Olympic film historian & track enthusiast Bud Greenspan dies

Lagat takes on world champ; Campbell-Brown leads USA vs. Jamaica

USATF Foundation Announces launch of "Director's Cut," a blog by Board member Ashley Wright

Lananna, Price-Smith to head 2011 Team USA World Championships Staff

USATF Foundation announces 23 Youth Grant recipients

Moussa named Athlete of the Week

USATF CEO search update, job description

ARLINGTON, Virginia – February 15, 2012 – The Road Runners Club of America, the oldest and largest distance running organization in the United States, is pleased to announce the 2012 RRCA Distance Running Hall of Fame Inductees and the 2011 National Running Award recipients. Since 1971, the RRCA has honored dedicated individuals for their outstanding service to the RRCA and the sport of distance running.  The outstanding contributors to our sport will be honored at the upcoming RRCA National Running Awards Banquet and Ceremony on March 17, 2012, in Memphis, Tennessee.  We encourage all RRCA members to join us for this event to celebrate these contributors to the running community.  For more information on the awards and past recipients, please visit our National Running Awards page.

RRCA Distance Running Hall of Fame Inductees:
• Abdi Abdirahman
• Linda Somers-Smith
• Joe Vigil

Outstanding Club President of the Year
• Beth Onines – Alpine Runners of Lake Zurich – Lake Zurich, IL

Browning Ross Spirit of the RRCA
• Al Becken – RRCA Board Member (1986-89), State Rep of the Year (1984)

Outstanding State Representative
• Betsy Boudreaux – Louisiana

Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
• Mary Zemanski – Calumet Region Striders of Northwest Indiana – Calumet, IN

Outstanding Youth Program Director
• Marc Glotzbecker – Fremont Flash Youth Running Program – Freemont Elite Runner’s Club – Fremont, OH

Road Runners of the Year
• Ryan Hall – Open Male
• Janet Cherobon-Bawcom – Open Female
• Terry McCluskey – Male Master
• Linda Somers-Smith – Female Master

Outstanding Club Newsletter – Small Club
• The River to River Running Reporter – Editor David Bond – River to River Runners – Carbondale, IL

Outstanding Club Newsletter – Large Club
• River City Runners and Walkers Newsletter – Editor Donna Graham – River City Runners and Walkers – Parkersburg, WV

Outstanding E-Newsletter
• Wicked Running Register – Editor Michele Campbell – Wicked Running Club – Salem, MA

Club Writer of the Year
• Ed Hardee – Amelia Island Runners – Fernandina Beach, FL

Journalism Excellence
• Rachel Toor – Senior Writer, Running Times Magazine

Outstanding Website
• Garden State Track Club – www.gardenstatetc.org

Outstanding Beginning Running Program
• Evan Thomas – Annapolis Striders Beginning Running Program – Annapolis, MD

RRCA Road Race of the Year
• Presidio 10 – Race Director, Jeff Landry – The Guardsmen – San Francisco, CA

The RRCA thanks the following individuals for serving on the various award selection panels.  Each selection panel includes RRCA members from around the country.  Thank you to:  Mitch Garner, Amby Burfoot, Bill Rodgers, Don Cardong, Doug Kurtis, Frank Shorter, Jacqueline Hansen, Jim Oaks, Joan Samuelson, Joe Henderson, Ken Young, Kim Jones, Lisa Rainsberger, Steve Spence, Bee McLeod, Gary Corbitt, Brent Ayer, Lisa Paige, Kelly Richards, Mark Grandonico, David Purinton, Chip Allman, David Epstein, Larry Eder, Brenda Barrera, Dan Edwards, John Farrow, Mark Miller, Nancy Hobbs, George Rehment, Tom Downing, Lena Hollmann, Blaine Moore, Simon Adair, Lisa Dahl, Tony Flesch, Beth Onines, Tom Kramer, Dan Kesterson, Mike Dove, Sue Brown-Nickerson, Jessica Sleight, Mark Ward, Kathryn Gleghorn, Bailey Penzotti, Chris Burch, Chuck Bartlett, and Tim Short.  Thank you to RRCA Program Coordinator William Dyson for coordinating the selection process.

About RRCA: The mission of the RRCA is to promote the development and growth of running clubs and running events throughout the country and to support the common interests of runners of all abilities during all stages in life.  Through the RRCA, we provide a national infrastructure for the development of adult and youth running clubs and events that have boomed into a robust sporting activity.

ARLINGTON, Virginia – February 15, 2012 – The Road Runners Club of America, the oldest and largest distance running organization in the United States, is pleased to announce the 2012 RRCA Distance Running Hall of Fame Inductees and the 2011 National Running Award recipients. Since 1971, the RRCA has honored dedicated individuals for their outstanding service to the RRCA and the sport of distance running.  The outstanding contributors to our sport will be honored at the upcoming RRCA National Running Awards Banquet and Ceremony on March 17, 2012, in Memphis, Tennessee.  We encourage all RRCA members to join us for this event to celebrate these contributors to the running community.  For more information on the awards and past recipients, please visit our National Running Awards page.

