Road Runners Club of America: News

Does your school have an innovative program that gets students active?

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:06:25 GMT

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 Recommended Slate of Officers and Directors

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:38:07 GMT

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.

Record-breaking Red Nose Run

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:03:02 GMT

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.

Register for Human Kinetics webinar, “XI Commandments of Marathoning”

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:45:36 GMT

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.

Enjoy Video Segments from the Outstanding Runner Friendly Community Press Conference

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:02:32 GMT

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

RRCA Announces 2011 Outstanding Runner Friendly Community

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:23:24 GMT

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 .

RRCA National Race Shirt Contest - Prove You Had the Best Shirt in 2011

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:00:41 GMT

The RRCA is pleased to announce the 4th Annual RRCA National Race Shirt Contest. This is an opportunity to showcase your event from a little different angle. The RRCA is seeking shirts (long or short sleeve, cotton or performance) from 2011 events hosted by RRCA members. Only one shirt per event is needed, size does not matter. A club hosting multiple events can submit entries for multiple races.

**The race shirt must have the RRCA logo on it to be considered for judging**

All entries should be mailed to the RRCA National Office at 1501 Lee Hwy, Ste 140, Arlington, VA, 22209 by February 15, 2012. Please include the name of the event, event date, location, host club, contact name, contact email, and contact phone number with the shirt. The 2012 RRCA Convention attendees will vote on the finalists to select the 2011 RRCA National Race Shirt Winner, and the winning shirt will be announced at the 2012 RRCA National Running Awards Banquet. The contest is sponsored by Sport Science, and the winning event will receive a prize pack from our sponsor.

Keflezighi and Flanagan Win at Olympic Trials Marathon

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 09:57:40 GMT

From USA Track & Field

HOUSTON - Two of the fastest races in Olympic Marathon Trials history took place on the same day Saturday in Houston as the six men and women who will represent Team USA in London earned their way on the squad. Shalane Flanagan set an Olympic Trials record of 2:25:38 in only her second marathon, while Meb Keflezighi earned his third Olympic berth by winning the Trials in a personal best time of 2:09:08. Flanagan led a Trials record five women under 2:30 while Meb led four men under 2:10 for the first time in Trials history.

Keflezighi’s performance (Mammoth Lakes, Calif) came only 69 days after his last marathon, where he also ran a then personal best time of 2:09:13 to place sixth at the 2011 ING New York City Marathon. The 2009 ING New York City Marathon winner and 2004 Olympic silver medalist became the first man to win both the U.S. Olympic Trials and the New York City Marathon in his career. At nearly 37 years old, he is the oldest man to win the Olympic Marathon Trials.

Defending Olympic Trials champion Ryan Hall (Flagstaff, Ariz) led much of the race en route to securing his second Olympic berth. Hall set a torrid pace early, with a projected finish of 2:06 that held up through the half-marathon mark. Wind and leg fatigue slowed Hall’s pace, as he shook his arms out regularly, but it wasn’t enough to keep him from again making the Olympic marathon team as finished second in 2:09:30.

Abdi Abdirahman (Tucson, Ariz.) turned heads in the lead pack. Entering the Trials with the 14th-fastest qualifying time, Abdi hadn’t run under 2:14 since setting his personal best of 2:08:56 in 2006. Soldiering through a year and a half of injury, Abdirahman finished third in 2:09:42 to clock his fastest marathon since 2006 and make his fourth Olympic Team at age 34.

Dathan Ritzenhein (Portland, Ore.), the top American marathoner at the 2008 Olympics, knelt at the finish with his head in his hands as he was 4th in 2:09:55. Ritzenhein had fallen off from Keflezighi, Hall and Abdirahman at approximately the 18-mile mark, and at one point lost sight of the leaders, but he rallied to finish only eight seconds behind Abdirahman.

Brett Gotcher (Flagstaff, Ariz.) led the chase pack through much of the race and held his position as other men fell off the back of the pack to place fifth in 2:11:06.

Flanagan (Portland, Ore.) bettered the women’s Olympic Trials Marathon record by two minutes and forty-seven seconds in her Olympic Trials marathon debut - just the second marathon of her career. Flanagan was in the lead pack throughout the race, but did not step forward as the clear leader until the 21st mile once the lead group of three was clearly set. Flanagan exchanged the lead with Desiree Davila (Rochester Hills, Mich.) several times before surging ahead at mile 24 to run away with the lead. Her winning time was a personal best by nearly 3 minutes.

Davila on Saturday added the word Olympian to her growing resume. Davila led portions of the race from five miles on before dueling with Flanagan in miles 22 through 24. Once Flanagan took the lead for good, Davila held on to finish in 2:25:55, only 18 seconds back.

