‘’ March 21 – 25, 2007 Hosted by the Alpine Striders & Illinois Runs Road Runners Club of America 2006 Annual Reports RRCA Convention Sponsors The RRCA, the Alpine Runners of Lake Zurich, and Illinois Runs are pleased to announce Sponsors for the 50th Annual RRCA National Convention. GATORADE http://www.gatorade.com - will host morning group runs from 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM on Friday and Saturday mornings ASHWORTH AWARDS http://www.ashworthawards.com - presents the RRCA Regional Meetings: Eastern, Central, Southern & Western on Friday March 23, 2007 from 11:00 AM to Noon (Central) SPORTSCIENCE http://www.sportscienceusa.com - presents the RRCA Club College® RUNNER’S WORLD http://www.runnersworld.com - will host the State Rep Luncheon in honor of the RRCA State Reps featuring JOHN “THE PENGUIN” BINGHAM on Friday, March 23, 2007 from 12:30 PM to 2:00 p.m. The RRCA Runner’s World Outstanding State Rep of the Year Jacket will be presented to Ron Macksoud, Alabama State Representative FLEET FEET SPORTS http://www.fleetfeetchicago.com - will host the Barbeque and Fashion Show on Friday, March 23, 2007, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 p.m. MARATHON & BEYOND http://www.marathonandbeyond.com - will host the luncheon on Saturday, March 24, 2007, from Noon to 1:30 p.m. featuring Jan Seeley and Rich Benyo ROAD RACE MANAGEMENT http://www.rrm.com - presents the RRCA Live Auction GEN-A MARKETING http://www.gen-a.com - presents the RRCA Annual Awards Banquet Cocktail Reception STAR – EGL INSURANCE, DILLER-SMITH OFFICE AND K AND K INSURANCE http://www.rrca.org/services/insurance - presents the RRCA Annual Banquet and National Grassroots Running Awards Ceremony DAG SYSTEMS http://www.dag-system.com – presents the Convention Educational Sessions Thank you to our Convention sponsors for their additional attendee gifts, expo displays and more. We also thank the following sponsors for their contributions to the 50th Annual RRCA National Convention http://www.puma.com http://www.gooseisland.com http://www.RunningTimes.com http://www.Merastar.com/signin/rrca http://www.HerSports.com http://www.Fuelbelt.com http://www.Active.com Road Runners Club of America 2006 Annual Reports Book Page - 2 - Road Runners Club of America 50th Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois 2006 Annual Reports Book Road Runners Club of America 8965 Guilford Road, Suite 150 Columbia, MD 21046 Phone: 410-290-3890 Fax: 410-290-3893 [email protected] www.rrca.org We run the Nation! Road Runners Club of America 2006 Annual Reports Book Page - 3 - Road Runners Club of America 2006 Annual Reports Book Page - 4 - Table of Contents RRCA 2006 National Convention Sponsors……………………….…..….…. 2 RRCA – Celebrating Our 50th Convention…………………………….….…… 6 RRCA Mission, Vision & Values……………………………………………..…… 8 Annual Business Meeting Agenda…………………………………….…..…….. 9 Board of Directors Annual Reports……………………………………………… 10 RRCA Working Committee Reports……………………………………………… 21 2006 RRCA National Awards Committee Reports………………………….. 25 RRCA State Representatives Annual Reports…………………………..…… 37 Thank You Convention Hosts – Alpine Striders & Illinois Runs……….. 59 Acknowledgements……………………………………………………….………….. 60 Advertising Sponsors…………………………………………………….…………… 61 Road Runners Club of America 2006 Annual Reports Book Page - 5 - Celebrating Our 50th Convention From its early beginnings, the RRCA has always been a ! An RRCA standards committee was also created for the strong advocate of organized running and has represented purpose of making sure that running courses were all runners, regardless of age or gender. Through strong measured accurately. This committee also set up a leadership and direction, the RRCA has been responsible program for awarding certificates to runners who for growing the sport of long distance running from the few achieved certain times at a series of distances. races held in the early 1950’s to the thousands of events we have today. ! The RRCA instituted an early version of the Road Scholar grants in the early 1960’s to help send The RRCA’s commitment to the sport of running has been qualified runners to major races in other parts of the demonstrated throughout the years. country. ! In 1957, former Olympian Browning Ross proposed that ! In 1962, the “RRC of U.S. Bulletin” was officially a national road running organization be formed that renamed FootNotes and expanded as a quarterly would represent long distance runners and help organize publication. Many of the articles contained in this distance races. In 1958, the Road Runners Club of publication provided valuable information on how to America was born. Browning Ross was its first president. start a running club and how to measure road race courses. ! One of the first actions taken by the organization was to institute the first RRCA national championship races; a ! In 1963, the RRCA instituted committees that assisted one hour track run and a 12-mile track run, a 15-mile its member chapters with