,476 $587,476 $412,381 $412,381 $61,943 $61,943 $210,289 $210,289 $114,110 $114,110 $2,975,988 $2,975,988
$158,426 $158,426 $335,981 $335,981 $265,246 $265,246 $67,253 $67,253 $104,623 $104,623 $1,675,324 $1,675,324 $2,606,853 $2,606,853
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2015 ACTUAL BUDGET 2015 ACTUAL 20162016 BUDGET $1,669,862 $1,681,500 $1,669,862 $1,681,500 $615,645 $617,000 $615,645 $617,000 $417,688 $488,000 $436,808 $488,000 $57,308 $69,500 $57,308 $69,500 $275,533 $188,250 $221,919 $188,250 $14,818 $61,000 $14,818 $61,0000 $3,050,854 $3,105,250
$3,016,360
$3,105,250
$199,425 $194,258 $371,370 $365,588 $226,295 $234,144 $75,085 $76,722 $153,002 $154,919 $1,767,481 $1,779,237 $2,781,709 $2,815,817
$193,500 $193,500 $370,500 $370,500 $231,400 $231,400 $118,700 $118,700 $105,500 $105,500 $1,783,980 $1,783,980 $2,803,580 $2,803,580
$110,010
$100,922
$145,000
$110,010 $44,638 $44,638 $74,889 $74,889 $229,537 $229,537 $2,836,390 $2,836,390 $139,598 $139,598
$137,496 $43,007 $41,896 $77,563 $72,169 $221,492 $251,560 $3,037,309 $3,033,270 $(20,949) $17,585
$145,000 $45,000 $45,000 $75,000 $75,000 $265,000 $265,000 $3,068,580 $3,068,580 $36,670 $36,670
*Functional expenses - The cost of providing various program and supporting services have been summarized on a functional basis in the statement of functionalexpenses expenses- on RRCA’s Auditedvarious Financial Statements. Accordingly, certain costs have been allocated among the *Functional Thethe cost of providing program and supporting services have been summarized on a funcprograms and supporting services benefited. The Board approved the use of unrestricted funds to support the Olympic Trials grant project tional basis in the statement of functional expenses on the RRCA’s Audited Financial Statements. Accordingly, certain in 2016. costs have been allocated among the programs and supporting services benefited.
A copy of the RRCA’s audited financial statements and IRS-990 tax return can be found online at www.RRCA.org/about/governance/ 10 • RRCA Annual Report
ROAD RUNNERS CLUB OF AMERICA Growing the Sport of Running Since 1958
REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL OFFICE
ROADIFICUS SUPERSPEEDICUS JOINS THE RRCA STAFF Earlier in 2015, the RRCA mascot was introduced at the Asics LA Marathon expo. He then went on to meet new friends at the Boston Marathon expo, the Chicago Marathon expo, and the Marine Corps Marathon expo. After much consideration and to avoid confusion with the popular Marine Corps Marathon mascot, Miles the bulldog, we selected the name for the RRCA mascot, Roadificus Superspeedicus, “Roadie” for short. When not at expos, Roadie has enjoyed himself, in slightly smaller stature, going to races and industry events and meeting cool leaders in the sport such as Olympic Marathoner Don Kardong.
Membership Growth 1958–2015 3000
2500
THANK YOU TO THE NATIONAL OFFICE STAFF FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO THE RRCA:
2000
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1500
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•
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David Morgan completed his third year as Membership Manager. Andy Smith completed his second year as Program Coordinator. Dorothy Commock, Office Manager, completed her 15th year of service as Office Manager and retired from the RRCA in July. Maggie Craig joined the RRCA in September as Operations Assistance. Erica Gminski joined the RRCA in September as Youth Programs Coordinator, tasked with growing the RRCA’s Kids Run the Nation efforts. Randy Accetta completed his fourth year as Director of Coaching Education. Our three coaching course instructors, Cari Setzler, Bobby Gessler, and Brent Ayer, all completed their third year of service, as well. The RRCA employs a part-time bookkeeper, Lena Young, who has kept our finances in order for the last eight years. Jean Knaack, Executive Director, completed her tenth year of service to the RRCA and was named by Runner’s World as one of the “50 Most Influential People in Running.” The RRCA worked with Ryan Lamppa and EventPro on media strategies during the year with success, as the RRCA was mentioned in many national publications including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Runner’s World, and many other media outlets.
1000
500 1958 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
2015 RRCA Members–Running Organizations
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2015 RRCA PROGRAMS - AN OVERVIEW OF SUCCESSES
Kids Run the Nation®
PROGRAM
The Kids Run the Nation program, is the RRCA’s gender inclusive, multi-week, turnkey, youth running program designed to meet the physical activity goals outlined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. The RRCA’s vision is to help establish locally managed youth running programs in every school in America.
$137,000 Amount granted since 2007
80,000 Kids running in KRN Funded programs since 2007
53,000 Kids Running Guides donated Since 2007
177 Programs receiving a KRN grant since 2007
Congratulations to our Kids Run the Nation Fund Grantees: Trek Around Tazewell – Tremont, IL Maverick Running Club – Austin, TX Scott Scorpions Run Club – Chester, VA Gastineau Trail Runners – Juneau, AK W.W. Gordon Elementary Jogging Club – North Chesterfield, VA Manhattan Cross Country Club – Manhattan, KS Trailblazers Running Club – Stamford, CT Spring Mills Sprinters – Martinsburg, WV Kids Run the Nation – George Cromwell Elementary – Glen Burnie, MD Knoxville Youth Runs! – Knoxville, TN Miller Fitness Challenge – Holliston, MA Kids Run Flagstaff – Flagstaff, AZ Rockland Road Runners Kids Program – Congers, NY SRE Mileage Club – St. Rose, LA Zucker Middle Running Club – North Charleston, SC Run Away Mustangs – Bluffton, SC SRA Kids – Sacramento, CA Blazing Bulldogs Run Club – Tualatin, OR Viejo Run Club – Mission Viejo, CA Heliotrope Kids Run the Nation – Maywood, CA Crimfit Summer Running Club – Flint, MI McKinley Running Club – Tulsa, OK
Saint Louis Blazers – Brentwood, MO Waupaca Mighty Milers – Waupaca, WI Kids Run for Fun – Bloomington, IL LOW Running Bears – Baudette, MN Countdown to Fitness – Space Coast Final Mile – Melbourne, FL Wise Kids In Motion – St. Paul, MN
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Learn more at www.rrca.org/programs/kids-run-the-nation-program/ 12 • RRCA Annual Report
RUNPRO CAMP
Eleven up-and-coming distance runners, were selected to attend the 4th RunPro Camp held July 10-11, 2015 in Arlington, Virginia. The 2015 RunPro Camp sponsored in part by USA Track & Field. RunPro Camp is designed specifically for athletes interested in pursuing a professional distance running career. Selection to the Camp was based on an application process, with most athletes being NCAA qualifiers and competing in distances ranging from the 800 meters up through the 10,000 meters as well as in Cross Country. The RRCA provides complimentary travel and lodging to all invited athletes.