RRCA Distance Running Hall of Fame Inductees:
• Abdi Abdirahman
• Linda Somers-Smith
• Joe Vigil

Outstanding Club President of the Year
• Beth Onines – Alpine Runners of Lake Zurich – Lake Zurich, IL

Browning Ross Spirit of the RRCA
• Al Becken – RRCA Board Member (1986-89), State Rep of the Year (1984)

Outstanding State Representative
• Betsy Boudreaux – Louisiana

Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
• Mary Zemanski – Calumet Region Striders of Northwest Indiana – Calumet, IN

Outstanding Youth Program Director
• Marc Glotzbecker – Fremont Flash Youth Running Program – Freemont Elite Runner’s Club – Fremont, OH

Road Runners of the Year
• Ryan Hall – Open Male
• Janet Cherobon-Bawcom – Open Female
• Terry McCluskey – Male Master
• Linda Somers-Smith – Female Master

Outstanding Club Newsletter – Small Club
• The River to River Running Reporter – Editor David Bond – River to River Runners – Carbondale, IL

Outstanding Club Newsletter – Large Club
• River City Runners and Walkers Newsletter – Editor Donna Graham – River City Runners and Walkers – Parkersburg, WV

Outstanding E-Newsletter
• Wicked Running Register – Editor Michele Campbell – Wicked Running Club – Salem, MA

Club Writer of the Year
• Ed Hardee – Amelia Island Runners – Fernandina Beach, FL

Journalism Excellence
• Rachel Toor – Senior Writer, Running Times Magazine

Outstanding Website
• Garden State Track Club – www.gardenstatetc.org

Outstanding Beginning Running Program
• Evan Thomas – Annapolis Striders Beginning Running Program – Annapolis, MD

RRCA Road Race of the Year
• Presidio 10 – Race Director, Jeff Landry – The Guardsmen – San Francisco, CA

The RRCA thanks the following individuals for serving on the various award selection panels.  Each selection panel includes RRCA members from around the country.  Thank you to:  Mitch Garner, Amby Burfoot, Bill Rodgers, Don Kardong, Doug Kurtis, Frank Shorter, Jacqueline Hansen, Jim Oaks, Joan Samuelson, Joe Henderson, Ken Young, Kim Jones, Lisa Rainsberger, Steve Spence, Bee McLeod, Gary Corbitt, Brent Ayer, Lisa Paige, Kelly Richards, Mark Grandonico, David Purinton, Chip Allman, David Epstein, Larry Eder, Brenda Barrera, Dan Edwards, John Farrow, Mark Miller, Nancy Hobbs, George Rehment, Tom Downing, Lena Hollmann, Blaine Moore, Simon Adair, Lisa Dahl, Tony Flesch, Beth Onines, Tom Kramer, Dan Kesterson, Mike Dove, Sue Brown-Nickerson, Jessica Sleight, Mark Ward, Kathryn Gleghorn, Bailey Penzotti, Chris Burch, Chuck Bartlett, and Tim Short.  Thank you to RRCA Program Coordinator William Dyson for coordinating the selection process.

About RRCA: The mission of the RRCA is to promote the development and growth of running clubs and running events throughout the country and to support the common interests of runners of all abilities during all stages in life.  Through the RRCA, we provide a national infrastructure for the development of adult and youth running clubs and events that have boomed into a robust sporting activity.

ARLINGTON, Virginia – February 15, 2012 – The Road Runners Club of America, the oldest and largest distance running organization in the United States, is pleased to announce the 2012 RRCA Distance Running Hall of Fame Inductees and the 2011 National Running Award recipients. Since 1971, the RRCA has honored dedicated individuals for their outstanding service to the RRCA and the sport of distance running.  The outstanding contributors to our sport will be honored at the upcoming RRCA National Running Awards Banquet and Ceremony on March 17, 2012, in Memphis, Tennessee.  We encourage all RRCA members to join us for this event to celebrate these contributors to the running community.  For more information on the awards and past recipients, please visit our National Running Awards page.

RRCA Distance Running Hall of Fame Inductees:
• Abdi Abdirahman
• Linda Somers-Smith
• Joe Vigil

Outstanding Club President of the Year
• Beth Onines – Alpine Runners of Lake Zurich – Lake Zurich, IL

Browning Ross Spirit of the RRCA
• Al Becken – RRCA Board Member (1986-89), State Rep of the Year (1984)

Outstanding State Representative
• Betsy Boudreaux – Louisiana

Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
• Mary Zemanski – Calumet Region Striders of Northwest Indiana – Calumet, IN

Outstanding Youth Program Director
• Marc Glotzbecker – Fremont Flash Youth Running Program – Freemont Elite Runner’s Club – Fremont, OH

Road Runners of the Year
• Ryan Hall – Open Male
• Janet Cherobon-Bawcom – Open Female
• Terry McCluskey – Male Master
• Linda Somers-Smith – Female Master

Outstanding Club Newsletter – Small Club
• The River to River Running Reporter – Editor David Bond – River to River Runners – Carbondale, IL

Outstanding Club Newsletter – Large Club
• River City Runners and Walkers Newsletter – Editor Donna Graham – River City Runners and Walkers – Parkersburg, WV

Outstanding E-Newsletter
• Wicked Running Register – Editor Michele Campbell – Wicked Running Club – Salem, MA

Club Writer of the Year
• Ed Hardee – Amelia Island Runners – Fernandina Beach, FL

