Inside Track - Winter 2013/2014

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IN THIS ISSUE: ! Race Mistakes Hall of Fame ! 2014 Membership Renewal Reminder ! Updated look for RRCA.org ! 56 th Annual Convention Spotlight ! RRCA Program Spotlight ! National Running Awards ! And more RRCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Cotter President Mitch Garner Vice President Dan Edwards Treasurer Mark Grandonico Eastern Region Director Beth Onines Central Region Director Lena Hollmann Southern Region Director Bailey Penzotti Western Region Director Kelly Richards At-Large Director Jean Arthur At-Large Director We Run the Nation! RACE MISTAKES HALL OF FAME By: Jean Knaack, RRCA Executive Director At the 2013 Road Race Management Meeting held in November in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., the opening session featured the world famous Boston Marathon race director, Dave McGillivray. McGillivray opened his presentation by thanking the attendees for their support over the last year following the tragic events at the 2013 Boston Marathon. He noted how much he appreciated being with his peers who understand what he does for a living and the inherent challenges of the job. Great wisdom can be learned from the Race Mistakes Hall of Fame as he outlined in his presentation through seven distinct points, which were supported by excellent stories and poignant quotes. We are happy to share some of his wisdom with our members. Mistakes Create Opportunities - McGillivray outlined an incident that occurred in the 80’s at the Boston Marathon. A rope was used at the start to keep people back from the line. The officials weren’t quite ready at the starting line, but the starter checked his watch; saw it was noon; then fired the starting gun while the rope was still blocking the starting line. The lesson learned is that nobody’s perfect, but you must learn from your mistakes. The following year there was no rope at the start. People were used as a human chain at the starting line for crowd control. Shortly before the start of the race, the human chain now steps to the side to allow runners to proceed. A communication system was also put in place between the starting line officials and the person firing the starting gun. “A smart man makes a mistake, learns from it, and never makes that mistake again. But a wise man finds a smart man and learns from him how to avoid the mistake all together.” Roy Williams (UNC basketball coach) Trust, But Verify It is always better to prevent fires than be forced into a position to put them out. The true hero is the person who prevents problems, not the person that fixes fires. The problem is, people really don’t see the hero who planned things out meticulously and prevented problems from arising during the course of an event. McGillivray’s example used for the trust, but verifyconcept outlined how a water delivery went very wrong. The delivery company delivered only enough water for 5,000 participants but the race needed to serve 25,000 people. Two lessons were learned from the situation. One, plan your course close to grocery stores for emergency purposes; and two, double and triple check important details with your vendors, even if you’ve worked with them for years. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 I I I N N N S S S I I I D D D E E E T T T R R R A A A C C C K K K Q Q Q u u u a a a r r r t t t e e e r r r l l l y y y N N N e e e w w w s s s l l l e e e t t t t t t e e e r r r f f f o o o r r r t t t h h h e e e M M M e e e m m m b b b e e e r r r s s s o o o f f f t t t h h h e e e R R R o o o a a a d d d R R R u u u n n n n n n e e e r r r s s s C C C l l l u u u b b b o o o f f f A A A m m m e e e r r r i i i c c c a a a W W W I I I N N N T T T E E E R R R 2 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 1 3 3 3 - - - 2 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 1 4 4 4

description

The membership newsletter for the Road Runners Club of America

Transcript of Inside Track - Winter 2013/2014

Page 1: Inside Track - Winter 2013/2014

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IN THIS ISSUE: ! Race Mistakes Hall of Fame

! 2014 Membership Renewal Reminder

! Updated look for RRCA.org

! 56th Annual Convention Spotlight

! RRCA Program Spotlight

! National Running Awards

! And more

RRCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Cotter President

Mitch Garner Vice President

Dan Edwards Treasurer

Mark Grandonico Eastern Region Director

Beth Onines Central Region Director

Lena Hollmann Southern Region Director Bailey Penzotti Western Region Director

Kelly Richards At-Large Director

Jean Arthur At-Large Director

We Run the Nation!

RACE MISTAKES HALL OF FAME By: Jean Knaack, RRCA Executive Director At the 2013 Road Race Management Meeting held in November in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., the opening session featured the world famous Boston Marathon race director, Dave McGillivray. McGillivray opened his presentation by thanking the attendees for their support over the last year following the tragic events at the 2013 Boston Marathon. He noted how much he appreciated being with his peers who understand what he does for a living and the inherent challenges of the job. Great wisdom can be learned from the Race Mistakes Hall of Fame as he outlined in his presentation through seven distinct points, which were supported by excellent stories and poignant quotes. We are happy to share some of his wisdom with our members. Mistakes Create Opportunities - McGillivray outlined an incident that occurred in the 80’s at the Boston Marathon. A rope was used at the start to keep people back from the line. The officials weren’t quite ready at the starting line, but the starter checked his watch; saw it was noon; then fired the starting gun while the rope was still blocking the starting line. The lesson learned is that nobody’s perfect, but you must learn from your mistakes. The following year there was no rope at the start. People were used as a human chain at the starting line for crowd control. Shortly before the start of the race, the human chain now steps to the side to allow runners to proceed. A communication system was also put in place between the starting line officials and the person firing the starting gun.

