2016 RRCA Annual Report by Road Runners Club of America

ROAD RUNNERS CLUB OF AMERICA 2016 Jared W ard

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ANNUAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 6-7 8 10

RRCA Mission, Vision and Values RRCA Strategic Plan Letter from the President Finance Report

RRCA PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 11 12-13 14 15-16 17-20 20 21 21 22-23 24-31 32-33 34-37

Kids Run the Nation Roads Scholars RunPro Camp Championship Event Series Runner Friendly Community Program RUN@WORK and RUN@School Day Coaching Certification Program Race Director Certification 2016 RRCA Convention Recap National Running Awards We Run the Nation – Thank You to the RRCA State Reps Donors and Sponsors

We Run the Nation! RRCA.ORG

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CONTENTS

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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.

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RRCA

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10 Point Strategic Plan 1

To be mission-focused and achieve our vision of seeing organized and active running clubs and events in every community in the U.S. by educating prospective members, providing outstanding customer service, and providing useful and affordable services that benefit members. (Mission/Member Services)

Continue increasing our position as the largest national association of community-based running organizations collectively dedicated to growing participation in the sport for all ages and abilities by inspiring people to run through engagement with clubs, events, coaches, youth programs and more. (Growth/Community-based)

Continue boosting the RRCA’s public profile as the foremost voice for distance running by enhancing our media, marketing, and branding strategies while focusing on areas of interest to the distance running community by utilizing wide-ranging strategies that incorporate traditional and emerging media and marketing trends. (Public Profile/Information)

To be the leading authority and source of information about the successful creation and governance of running clubs, safe training programs, hosting safe events, and educational certification programs serving the needs of members as well as runners of all ages and abilities. (Information/Education)

Continue enhancing the RRCA’s investment in youth running through programs, services and education designed to support community-based programs that inspire future generations to be active in running clubs and events to help solidify the long-term stability for the sport and our organization. (Youth)

Continue investing in programs that educate and support emerging elite U.S. runners pursuing a career in distance running and to promote these athletes as inspiring, positive role models for the running community. (Elite Support)

Continue pursuing and investing in collaborative partnerships with organizations that promote running as the most affordable physical activity and as an opportunity for increased physical activity for all Americans. (Partners/PA Promotion)

Invest in and enhance our position as an international leader in running by sharing best practices information for developing and managing running clubs, running events, and programs for runners for the global running community. (Global)

Guarantee long-range financial and organizational stability through revenue received from members, services, donors, corporate sponsors, foundations and others in coordination with fundraising efforts led by RRCA leaders and representatives. (Fundraising/Income Diversity)

Continue fostering member integrity and ethical conduct within the running community through education campaigns for members along with encouraging and monitoring adherence to RRCA’s policies, procedures, guidelines and membership requirements. (Integrity/Ethics)

Read the detailed Strategic Plan at www.rrca.org/about/governance/ RRCA Annual Report • 7

PRESIDENT’S REPORT ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

As the oldest and largest national association of running organizations in the U.S., we are committed to our vision of promoting the development and growth of active running clubs and events in every community in America. And we have action to back up that vision. Our membership, composed of running clubs, running events, event management companies, coaches, and individuals, is constantly working to make our vision a reality through efforts in their local running communities. You will also see our vision in action in the pages of this annual report. We congratulate Team USA for their outstanding representation at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Noted American educator Reed Markham once said, “Outstanding leaders pass the torch with fire blazing.” On April 1, 2016, David Cotter, outgoing RRCA President, passed the torch to me as the RRCA’s new President. I am humbled and honored to serve the RRCA as your elected leader. As the new bearer of the torch, I can attest that the RRCA’s torch is blazing brightly. As your 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: Craig Minyard – Treasurer, Dan Edwards – Past Treasurer, Barb Jewell, CPA – WI State Rep. Thank you to the Nominating Committee for their thorough and thoughtful efforts to recommend leaders for the RRCA Board: David Epstein – Chair, Betsy Boudreaux - LA State Rep, Rachel Tambling – CT State Rep, and Gary Westlund – RRCA Member.

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The Board of Directors engaged in excellent governance work during the course of the year. This work included the adoption of and recommendation for members to adopt Fair Competition Policies to further support and promote fair competition for athletes, especially those competing for prize money and age group awards (www.rrca.org/resources/event-directors/fair-competition-policies). The concept of fair play is fundamental to the spirit of sport, and we are firmly committed to ensuring integrity in the sport of running. The Board of Directors first adopted the RRCA Strategic Plan in 2009. As part of that plan, it was wisely foreseen that the plan should be reviewed, and updated as needed, every three to four years. The newly revised 10 Point Strategic Plan can be found in this year’s annual report. The revised plan recognizes organizational successes along with the desire to continue pursuing many of the strategies from the original plan. Several strategies have been revised to better align with, but not duplicate, the RRCA's mission, vision, and values statements. The RRCA's 10 Point Strategic Plan is a road map for the Board and staff that ensures the RRCA remains a valued and vibrant organization, serving the running community, now and into the future.

2016 RRCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mitchell Garner President

Ron Macksoud Southern Region Director

Jean Arthur Vice President

George Rehmet Western Region Director

Craig Minyard Treasurer

Kelly Richards At-Large Director

Dwight Mikulis Eastern Region Director

Joan Benoit Samuelson At-Large Director

Sue Brown-Nickerson Central Region Director RRCA Annual Report â&#x20AC;¢ 9

2016 FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE RRCA Audited financial information as of December 31, 2016

YEAR 2014 2015 2016

ASSETS $2,457,082 $2,470,700 $2,525,190

LIABILITIES $1,069,092 $1,094,031 $1,114,425

NET WORTH $1,387,990 $1,376,669 $1,410,765*

YEAR 2014 2015 2016

REVENUE $2,975,988 $3,050,854 $3,214,726

EXPENSES $2,836,390 $3,033,270 $3,171,002

NET PROFIT $139,598 $17,585 $ 43,724

* $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 Insurance Program Income Membership Income Coaching Program Income Sponsorship and Convention Contributions & Other Income Investment Income TOTAL INCOME

2015 ACTUAL $1,669,862 $615,645 $417,688 $57,308 $275,5339 $14,818 $2,975,988

2016 ACTUAL $1,737,267 $611,160 $469,624 $91,779 $231,271 $73,625 $3,214,726

2017 BUDGET $1,830,433 $609,000 $487,880 $110,250 $164,500 $20,000 $3,222,063

EXPENSES – PROGRAMS Championships & State Programs Coaching Certification Program General RRCA Programs* Kids Run the Nation RunPro - Roads Scholar Program Insurance and Music License Services SUBTOTAL

$194,258 $365,588 $226,295 $75,085 $153,002 $1,767,481 $2,781,709

$137,399 $380,564 $262,506 $100,032 $80,178 $1,893,714 $2,854,393

$193,500 $372,707 $231,400 $118,700 $105,500 $1,883,980 $2,905,787

$137,496 $41,896 $72,169 $251,560 $3,033,270 $17,585

$174,713 $47,750 $94,146 $316,609 $3,171,002 $43,724

$165,000 $45,000 $95,000 $305,000 $3,210,787 $11,276

EXPENSES - ADMINISTRATIVE * National Office Management Board Services Fundraising SUBTOTAL TOTAL EXPENSES Net Profit/(Loss)

*Functional expenses - The cost of providing various program and supporting services have been summarized on a functional basis in the statement of functional expenses on the RRCA’s Audited Financial Statements. Accordingly, certain 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

2016 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.

$176,335 Amount granted since 2007

107,292 Kids running in KRN Funded Programs Since 2007

63,189 Kids Running Guides Donate Since 2007

224 Programs receiving a KRN Grant Since 2007

Forty-seven programs throughout the U.S., serving more than 28,000 children, received a total of $40,000 in grants from the RRCA. This amount signifies a 100% increase in funding for 2016 due to strong support from RRCA members clubs, events, and sponsors, including FEETURES! In addition, the RRCA donated copies of the Kids Run the Nation: A Running Guide for Kids booklet to program participants in 18 different programs, an inkind donation valued at over $10,000. The youth running programs receiving funding this year represent the breadth and depth of the Kids Run the Nation funds’ impact, both geographically and demographically. The following is a complete list of this year’s Kids Run the Nation grant recipients:.