Journalism Excellence
• Rachel Toor – Senior Writer, Running Times Magazine

Outstanding Website
• Garden State Track Club – www.gardenstatetc.org

Outstanding Beginning Running Program
• Evan Thomas – Annapolis Striders Beginning Running Program – Annapolis, MD

RRCA Road Race of the Year
• Presidio 10 – Race Director, Jeff Landry – The Guardsmen – San Francisco, CA

The RRCA thanks the following individuals for serving on the various award selection panels.  Each selection panel includes RRCA members from around the country.  Thank you to:  Mitch Garner, Amby Burfoot, Bill Rodgers, Don Carding, Doug Kurtis, Frank Shorter, Jacqueline Hansen, Jim Oaks, Joan Samuelson, Joe Henderson, Ken Young, Kim Jones, Lisa Rainsberger, Steve Spence, Bee McLeod, Gary Corbitt, Brent Ayer, Lisa Paige, Kelly Richards, Mark Grandonico, David Purinton, Chip Allman, David Epstein, Larry Eder, Brenda Barrera, Dan Edwards, John Farrow, Mark Miller, Nancy Hobbs, George Rehment, Tom Downing, Lena Hollmann, Blaine Moore, Simon Adair, Lisa Dahl, Tony Flesch, Beth Onines, Tom Kramer, Dan Kesterson, Mike Dove, Sue Brown-Nickerson, Jessica Sleight, Mark Ward, Kathryn Gleghorn, Bailey Penzotti, Chris Burch, Chuck Bartlett, and Tim Short.  Thank you to RRCA Program Coordinator William Dyson for coordinating the selection process.

About RRCA: The mission of the RRCA is to promote the development and growth of running clubs and running events throughout the country and to support the common interests of runners of all abilities during all stages in life.  Through the RRCA, we provide a national infrastructure for the development of adult and youth running clubs and events that have boomed into a robust sporting activity.

RRCA Certified Coaches are encouraged to attend the 54th Annual RRCA Convention to take advantage of four great hours of continuing education opportunities as part of the overall convention education session offerings.  There is no additional fee to attend these sessions, they are included as part of the convention registration fee.  Learn more about the Convention including the detailed education sessions and keynote speakers.

Rethink Recovery with Lowfat Chocolate Milk: Nature’s Recovery Drink

Presented by Nancy Clark, M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D.  Clark, an internationally known registered dietitian, board certified specialist in sport dietetics, and author of the best-selling, Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook, will lead the “refuel clinic.” Learn about post-exercise recovery, specifically surrounding lowfat chocolate milk and its many benefits including the perfect carb to protein ratio, 9 essential nutrients and electrolytes.  This session will touch on different studies done across the nation on recovery and offer tips on how athletes can rebuild and refuel their muscles.
 

The Adolescent Athlete

Richard P Erali, DPM, will lead the session with a focus on the common injuries of the adolescent runner - their biomechanics and anatomies, diagnoses and treatments.Dr. Erali is a native of New York and is board certified in podiatric surgery. He has practiced podiatry for 32 years. He is a graduate of Cornell University, earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Cortland State Teachers College and received his Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) from New York College of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Erali specializes in corrective foot surgery, pediatric foot evaluations, nail care, diabetic foot care, sports medicine (running clinics) and traumatic injuries. Dr. Erali has a special interest in working with runners.  He is an RRCA Certified Coach and has run in more than 30 marathons.

Preventing and Overcoming Running Injuries

Ellen Walker PT-Senior Physical Therapist at Summa Health System Outpatient Rehabilitation at the Tallmadge Recreation Center will lead this session focused on preventing and recovering from running injuries. Walker assists the Medical Director for the Akron Marathon in coordinating medical services along the race course and at the finish area medical tent. She has spoken to various professional and community groups on the topics of running gait analysis and common running injuries and prevention. She is an avid runner completing 14 marathons and 27 half marathons in her 30+ years on the road, trail and track. She has been a coach for youth cross country and track programs for 7 years.

Nutrition and How it Affects Your Body as You Age

Ashley Hofeditz, a Memphis based registered dietitian certified by the American Dietetic Association in weight management, will lead this session focused on how nutrition affects your running as you age. 

 

 

Runners already know the most effective phsysical activity programs for elementary schools - youth running programs.  Now is your chance to prove it and be entered to win up to $100,000.

ChildObesity180 has launched Active Schools Acceleration Project (ASAP) Innovation Competition. The competition is looking to uncover and highlight the most innovative and effective physical activity programs in elementary schools across the country.  ASAP wants to learn about any approach that motivates quality physical activity at school and beyond. If you have a great physical activity program and want the opportunity to share your program’s success, enter the competition for a chance to win up to $100,000. Top programs also will have an opportunity to develop and expand their initiative to other schools. Deadline for entries: April 2, 2012. Go to www.ActiveSchoolsASAP.org  to learn more and enter.

2012 Notice of the Annual Meeting of the RRCA Membership

All members of the RRCA in good standing as of March 1, 2012 are welcome and encouraged to attend the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Membership. Participation in the 2012 RRCA National Convention is not required in order to attend the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Membership.  The meeting will take place on March 16, 2012 at 3:15 PM (Central) at the Hilton Memphis, 939 Ridge Lake Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee 38120. 