The 2007 World Championships bronze medalist at 10,000 meters, Kara Goucher (Portland, Ore.) claimed her first spot on the Olympic Marathon squad by finishing third in 2:26:06 After not competing in 2010 due to maternity, this is Goucher’s second marathon in nine months after her 2:24:26 showing at the 2011 Boston Marathon.

Amy Hastings (Mammoth Lakes, Calif.) appeared to be the last runner dropped by the top three as she fell back around 16 miles, but moments later she charged ahead to take the lead. However, by mile 20 she could no longer hold her position and fell back for good to finish in fourth in 2:27:17. Janet Cherobon-Bawcom finished fifth in 2:29:45, a nearly eight minute PR.

RRCA Road Scholar Spotlight

Congratulations to the following RRCA Road Scholar grant recipients that finished the Olympic Trials - Marathon.

In the men’s race, Brett Gotcher (2008 Scholar) finished 5th followed by James Carney (2005 Scholar) in 9th place. Mike Morgan (2005 Scholar) finished 17th followed by Patrick Smyth (2010 Scholar) in 22nd place, Stephan Shay (2010 Scholar) in 34th place, Tyler McCandless (2011 Scholar) in 50th place, Clint Verron (2001 Scholar) in 67th place, and Trent Briney (2005 Scholar).

In the women’s race, Deena Kastor (1997 Scholar) finished in 6th place followed by Michelle Frey (2007 Scholar) in 22nd place.

RRCA Roads Scholars Entered in the Olympic Trials Marathon on Saturday

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 07:08:41 GMT

Arlington, VA - The RRCA would like to wish the following RRCA Roads Scholars the best of luck at the Olympic Trials - Marathon on Saturday: Stephan Shay, Patrick Smyth, Josh Moen, James Carney, Brett Gotcher, Jeffrey Eggleston, Matthew Gabrielson, Tyler McCandless, Clint Verron, Mike Morgan, Trent Briney, Meghan Peyton, Stephanie Rothstein, Deena Kastor, Michelle Frey, Devon Crosby-Helms, and Lucinda Smith.

WATCH: Saturday, January 14, 3:00-5:00 p.m. EST on NBC

Visit the Olympic Trials Marathon website for all details and follow the weekend events on the RRCA’s Facebook page.

“The Balancing Act” on Lifetime TV Welcomes RRCA and the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:16:17 GMT

Make sure to tune in to BrandStar Entertainment’s special ‘My Health’ edition of The Balancing Act on January, 16th at 7:00am (ET/PT) as they air on Lifetime Television.

Eat right, stay active and maintain a healthy weight, it sounds like a simple concept, but maybe we need a little help taking it from idea to reality. Joining BrandStar Entertainment’s popular morning show, The Balancing Act on Lifetime, is Lisa Gable from the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation and Jean Knaack from the Road Runners Club of America. Make sure to tune in to BrandStar Entertainment’s special ‘My Health’ edition of The Balancing Act on January, 16th at 7:00am (ET/PT) as they air on Lifetime Television.

In the ‘My Health’ series on The Balancing Act on Lifetime TV, Lisa and Jean will talk about some programs and concepts that work towards getting and staying—healthy. They’ll also educate The Balancing Act Lifetime viewers about physical activity for the whole family and the importance of staying fit to keep the weight off. “We’re excited to join up with The Road Runners Club of America. They have a couple of initiatives that we like partnering on, like Energy Balance 101 and Together Counts™,” Lisa says.

“We welcome this opportunity to appear on The Balancing Act on Lifetime TV to help educate viewers on our joint efforts, and common goals,” Lisa adds. “The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation is working hard to teach kids how to maintain a healthy weight. We believe that fit kids grow up to become fit young adults.”

Make sure to join BrandStar Entertainment’s The Balancing Act on Lifetime TV to see how much fun running and living an active lifestyle really can be. Tune in January, 16th at 7:00am (ET/PT) to learn more.

About “The Balancing Act” on Lifetime Television
The Balancing Act TV show airs daily on Lifetime Television at 7:00am (ET/PT). The Balancing Act on Lifetime Television is America’s premier morning show that’s about women, for women and trusted by women. For information or to view a show, visit http://www.TheBalancingAct.com.

About BrandStar Entertainment
BrandStar Entertainment is well known for their cutting edge content driven women’s programming, including “The Balancing Act” on Lifetime Television. The Balancing Act TV show inspires and empowers women with entertaining and educational segments, placing them in the best position to achieve success in every aspect of their lives. For more details about BrandStar Entertainment please visit www.brandstartv.com.