Congratulations to our Kids Run the Nation Fund Grantees: DeWitt Dragon Runners – DeWitt, AR CAPS Running Club – San Bernardino, CA Dragons Running Club – Oceanside, CA Miller Milers – San Diego, CA Running for a Better Oakland – Oakland, CA Skyline North Mileage Club – Barstow, CA Carrie Martin Running Club – Loveland, CO Galaxy Travelers Mileage Club – Fort Collins, CO Trailblazers Running Club – Stamford, CT Florida Striders Children's Run/Walk Program – Orange Park, FL Reptile Run – Wesley Chapel, FL Semper Fit Kids on the Run – Kaneohe Bay, HI Pritzker School – Chicago, IL East Indy Striders – Indianapolis, IN KidStriders 5Ks Club – Des Moines, IA BCS Running Club – Belgrade, ME George Cromwell Running Club – Glen Burnie, MD Boys & Girls Club - Boston Marathon Program – Salem, MA Kids Run The Nation-Junior League Great Lakes Bay Region (KRTN-JLGLBR) – Saginaw, MI Jerry Gamble Boys and Girls Club Run Club – Minneapolis, MN OIS Cross Country Club – Oxford, MS Field Fleet Feet – Chillicothe, MO Saint Louis Blazers – St. Louis, MO

Kids on the Move Program – Billings, MT KIDS Klub FitKids 5K – North Platte, NE CES Running Club - Cottonwood Elementary School – Fernley, NV NCH Running Group – Nashua, NH EC Myer Running Club – Hurley, NY Traveling Tigers – Greensboro, NC Kids on the Run – Killdeer, ND Saville Elementary Road Runners – Dayton, OH YouthWorks Running Club – Tulsa, OK Adams In Motion – Corvallis, OR Bridgeport Blazing Bulldogs Running Club – Tualatin, OR Little Colts Running Club – Bridgeville, PA Run Southwest – Philadelphia, PA Cherrydale Elementary Panther Pack – Greenville, SC Hammond Hill Elementary School Breakaway Bees – North Augusta, SC Melanie Douglas – Lexington, TN Run Livingston – Livingston, TX Team Kids Cafe – Lubbock, TX Kids Run SARR – San Antonio, TX Randolph Runners – Arlington, VA Franklin Military Academy – Richmond, VA Bordeuax Elementary Lap Club – Shelton, WA Active SWV Kids Run – Beckley, WV BGCS Run Club – Milwaukee, WI

The Kids Run the Nation program was pleased to announce the partnership with Fitness Finders, a leader in providing incentive-based fitness and character-building programs and awards to schools and youth organizations. Together, the RRCA and Fitness Finders have designed a custom award token displaying the Kids Run the Nation logo to incentivize young runners.

Learn more at www.rrca.org/programs/kids-run-the-nation-program/ RRCA Annual Report • 11

ROADS SCHOLAR® PROGRAM

The RRCA introduced its 21st Roads Scholar® class of Katja Goldring, Martin Hehir, Mara Olson, Robert Molke, Maddie Van Beek and Jim Spisak. Since 1996, RRCA has awarded grants totaling more than $530,000 to 118 athletes through its Roads Scholar® program. At the 2016 Olympic Trials Marathon, sixteen Roads Scholar grantees raced for a chance at a spot to Rio with the 4th, 5th, and 6th place male finishers being past Roads Scholar grantees, a testament of the program’s positive impact.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2016-2017 ROADS SCHOLAR CLASS KATJAGOLDRING

MARTINHEHIR

(Flagstaff, AZ): Goldring started running as part of the Students Run LA program designed to engage middle and high school youth in running in the Los Angeles area. In high school, she ran one year of cross country and track and field. Collegiately, she ran at UCLA for five years, where she earned Academic All American for the Bruins, and graduated with PRs of 16:32 in the 5k and 34:41 in the 10k. After graduating from UCLA, Goldring continued to work with her coach Forest Braden (past RRCA Roads Scholar) while moving up to the longer distance events. With modest PRs at shorter distances coming out of college, she took quickly to the roads where she qualified for the US Olympic Trials in her first marathon, with a 2:40:32 at the California International Marathon, in 2014. During her buildup to the Trials she ran a 1:14 and a 1:15 half marathon. Her top ten finish in at the 2016 Olympic Trials Marathon came as a complete surprise to the running world and putting Goldring, 25 at the time, on the short list of future American stars in the Women’s Marathon. Goldring moved to Flagstaff, Arizona in August 2016 and joined the Hoka One One Northern Arizon Elite team to train under Coach Ben Rosario.

(Flagstaff, AZ): In 9th grade, Hehir had a realization about his potential as a runner and he began focus on what would become his lifelong passion. Earning a scholarship to Syracuse University was only the beginning, as his tenure there included multiple conference titles, a sub-four-minute mile PR, seven NCAA championship berths, and four All-American performances, all of which culminated with a Division 1 Team NCAA Cross Country title in 2015. Hehir to dippied his toes in the road racing scene during his final spring semester at Syracuse. He placed 6th in his first US Road Championship, the Gate River Run 15k in March of 2016 with a time of 45:01. One month later, he competed in the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run in Washington, D.C. where he finished 3rd overall with a time of 48:29. Then, after barely qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Trials in the 10,000m, Hehir finished with an impressive 7th in the race. Shortly after the Olympic Trials – Track & Field, Hehir announced he would pursue a professional running career as a member team Hoka One One Northern Arizona Elite under coach Ben Rosario. In his debut race with the team on October 9, 2016, he finished 4th at the U.S. Road 10 Mile Championships (Twin Cities 10 Mile).

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ROAD SCHOLAR® PROGRAM

MARAOLSON

MADDIEVANBEEK

(Boulder, CO): Mara Olson began her running journey around the soccer fields and lakes of Minneapolis, Minnesota. She later found her stride at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. As a Bulldog she earned five All-American honors, two Elite 89 Awards, the Big East 10,000m title, and a third place finish at the 2013 NCAA Cross Country Championships where she led her team. Having had her fill of Midwest winters, Olson moved to Boulder, Colorado after graduating in 2015 with a degree in Biology and minors in Neuroscience, Chemistry, and Spanish. As a founding member of local team Roots Running Project and a representative of Adidas Rocky Mountain Elite, Olson is testing her range of running capabilities. After foregoing the 3,000m at the 2016 USATF Indoor Championships due to illness, Olson came up just shy of an Olympic Trials qualifying mark in her first spring as a steeplechaser. Recently on the roads, Olson placed 7th at the 2016 USA 5K Championship with a time of 16:09, and 5th at the USA 10 Mile Championships with a time of 54:18.

(Fargo, ND): Van Beek started running in 6th grade, where her first season of Cross Country was life changing. Van Beek was a member of the Minnesota Class A state champion 4x800 team in 8th grade, and was eventually the Class A state champion in the 2 mile in 11th and 12th grade. In cross country, she worked her way up from 34th as an 8th grader to 6th, 4th, 3rd, and finally state champion as a senior in high school. Gradual success in high school and encouragement from high school coach Jeff Morris led her to pursue a college running career at North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo, North Dakota. In college, coach Ryun Godfrey put Van Beek in the steeplechase her freshman year, and she was hooked. She ran 11:08 in her freshman year of college and by her fifth year of eligibility she time dropped to 9:54, leading to an 8th place finish at the NCAA Championship. She also set a PR in the 5k with a time of 16:06 by her fifth year. Following college, Van Beek has pursued a professional running career. In 2016, she competed at the 2016 US Olympic Trials in the steeplechase. Between 2015 and 2016 she has finished top 10 in seven U.S.A. Championships on the USATF Road Race Circuit, with fifth place finishes in both U.S.A. 20k Championships and the U.S.A. 1 Mile Road Championships.

ROBERTMOLKE (Minneapolis, MN): Molke attended high school at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, New Jersey. During his prep career in Cross Country he led his team to two consecutive NXN appearances, where the team finished 10th (2007) and 6th (2008). He was recruited to continue his running career at Syracuse University. During his collegiate career, he led the Cross Country team to three conference titles and a 10th place finish at the 2013 NCAA Cross Country Championships. On the track, Molke was runner-up in the 10,000m at the 2012 Big East Championships and qualified for the 2012 10,000-meter NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round. He ran a best of 28:57 in the 10,000m at the 2014 Stanford Invitational and 14:00 in the 5000m indoors at the 2014 Iowa State Classic. Post-collegiately, Molke moved to New York City to pursue a career in media & public relations with New York Road Runners and competed for the New York Athletic Club. He took to the roads, finishing 9th at the 2014 Falmouth Road Race, 16th at the 2014 Philadelphia Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon, 5th at the 2014 Brooklyn Half Marathon and 18th at the 2015 USA Half Marathon Championships in 1:03:27, which was a qualifying time for the 2016 Olympic Trials Marathon. After his initial success, Molke attended the 2015 RunPro Camp and shortly after joined Team USA Minnesota. After a six-month layoff from running due to injuries, he began competing again in Spring of 2016, finishing seventh overall as the top American at the 2016 Pittsburgh Half-Marathon and 8th overall at the 2016 Gary Bjorkland Half Marathon. He recently ran his marathon debut at the 2016 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, finishing 11th place in 2:26.