Report of the Nominating Committee

The following individuals represent the recommended slate of Officers and Directors from the nominations submitted for election to the RRCA Board of Directors.  These individuals have been interviewed and recommended by the Nominating Committee of Irv Newman (Chair), Mel Williams (RRCA member), Sue Brown-Nickerson (IN State Rep), Elizabeth Unilawski (RRCA member), and Don Kardong (past president).

President

David Cotter is a California native and is a fifty year resident of South Lake Tahoe, California. He has been running since 1990 and his passion is running the trails of the High Sierra within the Lake Tahoe Basin and the trails of Hawaii. David is the Immediate Past President of both the Tahoe Mountain Milers (Lake Tahoe) and Sagebrush Stompers (Carson City, Nevada) Running Club. David was appointed as the RRCA Nevada State Rep in 1998 and as the RRCA Northern California State Rep in 2002. In 2004 he served as the Convention Director for the RRCA National Convention and was awarded as the 2003 RRCA State Rep of the Year.  He is the race director for a variety of running events at Lake Tahoe including the Tahoe Rim Trail 50K/50M/100M Endurance Runs, which served as the RRCA National Ultra Championship from 2007 - 2011.  David has served two terms as RRCA Vice President beginning in 2008. David has served on numerous RRCA committees including chairing the Strategic Planning Task Force, the Fundraising Task Force, and the Executive Director Performance Review Committee.

Vice President

Mitch is very active with the Ann Arbor Track Club, where he has served as president since 2009 (vice president from 2004 to 2008) and as a board member and executive committee member since 2004. He writes a regular column for his club’s newsletter, The Streak. He is also a committee member of two mid-sized races in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Dexter-Ann Arbor Run and the Burns Park Run. He has also served two terms as the RRCA Central Region Director starting in 2008. In 2010, he was appointed by the Board to chair the RRCA Distance Running Hall of Fame Selection Committee. In 2011, he drafted the RRCA Member Accountability Process to address members that flagrantly disregard RRCA membership policies, which was adopted by the RRCA Board.  Mitch was recently was appointed to serve as the Masters Athlete Information Center Coordinator for USATF’s Masters Long Distance Running Committee. Mitch is a member of the Ann Arbor Track Club’s men’s masters 60+ team, which in 2011 won the USATF men’s masters 60+ grand prix national championship. Mitch is an attorney with the law firm Allotta, Farley & Widman Co. He graduated cum laude from Yale University with a major in economics. He received his Juris Doctor from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law.

Treasurer

Dennis has been a certified public accountant for over thirty-five years and retired from practice in 2004. Dennis was appointed as the RRCA Treasurer in 2005 and was elected in 2006 to his first term as treasurer.  As a member of the Badgerland Striders since 1978, he has served in several leadership roles including the treasurer and president positions. He has chaired their finance committee and now continues to serve as a committee member. He was a race director for eleven years for an 800 participant race in his community. Dennis has completed ten marathons and two ultras in his thirty years of running. Dennis has been a long time supporter of the RRCA National Convention by attending thirteen out of the past fifteen conventions and he was on the organizing committee of the 2007 RRCA Convention hosted by the Alpine Runners of Lake Zurich. In addition, Dennis was the RRCA State Rep for Wisconsin. He has also been a member of the RRCA Audit Committee since 2005. Dennis graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee with a major in accounting. He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Eastern Region Director

Mark was in the Coast Guard for over twenty years and was highly decorated for his accomplishments in the field and behind a desk. He is currently a Compliance Officer and Auditor for the largest hospital system in Maine. Mark holds a bachelors degree from Regents College in New York. Mark is a member of the Maine Track Club where he has served as a board member-at-large, vice president and president. Mark is also the membership director of the MidCoast Triathlon club.  During his tenure as the Maine Track Club president, Mark has been noted for his organizational, communication, fund-raising and recruiting skill. Under his guidance, the Maine Track Club has donated over $500,000 to local charities and schools in Maine. Mark was elected to his first term as Eastern Region Director in 2008. Prior to his Board of Director duties, Mark served as the RRCA Maine State Representative.  He has also been a member of the RRCA Audit Committee and Executive Director Performance Review Committee for two years.  Mark has worked on numerous projects for the RRCA including updating the Guidelines for Safe Events, serving on the Fundraising Task Force, and more. Mark has also been a race director for over ten years and is a member of the Beach to Beacon 10k organizing committee. He has two children, and he has completed hundreds of races of all lengths including 43 marathons in his 50 state quest. He is training for his fifth Ironman Triathlon at Louisville this summer. Mark resides in Topsham Maine.

Central Region Director

Beth Onines is co-founder of the Alpine Runners of Lake Zurich, one the largest clubs in the Chicago area, and she has served as their president since 2001. She has served as the Race Director for the Alpine Races and has consulted many first time race directors over the past twenty years. Beth was the program director for the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) from 2000 to 2005. Beth also served on the CARA Board of Directors for a two-year term and has been a recipient of many CARA awards. An avid ultra-marathoner, Beth has been running for over 25 years and has run over 85 marathons, 11 of them in Chicago, and over 30 ultra-marathons with a personal best marathon of 3:22:12.  She is an active volunteer with the Chicago Marathon. Beth served two terms on the RRCA Board as the Central Region Director from 2004 to 2008.  She was the 2007 RRCA Convention chair for her club the Alpine Runners who organized the event in Chicago, IL.  Following her term on the RRCA Board, Beth was appointed as the State Rep for IL where she has served in that role from 2008 to 2012. Her skills and enthusiasm has helped thousands of novice and experienced runners reach their goals successfully.

