Road Runners Club of America: News

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Wed, 15 May 2013 02:58:10 GMT

Did you know that melanoma affects people of all ages and ethnicities? Join the Road Runners Club of America in support of sun safety education by participating in the 2013 Outrun the Sun in May, the only month-long, national program supporting skin cancer education and melanoma research! Gather your friends and register a team. Invite friends and family and run or walk any day in any location. It’s that easy! The RRCA is a proud partner with Outrun the Sun, Inc., USA Track & Field, the American College of Mohs Surgery and the Dermatology Nurses’ Association. Learn more at www.outrunthesun.org

RRCA Extends RunPro Camp Application Deadline to May 13

Fri, 10 May 2013 04:15:02 GMT

Arlington, Virginia - The 2013 RunPro Camp will be held on July 19-21, 2013, in Arlington, Virginia, at the national office location of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA). The camp is a companion to www.RunPro.com, which is designed to assist promising distance runners make the transition from collegiate to professional running.

The goal of the RunPro Camp is to encourage, support and provide the tools for more top collegiate distance runners to stay in the sport, pursue a professional running career, and train at a high level so that U.S. performances will continue to improve nationally and internationally. The first RunPro Camp, created and hosted by Team USA Minnesota, was held in July 2011 in Minneapolis.

“The RRCA’s goal with the RunPro Camp is to provide important information and resources that will contribute to the ongoing pipeline of U.S. professional distance runners,” said Jean Knaack, RRCA executive director. “This isn’t a camp to learn how to run or how to run better. It’s a camp to give promising U.S. distance runners the knowledge and guidance they need to pursue a professional running career.”

Applications for the RunPro Camp are due by 5:00 PM EDT May 13, 2013, and may be submitted online at www.RunPro.com or post-marked by that date. Runners who are completing their NCAA eligibility by June 30, 2013, along with runners who have completed eligibility within the last 24 months, are encouraged to apply to attend the RunPro Camp.

The interactive camp will provide opportunities for runners to meet coaches and athletes from professional training centers, learn about shoe company requirements for sponsorship, determine what type of representation (agents) would be best, find out about elite race recruitment, and how to seek both financial and health support, along with various USATF rules governing professional running including anti-doping compliance.

The RunPro Camp will have USATF representatives in attendance, along with training center coaches, shoe company representatives, financial and health experts, agents, and elite race recruiters. There will also be athletes who are already running professionally who will share their experiences on turning pro.

Travel and lodging assistance will be provided by the RRCA to qualified runners. The RRCA anticipates supporting up to 20 athletes for the three-day 2013 RunPro Camp.

For more information, visit www.RunPro.com.

DC Road Runners Club to Host the 2013 RRCA National 1-Mile Championship

Fri, 10 May 2013 03:08:07 GMT

Arlington, VA – The DC Road Runners 1 Mile Track Championships will be the host for the 2013 RRCA National 1 Mile Championship. The event is part of the Bring Back the Mile Tour, and the RRCA is a supporter of the Bring Back the Mile, America’s Distance, campaign.

The race will take place on Wednesday July 24, 2013 in Arlington, VA at the Washington-Lee High School track. The Track Championships are FREE to all runners, member and non-member alike, but race organizers request that runners pre-register to help with planning.

“The race follows shortly after the 2013 RunPro Camp which will be held in Arlington, VA from July 19-21,” explained Jean Knaack, RRCA executive director. “We are working with race officials to keep some of the RunPro athletes in Arlington so they can compete in the 1 Mile National Championship.”

Prize money will be provided by both the DC Road Runners and the Road Runners Club of America to the top male and female 1 Mile champions.

Details about the event can be found on the DC Road Runners Club website.

About DC Road Runners: Runners of all ages and speeds are invited to join the Washington, DC area’s premier running organization, the DC Road Runners. For the past 50 years, the DC Road Runners Club has offered outstanding services to its members. The DC Road Runners is an affiliate of the Road Runners Club of America and they provide a year-round schedule of running events that offers everyone a chance to participate regardless of age, gender, or athletic ability.

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Wed, 01 May 2013 12:15:52 GMT

Runners and walkers spend countless hours in the sun and are susceptible to sun damage. The Road Runners Club of America is teaming up with Outrun the Sun, USA Track & Field, the American College of Mohs Surgery and the Dermatology Nurses’ Association to bring you Outrun the Sun in May, a month-long, national initiative to support skin cancer education and melanoma research. Encourage your colleagues, friends, family, and others to participate any day during the month of May, “National Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness Month.” Let’s show RRCA’s support! Learn more and register at www.outrunthesun.org.