JIMSPISAK (Woonsocket, RI): Spisak, a Johnstown, Pennsylvania native, began running seriously in high school. Though far from a national standout, he ran 4:16 and 9:18 for the 1600 and 3200 meters respectively. He earned a scholarship to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. By the end of his collegiate career, Spisak had broken every school record including the 1500. Highlights of his college career included qualifying for the 2012 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships, placing ninth at the 2014 USATF Indoor Championship in the 3K, breaking the Atlantic 10 Championship meet record for 10,000 meters and competing at the 2014 NCAA Division I Outdoor Championship in the 10,000. Spisak moved to Woonsocket, RI, in September of 2015 to join the New England Distance Project. His first year with the group and training under coach Kurt Benninger included top-ten finishes in the U.S.A. 20K (seventh), 10 mile (fourth), and 12k (fourth) championships. Spisak started 2016 with a 1:02:26 half marathon in Houston, which led to his being selected for the U.S. team for the World Half Marathon Championship, though he did not compete in the race. Spisak missed most of the outdoor track season, returning to run the Olympic Trails in the 10,000, placing 19th.

Learn more at www.rrca.org/programs/roads-scholars/ RRCA Annual Report • 13

RUNPRO CAMP

The goal of the RunPro Camp is to encourage, support and provide the tools and guidance for more top collegiate distance runners to pursue a professional running career, and train at a high level so that U.S. performances will continue to improve. Along with the Roads Scholars program, RunPro Camp continues a long tradition of the RRCA providing resources and financial support to pave the way for the future of American distance running. The athletes that attended RunPro Camp have finished their collegiate careers and show good potential to reach the next level.

RunPro Camp Athletes Erika Barr – UC Davis Margaret Connelly – Iowa State University Jeremy Greenwald – Georgia Tech Willie Milam – Gonzaga University Shannon Osika – University of Michigan*

70 Number of athletes that have attended RunPro Camp since 2011

Learn more at www.RunPro.com 14 • RRCA Annual Report

Timothy Rackers – University of Tulsa Samantha Rivard – University of Minnesota-Duluth Abbabiya Simbassa– University of Oklahoma* *Athletes that ran in the 2016 Olympic Trials-Track & Field

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

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 2016, the RRCA Championship Event Series saw continued growth and included 246 races at the State, Regional and National level that attracted over 392,000 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 and Ashworth Awards as the Official Award Provider for the series. The RRCA sponsored over 104,000 championship-branded race numbers to events. Ashworth Awards developed our wildly-popular RRCA Championship medals, which are given to all RRCA Champions. Over 1,900 medals were awarded during the year to celebrate performances from elites to senior grand masters in the sport.

Thank you to the following events and congratulations to the 2016 RRCA National Champions: Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon on March 6 Male Open: Isidore Herrera, age 25, of Simi Valley, CA with a time of 2:27:29 Female Open: Catherine Beck, age 30, of Clinton, NY, with a time of 2:52:34

Debbie Green 5K in Wheeling, WV on August 6 Male Open: Simion Chirchir, age 32, of Chapel Hill, NC with a time of 13:59 Female Open: Susan Jerotich, age 29, of Chapel Hill, NC with a time of 16:13

Male Master: Curt Casazza, age 44, of Cameron Park, CA, with a time of 2:46:36 Female Master: Kristen Soloway, age 41, of Searcy, AR, with a time of 3:00:39

Male Master: Hernan Garbini, age 54, of Waynesboro, VA with a time of 18:19 Female Master: Kelly Barki, age 41, of Wheeling, WV with a time of 22:50

Male Grand Master: Mark Yost, age 57, of Bethesda, MD, with a time of 3:04:08 Female Grand Master: Lorna Thomson age 50, of San Francisco, CA with a time of 3:21:46

Male Grand Master: Pete Gibson, age 60, of Murfreesboro, NC with a time of 18:41 Female Grand Master: Laura Tiger, age 50, Martins Ferry, OH with a time of 23:48

Male Senior Grand Master: Robin Blakley, age 60, of Pacific Grove, CA, with a time of 3:20:03 Female Senior Grand Master: Bonnie Doerfier, age 60, of Poison, MT, with a time of 3:45:37

Male Senior Grand Master: Michael Hudiimac, age 60, of Wheeling, WV with a time of 21:12 Female Senior Grand Master: Miriam Deinhardt, age 66, Wheeling, WV with a time of 31:26

Go Mile! in North Little Rock, AR on June 18 Male Open: Allen Eke, age 21, of Plainfield, NJ, with a time of 4:21.49 Female Open: Jessica Kamilos, age 22, of Fayetteville, AR, with a time of 4:43.28 Male Master: Timothy Gore, age 46, of Clarksville, TN with a time of 4:39.0 Female Master: Kem Thomas, age 42, of Searcy, AR, with a time of 6:00.39 Male Grand Master: Bruce Oakley, age 56, of Batesville, AR, with a time of 5:32.24 Female Grand Master: Lynn Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal, age 52, of Bryant, AR, with a time of 6:25.22 Male Senior Grand Master: Jeff Maxwell, age 60, of Hot Springs, AR, with a time of 5:57.31 Female Senior Grand Master: Debbie Hill, age 65, of Hot Springs, AR, with a time of 7:26.98

Ready for Fall? 5K XC in Spartanburg, SC on August 13 Male Open: Joseph Wilson, age 16, with a time of 16:33 Female Open: Eliza Parker, age 25, with a time of 18:56 Male Master: Tom McCormick, age 62, with a time of 18:31 Female Master: Margaret Schmitt, age 44, with a time of 20:48 Male Grand Master: John Kissane, age 56, with a time of 20:33 Female Grand Master: Jana Seppala, age 50, with a time of 24:16 Male Senior Grand Master: Mike Compton, age 63, with a time of 25:36 Female Senior Grand Master: Nonie Hudnall, age 66, with a time of 27:05

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CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT SERIES Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon in Parkersburg, WV on August 20 Open Male: Julius Kogo of Kenya with a time of 1:03:42 Open Female: Joan Aiyabei of Kenya with a time of 1:05:27 Masters Male: Orinthal Striggles of Columbia, SC with a time of 1:22:26 Masters Female: Luybov Denisova of Russia with a time of 1:25:35 Grand Masters Male: John Piggott of Williamsburg, VA with a time of 1:23:88 Grand Masters Female: Mariann Tulius of Wexford, PA with a time of 1:37:19 Senior Grand Masters Male: Pete Gibson of Murfeesboro, NC with a time of 1:28:27 Senior Grand Masters Female: Janalee Stock of Athens, OH with a time of 1:53:18 Fort4Fitness 10K in Fort Wayne, IN on October 1 Male Open: Austen Davenport, with a time of 35:02 Female Open: Inngry Maria Barbosa Olaya with a time of 43:53 Male Master: Brad Prather with a time of 35:22 Female Master: Melissa Dessaigne with a time of 44:36 Male Grandmaster: Bill Long with a time of 39:36 Female Grandmaster: Amy Kocsis with a time of 47:55 Male Senior Grandmaster: Bob Switzer with a time of 42:14 Female Senior Grandmaster: Cheryl Claypool with a time of 55:03 Nashville Ultra Marathon 50K in Nashville, TN on November 5 Male Open: Josh Whitehead, age 38, of Madison, AL with a time of 3:20:00 Female Open: Francesca Muccini, age 48, of Nashville, TN with a time of 4:58:18 Male Master: Paul Sellers age 44, of Fayetteville, GA with a time of 5:06:41 Female Master: Rashni Barath, age 41, of Tupelo, MS with a time of 5:24:47 Male Grand Master: Eugene Saghi, age 58, of Colorado Springs, CO with a time of 5:49:05 Female Grand Master: Lisa Sutherland, age 50, with a time of 1:14:04.0 Male Senior Grand Master: Michael Montgomery, age 69, of Franklin, TN with a time of 6:17:37 Female Senior Grand Master: No finishers

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Run for the Water 10 Miler in Austin, TX on November 6 Male Open: Mark Pinales, age 37, with a time of 51:56.0 Female Open: Kaitlyn Johnson, age 23, with a time of 1:03:10.0 Male Master: Kevin Kimbell, age 41, with a time of 57:41.0 Female Master: Cindy Saiter, age 46, with a time of 1:10:38.0 Male Grand Master: Anthony Zaia, age 56, with a time of 1:05:10.0 Female Grand Master: Lisa Sutherland, age 50, with a time of 1:14:04.0 Male Senior Grand Master: Dan Wood, age 61, with a time of 1:17:05.0 Female Senior Grand Master: Sharon Vaughn, age 64, with a time of 1:31:37.0