fundraising, starting new road race, a 5-mile junior championship road race and a running clubs, and developing coaching and making it two-man 10-mile relay. available to its runners. A medical advisory committee was established, along with an officials committee for ! The early model for “FootNotes” – “RRC of U.S. Bulletin” training race officials and a standards committee for - was developed in 1960. This was one of the first course measurements and awarding certificates for runner-related publications available in the country. certified racing performances. ! During RRCA President Ted Corbitt’s term, a booklet on measuring road running courses was developed and Continued on Page 7 finally published 4 years later. A collection of RRCA luminaries dedicating a plaque at the Paramount Hotel in New York City, site of the first organizing meeting that led to the founding of the RRCA. From Left: ! Joe Kleinerman, RRCA Vice President, 1960-64 ! Ted Corbitt, RRCA President, 1960-61, internationally recognized ultra- marthoner ! Hal Higdon, widely-recognized author of running books, master's record- holder ! Jeff Darman, RRCA President, 1976-79 ! Henley Gabeau, RRCA President, 1986- 89, first Executive Director of the RRCA ! Jane Dolley, RRCA President, 1989-1991 ! Allan Steinfeld: RRCA Secretary, 1987- 88, President & CEO of New York RRC ! Carl Sniffen, RRCA President, 1991-96 Road Runners Club of America 2006 Annual Reports Book Page - 6 - Celebrating 50 Years of Memories From Page 6 ! In 1964, the fun run came into existence through the RRCA chapters in the District of Columbia and Baltimore. Typically called “Run for Life” runs, these events promoted physical fitness and were open to men and women of all ages. By declaring them fitness programs instead of open competitions, an AAU rule that women had to be at least 14 years of age and could not run any AAU event longer than 1- 1/2 miles was circumvented. Over a two year period, the RRCA was instrumental in getting AAU rules changed so that children under 17 and women could participate in AAU events longer than two miles. In 1962, the number of road races had increased to 600. ! These fun runs spurred a running boom and special women’s 1960’s and masters races came into existence. From this sprang the establishment of masters and sub-masters national records on RRCA certified courses at 15 different distances, in age categories from 35 years to 60 years and older. ! In the 1970’s, the RRCA secured tax exemption and 501(c) (3) status and made it available to member clubs that qualified and requested it. This allowed non-profit clubs to accept tax-free donations for their events. ! Also in the 1970’s, the RRCA created a network of state representatives to represent the organization at the state level. These liaisons would assist their local clubs in growing their memberships, in establishing championship events and promoting women and children’s programs. ! In 1979 the RRCA had 100 clubs signed up for the newly acquired RRCA liability insurance. This insurance was available to all member clubs and represented an economical 1978 insurance program to protect clubs and their officers against liability stemming from club related activities. Interestingly enough, the first major lawsuit in 1977 involved the Peachtree Road Race. A runner filed a $500,000 class action suit against sponsors for damages to himself and 50 others resulting from heat injuries during the race. The lawsuit was dismissed. These represent just a few of the highlights of “the formative years” of long distance running and the major role the RRCA has played. All of these events in the 1950’s through the 1970’s served to develop our sport as we know it today. Throughout its existence, the RRCA has maintained its “mission, vision and values”. From its inception on February 22, 1958, the RRCA has promoted long distance running as a competitive sport and as healthful exercise for everyone regardless of gender or age. Today, we are over 175,000 members strong and growing. Today Road Runners Club of America 2006 Annual Reports Book Page - 7 - RRCA Mission, Vision & Values Mission The Road Runners Club of America is the national association of running clubs, running events, and runners dedicated to promoting long distance running as a competitive sport and as healthful exercise. RRCA's mission is to represent and promote the common interest of its member clubs, events, and individual runners through education, leadership, programs and other services. Vision The Road Runners Club of America is the premier national organization dedicated to promoting the development and growth of running clubs, running events, and supporting the interests of recreational runners throughout the country including those that walk because they are unable to run. The RRCA strives to provide quality programming that can be replicated throughout the country by member clubs from small towns to large cities that promote and support running, runners, and supporters of the sport at all stages in life.