Reminder: The RRCA will accept nominations for non-slate candidates that would like to be considered for election. The deadline for submitting non-slate nominations to the National Office is February 17, 2012 at 9:00 AM Eastern.  Email nominations to Jean Knaack at execdir@rrca.org.  An announcement of all nominees, the recommended slate of directors along with any additional non-slate candidates, will be shared with the membership including a 200 word or less biography for each candidate in advance of the Annual Meeting where the official election will take place.

Voting Assignment and Proxy Certification Instructions

The Bylaws of the RRCA allow for the assignment of a proxy vote for member clubs and events. If an RRCA member club or event is not sending their official voting representative (president, director, or owner) to the Annual Meeting of the Membership, then the voting rights of that club or event may be assigned to another authorized representative attending the meeting in person. That person must be qualified by being a member of either the same club or event or from another qualified club or event in good standing in the same state. In accordance with the RRCA bylaws, a proxy cannot be held for clubs or events from different states. To assign voting rights to a qualified proxy on behalf of a club or event member, the authorized representative must complete the Official 2012 Voting Rights Assignment to Recognized Proxy Holder Form. Each Appointed Proxy Holder must complete and submit the Membership and Residence Certification for Proxy Holders Forms in accordance with the instructions on the forms.  Download the Voting Assignment and Proxy Certification forms.

2012 Notice of the Annual Meeting of the RRCA Membership

All members of the RRCA in good standing as of March 1, 2012 are welcome and encouraged to attend the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Membership. Participation in the 2012 RRCA National Convention is not required in order to attend the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Membership.  The meeting will take place on March 16, 2012 at 3:15 PM (Central) at the Hilton Memphis, 939 Ridge Lake Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee 38120. 

Report of the Nominating Committee

The following individuals represent the recommended slate of Officers and Directors from the nominations submitted for election to the RRCA Board of Directors.  These individuals have been interviewed and recommended by the Nominating Committee of Irv Newman (Chair), Mel Williams (RRCA member), Sue Brown-Nickerson (IN State Rep), Elizabeth Unislawski (RRCA member), and Don Kardong (past president).

President

David Cotter is a California native and is a fifty year resident of South Lake Tahoe, California. He has been running since 1990 and his passion is running the trails of the High Sierra within the Lake Tahoe Basin and the trails of Hawaii. David is the Immediate Past President of both the Tahoe Mountain Milers (Lake Tahoe) and Sagebrush Stompers (Carson City, Nevada) Running Club. David was appointed as the RRCA Nevada State Rep in 1998 and as the RRCA Northern California State Rep in 2002. In 2004 he served as the Convention Director for the RRCA National Convention and was awarded as the 2003 RRCA State Rep of the Year.  He is the race director for a variety of running events at Lake Tahoe including the Tahoe Rim Trail 50K/50M/100M Endurance Runs, which served as the RRCA National Ultra Championship from 2007 - 2011.  David has served two terms as RRCA Vice President beginning in 2008. David has served on numerous RRCA committees including chairing the Strategic Planning Task Force, the Fundraising Task Force, and the Executive Director Performance Review Committee.

Vice President

Mitch is very active with the Ann Arbor Track Club, where he has served as president since 2009 (vice president from 2004 to 2008) and as a board member and executive committee member since 2004. He writes a regular column for his club’s newsletter, The Streak. He is also a committee member of two mid-sized races in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Dexter-Ann Arbor Run and the Burns Park Run. He has also served two terms as the RRCA Central Region Director starting in 2008. In 2010, he was appointed by the Board to chair the RRCA Distance Running Hall of Fame Selection Committee. In 2011, he drafted the RRCA Member Accountability Process to address members that flagrantly disregard RRCA membership policies, which was adopted by the RRCA Board.  Mitch was recently was appointed to serve as the Masters Athlete Information Center Coordinator for USATF’s Masters Long Distance Running Committee. Mitch is a member of the Ann Arbor Track Club’s men’s masters 60+ team, which in 2011 won the USATF men’s masters 60+ grand prix national championship. Mitch is an attorney with the law firm Allotta, Farley & Widman Co. He graduated cum laude from Yale University with a major in economics. He received his Juris Doctor from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law.