RUNNER FRIENDLY COMMUNITY® PROGRAM

Congratulations to the following 2016 Runner Friendly Communities Albuquerque

Helena

Traverse City

Tuscaloosa

Annapolis

Fort Collins

Indianapolis

Tallahassee

Somerville

Santa Clarita

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. RRCA Annual Report • 17

RUNNER FRIENDLY COMMUNITY® PROGRAM ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO Albuquerque, the largest city in New Mexico, has a population of over 550,000, with 47% of the population identifying as Hispanic or Latino. Albuquerque’s population has been growing steadily for decades. Albuquerque’s city government has a Recreational Trails Advisory Committee that has specific positions reserved for pedestrians and runners. This committee advises city agencies and plays a major role in monitoring projects for trail extensions, trail maintenance and trail safety. Albuquerque’s urban infrastructure improvements have produced over 140-miles of paved pedestrian/bicycle trails separate from roadways. The city also has over 100-miles of unpaved, natural-surface trails in the city’s open spaces and more in the Cibola National Forest and Petroglyphs National-Monument. The Albuquerque Road Runners (ARR), who submitted the Runner Friendly Community application, is the largest running club in the city. The ARR organizes a number of races, hosts the Women’s Distance Festival training program, and raises money to support school-based running groups, including Running 505. The club has adopted two local trails, the unpaved La Luz trail and a paved trail section on the city’s west side. ARR organizes trash clean up and brush trimming work on these trails.

HELENA, MONTANA Helena represents a fascinating confluence of characteristics including being the Capital City of Montana and the County Seat of Lewis & Clark County. Nearly 31% of the city’s population of 28,190 works in government. The other defining trait of Helena is its geography; surrounded by the Big Belt. While there is a network of sidewalks in the central part of Helena surrounding the Capital complex and nearby neighborhoods, Helena has completed an inventory of sidewalks to identified existing gaps and will implement improvements. There are share lanes for cars and runners/cyclists along with a world-class trail system that includes city property. A community track is used for competitive events by the middle and high schools as well as Carroll College. It is well lit, safe, and open to public at other hours. The Helena Vigilante Runners (HVR), who submitted the Runner Friendly Community application, are the largest running club in the city. HVR coordinates with the City of Helena, Lewis & Clark County, and the Helena School District to host nearly 24 events per years. They host programs that benefit residents of all ages, and one of HVR’s premier events is the Mount Helena Run. This 9 kilometer course starts on historic Last Chance Gulch in downtown Helena. It quickly changes from urban running to mountain trail running in Mt. Helena City Park. The course takes runners to the top of Mt. Helena, 1,300 feet above the starting line, and offers outstanding views of the City of Helena, Prickly Pear Valley, and Elkhorn and Belt Mountains.

TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN Located in Northern Michigan, Traverse City is one of the more popular, small-town tourist destinations in the U.S. Located along Grand Traverse Bay, its proximity to freshwater beaches, skiing, and prestigious vineyards make Traverse City a popular spot for visitors. However, there is also a vibrant local population of 14,600 people. Fitness and physical activity are a priority for both year-round residents and tourists alike, which can be seen in all the aspects that make Traverse City a Runner Friendly Community. Traverse City’s commitment to being runner friendly starts with its infrastructure. The Traverse City Commission works with local groups to promote a safe and active community. The city is the central point of the Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation trail network (TART). TART, a nonprofit organization, is re18 • RRCA Annual Report

sponsible for maintaining and expanding the trail system to include both paved and natural surfaces from the downtown area to the multiuse VASA trail system in the Manistee National Forest. TART works closely with the city in planning and development of pedestrian friendly infrastructure. The largest running club in the community is the Traverse City Track Club (TCTC), who submitted the Runner Friendly application. TCTC donates funds for many groups that are committed to promoting running, including schools and nonprofit groups. TCTC awards college scholarships (over $30,000 in 2016) to local runners who demonstrate a love of running along with school and community involvement. The TCTC hosts a summer series of ten races over 10-weeks that are free of charge and attract a wide variety of runners.

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA Tuscaloosa is the fifth largest city in Alabama, with a population of over 95,000, according to the city’s official website. Located on the Black Warrior River, the presence of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa makes the city a regional hub for industry, commerce, healthcare, and education. The infrastructure of Tuscaloosa indicates the community’s commitment to being runner friendly. Three major parts of the city, downtown Tuscaloosa, the City of Tuscaloosa Riverwalk, and the University of Alabama campus, are all connected by a series of sidewalks and trails. The esthetic beauty and connectivity of the sidewalk system between these three different areas of town create a multitude of route options and lengths. Tuscaloosa residents can practically run from any point in the city to another. Tuscaloosa has gone out of its way to support running in the community. The local government has hosted annual races including the Mayor’s Cup 5K benefitting their charity partner, Tuscaloosa Pre-K. To increase participants at the Mayor’s Cup 5K, the city offers comp time to employees that participate. The city is also a major supporter of the area’s largest race, the Tuscaloosa Half Marathon. The Tuscaloosa Track Club (TTR), who submitted the application, is the largest running club in Western Alabama. TTR has served as a liaison between public and private organizations for many years, bridging the two sectors to create a unique partnership. In partnership with City of Tuscaloosa, the TTC works together to put on several large-scale events each year. These races bring in large participant fields to Tuscaloosa and put countless dollars back into the community.

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND Annapolis is the capital city for the State of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Ann Arundel County with a population of 38,400 residents. It is home to the United States Naval Academy, which was established in 1845. Annapolis’s is situated on the Chesapeake Bay between the major metropolitan cities of Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD, and proximity to these cities has a positive impact on life in the region. The Annapolis Striders, the largest RRCA member running club in the city, organize a number of races, including the highly popular Annapolis 10 Miler. Permitting for that race represents the commitment of many local government entities to running, as permits must be obtained from the city, state, and county for various portions of the course. All three are easy to work with, and recognize the value the race brings to the community. The Annapolis Striders have installed water fountains along the B & A Trail, which are maintained by the Department of Recreation and Parks. The club has used the park and trail network for over a decade for marathon and half marathon training programs. The trails are safe, well-maintained and free of traffic. The past-president of the Annapolis Striders worked tirelessly to have 1/4

RUNNER FRIENDLY COMMUNITY® PROGRAM mile markers installed along the trails so runners could do speed work without having to find an open track.

FORT COLLINS, COLORADO Located sixty-five miles from Denver, Fort Collins is the fourth largest city in Colorado, and the most populous municipality in Larimer County with a population of 161,000. Despite first being established as a military outpost, the city is much more identifiable as a college town today, due to the presence of Colorado State University. Fort Collins has invested in making big swaths of the city accessible to runners. There is currently a trail system that stretches over 40-miles, and that number is growing. Runners are able to complete more than 20-miles on a pedestrian network before it completely ends. RRCA member, Fort Collins Running Club, works with the City of Fort Collins to utilize the trail system for monthly Tortoise and Hare events that range in distances from 4K to 12K and are open to anyone in the community. Running is deeply rooted in the culture of Fort Collins, which is evident through the city’s commitment to youth fitness. The local high schools all have competitive track and field teams, and most of the elementary schools have after school running programs to get kids ready for local 5K races. The Fort Collins Running Club developed their “Running U” program; pairing beginning runners with a mentor who helps them prepare for their first 5K race. This initiative, along with other efforts, has seen the club increase from 100 members in 2010 to over 600 currently.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA Indianapolis, the capital city of the State of Indiana, with a population of 853,173 is largest city in the state and the second largest city in the Midwest after Chicago. Home to a diverse economy in transit, education, tourism, and business services, Indianapolis also has a strong connection to sports, as the home to the Indianapolis 500, headquarter city of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and USA Track & Field. The RRCA member club, Indy Runners, has numerous private and nonprofit partners that work with the club to advance running in the community. The club hosts the largest spring half marathon training program in the city, and is able to use historic Hinkle Fieldhouse as the location for beginning/ending each run through a strong partnership with Butler University. The Indy Runners, through their Giving Back program, have partnered with the city to maintain the deck on the Monon Trail. The tail is the beginning and ending point for the club's popular Saturday runs. The Indianapolis 500 Festival Mini Marathon just celebrated its 40th running, and has historically been one of the largest half marathons in the country. The Indianapolis Monumental Marathon is one of the fastest growing marathons in the country. Both of these events are held downtown, and their success is the result of a good working relationship between runners and the local government.

incorporation. Santa Clarita provides drinking fountains, parking, and restrooms at most city parks and trailheads along the trail system. RRCA member club, the Santa Clarita Runners Club (SCRC) organizes a number of races throughout the year. These events range from free participation events to 5k's, 10k's, half, and full marathons. For each of these to be successful the SCRC has developed relationships with the city’s Department of Public Works, the Arts & Events Office, the Sheriff’s Office, the California Highway Patrol, and many more organization. Each organization participates as a willing partner in order to ensure a safe and successful event for runners and supporters. Annually, the SCRC gives back to the six local high school track and cross country programs with financial donations totaling $15,000 in 2016.

SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS With a history that stretches back to the Colonial times, Somerville is a quintessential New England town. During the Revolutionary War, Paul Revere’s famous ride to warn of approaching British troops took place through parts of city. Located just two miles northwest of Boston, the proximity is apparent, however, Somerville also has characteristics and a culture that are very much its own. With a population of over 75,000, Somerville has seen three decades of expansion, and the Boston Globe named Somerville the bestrun city in Massachusetts in 2006. There is a strong spirit of community involvement demonstrated by the RRCA member club, the Somerville Road Runners (SRR). The Somerville Road Runners participate in and volunteer for the annual Shape Up Somerville initiative directed by the city. The club started the free annual youth running program following the RRCA’s Kids Run the Nation model. The club also promotes and directs two free weekly fun runs and directs five additional races, with proceeds going to local charities.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA Tallahassee is the largest city in northwest Florida, with a population of over 181,000 within the city limits, and over 375,000 within the metro area. The capital of Florida, the city is home to multiple government entities, as well as several trade and professional associations. The presence of Florida State University in Tallahassee very much influences the community’s identity. Tallahassee meets quality sidewalk design standards and has ordinances in place to ensure a safe and comfortable pedestrian environment. Even after receiving these recognitions, city officials continue efforts to make Tallahassee more pedestrian friendly. The city boasts many miles of trails including the paved St. Marks Trail which is 11.74 miles and travels through Wakulla County all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.

SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA An extended suburb located 35-miles outside of Los Angeles, Santa Clarita was officially incorporated in 1987. However, the town’s history stretches back considerably further to the gold rush days, and has seen steady population growth since the mid-1800s. Today, the city has a population of over 150,000. The city of Santa Clarita is surrounded by thousands of acres of preserved open space that not only provides a picturesque background, but the open space also allows for miles of multi-use trails surrounded by nature. Additionally, the city is always looking to improve its trail system, part of a larger and ongoing effort to offer recreational facilities and programs since RRCA Annual Report • 19

RUNNER FRIENDLY COMMUNITY® PROGRAM RRCA member, the Gulf Winds Track Club, works with both private and public organizations to put on races in Tallahassee almost every weekend of the year. The local government is highly supportive of the club and ensures an efficient permitting process and provides law enforcement support at events. Multiple running groups meet weekly around the city to focus on long runs, speed training, and other training opportunities that help runners excel.

Congratulations to the following communities that successfully renewed their Runner Friendly Community status in 2016 for another five years: • • • • •

FREDERICKSBURG, VA - Renewed by the Marine Corps Marathon and the Fredericksburg Area Running Club DECATUR, IL - Renewed by the Decatur Running Club MONTEREY PENINSULA, CA - Renewed by Big Sur International Marathon KNOXVILLE, TN - Renewed by Knoxville Track & Field Club READING, PA - Renewed by Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club

Learn more at www.rrca.org/programs/runner-friendly-community/ RUN@WORK AND RUN@SCHOOL DAY On September 16, 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.

20 • RRCA Annual Report

COACHING CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Since 1998, the RRCA Coaching Certification Program has provided a baseline of education for individuals seeking to become an RRCA Certified Coach. The goal of the program is to create a national community of knowledgeable and ethical distance running coaches to work with runners at all ages and abilities. The RRCA Coaching Program offers educational opportunities that includes a Level I and Level II curriculum and certification process for interested coaches. The RRCA Coaching Certification Level I Course is an in-person course designed to accomplish our goal of educating coaches so they may direct training programs for their RRCA member running clubs. We believe all RRCA Level I Certified Coaches volunteering in their running clubs have the knowledge needed to coach runners in their communities. The Level II curriculum and certification process, launched in 2016, provides for a deeper understanding of the scientific, psychological, competitive, and managerial aspects of working with individual clients and training groups. The Level II certification process is designed for coaches seeking to enhance their knowledge or reinforce concepts learned in Level I.. 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 2016, 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/ RACE DIRECTOR CERTIFICATION

RRCA has certified over 220 race directors from around the world by the end of 2016 with an additional 230 people enrolled in the course as of December 31, 2016 In September 2016, Sheryl Sawyer of Cayuga, Ontario in Canada became the 200th person to successfully complete the RRCA’s Race Director Certification course. Launched in November 2012, the RRCA’s Race Director Certification Course was created with help from some of the more prominent names in race management, including Dave McGillivray of the Boston Marathon, Phil Stewart of the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler & Road Race Management, and Don Kardong of the Lilac Bloomsday Run. They, along with others, shared their expertise on what topics and

areas that are important for race directors to understand and apply. Sawyer’s certification represents an emerging trend for the RRCA’s Race Director Certification: its popularity with and value to race directors located internationally. Sawyer became the second native of Canada to complete the course, and fourth RRCA Certified Race Director outside of the United States. In addition, there are currently nine other international residents – from Canada, China, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Romania, Singapore and the United Kingdom – enrolled in the course.

Learn more at www.rrca.org/programs/race-director-certification/ RRCA Annual Report • 21

58TH ANNUAL RRCA NATIONAL CONVENTION Through the theme, Elevating the Future of Running, the RRCA engaged leaders in discussions about a broad range of topics related to the sport of running during the 58th RRCA National Convention March 17 - 20, 2016. We extend a big thank you to the host club, the Dallas Running Club, who ensured the convention was a huge success with twenty-two different education sessions for club leaders, event directors, and coaches to learn about best practices, how to manage critical issues facing the sport, and much more. We welcomed elite athlete and World Champion, Camille Herron, who an education session about practical measure to help keep the sport clean in the U.S. Out keynote speakers at the luncheons included Ben Rosario and Gilbert Tuhabonye. We thank our 2016 Hall of Fame Inductees, especially Coach Bob Larson, and the 2015 National Running Award winners for joining the event.

2016 THANK YOU TO OUR

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RRCA CONVENTION RECAP

RRCA Annual Report â&#x20AC;¢ 23

NATIONAL RUNNING AWARD WINNERS

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES DESIREELINDEN Two-time U.S. Olympic Marathoner Desiree Linden is a native of San Diego suburb Chula Vista, California. Linden earned All-American honors in both Cross Country and track during her tenure at Arizona State University before joining the Hansons Brooks Distance Project in Rochester, Michigan. Linden wowed the marathon world with her near win at the 2011 Boston Marathon. Her second place finish, an incredible 2:22:38, set an all-time U.S. record on the Boston course (since broken) and made her the third fastest American ever. Linden was named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week for her performance. In 2015, Des participated at the Boston Marathon, which featured a strong international field and the top three US marathoners. She finished as top American and held on for a strong 4th place finish, less than 45 seconds from the win. She bested two former Boston champions, a Berlin and Rotterdam Marathon champion, and the World Junior Record holder. Des now owns three of the six top American times in history on the famed Boston course. In the summer of 2015, Des earned the Pan-Am Games Silver Medal in the 10,000 meter race. In early 2016 she finished 2nd at the US Olympic Marathon Trials in LA, she followed that up with a runner-up performance at the US Half Marathon Championships and a strong showing at the 2016 Rio Olympics, finishing 7th. Other career highlights include earning her spot on the US Olympic Team at the 2012 London Summer Games with a runner up performance at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (2:25:55), a runner up performance at the 2013 US Half Marathon Championships, 11th at the 2009 Marathon World Championships (2:27:53) and multiple top five performances at four of the six World Marathon Majors: her Boston runner-up in 2011, 3rd at the 2010 Chicago Marathon (2:26:20), and 5th place showings at the 2008 Chicago Marathon (2:31:33), 2013 Berlin Marathon (2:29:15) and blustery conditions at the 2014 NYC Marathon (2:28:11) where she was the top American. Earlier in 2014, she clocked an impressive 2:23:54 in Boston. Linden graduated from Hilltop High School in Chula Vista in 2001 and studied psychology at Arizona State University. A self proclaimed bacon aficionado, her hobbies include writing, collecting assorted whiskeys, coffee drinking, throwing out first pitches at Major League ballgames, relaxing with her dogs Miles and Atlas, listening to good music and outrunning her husband, fellow marathoner and budding triathlete and Kona veteran, Ryan Linden.