RunPro Camp Athletes Brogan Austin – Drake University Christopher Burnett – Wichita State University John Crain – North Central College Josh Dedering – University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Grace Graham-Zamudio – Loyola Marymount University Katy Moen – Iowa State University
62 Number of athletes that have attended RunPro Camp since 2011
Learn more at www.RunPro.com
Mark Parrish – University of Florida Tara Richardson – Western State Colorado University Rachel Sorna – Cornell University Megan Wright – University of Toledo Bethany Sachtleben – George Mason University Robert Molke – Syracuse University
14 Number of RunPro Campers that are also Roads Scholar grantees since 2011
$70,000 Amount of Roads Scholar grants allocated to RunPro Campers since 2011 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 RRCA Annual Report • 13
ROADS SCHOLAR® PROGRAM
Since 1996, the RRCA has awarded grants totaling over $500,000 through the Roads Scholar® program. The goal of the program is to assist American post-collegiate runners who show great promise to develop into national and world-class road running athletes.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2015-2016 ROADS SCHOLAR CLASS LUKEPUSKEDRA
JULIACCURSO
Puskedra found his love for running in the 3rd grade when running the mile in P.E. He started competing in Cross Country during middle school in his native Ogden, Utah. Running competitively continued at Judge Memorial High School where he won individual and team titles in Cross Country and Track. In 2012, while in his junior year at Oregon, Puskedra made his road running debut. He ran a 1:01.36 in the Houston Half Marathon. From this moment on, he found a new found love for training and road racing. That year, he also finished second in the New Haven 20K USA Championship with a 58:48, and eighth overall at the Olympic Trials 10K with a 27:56. His road racing career has progressed steadily since then. In 2015, Puskedra won the Rock ‘n’ Roll Portland Half Marathon with a time of 1:05:10, and also placed first at the Vancouver Sun Run 10K with 28:53. Following receipt of his Roads Scholar grant, Puskedra was first American and fifth overall at the 2015 Bank of America Chicago Marathon finishing with a time of 2:10:24.
Discovering a passion for running on the country roads in Casstown, Ohio, Accurso joined the Ohio University Cross Country and Track & Field teams in 2010. As a Bobcat, she achieved Cross Country All-American honors in 2011, 2012 and 2013 finishing 36th, 38th and 19th, respectively. Accurso graduated from Ohio University hungry for faster times, a supportive team, and a community in which to grow. She attended the 2014 RunPro Camp and shortly thereafter moved across the country to join Team Run Eugene. This past spring Accurso ran a PR of 33:16 in the 10K and gained valuable experience on the road circuit.
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ROAD SCHOLAR® PROGRAM
ERICFERNANDEZ
GRIFFITHGRAVES
Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, Fernandez enjoyed running so much that his parents had him join an AAU/USATF Youth Track team, the St. Louis Blazers. He was recruited by Coach McDonnell of the Arkansas Razorbacks for college, and ended up running for Chris Bucknam upon Coach McDonnell’s retirement. Highlights of Fernandez’s collegiate career include a Freshman 10,000m PR of 28:37, a Sophomore 5,000m PR of 13:52 and a 3,000m PR of 7:59. During his Junior season, he was the SEC Cross Country Individual Champion, All-American at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, and was the SEC Outdoor Track 10,000m Champion. He also competed for the Junior USA Cross Country team, and contributed to nine SEC Team Titles, and the 2013 NCAA Indoor Track National Title. Following college and a return from injury, Fernandez moved to Flagstaff, AZ to become one of the original members of Northern Arizona Elite. Professional running highlights so far include 15th place at the 2014 USRC Bix 7 Mile Road Championships in 35:35, fourth place at the 2014 Great Harbor 10K in 29:39 and second place at the 2015 Newport, NJ Road 10K in 29:38.
Graves started running at a very young age. He completed his first 5K when he was five years old. He attended Syracuse University after a successful high school career. At the end of his sophomore year at Syracuse he suffered a torn labrum, snapped ligament and bone spur in his left hip. For two years, he could not compete, and had hip surgery during his junior year. Because of his injury, Graves was granted a fifth year and sixth Cross Country season at Syracuse. As a fifth year, Graves was a part of the Syracuse team’s third Big East Championship. As a sixth year, Graves was a part of the first team ACC Championship in Syracuse history where the men won the Cross Country title in the fall of 2013. Graduating from Syracuse in the fall of 2013, Graves moved to Blowing Rock, NC where he now runs for ZAP Fitness/Reebok with coaches Pete Rea and Ryan Warrenburg. In 2015, he qualified for the 2016 US Olympic Marathon Trials at the USATF Half Marathon Championships. Graves finished third at the non-team race at the 2015 Peachtree Road Race and was the top American finisher at the 2015 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, placing eighth with a time of 2:20.51.
LAURENJIMISON Jimison grew up in Northern California and discovered a love for running in middle school P.E. Attending Azusa Pacific University, Jimison grew in her athletics where she was an 11-time All-American, a fivetime individual National Champion in the 5/10K. She won three Team National Championships in Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track. Her senior year, she set the APU record for Cross Country in the 5K, running 16:53. In the spring, she set a school record in the 10K with a time of 33:58; hitting the Olympic “B” mark for the 2012 trials. After graduation, Jimison realized she couldn’t give up running yet, and made her professional debut at the Carlsbad Half Marathon in 1:15.47. Running her first half marathon in a close-to-trials qualifying mark gave Jimison a spark to continue running at a high level. That May, she took 10th at the US 25K in Grand Rapids, MI, running 1:30.46. One month later, she moved to Mammoth Lakes, CA, and joined the Mammoth Track Club. In her first half marathon after training in Mammoth Lakes, Jimison ran 1:14.29, securing her spot for the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials.
Learn more at www.rrca.org/programs/roads-scholars/
KATYMOEN Growing up in a small town in Iowa, Moen fell into running through her father’s and brothers’ influence. Her eldest brother, Josh Moen, saw success at a local DIII program, and as her brother became a professional, Katy Moen began to see herself as a future road racer as well. After success in high school, Moen ran for Iowa State University. Throughout her collegiate experience, she consistently improved times and championship performances. However, it was not until her redshirt junior year that Moen began to perform at the top of the conference. Since then, she has won two Big 12 Championships, two All-American honors, and was awarded the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Midwest Women’s Regional Track Athlete of the Year. Race highlights included first place at the 2014 Big 12 Outdoor Championships 5K in 17:01, and second place at the 2015 Big 12 Outdoor Championships 10K in 34:23.
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RRCA Annual Report • 15
ELITE GRAND PROJECT The RRCA has a long history of supporting elite U.S. distance runners going back to the early 1960s. At that time, the RRCA began providing some financial support for runners to travel to major marathons in the U.S. and road races abroad. To build on this history and the success of the Roads Scholar program, the RRCA developed a one-time funding opportunity for distance runners training to race in the 2016 Olympic Trials – Marathon and training centers that support elite athlete development. Five grants in the amount of $5000 each, for a total of $25,000, were awarded to the following U.S. Distance Training Centers, supporting U.S. athletes focusing on either the upcoming marathon trials or the 10,000m track trials. • • • • •
ZAP Fitness, Blowing Rock, NC Greenville Track Club-ELITE, Greenville, SC Team USA Minnesota, Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN HOKA ONE ONE Northern Arizona Elite, Flagstaff, AZ Team Run Eugene, Eugene, OR
In addition, the RRCA awarded grants to support the following 12 athletes that have qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon and have not previously competed at an Olympic Games. Each grant winner will receive $2,500 plus any Roads Scholar grantee from the 2014-15 class or earlier was awarded an additional $500.
6
MEN/WOMEN
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Josphat Boit, Mammoth Lakes, CA Aaron Braun, Alamosa, CO Jeffrey Eggleston, Boulder, CO – RRCA Roads Scholar 2010 Craig Leon, Eugene, OR Mike Morgan, Rochester Hills, MI – RRCA Roads Scholar 2005 Sean Quigley, Lafayette, CO Annie Bersagel, Victoria, MN Esther Erb, Lambertville, NJ – RRCA Roads Scholar 2014 Lauren Kleppin, Flagstaff, AZ – RRCA Roads Scholar 2012 Heather Lieberg, Helena, MT Wendy Thomas, Windsor, CO Rebecca Wade, Dallas, TX
To round out the financial support for the project, the RRCA will also award a bonus to the male and female athletes that earn spots on Team USA for the 2016 Olympic Marathon.
RRCA Funding Impact for Athletes Entered in 2016 Olympic Trials - Marathon
• 34 athletes have received direct financial support through Roads Scholars or the Elite project. • 16 athletes have attended RunPro Camp. • 18 athletes have received in-direct support via RRCA grants to U.S. Distance Training Centers.