Treasurer

Dennis has been a certified public accountant for over thirty-five years and retired from practice in 2004. Dennis was appointed as the RRCA Treasurer in 2005 and was elected in 2006 to his first term as treasurer.  As a member of the Badgerland Striders since 1978, he has served in several leadership roles including the treasurer and president positions. He has chaired their finance committee and now continues to serve as a committee member. He was a race director for eleven years for an 800 participant race in his community. Dennis has completed ten marathons and two ultras in his thirty years of running. Dennis has been a long time supporter of the RRCA National Convention by attending thirteen out of the past fifteen conventions and he was on the organizing committee of the 2007 RRCA Convention hosted by the Alpine Runners of Lake Zurich. In addition, Dennis was the RRCA State Rep for Wisconsin. He has also been a member of the RRCA Audit Committee since 2005. Dennis graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee with a major in accounting. He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Eastern Region Director

Mark was in the Coast Guard for over twenty years and was highly decorated for his accomplishments in the field and behind a desk. He is currently a Compliance Officer and Auditor for the largest hospital system in Maine. Mark holds a bachelors degree from Regents College in New York. Mark is a member of the Maine Track Club where he has served as a board member-at-large, vice president and president. Mark is also the membership director of the MidCoast Triathlon club.  During his tenure as the Maine Track Club president, Mark has been noted for his organizational, communication, fund-raising and recruiting skill. Under his guidance, the Maine Track Club has donated over $500,000 to local charities and schools in Maine. Mark was elected to his first term as Eastern Region Director in 2008. Prior to his Board of Director duties, Mark served as the RRCA Maine State Representative.  He has also been a member of the RRCA Audit Committee and Executive Director Performance Review Committee for two years.  Mark has worked on numerous projects for the RRCA including updating the Guidelines for Safe Events, serving on the Fundraising Task Force, and more. Mark has also been a race director for over ten years and is a member of the Beach to Beacon 10k organizing committee. He has two children, and he has completed hundreds of races of all lengths including 43 marathons in his 50 state quest. He is training for his fifth Ironman Triathlon at Louisville this summer. Mark resides in Topsham Maine.

Central Region Director

Beth Onines is co-founder of the Alpine Runners of Lake Zurich, one the largest clubs in the Chicago area, and she has served as their president since 2001. She has served as the Race Director for the Alpine Races and has consulted many first time race directors over the past twenty years. Beth was the program director for the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) from 2000 to 2005. Beth also served on the CARA Board of Directors for a two-year term and has been a recipient of many CARA awards. An avid ultra-marathoner, Beth has been running for over 25 years and has run over 85 marathons, 11 of them in Chicago, and over 30 ultra-marathons with a personal best marathon of 3:22:12.  She is an active volunteer with the Chicago Marathon. Beth served two terms on the RRCA Board as the Central Region Director from 2004 to 2008.  She was the 2007 RRCA Convention chair for her club the Alpine Runners who organized the event in Chicago, IL.  Following her term on the RRCA Board, Beth was appointed as the State Rep for IL where she has served in that role from 2008 to 2012. Her skills and enthusiasm has helped thousands of novice and experienced runners reach their goals successfully.

Reminder: The RRCA will accept nominations for non-slate candidates that would like to be considered for election. The deadline for submitting non-slate nominations to the National Office is February 17, 2012 at 9:00 AM Eastern.  Email nominations to Jean Knaack at execdir@rrca.org.  An announcement of all nominees, the recommended slate of directors along with any additional non-slate candidates, will be shared with the membership including a 200 word or less biography for each candidate in advance of the Annual Meeting where the official election will take place.

Voting Assignment and Proxy Certification Instructions

The Bylaws of the RRCA allow for the assignment of a proxy vote for member clubs and events. If an RRCA member club or event is not sending their official voting representative (president, director, or owner) to the Annual Meeting of the Membership, then the voting rights of that club or event may be assigned to another authorized representative attending the meeting in person. That person must be qualified by being a member of either the same club or event or from another qualified club or event in good standing in the same state. In accordance with the RRCA bylaws, a proxy cannot be held for clubs or events from different states. To assign voting rights to a qualified proxy on behalf of a club or event member, the authorized representative must complete the Official 2012 Voting Rights Assignment to Recognized Proxy Holder Form. Each Appointed Proxy Holder must complete and submit the Membership and Residence Certification for Proxy Holders Forms in accordance with the instructions on the forms.  Download the Voting Assignment and Proxy Certification forms.

Kicking off Alabama’s RRCA State Championships was the Red Nose Run 10 Mile Championship on January 7, 2012. The event was held in the Birmingham suburb of Homewood, AL.  A record number of participants signed up for the three events; 1,717 in all for the 10 Mile, 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run.  Warm temperatures for January and drizzle rain that subsided about 10 minutes before the start of the 8th Annual Red Nose Run 10 Mile did not dampen the turnout for the Alabama 10 Mile State Championship.  There were 773 registered and 705 finishers in Alabama’s first RRCA Championship of 2012.

There were four new Alabama State 10 Mile Records broken:
Lori Strand - Age 35 Birmingham, AL - Time: 1:02:44 6:17/M Pace from Birmingham, AL;
Theresa Burst - Age 53 - Time: 1:16:12 7:38/M Pace from Birmingham, AL;
DeWayne Morris - Age 80 - Time: 1:36:58 9:42/M Pace from Birmingham, AL; and
Josh Whitehead - Age 33 – Time: 52:03 5:13/M Pace from Madison, AL. Josh also broke the course record by over 3 minutes. Way to go Josh!!