RYANHALL Ryan Hall (b. October 14, 1982- ) is a two-time U.S. Olympic marathoner and the American record holder in the half marathon. Hall's 2:04:58 at the 2011 Boston Marathon is the fastest marathon ever run by an American; the time doesn't count as the American marathon because Boston's point-to-point, net-elevation-loss course makes it ineligible for record purposes. After graduating from Stanford in 2005, Hall began his professional career as a 5,000-meter runner, and represented the United States in the event at the 2005 World Championships. He soon after concentrated on road racing, starting with the national 20K title in the fall of 2006. Hall's big road breakthrough came at the Houston Half Marathon in January 2007. He won in 59:43, an American record. Hall remains the only American to have broken an hour for the half marathon. Hall made his marathon debut at the 2007 London Marathon, where he placed seventh in 2:08:24. Hall won the 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials, which were held the day before the 2007 New York City Marathon. His time of 2:09:02 is the event record. At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Hall placed 10th. Hall finished third at the 2009 Boston Marathon and fourth at Boston in 2010. His 2:04:58 got him fourth at Boston in 2011. That fall, he was fifth in 2:08:04 at the Chicago Marathon. Three months later, Hall finished second to Meb Keflezighi at the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials. He dropped out of the 2012 Olympic Marathon after 10 miles with a hamstring injury. On January 15, 2016, Hall announced his retirement from competitive running. He is married to fellow professional runner Sara Hall, and they have four daughters. 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. 24 • RRCA Annual Report

NATIONAL RUNNING AWARD WINNERS

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES DAVEMCGILLIVRAY Dave McGillivray, Race Director of the B.A.A. Boston Marathon, the B.A.A. Half Marathon, the B.A.A. 5K and the B.A.A. 10K, manages and oversees all operational and logistical aspects of these world-class events. McGillivray also directed the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Women’s Marathon in Boston. In 1996, McGillivray established himself as one of the world’s premier race directors with his successful coordination of the 100th Boston Marathon, which attracted a field size of nearly 40,000 participants, the largest in B.A.A. history. McGillivray is president of Dave McGillivray Sports Enterprises (DMSE), Inc., an event management company which creates, markets, and produces mass-participatory athletic events throughout the U.S. DMSE directed the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Women’s Marathon in 2004, the 1990 ITU Triathlon World Championship, and consulted on the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. DMSE also directs the TD Beach to Beacon 10K, the New Balance Falmouth Road Race, and the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, as well as numerous other world-class events. Athletically, McGillivray first gained national prominence in 1978 when he ran across the U.S. to raise money for the Jimmy Fund. In 2004, McGillivray ran cross-country again as part of a relay team event called TREK USA, which he founded. He has run 137 marathons including 42 consecutive Boston Marathons, completed 9 Hawaii Ironman Triathlons, run up the East Coast of the U.S., run for 24 hours, biked for 24 hours, and swam for 24 hours – all to raise money for numerous worthwhile causes. In 2003, the DMSE Children’s Fitness Foundation was established with a focus on funding nonprofit organizations that use running as a vehicle to promote physical fitness in children. In 2005, McGillivray was inducted into Running USA’s Hall of Champions. Among other recognitions he has received are Competitor magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 30 years of service to the sport of road racing and triathlons. In 2000, he was named Race Director of the Year by the running industry’s Road Race Management, Inc., and in 2007 Runner’s World named him one of their Heroes of Running. In 2011, he was inducted into the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame. The Last Pick, (Rodale Press), authored by McGillivray (with Linda Glass Fechter), was published in April 2006. It chronicles his career while motivating and inspiring readers never to underestimate their own ability to set and achieve goals. McGillivray resides in North Andover, Massachusetts with wife Katie. He has five children, Ryan, Max, Elle, Luke and Chloe.

GEORGEHIRSCH George Hirsch, born June 21, 1934, helped Fred Lebow start the five-borough New York City Marathon in 1976 to celebrate the nation’s bicentennial. With the success of the first race, it became an annual event that has become one of the world’s leading sporting events. In 1979, Hirsch founded the Midnight Run in New York’s Central Park, a race that is held every New Year’s Eve. In 2005, Hirsch became the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the New York Road Runners where he has served in the role for 12 years. From 1984 to 1986, Hirsch was the on-air host of a weekly segment on ESPN's SportsCenter called “The Runner’s Corner." He has done television commentary for many distance running events including the New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Cincinnati (Flying Pig) marathons. He has also been a commentator for three Olympic Games: Los Angeles in 1984, Seoul in 1988 and Barcelona in 1992. Hirsch was the founding publisher of New York magazine and The Runner magazine. In January 1987, Rodale, Inc. acquired The Runner and merged it with Runner’s World, and Hirsch became its worldwide publisher after launching a number of international editions of the magazine. Hirsch was also the first publishing director of Men's Health and director of international magazines, positions he held until his retirement from Rodale in 2004. From 2005 to 2011, he was the chairman and publisher of La Cucina Italiana, the English language edition of Italy’s oldest and largest food and cooking magazine. Beginning in Boston in 1969, Hirsch has run forty marathons with a personal best of 2:38 set in Boston in 1979 at the age of 44. In 2009, on a promise to his wife Shay, he ran his final marathon in New York at age 75. He won his age group in each of his last eight marathons. In 2014, Hirsch was also the recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Association of International Marathons (AIMS). RRCA Annual Report • 25

NATIONAL RUNNING AWARD WINNERS

OUTSTANDING CLUB PRESIDENT OF THE YEAR LOUKING Frederick Steeplechasers Lou’s combination of vision, leadership, and organizational skills helped put the 1,800-member Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club in a position to thrive. During his tenure as club president, the Frederick Steeplechasers implemented new financial procedures and by-laws while also restructuring board meetings to provide more impactful oversight. Lou also helped improve the clubs outreach, developing a new Facebook page and establishing monthly socials outings. Technology was also another focus during Lou’s tenure, as he helped to implement new platforms for races and membership as well as revamping the club’s website. Not only did the clubs membership grow to record numbers under his stewardship, but the club also set a new high with $49,000 donated to charitable causes. Lou also understood the importance of fresh perspective and new voices, setting up a succession plan for the presidency at the conclusion of his two-year term.

BROWNING ROSS SPIRIT OF THE RRCA TOMWHITAKER Tom has served with distinction for over a decade as the Nebraska and South Dakota RRCA State Rep. He has continually managed to produce a full slate of Championship Events in both states, and worked with local clubs to increase their engagement with the national organization. He is a constant presence at races in both states, proudly promoting the RRCA. Tom has also spent 14 years as President of his home club, the Omaha Running Club. During his tenure, the club has adopted several updated governance policies, including a confidentiality agreement for board members, as well as a code of conduct and conflict of interest rules. The number of RRCA events in Nebraska has also increased greatly under Tom’s leadership, with his home club, growing from two to 11 hosted races in the last decade. In addition to organizing and promoting these events, Tom is also active on race day. An experience race timer, he provides these services to club races, but also provides reduced cost and free timing to charity events throughout the state. Tom’s countless hours of service in support of his local running community and the RRCA mission perfectly embody the ideals of the H. Browning Ross Spirt of the RRCA Award.

OUTSTANDING STATE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE YEAR SHERILYNJOHNSON Tennessee Being an RRCA State Rep is more than just a volunteer position for Sherilyn, she is continually extending her reach and influence far beyond the Tennessee borders. She is tireless, enthusiastic, and diligent, with an incomparable attention to detail and ability to multi-task. She also possess an inquisitive nature frequently used to learn more about RRCA about how she can better assist her club contacts and contribute more to the organization. Sherilyn has filled the empty Kentucky and South Carolina State Rep slots. In 2016, she drove a total of over 3200 miles in Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and West Virginia to proudly represent RRCA and present RRCA awards at 15 RRCA Championships. Sherilyn also made it a specific priority to stay in touch with clubs she represented, developing a 20 point checklist for regular communication, while also growing the followings of the Tennessee and South Carolina Facebook pages. In the past year, Sherilyn also served on the RRCA National Awards selection committee, raised several hundred dollars for RRCA from RRCA Championship race directors; hosted an RRCA Coaching Certification Course and obtained her own RRCA Coaching Certification. As Southern Region Director, Ron Macksoud put it, “Going the extra mile doesn't approach describing Sherilyn Johnson, going the extra marathon does!”