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CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT SERIES The RRCA Championship Event Series is one of the oldest traditions in distance running in the U.S., dating back to 1958 when the RRCA awarded their first championship designation. The goal of the RRCA Championship Event Series is to shine a spotlight on well-run events, and to promote the sport of running by recognizing the top performing runners in the Open, Masters (40+), Grand Masters (50+), and Senior Grand Masters (60+) age categories for both men and women as RRCA Champions. In 2015, the RRCA Championship Event Series saw continued growth and included 215 races at the State, Regional and National level that attracted over 366,000 runners nationwide, making it the largest grassroots-organized, running event series in the U.S. RRCA Championship Events receive sponsorship support from the RRCA, Gatorade as the Official Beverage of the series; Sports Authority as the Presenting Sponsor of the Series; Ashworth Awards as the Official Award Provider for the series; and CoolMax as a supporting sponsor. The RRCA supplied over 100,000 championship-branded race numbers to events using Rainbow Racing. Ashworth Awards developed our wildly popular RRCA Championship medals, which are given to all RRCA Champions. Over 1,720 medals were awarded during the year to celebrate distance running performances from elites to senior grand masters in the sport.
Thank you to the following events and congratulations to the 2015 RRCA National Champions: Go Mile in North Little Rock, AR on June 20 Male Overall: Daniel Kirwa, age 28, of Searcy, ARK, with a time of 4:22:2 Female Overall: Lauren Paquette, age 28, of Memphis, TN, with a time of 4:41.2 Male Master: Mark Ferguson, age 42, of Little Rock, AR, with a time of 4:46.7 Female Master: Kem Thomas, age 41, of Searcy, AR, with a time of 5:37.9 Male Grand Master: Ron Mitchell, age 51, of Little Rock, AR, with a time of 5:00.2 Female Grand Master: Lynn O’Neal, age 51, of Bryant, AR, with a time of 6:16.3 Male Senior Grand Master: David McCormick, age 60, of Dardanelle, AR, with a time of 6:14.6 Female Senior Grand Master: Debbie Hill, age 64, of Hot Springs, AR, with a time of 7:20.4 Hy-Vee Road Race 5K in Des Moines, IA on April 26 Male Overall: Sammy Rotich, 14:51 Female Overall: Genet Beyene, 15:51 Male Master: Paxton Bennet, 17:52 Female Master: Erin Block, 18:36 Male Grand Master: Brett Daugherty, 18:21 Female Grand Master: Janean Griffith, 24:11 Male Senior Grand Master: Tim Murphy, 20:12 Female Senior Grand Master: Lena Hollmann, 25:29
RRCA Annual Report • 17
CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT SERIES Marine Corps Marathon 10K in Arlington, VA on October 25 Male Overall: Jack Dasilva, age 30, of Arlington, VA, with a time of 34:01 Female Overall: Leonora Petrina, age 33, of Bayport, NY, with a time of 35:51 Male Master: Joseph Galvin, age 49, of Holly Ridge, NC, with a time of 36:01 Female Master: Debra Rudisill, age 46, of Vienna, VA, with a time of 41:12 Male Grand Master: Clint Dowd, age 51, Goffstown, NH, with a time of 39:22 Female Grand Master: Michelle Allen, age 52, Fleming Island, FL, with a time of 44:32 Male Senior Grand Master: Wayne Heckler, age 65, of Madison, AL, with a time of 43:39 Female Senior Grand Master: Rhonda Fosser, age 64, of Lakeland, FL, with a time of 50:18 Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon in Parkersburg, WV on August 16 Male Overall: Kimutai Cheruiyot from Kenya, with a time of 1:02:42 Female Overall: Buze Diriba from Ethiopia, with a time of 1:12:56 Male Master: Richard Kessio from Kenya, with a time of 1:10:28 Female Master: Amy Eddy from Williamstown, WV, with a time of 1:39:34 Male Grand Master: John Piggot from Williamsburg, VA, with a time of 1:22:45 Female Grand Master: Sherri Martin from W. Alexander, PA, with a time of 1:27:43 Male Senior Grand Master: Bill Long from Berea, OH with a time of 1:26:36 Female Senior Grand Master: Janalee Stock from Athens, OH, with a time of 1:45:19 Mississippi Blues Marathon in Jackson, MS on January 10 Open Male: Jay List, age 37, of Holland, New York, with a time of 2:41:34 Open Female: Kari Elliott, age 34, of Calgary, Canada, with a time of 2:57:39 Masters Male: Thomas Smith, age 47, of Wethersfield, CT, with a time of 2:49:33 Masters Female: Nadine Hamilton, age 47, of Allentown, PA, with a time of 3:31:11 Grand Masters Male: Peter Beauvais, age 53, of DeSoto, TX with a time of 3:07:40 Grand Masters Female: Vicki Bentley-Condit, age 57, of Grinnell, IA, with a time of 3:53:42 Senior Grand Masters Male: Larry Unger, age 63, of Lincoln, MA, with a time of 3:38:59 Senior Grand Masters Female: Dorothy Lupariello, age 60, of Shelton, CT with a time of 5:01:04 Nashville Ultra Marathon in Nashville, TN on November 7 Male Open: Isaac Richardson, 6:32:32, age 18, Columbus, IN Female Open: Emily Bello, 7:20:52, age 30, Louisville, KY Male Master: Todd Bello, 7:20:52, age 42, Louisville, KY Female Master: Patty Jansen, 9:18:34, age 50, Mason, IL Male Grandmaster: Jeff Spodnik 7:55:14, age 51, Nashville, TN Female Grandmaster: No one completed the 50 Mile distance Male Senior Grandmaster: Richard Westbrook, 9:48:10, age 68, Jonesboro, GA Female Senior Grandmaster: No finisher
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CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT SERIES Levi’s Presidio 10 in San Francisco, CA on April 12 Male Overall: Volta Ripa, of Turlock, CA, with a time of 59:18 Female Overall: Angela Strange of San Francisco with a time of 1:03:51 Male Master: Scott Dunlap of Woodside, CA with a time of 1:01:19 Female Master: Kari Rust of Portaloa Valley, CA with a time of 1:10:43 Male Grand Master: Steven Butler of Roseville, CA with a time of 1:06:25 Female Grand Master: Polly St Geme of San Francisco, CA with a time of 1:12:45 Male Senior Grand Master: Bruce Kirschner with a time of 1:08:35 (no city or state included in results) Female Senior Grand Master: Virginia Gjedsted of San Francisco, CA with a time of 1:40:43 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
RUN@WORK AND RUN@SCHOOL DAY On September 18, RRCA supporters hosted RUN@WORK and RUN@School Day events around the country. We thank our members and supporters for promoting our goal of encouraging adults and children to get 30 minutes of exercise each day, either in the morning, during lunch, or immediately following work or school, in accordance with the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Throughout RUN@WORK and RUN@School Day, participants shared their pictures, observations, and videos on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using the hashtag #runatwork, which was used over 750 times by a variety of people, groups, and companies including Brooks Running, Dallas Police Department Youth Outreach Unit, General Dynamic’s (with 1,500 employees running), Saucony, Cornell University Transportation Services, the Atlanta Track Club, Pittsburgh’s UPMC Health Plan (a major health insurance company), and many other schools and organizations nationwide.
SAVE THE DATE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2016
11th Annual RUN@WORK Day and 4th Annual RUN@School Day
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RUNNER FRIENDLY COMMUNITY® PROGRAM
Richmond, VA
The goal of the RRCA’s Runner Friendly Community program is to shine a national spotlight on communities that standout as runner-friendly and provide incentives and ideas for communities to work towards becoming runner friendly communities. Runner Friendly Communities can also increase the quality of life, improve physical activity for residents as outlined in the National Physical Activity Plan, and provide for increased economic impact for the community.