The 10 Mile RRCA State Championship winners are:
Overall Male: Josh Whitehead, Madison, AL Time: 52:03:00.
Masters: Paul Sykes - Birmingham, AL Time: 1:00:24.
Grand Masters: Kirk Mueller, Birmingham, AL Pace: 1:05:39.
Senior Grand Master: Jeff Hawkins , Birmingham, AL, Pace: 1:14:55. 
Overall Female: Lori Strand - Birmingham, AL Time:1:02:44.
Masters: Lori Goldweber Birmingham, AL, Pace: 1:10:58.
Grand Masters: Theresa Burst, Birmingham, AL Pace: 1:16:12.
Senior Grand Master: Linda Allen, Birmingham, AL Pace: 1:38:25.

Thanks, to Championship Racing and Trish Portuese, Race Director, for producing an outstanding and successful event, which, along with Red Nose Run 5K, benefits Ronald McDonald Charities of Alabama.

Richard Benyo, author of Timeless Running Wisdom, and Human Kinetics will present “XI Commandments of Marathoning” on Friday, Feb. 24th at 12:00 PM (Central Standard Time)

In the days of the First Running Boom, newbies were eager to learn the Rules of the Road when it came to running and especially marathoning. There was no Internet in those days, so new runners learned at the smelly feet of veteran runners. Where to line up at the start of a race; how much mileage per week is most effective; what to eat the night before a big race, etc. Today runners are so overloaded with information in all phases of their existence, that it is difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to running and racing. In this presentation we will review 11 blind alleys down which no marathoner should run. Primarily keyed to new marathoners.

Title: XI Commandments of Marathoning
Date: Friday, February 24, 2012
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CST

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now

About the Presenter
Richard Benyo is the editor of Marathon & Beyond magazine and is the author of Timeless Running Wisdom. He was editor of Runner’s World between 1977 and 1984. He has written two dozen books, many of them in the areas of fitness, health, and running. He is chairman of the board of the Napa Valley Marathon and along with his running partner, Tom Crawford, was the first runner to run from Badwater in Death Valley (lowest point in the Western Hemisphere and hottest place on Earth) to the peak of Mt. Whitney (at 14,494’ the highest peak in the Lower 48) and back, in the middle of summer; the course is nearly 300 miles, and both ends of it are located in the same county (Inyo) in California. Benyo has recently had three books published on the topic of growing up in the Coal Region of central-eastern region of Pennsylvania.

Lynchburg Mayor Speaks About Winning the 2011 Outstanding RFC Award Jean Knaack Outlines What Makes a Runner Friendly Community Bill Gray Introduces Ricky Flynn - 2012 Olympic Trials - Marathon Finisher

ARLINGTON, Virginia – January 24, 2012 – The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), the oldest and largest distance running organization in the United States, is pleased to announce that Lynchburg, VA, has been designated the 2011 Outstanding Runner Friendly Community.

Lynchburg has shown that it meets, and exceeds, the program’s criteria, which includes community infrastructure, civic backing, and local business support for the sport of running. Their infrastructure fosters physical activity in a safe environment; a proven track record that organizations and businesses work together to promote running as a healthy exercise and sport; and they create and maintain positive relationships between the running community and local government.

“Lynchburg is a shining example of the positive benefits running can bring to a community when everyone is on the same page,” said RRCA Executive Director Jean Knaack.  “While we are proud of all of
our Runner Friendly Communities, we feel Lynchburg has provided a blueprint for future communities.”

Lynchburg has been home to the Lynchburg Road Runners Club (LRRC) and the “Virginia 10-Miler” since 1974.  “The Festival of Races” offers a youth one mile fun run, a four mile race, and a four mile walk, in addition to the 10-Miler.  The LRRC offers several informational clinics and seminars related to running and wellness.  These clinics and seminars resulted from partnering with YMCA of Central Virginia, Centra Health, The Orthopedic Center of Central Virginia, and Pilates to Breathe.

Lynchburg has two fantastic park systems: Blackwater Creek Natural Area and Peaks View Park.  The city currently supports eight miles of paved trails and 15 miles of natural trails for running, walking, biking, roller blading, etc.  Residents even use these trails to commute from residential areas to the downtown business and government area.

In October 2010, the Mayor’s Youth Council created the first ever “Lighten Up Lynchburg Walk for Childhood Obesity” event.  The youth running initiatives aim to engage the youth of the city and include the Lynchburg Road Runners Summer Track Series, Peaks View Pacers running club, and YMCA Achieve youth running program. 

Community leaders who provided support and letters of recommendation include Joan Foster, Mayor; Jonathan Perrotto, President of Lynchburg Road Runners Club; Elena Edwards, COO of Genworth Financial; Catherine Mosley, External Communications & PR, AREVA; Susan Brandt, Communications/Marketing, Centra Health; and R. Sackett Wood, President & CEO, Moore & Giles.

Learn more about the program, including detailed information about Lynchburg and all of the 2011 Runner Friendly Communities at http://www.rrca.org/programs/runner-friendly-community/official/.

About RRCA: The mission of the RRCA is to promote the development and growth of running clubs and running events throughout the country and to support the common interests of runners of all abilities during all stages in life. Through the RRCA, we provide a national infrastructure for the development of adult and youth running clubs and events that have boomed into a robust sporting activity.

For more information contact William Dyson, program coordinator, at .

ARLINGTON, Virginia – January 24, 2012 – The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), the oldest and largest distance running organization in the United States, is pleased to announce that Lynchburg, VA, has been designated the 2011 Outstanding Runner Friendly Community.