26 • RRCA Annual Report

NATIONAL RUNNING AWARD WINNERS

OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR ALLISON “ALLIE” THUT Green Bay Running Club Since Allie's involvement, the Green Bay Running Club has seen quite the increase in member activity. From keeping on top of Facebook events to creating meet-up run groups, Allie has given a lot of Green Bay residences a reason to run. Allie was a pilot member of Pack Runners: a program which gives high energy shelter dogs the much needed exercise they deserve. This partnership between the Green Bay Running Club and the Bay Area Humane Society has provided over a hundred dogs with a running partner that will give them the two to six mile distances they need to keep calm and docile, resulting in more adoptions and forever homes. Allie has also used running to raise awareness and funds for the emerging public arts scene in Green Bay. She created the Art & Sole 5K with a route that took participants past the newest artwork on the city’s streets and raised just under $2000 for the 'Arts on Main' public art fund. Allie got over 200 participants to come out on a rainy August morning to exercise and support the community. All of this volunteering was done while Allie herself clocked over 1,900.

ROAD RUNNER OF THE YEAR - MALE JAREDWARD In February 2016, at the Olympic Trials in Los Angeles, Ward, a 28 year-old resident of Layton, Utah finished third in the Marathon in 2:13:00 securing a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. Later that summer, at the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Ward ran a personal best time 2:11:00 in the marathon, finishing sixth overall and second overall among American men. In between the two marathon competitions, Ward also turned in a strong performance at the USA 25K Championships, finishing second overall with a time of 1:15:44.

ROAD RUNNER OF THE YEAR - FEMALE DESIREELINDEN In February, Linden qualified for the Summer Olympics in Rio with a second-place finish at the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials in Los Angeles behind Amy Cragg, her former teammate at Arizona State University. She followed that up with a runner-up performance at the US Half Marathon Championships hosted by the Ohio Health Capital City Half Marathon in Columbus, OH. She finished 5th overall in the USATF Running Circuit earning $78,000 in the series. She had a strong showing at the 2016 Rio Olympics, finishing 7th overall and second American.

RRCA Annual Report • 27

NATIONAL RUNNING AWARD WINNERS

MASTERS RUNNER OF THE YEAR – MALE MEBKEFLEZIGHI Heading into 2016, making his fourth U.S. Olympic team seemed like an improbability for Meb Keflezighi. Yet, he pulled it off, taking 2nd at the Olympic Trials in Los Angeles, running an impressive 2:12:20 under tough conditions. Although plagued by injury at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, he demonstrated class and determination by finishing the race. At the Rock ’n’ Roll San Jose Half Marathon, Meb broke Mbarak Hussein’s U.S. Masters half marathon record of 63:23, finishing with an impressive 63:02 and taking second overall at the race. 2016 also saw Meb continuing charitable efforts through his MEB Foundationm, which fulfills its mission as a collaborator and leader in the areas of youth health, education and fitness.

MASTERS RUNNER OF THE YEAR – FEMALE COLLEENDE REUCK At the Olympics Trials in Los Angeles in February 2016, Colleen De Reuck, at age 51, was the oldest of the 197 women running. Placing 67th on an unseasonably warm day, De Reuck outpaced several competitors, many of whom were more than 20 years her junior. In fact, De Reuck’s qualifying time to compete at the trials, a 2:39:22 at the November 2013 Indianapolis Marathon placed her faster than more the half the women who qualified. In the 2016 Two Oceans Marathon, 19 days before her 52nd birthday, Colleen set a new world age best of 3:27:38 at 50 km (more than 14 minutes better than the previous mark) and set the course record in the 50-59 age category with her 3:53:07 (running.competitor.com). In June 2016, Colleen competed in the Comrades Marathon in her native South Africa, a roughly 55.4mile race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, and finished seventh among the women in 6:50:21. She won the 50–59 age group by 84 minutes (Runner’s World).

CHALLENGED ATHLETE OF THE YEAR TATYANAMCFADDEN Born with spina bifida, Tatyana McFadden is a 17-time medalist in the Paralympics and holds many Para world records. In 2016 at the Rio Paralympics, in events ranging in distance from 100m to the marathon, she won four gold medals and two silver medals. In the same year, Tatyana won the World Marathon Majors Grand Slam Wheelchair Division by winning the Boston, London, Chicago, and New York City Marathons. Outside of athletics, through her Tatyana McFadden Foundation, she is a strong advocate for people with disabilities. Tatyana’s athletic achievements and efforts promoting inclusion in athletics make her an ideal recipient for this award.

OUTSTANDING CLUB NEWSLETTER OF THE YEAR FOOTTRAILS Springfield Road Runners Club - Springfield, IL In her second year as newsletter editor of the Springfield Road Runners Club’s (SRRC) FootTrails, Tammy Bumgarner, has created a model publication. Since taking over, Tammy has implemented a bi-monthly newsletter that recognizes and encourages members and readers. A standard newsletter now contains results and pictures from races, stories of personal achievement, training programs and advice, community support provided by the club, and updated results for both club race series. Tammy communicates well with all stakeholders to make the FootTrails such a success. She is responsible for the setup, communicating with the president and other contributors, and organizing the printing and distribution. The FootTrails newsletter is a source of pride for the Springfield Road Runners Club and a lot of that is due to the hard work of Tammy Bumgarner.

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JOURNALISM AWARDS

OUTSTANDING CLUB WEBSITE NORTHERNVIRGINIARUNNINGCLUB www.NovaRunningClub.com

Webmaster, Nene Reed, representing the club at the DC Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon.

EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM JULIEPEARCE Birmingham Track Club Julie Pearce is the editor of the Birmingham Track Club newsletter, The Vulcan Runner. While she enjoys the process of editing and selecting content for the newsletter, Julie's true passion has been writing. As a lawyer, she enjoys the opportunity to do lots of writing for clients, but she especially loves the creative outlet writing for a running-related publication provides. Julie's goal when writing an article for The Vulcan Runner is to provide informative, well-researched content presented in an entertaining and engaging format. She enjoys writing about her personal experiences in the running world, but she also enjoys learning about new topics and making them relatable to readers.

OUTSTANDING BEGINNING RUNNING PROGRAM MYOWN2FEET Chattanooga Track Club On My Own 2 Feet, a Chattanooga Track Club running program was started in by Robert Gustafson and Rita Fanning. They believed that a running program aimed at those experiencing homelessness might help build self-confidence and skills that would transfer into other aspects of participants’ lives. Participants meet twice a week where they are coached through a 5k training program. They are given shoes and other technical gear donated by local runners. More importantly, participants are provided with resources and mentoring that is intended to provide lifestyle changes that can lead to employment, housing and independence. Upon completion of the program, they receive brand new running shoes and entry into an organized 5k Chattanooga Track Club race. Since its inception, the program has had a direct impact on more than 200 individuals.

OUTSTANDING YOUTH PROGRAM FLORIDASTRIDERSCHILDREN’S RUN/WALK PROGRAM The Florida Striders Children’s Run/Walk Program serves 18,000 children in 60 elementary and middle schools in Clay and Duval counties, and offers startup kits to schools interested in developing a new Run/Walk Program. The program’s goal is to get kids to experience the fun of running and walking on a regular basis, with the myriad physical, mental, and emotional benefits of running cited as driving forces. Overseen by the Children’s Running Committee and staffed by club members like Children’s Program Coordinator Carol MacDougall who volunteer their time, the Children’s Run/Walk Program provides motivational mileage incentives free of charge to qualifying school-based programs. In addition, Florida Striders provides five free one-mile Fun Runs throughout the year, and provides finisher awards and participation incentives to each school program that attends.

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NATIONAL RUNNING AWARD WINNERS

ANCHORAGE RUNFEST Anchorage, Alaska

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ROAD RACE OF THE YEAR

ANCHORAGE RUNFEST Anchorage, Alaska Previously called Big Wild Life Runs, the new title “Anchorage RunFest” is a better descriptor of this event, which has a half marathon, 5K, a kids 2K, one mile, and an ultra of 49K distance for the 49th state. This race is considered the biggest running event in Anchorage and possibly Alaska. Except for the timing company, the race is all-volunteer organized by the Anchorage Running Club. The 2016 marathon was the RRCA Western Region Marathon Championship. Cool temperatures and a slightly rolling course along the Tony Knowles Coastal and Chester Creek Trails male it a nice Boston Marathon qualifier. Running celebrities were also on hand throughout the weekend, including Jeff Galloway and Bart Yasso, as well as, Alaska Governor Bill Walker, who helped start all the Sunday races. The dedication of the Anchorage Running Club and the support that is given by the city of Anchorage make this a clear choice for Road Race of the Year.