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN Ann Arbor is the sixth largest city in the state of Michigan, with a population of more than 113,000 within the city limits, and close to 345,000 within the metro area as of the 2010 census. While just over 40 miles from Detroit, the presence of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor gives the community its own unique identity. Over 15% of Ann Arbor residents walk to work, more than six times the national average. As such, the city has created tremendous infrastructure to support the residents’ desire to lead a healthy lifestyle. There are over 475 miles of sidewalks in Ann Arbor, and over 57 miles of shared-use paths. The Border Trail Project aims to create a contiguous, 35 mile-long path along the Huron River, and almost the entire length of the river within city limits can be walked or run. Included in this stretch along the Huron is the 69-acre Gallup Park. Looped trails in the park allow for runs up to ten miles along flat terrain and some sections are posted with markers every quarter mile for speed training. Park facilities include drinking fountains and benches for taking a break or enjoying the scenery. Ann Arbor Track Club (AATC), an RRCA member club who submitted the application, has been in existence for over 50 years. AATC is an important pillar of the local running community; organizing training groups; providing scholarships for high school runners; hosting fundraisers; and using the sport to build partnerships with the city and local businesses. The AATC’s signature event is the annual Dexter to Ann Arbor Run, which served as the 2014 RRCA National Half Marathon Championship.
MILFORD, MICHIGAN Located in Michigan’s Huron Valley, approximately 40 miles from Detroit, Milford has a population of 6,280, but also serves as the central business
district for approximately 25,000 people in the surrounding areas. This downtown district is a National Historic Landmark, established just before the turn of the century. Featuring many national retailers, along with local businesses, the downtown is busy yet still manages to retain its small town charm. In May 2009, the Milford Trail officially opened. At 3.6 miles long, the trail connects the downtown YMCA to the entrance of spacious Kensington Park. Kensington Park itself covers 4,481 acres of both hilly and flat scenic terrain. The park also contains multiple trails, including a 3 mile loop in its center, which crosses the Huron River. Another trail splits off from there, heading south for 4.75 miles, traversing wooded areas, wetlands, and prairie along the river. In addition to Kensington Park, Milford has beautiful rolling hills and extensive natural areas that make for ideal conditions for both beginning and more experienced runners. Milford government is a strong ally to runners and the running community. Milford helps sponsor the Labor Day 30K festival of races, the town’s biggest running event that has served many times as the RRCA Michigan State Championship. Additionally, the government has made sure there is a rich stable of pedestrian networks throughout the town, complete with water fountains, streetlights, accessible bathrooms, and ample parking. The town has also made efforts to place signs demonstrating how local trails connect to one another. The Huron Valley Athletic Club (HVAC), the RRCA member who submitted the application, is the largest running club in Milford. They put on 13-24 events per year, highlighted by the Labor Day 30K festival. The HVAC also promote running through healthy living by donating money to various organizations.
Learn more at www.rrca.org/programs/runner-friendly-community/ 20 • RRCA Annual Report
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Lakeland, FL
COACHING CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
The goal of the RRCA Coaching Certification Program is to create a national community of knowledgeable and ethical distance running coaches to work with runners at all levels of ability. RRCA Certified Coaches volunteer with their local RRCA member running clubs, coach clients one-on-one, and coach training programs for groups of individuals working towards a common goal. RRCA Certified Coaches work with runners by using intelligent training plans, based on a scientific body of knowledge, and designed to help a runner achieve their goals, while minimizing the risks of overuse and over-training injuries. For the second year, the 2015 RRCA Convention included a Coaching Certification Cohort. Course registrants were able to receive the full requirement of classroom instruction, while also being able to network and engage socially with other Convention attendees. RRCA Coaching Certification courses are scheduled almost every other weekend throughout the year at locations all over the country from Maine to California from Washington to Florida. During 2015, 38 courses were held with nearly a 1,000 new coaches completing the requirements for certification. We thank our Director of Coaching Education Randy Accetta, Ph.D along with his team of course instructors Cari Setzler, Bobby Gessler, and Brent Ayer for another successful program year. We also thank the RRCA members and supporters that hosted a coaching certification course on behalf of the RRCA.
Learn more at www.rrca.org/programs/coaching-program-overview/ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
RACE DIRECTOR CERTIFICATION RRCA has certified over 180 race directors from around the world by the end of 2015 with an additional 175 people enrolled in the course as of December 31, 2015. The RRCA Race Director Certification Course provides event directors with a baseline of knowledge in order to conduct safe events for runners, walkers, volunteers, and spectators. The RRCA partnered with Road Race Management and leading event directors from around the country to provide an affordable educational opportunity for anyone interested in putting on a safe distance running event.
The program is extremely valuable to both new and seasoned event directors. Completing the Race Director Certification course shows that an event director is mindful of best practices, and in turn, should produce quality events. While this course is not required for all race directors, event participants should expect a safe, quality event from an RRCA Certified Race Director.
Learn more at www.rrca.org/programs/race-director-certification/ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
RRCA Annual Report • 21
CLUB RUNNING AND INSIDE TRACK
ClubRunning
The RRCA is very fortunate to be able to communicate to our members about our programs through Club Running magazine. This publication is made possible through our partnership with Fortius Media Group, LLC. We are very thankful for the support we are receiving from our advertisers and members in the form of quality content submissions. We could not produce Club Running magazine without the support of Larry Eder, Christine Johnson, and Alex Larsen.
®
Winter 2016
WE RUN THE NATION!
2016 Olympic Marathon Trials Big Data: Can It Revolutionize Running? Roads Scholar® Class of 2015–16 2015 RRCA National 10K Champion stretch of the Marine Corps 10K Marathonphoto
RRCA.org
Read current and past issues at www.rrca.org/publications/club-running/ Inside Track, our membership newsletter outlines best practices in governing and managing running clubs and events. Inside Track is the print
newsletter that is mailed to the primary contacts for the RRCA member running clubs and events.
Read current and past issues at www.rrca.org/publications/inside-track/ 57TH ANNUAL RRCA NATIONAL CONVENTION The 2015 RRCA Convention kicked-off on Thursday April 23, with a reception at the Embassy Club located on the top floor of one of downtown Des Moines’ highest buildings and was sponsored by the Des Moines CVB. The setting offered spectacular views of the city and its landscape. Convention Chair and IMT Des Moines Marathon Race Director, Chris Burch, welcomed everyone to Des Moines before introducing USA Track & Field CEO Max Siegel. Siegel spoke about the camaraderie and kinship in the running community, a theme that would be touched on frequently throughout the weekend. Networking, education, and information sharing remained a focus during the RRCA Convention. The opening welcome session featured Iowa’s Governor, Terry Branstad, who outlined the importance of Iowa’s Healthiest State Initiative with the goal to become the fittest state in the nation. As the Convention coincided with the 106th Drake Relays, our host made sure to include opportunities for attendees to take advantage of this prestigious event by providing tickets to the Friday night session. Friday’s luncheon featured an elite athlete panel including 2012 Olympic Silver Medalist Leo Manzano and two-time USA One Mile Road Champion Heather Kampf, both in Des Moines to compete at the Relays. The two also took time to mingle and pose for photos with attendees following the luncheon and both contributed items to the RRCA’s Live and Silent Auctions with proceeds supporting the Roads Scholar Fund, RunPro Camp, and the RRCA State Reps. Documentary filmmaker Jon Dunham, director of “The Spirit of the Marathon” and upcoming film “BOSTON” about the Boston Marathon, spoke at Saturday’s luncheon. Dunham outlined how making his films show the power of running, which cuts across cultural boundaries, and that the passion for the sport is a universal language. During the National Running Awards Banquet on Saturday, the RRCA inducted Hall of Fame Members Sara Mae Berman, Phil Stewart, and Jack Daniels. The RRCA also honored all of the 2014 National Running Award winners and celebrated their contributions to the running community. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
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2015 THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
GOLD LEVEL
Marathon Printing, K&K Insurance, Star Insurance, RunSignUp.com, Leslie Jordan, HD on the Go, Ashworth Awards, The Driven Race & Club Solutions