Lynchburg has shown that it meets, and exceeds, the program’s criteria, which includes community infrastructure, civic backing, and local business support for the sport of running. Their infrastructure fosters physical activity in a safe environment; a proven track record that organizations and businesses work together to promote running as a healthy exercise and sport; and they create and maintain positive relationships between the running community and local government.

“Lynchburg is a shining example of the positive benefits running can bring to a community when everyone is on the same page,” said RRCA Executive Director Jean Knaack.  “While we are proud of all of
our Runner Friendly Communities, we feel Lynchburg has provided a blueprint for future communities.”

Lynchburg has been home to the Lynchburg Road Runners Club (LRRC) and the “Virginia 10-Miler” since 1974.  “The Festival of Races” offers a youth one mile fun run, a four mile race, and a four mile walk, in addition to the 10-Miler.  The LRRC offers several informational clinics and seminars related to running and wellness.  These clinics and seminars resulted from partnering with YMCA of Central Virginia, Centra Health, The Orthopedic Center of Central Virginia, and Pilates to Breathe.

Lynchburg has two fantastic park systems: Blackwater Creek Natural Area and Peaks View Park.  The city currently supports eight miles of paved trails and 15 miles of natural trails for running, walking, biking, roller blading, etc.  Residents even use these trails to commute from residential areas to the downtown business and government area.

In October 2010, the Mayor’s Youth Council created the first ever “Lighten Up Lynchburg Walk for Childhood Obesity” event.  The youth running initiatives aim to engage the youth of the city and include the Lynchburg Road Runners Summer Track Series, Peaks View Pacers running club, and YMCA Achieve youth running program. 

Community leaders who provided support and letters of recommendation include Joan Foster, Mayor; Jonathan Perrotto, President of Lynchburg Road Runners Club; Elena Edwards, COO of Genworth Financial; Catherine Mosley, External Communications & PR, AREVA; Susan Brandt, Communications/Marketing, Centra Health; and R. Sackett Wood, President & CEO, Moore & Giles.

Learn more about the program, including detailed information about Lynchburg and all of the 2011 Runner Friendly Communities at http://www.rrca.org/programs/runner-friendly-community/official/.

About RRCA: The mission of the RRCA is to promote the development and growth of running clubs and running events throughout the country and to support the common interests of runners of all abilities during all stages in life. Through the RRCA, we provide a national infrastructure for the development of adult and youth running clubs and events that have boomed into a robust sporting activity.

For more information contact William Dyson, program coordinator, at .

ARLINGTON, Virginia – January 24, 2012 – The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), the oldest and largest distance running organization in the United States, is pleased to announce that Lynchburg, VA, has been designated the 2011 Outstanding Runner Friendly Community.

Lynchburg has shown that it meets, and exceeds, the program’s criteria, which includes community infrastructure, civic backing, and local business support for the sport of running. Their infrastructure fosters physical activity in a safe environment; a proven track record that organizations and businesses work together to promote running as a healthy exercise and sport; and they create and maintain positive relationships between the running community and local government.

View the ABC News coverage
View the WDBJ coverage

“Lynchburg is a shining example of the positive benefits running can bring to a community when everyone is on the same page,” said RRCA Executive Director Jean Knaack.  “While we are proud of all of
our Runner Friendly Communities, we feel Lynchburg has provided a blueprint for future communities.”

Lynchburg has been home to the Lynchburg Road Runners Club (LRRC) and the “Virginia 10-Miler” since 1974.  “The Festival of Races” offers a youth one mile fun run, a four mile race, and a four mile walk, in addition to the 10-Miler.  The LRRC offers several informational clinics and seminars related to running and wellness.  These clinics and seminars resulted from partnering with YMCA of Central Virginia, Centra Health, The Orthopedic Center of Central Virginia, and Pilates to Breathe.

Lynchburg has two fantastic park systems: Blackwater Creek Natural Area and Peaks View Park.  The city currently supports eight miles of paved trails and 15 miles of natural trails for running, walking, biking, roller blading, etc.  Residents even use these trails to commute from residential areas to the downtown business and government area.

In October 2010, the Mayor’s Youth Council created the first ever “Lighten Up Lynchburg Walk for Childhood Obesity” event.  The youth running initiatives aim to engage the youth of the city and include the Lynchburg Road Runners Summer Track Series, Peaks View Pacers running club, and YMCA Achieve youth running program. 

Community leaders who provided support and letters of recommendation include Joan Foster, Mayor; Jonathan Perrotto, President of Lynchburg Road Runners Club; Elena Edwards, COO of Genworth Financial; Catherine Mosley, External Communications & PR, AREVA; Susan Brandt, Communications/Marketing, Centra Health; and R. Sackett Wood, President & CEO, Moore & Giles.

Learn more about the program, including detailed information about Lynchburg and all of the 2011 Runner Friendly Communities at http://www.rrca.org/programs/runner-friendly-community/official/.

About RRCA: The mission of the RRCA is to promote the development and growth of running clubs and running events throughout the country and to support the common interests of runners of all abilities during all stages in life. Through the RRCA, we provide a national infrastructure for the development of adult and youth running clubs and events that have boomed into a robust sporting activity.

For more information contact William Dyson, program coordinator, at .