Des Moines to Receive Outstanding Runner Friendly Community Award

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:25:45 GMT

ARLINGTON, Virginia –The Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), the oldest and largest distance running organization in the United States, is pleased to announce that Des Moines, IA has been designated the 2012 Outstanding Runner Friendly Community®. The RRCA will honor Des Moines, IA with a commemorative award at the upcoming 55th Annual RRCA National Convention, which will be held May 2-5, 2013 in Albuquerque, NM.

Des Moines 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.

“The City of Des Moines is honored to be recognized as a 2012 Runner Friendly Community,” said Frank Cownie, Mayor of Des Moines. “In recent years, the City has gone to great lengths to improve the connectivity of the over 40 miles of city maintained trails, in order to provide our citizens the opportunity to lead and maintain healthy lifestyles.”

Des Moines is home to the Capital Striders, and The Drake Relays, Dam to Dam, IMT Des Moines Marathon, and Living History Farm Cross Country Race are the cornerstones of a busy racing calendar. Gray’s Lake, located in downtown Des Moines, has a 1.9 mile loop trial that connects at four different locations to the Meredith Trail, Water Works Park, and Principal Riverwalk trails. The local government has a clear physical activity plan for residents of Des Moines.

“We are pleased to announce this award for Des Moines, IA during what is a busy running week for their community,” said Jean Knaack, RRCA executive director. “Des Moines started the week of April 22 with the Grand Blue Mile, which is the USA Men’s & Women’s 1 Mile Championships for 2013 and 2014. The 104th Drake Relays kicked off on April 24 and will run through April 28. Des Moines will conclude their running calendar for the week with the Hy Vee Road Races 6k, 10k and Half Marathon.”

“We are honored to hear this news,” said Greg Edwards, President & CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau/Des Moines Area Sports Commission. “Our city leaders and community partners have worked hard to ensure our region provides runners with a pleasant experience. From hosting competitive track and field events and region-wide marathons to the extensive trails systems for the casual runner to explore, there’s no question that Greater Des Moines is a runner-friendly city. This is why we continue to promote our city as Track Central USA.”

The City of Des Moines has gone to great lengths in recent years to connect portions of trails and trail heads with one another that are of benefit to not only the running community but also biking community. Most recently, the city has installed signs that link these pedestrian networks that show mileage and distance to other trail connectors. You can complete over 20 miles on the Des Moines pedestrian network.

Chris Coleman, Des Moines City Councilman said, “Des Moines prides itself on the beauty of its streets and trails. There is no better place than Des Moines to enjoy a run. Amazing trails in nature, friendly tree-lined streets, and fans always there to cheer on the competitors.”

Learn more about the Runner Friendly Community program.

RRCA Executive Director Talks Race Security on CBS This Morning - Saturday

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 03:09:48 GMT

Boston Mayor Menino today announced the formation of The One Fund Boston

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:31:19 GMT

From the City of Boston

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Menino today announced the formation of The One Fund Boston, the purpose of which is to raise money to help those families most affected by the tragic events that unfolded during Monday’s Boston Marathon.

“I am humbled by the outpouring of support by the business community and individuals who are united in their desire to help; The One Fund Boston will act as a central fund to receive much needed financial support,” Governor Patrick said. “At moments like this, we are one state, one city, and one people.”

According to Mayor Menino, support from the business community was immediate. “Within an hour, I had calls from business leaders and local philanthropists who, like me, were heartbroken by the impact this hideous tragedy has had on individuals, their families, and friends. And they want to do everything they can to help these people physically and psychologically in the future.”

The cornerstone donation to The One Fund Boston is a $1 million commitment from John Hancock. “John Hancock is honored to contribute to The One Fund Boston, aiding those who were affected by this terrible event,” said Craig Bromley, President. “The Boston Marathon is about courage and resilience and community. John Hancock, which has been headquartered in Boston for more than 150 years, will continue to stand by our city, the people of Boston, our community partners, the runners, and the Boston Athletic Association as we unite in recovery and in renewal of our commitment to the Boston Marathon.”

Other individuals and corporations making commitments to The One Fund Boston include Jack Connors, John Fish, CEO of Suffolk Construction, Brian Moynihan, President and CEO of Bank of America, Paul Grogan, President of The Boston Foundation, Steve Pagliuca, Managing Director of Bain Capital and co-owner of the Boston Celtics, Larry Lucchino, CEO of the Boston Red Sox, and Mike Sheehan, CEO, and Karen Kaplan, President of Hill Holliday.

Boston law firm Goodwin Procter has volunteered to organize The One Fund Boston and has applied for 501(c)(3) status. One Fund Boston, Inc. will apply for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service. Although the Fund cannot guarantee that the IRS will make a determination that the organization qualifies as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity, if approval is received within the expected time frame, the determination will be retroactive to the date of the Fund’s formation, which is April 16, 2013.