SILVER LEVEL
Catch Des Moines, Eventbrite, Marathonfoto.com, Haku.com, USA Track & Field, Champion Systems
BRONZE LEVEL
A4, MyLaps, FitFul, ChronoTrack, Active.com, Emedia Group, GetMeRegistered.com
RRCA CONVENTION RECAP
RRCA Annual Report • 23
NATIONAL RUNNING AWARD WINNERS
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES SHALANEFLANAGAN (born July 1981) Is a distinguished American runner who grew up in Marblehead, Massachusetts. She currently holds six American records: 3000 meters (indoor), 5000 meters (indoor), 10,000 meters, 10K, 15K and 25K. She attended Marblehead High School, where she excelled in Cross Country and Track. She attended the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, where she won national cross country titles in 2002 and 2003 — becoming the first individual champion in the sport in Tar Heel history. Flanagan ran the 10,000 meters for the first time at the 2008 Stanford Payton Jordan invite, finishing in a time of 30:34.49 to break Deena Kastor’s American record of 30:50.32. At the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials held in Eugene, Oregon, Flanagan competed in both the 5000 meters and 10,000 meters, winning the 10,000 meters in 31:34.81. This guaranteed her a spot on Team USA for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. On August 16, 2008, Flanagan finished third in the Olympic 10,000 meter final, capturing the bronze medal. In that race, she also set an American record of 30:22.22, bettering her own mark from earlier that year. She is only the second American woman to win an Olympic medal in the 10,000 meters. On January 14, 2012, Flanagan won the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston, Texas, setting the event record, clocking 2:25:38. Later, the 2011 World Cross Country Championships bronze medalist represented Team USA at the 2012 London Olympic Marathon, finishing 10th in 2:25:51. In 2014, Flanagan had another banner year. On March 15 in Jacksonville, Florida, Flanagan won the USA 15K road title at the Gate River Run, setting an American record of 47:00, besting Deena Kastor’s record of 47:15 set in 2003. On April 21, Flanagan led the Boston Marathon women’s race through 19 miles, ultimately finishing seventh in a personal best of 2:22:02, making her the third fastest female American marathoner ever. On September 28, Flanagan placed third in the Berlin Marathon, with a personal record of 2:21:14. It was the second fastest time ever by an American woman for 26.2 miles, only 98 seconds behind Kastor’s 2006 London Marathon time of 2:19:36. Flanagan also holds a unique distinction: being part of the only mother-daughter combination in the RRCA Hall of Fame. Her mother Cheryl Treworgy was inducted into the RRCA Hall of Fame in 1988. The 18-time USA champion, who is married to Steven Edwards and currently resides in Portland, Oregon, is training to defend her title at the upcoming U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Los Angeles.
JONANDERSON (born October 1949) Is a lifelong resident of Eugene, Oregon, where he was coached by the legendary Bill Bowerman. Anderson is credited with contributing to the establishment of Eugene as a “mecca” for running. He is best known for his remarkable 1973 Boston Marathon win on a hot, sunny day. Anderson, just 23, passed Finland’s defending champion Olavi Suomalainen after 20 miles to take the lead and win by nearly two minutes with a time of 2:16:03. That race also made him the first runner to win any major international sporting event in Nike shoes. Anderson did not start competitive running until his senior year in high school, but still ran a 9:34 two-mile as a prep. While competing collegiately at Cornell University, he won the Ivy League Cross Country title his senior year. His third place in the six-mile at the NCAA Track & Field Championships his junior year earned him All-American status. Anderson won his first marathon title at the 1972 Petaluma Marathon (CA). Upon graduating from Cornell University in 1971, he finished third at the Olympic Trials in the 10,000 meters qualifying for the 1972 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team. At the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, he placed eighth in his 10,000 meter heat, not qualifying for the finals, but still setting a personal record (28:34.2). In 1973, following his Boston win, Anderson placed fourth in the international and highly competitive Fukuoka Marathon, which at the time was the unofficial world championship. Later, he won the 1975 Nike OTC Marathon in Eugene, and he represented the United States at the 1977 World Cross Country Championships. He set his personal best marathon at the 1980 Nike OTC Marathon, placing fourth and recording a 2:12:08. In 1981 he also won both the Antwerp Marathon in Belgium and the Honolulu Marathon in Hawaii. 24 • RRCA Annual Report
NATIONAL RUNNING AWARD WINNERS
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES He retired from competition in 1984, after running his second and third best marathon times, placing fifth in a marathon in Japan and fourth in one in Seoul, Korea. He currently serves on the University of Oregon Foundation’s Board of Trustees. He resides in Eugene with his wife, Terri, and youngest son, Drew. He has two older children, Clark and Erica.
BOBLARSEN (born January 1939) Is a multiple Hall of Fame distance and Track & Field coach, known mainly for coaching distance runners, although he has had success coaching across a full range of events. Larsen is arguably the most highly decorated distance and track & field coach in the United States. Overall, he has achieved extraordinary success as a coach at every level, high school, community college, university and Open divisions, as portrayed in a recent documentary film about his career, “City Slickers Can’t Stay with Me: The Bob Larsen Story.” The film can be accessed at the following link: www.boblarsenfilm.com At Monte Vista High School, his teams went undefeated for three years. At Grossmont College, he was inducted into the California Community College Cross County and Track & Field Coaches Hall of Fame in 1976. In the same year, his off-campus club, Jamul Toads, which included his current and alumni athletes, won the National Cross Country Championships in a huge upset. In 1979, Larsen was the head distance coach overseeing the UCLA Cross Country program. By 1984, he succeeded Jim Bush as Head Track & Field coach. He enjoyed 21 seasons of cross country and 16 seasons of track & field at UCLA, winning two NCAA Outdoor team titles (1987-88). The Minnesota native was National Coach of the Year three times (1987-88, 1995) and PAC-10 Coach of the Year nine times. In 1980 he was NCAA National Cross Country Coach of the Year. His remarkable dual meet record was 118-3-1. His teams also scored twelve unbeaten seasons, and never lost to UCLA’s crosstown rival, USC. In 1995, Larsen was named the Coach of the Year by the United States Track Coaches Association. In 1999, he retired from UCLA and co-founded Team Running USA (now Mammoth Track Club) in 2001. Over the years, the Mammoth Track Club has been the training base for many elite American distance runners and is widely regarded as one of the premier distance training centers in the United States. For the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, Larsen was selected as Team USA’s distance coach. In 2003, Larsen was elevated to the United States Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and in 2005, the United States Track Coaches Association bestowed upon Larsen yet another award, the Bill Bowerman Award, for his lifelong contributions to the sport of distance running. On December 5, 2009, USA Track & Field presented Larsen with the Robert Giegengack Award, which annually recognizes the person who has “made an outstanding contribution to the development and success of USA Track & Field and the larger community of the sport.” Larsen, a 2005 Running USA Hall of Champions inductee, has coached his most notable athlete, Meb Keflezighi, since Keflezighi’s UCLA freshman days. Keflezighi’s accomplishments include four NCAA titles, an American record at 10,000 meters, silver medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympic Marathon, fourth at the 2012 London Olympic Marathon, winner of the 2009 New York City Marathon, and winner of the 2014 Boston Marathon, the first American male to win Boston in 32 years. Keflezighi’s victory at Boston further solidified Larsen’s stature as one of America’s greatest distance coaches ever. Beyond his achievements as a coach, Larsen is widely recognized for his integrity, his ethics and his selfless and humble nature, all of which have earned him the respect of his peers.
RRCA Annual Report • 25
NATIONAL RUNNING AWARD WINNERS
OUTSTANDING CLUB PRESIDENT OF THE YEAR
MICHAELMULDOWNEY Richmond Road Runners – Richmond, VA
Muldowney brought to the table a blend of business acumen and leadership skills that proved of great benefit to the 2,000 member Richmond Road Runners Club (RRRC) during his service as president for the 2014-15 term. When elected to the RRRC Board initially in 2008, Muldowney set out to learn all facets of club operation: from scheduling, race timing, race management, club finances, and more. His proven expertise in strategic planning positioned him to be a strong club president. His achievements in the role include drafting new bylaws to improve club operations and structure, and developing a partnership with the local Sports Authority to provide more than $7,000 annually for youth running programs. Muldowney made it a priority to encourage members who showed a willingness and aptitude to assume leadership roles within the club. Four of the five club officers for the 2016-17 term are first-time officers for the club recruited through Muldowney’s efforts. His recruitment efforts have also produced new race directors for several of the RRRC’s long-standing races.