“A smart man makes a mistake, learns from it, and never makes that mistake again. But a wise man finds a smart man and learns from him how to avoid the mistake all together.” – Roy Williams (UNC basketball coach)

Trust, But Verify – It is always better to prevent fires than be forced into a position to put them out. The true hero is the person who prevents problems, not the person that fixes fires. The problem is, people really don’t see the hero who planned things out meticulously and prevented problems from arising during the course of an event. McGillivray’s example used for the “trust, but verify” concept outlined how a water delivery went very wrong. The delivery company delivered only enough water for 5,000 participants but the race needed to serve 25,000 people. Two lessons were learned from the situation. One, plan your course close to grocery stores for emergency purposes; and two, double and triple check important details with your vendors, even if you’ve worked with them for years.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

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Dear RRCA Members, As 2013 quickly winds down, the RRCA Board of Directors was very pleased to see the launch of the refreshed brand image for the RRCA that was launched in late November to update the look for www.RRCA.org.

We are very pleased to share our fresh new design and easier to navigate website. Our key color, yellow, is intended to remind runners to be visible at all times while out on the run. Run Smart, Run Safe! As the RRCA’s strategic plan outlines, we have a goal to have a major public profile and major name recognition as the leading voice for running clubs, events, and fitness runners in the United States, with increased use of emerging technologies as a means of communication to reach out the public. With that said, the RRCA has invested in making our searchable Find a Club, Find a Coach, Find an Event databases user friendly on mobile devices including smart phones and tablets. Our searchable databases are a valuable asset for our members and the running community, and our goal is to stay up with the ever-changing world of technology to continue to provide this valuable asset to the running community. You can browse from your iPhone to find over 8,000 events listed on our calendar each year by our members or find one of our over 3,000 RRCA Certified Coaches from your tablet. Up next, making the site mobile reactive on smart phones for app-free browsing of information. Our national office staff has worked hard to implement new program forms that allow you to create a user login so you can start, complete, or update program forms at a later date. Our goal is to continue to increase our member engagement in our programs by continuing to make them user friendly for the running community. We invite you to enjoy our new site design. In closing, we are very pleased with the state of the Road Runners Club of America as the year comes to an end. Our membership numbers are at an all time high and interest in our programs and services continues to increase. We thank our members for your support during the year and we look forward to an even better year in 2014. Run safe and stay healthy,

David Cotter RRCA President

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PRESIDENT’S LETTER

SUPPORT THE RRCA

Financial contributions to the RRCA from you, your club, or your events supports our programs.

Your financial support enables the RRCA to implement and improve programs that benefit runners and the running community.

The RRCA is a BBB Wise Giving Alliance Accredited Charity and a Gold Level Guidestar Exchange Member. This means you can give with confidence that your donation will be used effectively.

Give today! Mail your contribution to: RRCA, 1501 Lee Hwy, Ste 140, Arlington, VA 22209

Give online at: www.RRCA.org/about/support/

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Call for Member Photos Do you have a great group photo of your club? Do you have great photos from some of your group training runs or event? Are you willing to stage some great shots of your club in action? We would love to showcase your club in action on the new homepage of the RRCA website. We are seeking photos that have: • Landscape orientation, • 1MB in resolution or higher, • Have enough background space at the top and bottom of the

photo so we can drop in text. Share your photos* with us by emailing them to [email protected]. We may feature your club on the new RRCA.org homepage. *By sending photos, you agree that you own the rights to the photo(s) and grant the RRCA lifetime, royalty-free use of the image.

Delegate Details – While it is important for race directors to know as many of the details as possible, it is also important to delegate details to trusted volunteers or race committee members. It is not possible for one person to manage every single detail for an event. However, it is the race director’s job to delegate, and “trust, but verify” that details are handled. The finish tape seems to be one of those details that no one thinks about until the lead runner is heading towards the line. Then it's a scramble to unearth the finish line tape and get it to the line in time for the photo op finish of the winning runner. Finish line tape duty is a great item to delegate to a trusted volunteer. However, in a pinch, McGillvray outlined that toilet paper makes for a quick and easy makeshift “break-tape” at the line.