“We are one Boston. We are one community. As always, we will come together to help those most in need. And in the end, we will all be better for it,” Mayor Menino said. To contribute to The One Fund Boston, click on onefundboston.org.

Our Deepest Sympathies to the Victims of the Attack at the Boston Marathon

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 06:51:02 GMT

On behalf of the RRCA Board of Directors, our staff, our volunteers, and our members, we express our sincerest sympathies to the families affected by the tragic events at the Boston Marathon on Monday. We applaud the efforts of race organizers, first responders, runners, and everyone that took action to assist the injured.

Yesterday’s events sent a shock wave through the entire running community. As the grassroots organization for runners, clubs, and events, we encourage our members and all runners to keep running and racing in the days, weeks, months, and years to come.

While we have no specific knowledge of the facts beyond what is being reported in national news sources, we believe that this act was not specifically an attack on runners, but this was certainly an act of violence at an international sports event designed to garner international attention.

As community race organizers look to their upcoming events, we encourage you to review your security plans with your organizing team and local law enforcement. We encourage thoughtful review, but caution against over reaction to the wake of the events in Boston. Let rational thought be your guide as opposed to fear. Review your disaster management plans. Be vigilant.

The running community is the most generous group of people in the country; it is one of our greatest assets. The victims of the tragedy in Boston will need our support. However, we caution our members to be smart about giving money. The RRCA will remain in contact with the organizers of the Boston Marathon. At a time when an official charity is designated by race officials to assist victims of the tragedy, we will share that information with members so you can give with confidence. If you prefer to give as soon as possible before any official fund is created, we encourage supporting locally established organizations such as the American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts (www.redcross.org/ma/boston).

In the coming weeks, as more lessons are learned from this tragedy, we will share information with our members at the RRCA Convention and in our print and e-newsletters.

Sincerely,
Jean Knaack
Executive Director

Register today for the 55th Annual RRCA Convention in Albuquerque, NM

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 02:28:37 GMT

Enjoy the Opening Reception, “A Taste of New Mexico,” on Thursday evening. And Friday is “A Night at the Museum” at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. Not only are the bones of some of the oldest and largest dinosaurs on display, many having been unearthed in our state, but an exhibit of artifacts recovered from the wreck of the Titanic has also just opened.
Friday will begin with a morning run through nearby Old Town and a gift from Leslie Jordan, one of the many generous sponsors of the RRCA, followed by the eye-opening beginning to the 55th Annual Convention. Lunch will feature local writer, Bob Julyan, presenting “A Brief History of Running since the Beginning of Time, or at Least since I Was Born, and Other Things My Granddad Didn’t Teach Me.”

Saturday will start with an old favorite, the Breakfast Burrito Run, this year sponsored by nearby Little Anita’s New Mexican Restaurant, a long-time local favorite. This year’s run will take you across the Rio Grande, but you won’t even leave the country!

Lunch on Saturday is not to be missed. We are truly honored to have none other than Olympic marathon silver medalist, Meb Keflezighi, who will share the experiences from his running career and will be presented with the 2012 Road Runner of the Year Award. Also on hand will be a true American hero, Chester Nez, the last surviving original Navajo Code Talker. You will also have the opportunity to purchase his book, “Code Talker,” which includes the entire once-classified code.

Saturday will close with the Annual Awards Banquet and Brian “Iron Man” Boyle, who survived a horrific car crash in 2004 only to stage what many consider to be one of the greatest comebacks in sports history when he crossed the finish line at the Hawaii Ironman, just three years after leaving intensive care.

Finally, end your Convention experience with the annual Run for the Zoo, the largest run and walk event in Albuquerque, where the 10K will represent the RRCA National Championship at that distance. After the race, your bib entitles you to free admission into the ABQ BioPark Zoo, which houses the largest collection of endangered Mexican Gray Wolves anywhere.

Come to the RRCA Convention in Albuquerque. We promise you will remember it for a long, long time.

Kids Run the Nation Grant has Positive Impact at MCAS Iwakuni

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 01:30:40 GMT

Running is a simple, inexpensive way to help promote a healthy lifestyle for children. Semper Fit Health Promotions Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni received a grant from the Road Runners Club of America to implement the ‘Kids Run the Nation’ program twice this year for children aboard the air station. Lance Corporal Lupe Campos brings you the story. Soundbites include Leah Daugherty - Running Coach and Jamie Byrd - KRtN Participant. Produced by LCpl. Lupe Campos.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/video/285634/kids-run-nation#.UWLUPhl4LYc#ixzz2Psla7PmZ