BROWNING ROSS SPIRIT OF THE RRCA
LENAHOLLMANN Immediate Past Southern Region Director
Lena Hollmann served with distinction for four years as the RRCA State Rep for North Carolina and was named the Outstanding State Rep of the Year in 2007. Additionally, she served six years as RRCA Southern Region Director and continues to actively promote RRCA programs at every opportunity. Hollmann’s nearly half century as an active athlete has given her a deep appreciation for the sport of running from international and local perspectives. She distinguished herself by winning the 1971 Swedish 1500m National Championship and finished as the 10th overall woman at the 1984 Boston Marathon. She is a three time RRCA National Championship Senior Grand Masters winner as well. She has served on the board of her North Carolina running club and volunteered to lead a beginning runner course. Upon moving to Florida she immediately became involved in the local running community, and has recently been appointed as the North Florida State Rep. She has written several articles for Club Running and writes a monthly column for Running Journal. Hollmann continues to quietly devote many hours of volunteer service to her community, the sport of running, and avidly champions the RRCA mission expecting nothing in return, embodying the ideals of the Browning Ross Spirt of the RRCA Award.
OUTSTANDING STATE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE YEAR RONALFORD Hawaii
Despite the constraints of having RRCA member clubs spread out by several different islands, Ron Alford has made a huge impact in promoting the RRCA as the Hawaii State Representative. Alford has been in regular communications with member clubs and events in the state, and he has helped connect members with important RRCA information regarding insurance, coaching courses, waivers, and RRCA benefits. During the year, he has attended all RRCA Championships in the state, no small accomplishment. Alford coordinates with the race directors for the Championship awards ceremonies. He ensures races receive their requested sponsorship items, and in return follow proper RRCA branding protocols. He makes an effort to send congratulatory personalized emails to all Hawaii State Championship race winners. Alford has secured highly prized items for the RRCA silent auction with entries for three of the most popular races in Hawaii. In December, he secured an RRCA booth at the Honolulu Marathon expo, which draws over 34,000 participants. He manned the table for a full four days, working tirelessly to help make RRCA visibility in Hawaii a success.
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NATIONAL RUNNING AWARD WINNERS
OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
JEFFWEISS Badgerland Striders – Milwaukee, WI
Jeff Weiss is the newsletter editor for the Badgerland Striders, one of the largest RRCA member clubs, a position he has held for 10 years. While editor is a big job, Weiss does so much more for the club to promote running. He is the director of the build-up program for the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon. In this capacity, he organizes the 12-week build-up program, securing sponsors for hydration supplies, allowing the club to offer the program free of charge to anyone wishing to participate. In 2015, Weiss assisted with finish-line set up and tear down for at least fifteen of the twenty races hosted by the Badgerland Striders. Weiss also has excellent attendance and participation at board meetings. He is a tireless volunteer, committed to the Badgerland Striders and to the sport of running.
ROAD RUNNER OF THE YEAR - MALE
TYLERPENNEL Zap Fitness – Blowing Rock, NC
An RRCA Roads Scholar from 2013, had another outstanding year in 2015 to solidify his position as the RRCA’s Road Runner of the Year in a highly competitive field of fellow runners on the roads. On March 1 he was 15th overall at the World’s Best 10K (a PRRO race) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was 2nd place overall at the Nike Festival of Miles, in St. Louis, MO, earning a PR in the Mile of 3:58.99. He was the 2nd place finisher at the July 4 Peachtree Road Race/Peachtree Cup with a 10K time of 28:45. He was 5th overall at the USA 20km Championships in New Haven, CT with a time of 59:35. Returning to the US National 12km Championships in Alexandria, VA, he earned 2nd overall with a time of 34:35. In October, Pennel won the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Mile with the time of 46:50. He followed that up immediately with the 2nd place finish at the Medtronic Twin Cities 10 Mile, the USA 10 Mile Championship, with a PR time of 46:48. Pennel finished 3rd in USATF Running Circuit in 2015.
ROAD RUNNER OF THE YEAR - FEMALE
MOLLYHUDDLE Saucony – Providence, RI
Huddle had an impressive year on the roads, which saw her as the top earner of U.S. female road runners in 2015, winning an impressive $150,000 in prize money in 2015. She was the clear winner in the USATF Running Circuit in 2015 with wins in five separate races. She won the USA 20km Championships in New Haven, CT with a time of 1:06:26. She won the USATF 5km Championships in Providence, Rhode Island, hosted by the CVS Downtown 5K, with a time of 15:12. She followed that up with yet another 1st place place finish at the Medtronic Twin Cities 10 Mile, the USA 10 Mile Championship, with a time of 51:44. With her fourth straight win at the USATF Women’s 10km Championship, hosted by the Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women in Boston, Huddle’s winning mark of 31:21 was a course record and personal best. Huddle won the US National 12k for the third consecutive time, capping off her clear lead in the USATF Running Circuit. In addition, she became the first U.S. female champion in race history to win the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon, breaking the tape in a personal best of 1:08:31.
RRCA Annual Report • 27
NATIONAL RUNNING AWARD WINNERS
MASTERS RUNNER OF THE YEAR – MALE
DOUGFERNANDEZ Richmond Road Runners Club – Richmond, VA
In 2015 Doug Fernandez, 54/55 years old during the competition year, again demonstrated that he is one of the top masters runners in the nation. For the second straight year, he placed first in his age group in the Berlin (Germany) Marathon. Nationally and internationally, he was 3rd best in his age group in the New York City Marathon, 9th best in his age group at the Boston Marathon, and finished 7th among masters runners in the Marrakeck Marathon in Morocco. Closer to home, he finished first in his age group in the Richmond Half Marathon, the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K (for the fifth straight year), and the Richmond Road Runners 5K Championship Race. He was 1st place masters finisher in the Amazing Raise 5K in Richmond, finished 3rd place overall in the Patrick Henry Half Marathon, and had a 3rd place masters finish in the Virginia Beach Half Marathon. Active in the Richmond Road Runners community, Doug volunteered for race duties at several local races and gave a seminar on focus techniques to members of the club’s advanced 10K training team.
MASTERS RUNNER OF THE YEAR – FEMALE
MAGDALENALEWY-BOULET Bay Area Track Club – San Francisco, CA
Magdalena Boulet, 2008 Olympic Marathoner, made her 100-mile debut a memorable one at the most famous ultra-marathons, Western States Endurance Run, an RRCA event member, on June 27, winning in 19 hours, 5 minutes and 21 seconds, 15 minutes ahead of the runner-up. This was despite going off course for 40 minutes. Prior to this breakthrough win, she won the Sean O’Brien 100K in February to qualify for the event, and also took 20th overall at the Canyons 100K in May, running 11:32. Her 2015 resume also includes first place at the Chuckanut 50K, second place at the Diablo Trails Challenge 50K, and fifth overall at the Ultra Race of Champions100K in a time of 10 hours and 3 minutes. An article in Running Times quoted outside observers that her success in ultras was due to "her experience in pushing through pain.” While Western States 100 Board President John Trent stated that Boulet has "the speed, the ability, and tactical sense. UltraRunning Magazine voted her as women’s Ultra Runner of the Year for 2015. Lewy-Boulet works as distance coach for the Bay Area Track Club and is Vice President of Innovation at GU Energy.