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/

Alabama: Alex Morrow Alaska: Brian Laurent (outgoing) Sharron Fisherman (incoming) Arizona: Randy Accetta Arkansas: David Meroney* California - East: Simone Adair California - Coastal: Jenni Kirk Sorrow California - South: Jackie Britton Colorado: Will Dillard (outgoing) Connecticut: Rachel Tambling Delaware: Seth McElroy District of Columbia: Goody Tyler Florida - North: Lena Hollmann* Florida - South: Don Nelson* Georgia: Rogelio Quintanar Hawaii: Ron Alford* Idaho: Kjell Schiรถberg Illinois: Doug Pitchford Indiana: Rose Scovel Iowa: Chris Burch Kansas: Trevor Darmstetter (outgoing) Kentucky: Lilly Riherd Louisiana: Betsy Boudreaux* Maine: Blaine Moore Maryland: Bob Cawood Massachusetts: Steve Viegas Michigan: Scott Fiske Minnesota: Lisa Rippe Mississippi: Bryan Lagg Missouri: Michelle Wimberly (outgoing) Montana: John Devitt Nebraska: Tom Whitaker New Hampshire: Chandra Leister New Jersey: Erica Phillips New Mexico: John Farrow New York - City: Nicoletta Nerangis (outgoing) New York - Up-State: Jane Constantine (outgoing) Nevada: Dave Moore North Carolina: Brad Broyles North Dakota: Vacant Ohio: Samantha Collmar Oklahoma: Jane McClain (outgoing) Stormy Phillips (incoming) Oregon: Steve Wright Pennsylvania: Jeff Hills Rhode Island: Vacant South Carolina: Tracy Gariepy (incoming) South Dakota: Tom Whitaker Tennessee: Sherilyn Johnson* Texas - North: Marcus Grunewald Texas - South: Lee Greb Utah: Dave Moore Vermont: Dara Zink Virginia: Goody Tyler Washington: Paul Gill (outgoing) Carrie Horton (incoming) West Virginia: Tom Kramer Wisconsin: Barbara Jewell Wyoming: Marlene Short

RRCA Annual Report โ ข 33

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS TO THE RRCA

ANNUAL PROGRAM FUND Thank you to the following individuals, events, and organizations that have contributed over $11,000 to the Annual Program Fund in 2016. 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

Mike and Ginny Hoffman Charitable Fund

Annapolis Half Marathon Anne-Marie Baker Arkansas Traveller 100 Atomic City Roadrunners Athletic Equation, Inc. Ben Holmes Birmingham Marathon Boston Police Runners Club Brainshark (in-kind) Constant Contact*** Crow Athletics Dallas Running Club Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon Dwight Mikulis** Eric William Johnson Extra Mile Fitness Co Running Groups Front Runners Tampa Bay Goody Tyler*** Illinois Valley Striders Indiana Track Club Jean Arthur Jersey Shore Running Club Jon P Anderson JS Endurance Julie Mchugh Kansas City Track Club Koret Foundation Lake Tahoe Marathon Events Manfred Galatwitsch

Murfreesboro Half Marathon Nashville Striders Pfizer Foundation PepsiCo Prairie State Road Runners Regal Foundation Ribbit Running LLC River City Run Inc Rocky Mountain Endurance Club Run to Remember 1st Responders Runner's High Timing and Race Management Runner's High Club Running Away Enterprises Running Club of Granville Seashore Striders The Extra Mile Fitness Co. The Sheehan Classic, Inc Tina Omahoney Velo Amis Virgin Island Pace Runners Warrior's Run Webroot Xcel Energy Wendy Cicek Google, Inc (In-kind)*** Runner's World (In-kind) Crowell & Moring (In-kind)

***$5,000 and above **$1,000 and above *500 and above

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THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS TO THE RRCA

KIDS RUN THE NATION FUND Thank you to the following clubs, events, individuals, and corporate supporters that given have over $40,000 for the Kids Run the Nation Grant Fund in 2016 making our ability to grow youth running a huge success for the year.

15th Street Flyers Adam Krett* AK 5K Alaska Salmon Runs Albert C. Becken, III** Alta Vista Sports Altis Endurance Sports LLC Anchorage Running Club* Atomic City Road Runners Athletic Equation, Inc. Ben Holmes Big Sky Wind Drinkers** Boston Police Runners Club Bullseye Running Calumet Region Striders Camp Bennett Cardinal Track Club Crow Athletics Dallas Running Club* Deborah Cole FEETURES, Inc.*** Friends of the Spring Lake 5 Gallagher Goldman Fund George Rehmet Get In Gear, Inc. Gina Davie* Glass City Marathon* Heather Johnson Indiana Track Club James & Jean Knaack* Jersey Shore Running Club** JS Endurance

Kalamazoo Area Runners Kansas City Track Club Katrina Hamilton* Kelly Richards Knoxville Track & Field* Lake Auburn Half Marathon* Lake Grapevine Runners and Walkers** Lake Tahoe Marathon Events Lena Hollmann Linda Ferraro Lindsay Choppy Lori Dobrik Maine Marathon** Maine Track Club*** Marathon Charity Corporation Margaret McNulty Marie Brooks Mark Grandonico Mile Square Consulting Mitchell Garner Murfreesboro Half Marathon Nadine Carroll Nashville Striders New Orleans Running Systems, Inc. Nicolas Panebianco North Carolina Road Runners* Omaha Running Club Outdoor Arts & Recreation OZ Endurance LLC Patrice Car Rainshadow Running Club Red Runner Coaching, LLC

Ribbit Running LLC River City Run Inc Rockford Road Runners* Rocky Mountain Endurance Club Run Lawrence Kansas Run to Remember 1st Responders Run Tucson Runner's High Club Runner's High Timing and Race Management Running Away Enterprises Running Club of Granville Ryan Lamppa Seashore Striders South Florida Racewalkers Stephen Viegas Suzanne Montgomery Surfing Madonna Oceans Project Team Footworks*** Terri Richards Terry Diller** The Boilermaker Road Race The Sheehan Classic, Inc Tidewater Striders* Tina Omahoney Travis Eliot Landreth Memorial Scholarship Fund** Velo Amis Virgin Island Pace Runners Warrior's Run Wendy Cicek

***$5,000 and above **$1,000 and above *500 and above

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THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS TO THE RRCA

ROADS SCHOLAR FUND Thank you to the following clubs, events, and individuals that helped us raise $29,295 in support of the Roads Scholar Fund.

Alaska Salmon Runs Athletic Equation, Inc.

Lical Bloomsday Run* Lincoln Track Club

Atomic City Runners Barbara Jewell Bee McLeod* Bill Orr on behalf of Steve Mather Brenton E. Ayer Bullseye Running Chris Tatreau Cherry Blossom Inc.*** Crow Athletics Cumberland Valley Athletic Club * Daniel D. Edwards East Bay Community Foundation Extra Mile Fitness Co Running Groups Friends of the Spring Lake 5 George Rehmet Get In Gear, Inc. Goody Tyler*** Jim Stasaitis Jean Arthur Jersey Shore Running Club JS Endurance Kansas City Track Club Kelly Richards* Lake Tahoe Marathon Events

Lucy Hurlbut Mitchell E. Garner Murfreesboro Half Marathon Napa Valley Marathon* Ribbit Running LLC River City Run Inc River City Runners and Walkers Club Rocky Mountain Endurance Club Runner's High Club Runner's High Timing and Race Management Running Club of Granville Seashore Striders Six Rivers Running Club Stuart Brahs Sue Brown-Nickerson Syracuse Chargers Track Club* The Sheehan Classic, Inc Tidewater Striders Trail Nerds Velo Amis Virgin Island Pace Runners Warrior 5K Wendy Cicek

***$10,000 and above **$5,000 and above *$1,000 and above

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THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS TO THE RRCA

OFFICIAL SPONSORS Gatorade RunSignUp.com Fortius Media Group, LLC Ashworth Awards FEETURES

CORPORATE SUPPORTERS Active Network, Inc Brainshark.com Champion Systems Constant Contact Emedia Group K&K Insurance Leslie Jordan

Marathonfoto.com Marathon Printing My Laps Sports Timing National Rentals. Star Insurance Agency Inc. The Driven Race & Club Solutions

THANK YOU TO ALEX LARSEN FOR DESIGN AND LAYOUT AND KATHRYN GLEGHORN FOR EDITORIAL REVIEW. RRCA Annual Report â&#x20AC;¢ 37

INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF RUNNERS AT AN RRCA CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT, A YOUNG RUNNER GETS AN AUTOGRAPH FROM THE WINNER OF THE RRCA SOUTHERN REGION 1 MILE CHAMPION, FREZER LEGESSE, AT THE POWER MILE ROAD RACE IN NEW ORLEANS, LA.

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We Run the Nation! RRCA.ORG