CHALLENGED ATHLETE OF THE YEAR STEVENTOYOJI
Steven Toyoji is an outstanding wheelchair track athlete. He has overcome a rare disability, transverse myelitis, which paralyzed him at nine months old. While in high school, he spent all four years competing in both wheelchair basketball and track and field. Sticking with track and field, in 2008 he qualified for the Paralympic Games in Beijing. A very dedicated athlete, Toyoji trains 11 months a year, 6 days a week. Additionally, he plays on a wheelchair rugby team with team trainings once a week. This hard works has paid off. At the end of 2015, he had the second best World Ranking for the 1500M, with a season best time of 3:48.25, and is in strong position to represent the USA at this year’s Paralympic Games in Rio. In his spare time, Steve volunteers to coach a youth wheelchair racing team. He is working hard to assist these young athletes to learn a lifetime sport as well as integrate them onto their respective schoolbased sports programs. The goal is to have them be a part of their school’s sports teams just like all other young athletes.
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JOURNALISM AWARDS
OUTSTANDING CLUB NEWSLETTER OF THE YEAR UTICAROADRUNNERS Utica, NY “The SpliTimes” Editor Michelle Truett
OUTSTANDING CLUB WEBSITE
BIRMINGHAMTRACKCLUB Birmingham, AL http://www.birminghamtrackclub.com/
EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM
BOBDALTON Peachtree City Running Club
Bob Dalton exemplifies excellence in running journalism through his long-term commitment to creating quality articles for various publications. In the mid-1990’s, Bob started writing profiles of runners for Run & See Georgia magazine and has contributed to the Peachtree City Running Club newsletter by writing new and current member profiles. These profiles show up well in advance of the planned publication of the newsletter and require little to no editing. Excellence is more than just good writing; it is also about meeting deadlines, coming up with compelling story ideas, and consistently churning out the quality content needed to support a club newsletter. Dalton shines in all these areas. In addition to runner profiles, he also writes race reviews that highlight the overall event, conditions, and individual club member results, very important facets of club communication.
OUTSTANDING BEGINNING RUNNING PROGRAM
BUDDYGREEN Wabash Valley Road Runners – Terre Haute, IN
Trained in Terre Haute (TNT), a program of the Wabash Valley Road Runners led by Buddy Green, is beginning its 16th year of serving the Wabash Valley. Over that period they have trained almost 5,000 athletes. The focus of the program is to train runners and walkers of all levels to compete in the Indianapolis Mini Marathon in May. The largest group is the beginning running group, followed by the walking group. The program coordinates with most of the local fitness clubs including the YMCA, Union Hospital, and Indiana State University for the purpose of introducing participants to a healthier and more active lifestyle. Athletes are provided with a training manual with information ranging from injury prevention to individual training schedules and training theory. The first Saturday of training, new participants are often timid and apprehensive. Sixteen weeks later they are at the finish line hugging, meeting families and planning the next event together. TNT has introduced hundreds of people to a healthy and active lifestyle and has allowed the club to grow and serve its community in multiple ways.
OUTSTANDING YOUTH PROGRAM DIRECTOR
TERRYDALTON Team Kids Café - Lubbock, TX
Kids Café is an afterschool-feeding program provided by the South Plains Food Bank in Lubbock, TX. It is designed to provide children from low-income families a healthy and nutritious meal and a safe place to go after school. Team Kids Café is their afterschool running program, a Kids Run the Nation Fund grantee, designed to encourage healthy lifestyles through diet and exercise and focuses on the benefits of running. The program serves a diverse population of 200 area children using a curriculum that presents running as a fun activity. The program emphasizes the importance of combining a healthy diet and physical activity as the critical steps to fight childhood obesity in the South Plains of Texas. The six-week running program, which follows the Kids Run the Nation Program Guide, begins the first week of March and culminates with the opportunity for the children to participate in the Kids Café Fun Run held in mid-April. Volunteer coaches from local RRCA running clubs meet a minimum of two days per week for at least one hour at all of the Kids Café locations. RRCA Annual Report • 29
NATIONAL RUNNING AWARD WINNERS
NEWS AND SENTINEL HALF MARATHON Parkersburg, West Virginia
30 • RRCA Annual Report
NEWS AND SENTINEL HALF MARATHON Parkersburg, West Virginia The News and Sentinel Half Marathon, hosted by the River City Runners and Walkers, is the product of both a highly committed race director along with the devoted committee of 28-members that take pride in putting on this first class event. The race is aided by countless volunteers whose sole motivation is to put on a race that they can be proud of being a part of. The News and Sentinel Half Marathon has been the RRCA National Half Marathon Championship Event several times in the past, including 2015, and will be the 2016 National Championship. The race provides a total of $20,000 in prize money to overall winners, masters, local winner, U.S. winner, and more. The race includes an official race walking division and awards are provided for official walking participants. The race is one of the most affordable half marathon races in the country, especially when factoring in that it includes a ticket to the pasta dinner, pizza luncheon, tech shirt, finisher’s medal, and race goody bag. With this race taking place in the heat of August, all seventeen water stops on the course include Gatorade as well as a medical personnel and radio operators to report any problems pertaining to the race and participants. The race also includes a 2-mile fun run and kids runs for all family members that wish to participate in the weekend festivities.
Thank you to the following people that assisted with selection process for the National Running Awards program.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Simone Adair, Ron Alford, Kathryn Gleghorn, Jean Arthur, Brent Ayer, Betsy Boudreaux, Sue BrownNickerson, David Cotter, Mark Grandonico, Jeff Hills, Sherilyn Johnson, Bee McLeod, David Meroney, Dwight Mikulis, Blaine Moore, Alex Morrow, Nicoletta Nerangis, Erica Phillips Doug Pitchford, Rogelio Quintanar, George Rehmet, Kelly Richards, Lisa Rippe, Rose Scovel, Andy Smith, Rachel Tambling, Goody Tyler, Michelle Wimberly, Mitch Garner, Creigh Kelley, Don Kardong, Doug Kurtis, Frank Shorter, Jacqueline Hansen, Jim Oaks, Joan Samuelson, Kim Jones, Lisa Rainsberger, and Steve Sence. Thank you to RRCA’s program coordinator Andy Smith for managing the National Running Awards program. RRCA Annual Report • 31
RRCA RUNNING AROUND THE NATION – STATE REPS OVERVIEW
32 • RRCA Annual Report
The RRCA would like to thank the following individuals for volunteering their time to serve as RRCA State Reps, promoting the mission of the organization and the sport of running:
For over three decades, the RRCA State Representatives (State Reps) have served as ambassadors for the organization by providing a physical presence in each state for the RRCA. State Reps promote our programs and services to clubs and events in their home state. They assist the National Office and the RRCA Board of Directors in carrying out the mission, vision, and values of the organization. State Reps monitor trends and issues at the state and local level and report them to the National Office. Learn more about the State Reps, including their contact information and bios, at www.RRCA.org/about/state-reps/
A detailed report for each State Rep can be found online at http://immersive.sh/smithandy/jyI2DvJoNY or scan the code to see the report.
Alabama: Ron Macksoud (Outgoing) Alex Morrow (Incoming) Alaska: Vacant Arizona: Randy Accetta Arkansas: David Meroney California - East: Simone Adair California - Coastal: George Rehmet (Outgoing) Jenny Kirk Sorrow (Incoming) California - South: Jackie Britton Colorado: Will Dillard Connecticut: Rachel Tamblin Delaware: Ray Christensen District of Columbia: Goody Tyler Florida - North: Bryan Graydon Florida - South: Don Nelson Georgia: Rogelio Quintanar Hawaii: Ron Alford Idaho & Nevada: Steve Thornock Illinois: Doug Pitchford Indiana: Rose Scovel Iowa: Chris Burch Kansas: Trevor Darmstetter Kentucky: Sherilyn Johnson Louisiana: Betsy Boudreaux Maine: Blaine Moore Maryland: Dwight Mikulis Massachusetts: Steve Viegas Michigan: Gary Morgan Minnesota: Lisa Rippe Mississippi: Bryan Lagg Missouri: Michelle Wimberly Montana: John Devitt Nebraska: Tom Whitaker New Hampshire: Mike Davis New Jersey: Erica Phillips New Mexico: John Farrow New York - City: Nicoletta Nerangis New York - Up-State: Jane Constantine Nevada: North Carolina: Brad Broyles North Dakota: Vacant Ohio: Jim Latham Oregon: Mark Barrett Pennsylvania: Jeff Hills Rhode Island: Chuck Peabody South Carolina: Tim Arthurs (Outgoing) South Dakota: Tom Whitaker Tennessee: Sherilyn Johnson Texas - North: Marcus Grunewald Texas - South: Lee Greb Utah: Dave Moore Virginia: Goody Tyler West Virginia: Tom Kramer Wisconsin: Barbara Jewell Wyoming: Marlene Short
RRCA Annual Report • 33
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS TO THE RRCA
ANNUAL PROGRAM FUND Thank you to the following individuals, events, and organizations that have contributed to the Annual Program Fund in 2015. Annual contributions to the RRCA help fund Kids Run the Nation program materials, RRCA Championship Events Series awards and materials, RRCA National Running Awards including award winner travel stipends, Runner Friendly Community program, RUN@WORK Day promotional efforts, State Reps Program, Join a Club marketing efforts, and much more. 15th Street Flyers Alaska Salmon Runs
Jennifer Morsell Jim Dow
Run Lawrence Kansas Run Tucson
Albert C. Becken, III Alta Vista Sports Amanda Piatte Amazon Smile Foundation Annapolis Half Marathon Arkansas Traveller 100 Assurant Foundation Biogen Inc Birmingham Marathon Birmingham Track Club Brent Ayer Brevard County Dental Society Colin Moe Daniel D. Edwards Darryl Neville Dashing Whippets Running Team David Cotter David Meroney Delray Beach Running Co Fidelity Charitable Fund Friends of Steven Creek Trail Front Runners Tampa Bay George Rehmet Greenburagh Road Runners Hartford Marathon Foundation IMT Des Moines Marathon*** Jean Arthur Jean Knaack Jeff Hill
Joseph Dibartolomeo Kansas City Track Club Keith Sanfacon Kohl’s Lisa Rippe Marcie Matthews Mark Grandonico Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend of Events Microsoft Mission Connect Mitchell E. Garner Murfreesboro Half Marathon Nashville Striders Network for Good NewRo Runners Oil Creek 100 Trail Run Old Colony Running Events Onalaska Wildcats Athletic Booster Club Paul Gill Pepsico Prairie State Road Runners Regal Foundation River City Run Inc Riverbend Striders Road Race Management Rocky Mountain Endurance Club Ronald Macksoud
Runner’s High Club Runner’s High Timing and Race Mgmt Running Zone Foundation Inc Ryan Lamppa Savannah Striders Track Club Seashore Striders Soldier Marathon Inc Sue Brown-Nickerson The Benevity Community Impact Fund The Craig and Paula Harper Fund The Sheehan Classic, Inc Tidewater Striders Tom Whitaker USA Track & Field Varsity Running Vendurance Tribe Verizon Washburn Area Running Club William Posing William Sycalik Running Times Magazine***(In-kind) Bank of America Chicago Marathon**(In-Kind) The Marine Corps Marathon**(In-Kind) Crowell & Moring (In-Kind)
***$5,000 and above **$1,000 and above *500 and above
34 • RRCA Annual Report
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS TO THE RRCA
KIDS RUN THE NATION FUND Thank you to the following individuals, events, and organizations that helped us exceed our fundraising goal for the Kids Run the Nation Fund.
15th Street Flyers AK 5K
Jason Altman* Jean Knaack
Run 4 Fun Run Tucson
Alan Walsh* Alaska Salmon Runs Alta Vista Sports Ann Arbor Track Club ** Annapolis Half Marathon Athletic Equation, Inc. Avenue of the Giants Marathon* Big Sky Wind Drinkers Birmingham Track Club Blaine Moore Boston Police Runners Club Brevard County Dental Society Cardinal Track Club* Chicago Road Runners Darryl Neville David Cotter** David Meroney Deborah Mckenna Dwight & Diane Mikilus** Fort Worth Runners Club** Freedom’s Run** Friends of Steven Creek Trail Gail Fuller George Rehmet Gina Misch Crete Hammond Track Club of NW Indiana* Hogeye Marathon and Relays Houston Striders*** Ivie Kumura
Jennifer Morsell Jersey Shore Running Club** Jim Dow Joe Gigas Joseph Dibartolomeo Joy Mills JS Endurance Kansas City Track Club Kathy Henning Kelly Richards** Kent Island Running Group Lake Grapevine Runners and Walkers *** Lena Hollmann Lucy Hurlbut Maine Marathon** Marcie Matthews Maria Caro Mark Grandonico Microsoft - Gavin Tucker** Montana Amateur Sports Inc Montgomery County Road Runners Murfreesboro Half Marathon Nashville Striders Nashville Striders North Carolina Roadrunners** Philip Lang River City Run Inc Rocky Mountain Endurance Club Ronald Macksoud
Runner’s High Club Runner’s High Timing and Race Mgmt Savannah Striders Track Club Seashore Striders Soldier Marathon Inc Stephen Smalling Stephen Viegas Sue Brown-Nickerson The Sheehan Classic, Inc Tidewater Striders Tony Stensland Varsity Running Vendurance Tribe West Florida Y Runners Club
***$5,000 and above **$1,000 and above *500 and above
RRCA Annual Report • 35
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS TO THE RRCA
ROADS SCHOLAR FUND The following clubs, events, individuals, and corporate supporters have supported the Roads Scholar Fund in 2015.
Alaska Salmon Runs Alta Vista Sports
Leonard M. Goldman Lilac Bloomsday Assn*
Ann Arbor Track Club* Annapolis Half Marathon Bee McLeod and John G Tyler* Birmingham Track Club Lilac Bloomsday Race* Brent Ayer Brevard County Dental Society Central Mass Striders Cherry Blossom Inc*** Chris Tatreau Race Cons Ltd City of Phila Sports & Athletics Cumberland Valley Athletic Club* Daniel D. Edwards Darryl Neville Deena and Andrew Kastor IMT Des Moines Marathon Friends of Steven Creek Trail Front Runners Tampa Bay Henley Fant Gabeau Living Trust Huntsville Track Club In Memory of Steve Mather James G. Stasaitis Jean Arthur Jennifer Morsell Jim Dow John Devitt Jorge Blanco Kansas City Track Club Kelly Richards*
Lisa Paige Leonard Goldman Mitchell E. Garner Paul Gill River City Run Inc River City Runners and Walkers Club Rocky Mountain Endurance Club Ronald Macksoud Run Tucson Runner’s High Club Runner’s High Timing and Race Mgmt Sacramento Running Association Savannah Striders Track Club Seashore Striders Soldier Marathon Inc South Florida Racewalkers The Boilermaker Road Race Inc The Sheehan Classic, Inc Tidewater Striders Travis Eliot Landreth Memorial Scholarship Fund Utica Road Runners Varsity Running Vendurance Tribe Willamette Valley Road Runners William Orr
***$10,000 and above **$5,000 and above *$1,000 and above
36 • RRCA Annual Report
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS TO THE RRCA
OFFICIAL SPONSORS Gatorade Sports Authority RunSignUp.com Fortius Media Group, LLC Ashworth Awards HD on the Go
CORPORATE SUPPORTERS A4 Active Network, Inc Brainshark.com Champion Systems Constant Contact ChronoTrack Emedia Group Eventbrite Expert Brand Final Surge, LLC GetMeRegistered.com GreenLayer Sports, LLC Haku.com
Human Kinetics K&K Insurance Leslie Jordan Marathonfoto.com Marathon Printing Medal Blocks My Custom Event My Laps Sports Timing National Rentals Rainbow Racing Systems Inc. Sport Science Star Insurance Agency Inc. The Driven Race & Club Solutions
RRCA Annual Report • 37
THANK YOU TO ALEX LARSEN FOR DESIGN AND LAYOUT AND KATHRYN GLEGHORN FOR EDITORIAL REVIEW. 38 • RRCA Annual Report
We Run the Nation! RRCA.ORG