Limit the Multitasking – You can’t time a race and run it, too! As a race director you are in charge of the event, even when you have a great support team managing most all event details. You can’t do your job overseeing the event and your team if you are out on course running the event at the same time. Remember, trust but verify, and be available to help manage crisis.

Script Everything – Scripting everything includes outlining important announcements that need to be made during the course of the event. If you have a designated announcer, they need a script from you to ensure they properly announce your sponsors, partners, specials guests, safety information, etc. Also, ensure your race committee has an understanding of your event language or important key words. If you have a code word for an emergency situation, make sure your team knows the word. Be thoughtful about the words you use in your instructions to volunteers and participants to ensure people understand your meaning. For example, after using the human chain successfully at the start of the Boston Marathon, the RD made the mistake of using the word “go” to tell the volunteers to clear the starting area for the start. “Go” was the wrong choice of words for the runners itching to start the event. The following year the word “split” was used to move the human chain to the side of the course.

“Be prepared and organized. By failing to prepare your preparing to fail.” - Ben Franklin

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RACE MISTAKES HALL OF FAMECONTINUED

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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Expect Course Issues – Always plan for the worst to happen on course. There are stories of events that have had to deal with downed trees, car accidents, house fires on course, trains crossing a course, and other circumstances out of the race director’s control. One course issue that is important to avoid at all possible cost is to have your volunteers, lead vehicle, or police misroute runners due to lack of information or knowledge of the course. Review the course with your lead vehicle personnel, regardless of how many years they have done the job. Have multiple staff or volunteers drive the course and verify against the certified course map. Make sure volunteers, support vehicles, and police know the route in detail. Make sure your course is well marked, especially at critical turns.

Be a Good Crisis Manager –When you are faced with an unplanned course issue, stay calm. Don’t panic, remain calm under pressure, decide what is important now, remember safety first, and keep your sense of humor. Your organizing team is depending on you to be in control and help manage a crisis. If there is an issue on course before the start, be sure to secure the course early and have a plan in case you have to quickly re-route the event. Several years ago, the Miami Marathon had a rental truck loaded with cases of water that overturned on course during the race. Lesson learned: be careful who you allow to drive heavily loaded rental trucks, and mandate speed limits while on course. Another event had a crime scene develop following a homicide near the course. The solution, which was agreeable to local law enforcement, was to place a band in front of the scene so runners couldn’t really see police managing the crime scene. The Quad Cities Marathon had issues with the railroad. They thought they had an agreement with them, but trains came through the course. So the race director parked his truck on the railroad track. Lesson learned, don’t plan courses to cross active railroad tracks.

In closing his presentation, McGillivray noted that a race director is someone who works 364 days as an event planner and 1 day as a crisis manager. He reminded everyone to follow the Serenity Prayer.

“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference between the two.” - Reinhold Niebuhr !

RACE MISTAKES HALL OF FAMECONCLUDED

RRCA Leadership Development Scholarship

To further the goal of supporting the growth of local clubs RRCA has developed the Leadership Development Scholarship for the RRCA Convention.

The purpose of the Leadership Development Scholarship is to provide annual funding for up to 4 individuals per year (one per region) to attend the RRCA Convention on behalf of their running club. By attending the RRCA Convention, new club leaders will gain a better understanding of their roles and responsibilities, which will help them lead their club to greatness or maintain excellence already achieved through previous leaders efforts.

The Leadership Development Scholarship package will include: • One complementary registration to the RRCA National Convention for 2014 including all convention meals and

social events • Complementary hotel accommodations at the host hotel for Thursday (check-in) through Sunday (check-out) • Airfare or ground transportation to the RRCA Convention (Not to exceed $500 round trip) • One year membership to BoardSource.org to learn more about best practices in governing a nonprofit

Nominate an emerging leader at www.rrca.org/services/leadership-development/ !

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As announced in the last issue of Inside Track, the RRCA is accepting membership renewals for 2014. Annual membership in the RRCA, including insurance coverage, begins on December 31, 2013 at 12:00 AM and ends at 11:59 PM on December 30, 2014 of the following year. Clubs and events must renew their membership by January 31st. There is NO prorating of dues or insurance for late payments and no refunds. Be sure to review the membership requirements for each member category, which includes dues and insurance rates, at www.RRCA.org/membership/. >>>REMINDER: As part of our Membership Accountability Process, all members are required to attest to having read the following items posted on our website as part of the online renewal process: • Insurance Program Information • Guidelines for Leading a Group Run • Guidelines for Safe Events • Race Director Code of Ethics

Members need to review all of the information on the appropriate membership page. Once you have reviewed the information you will find the button to access the online membership portal and renew your membership. The button is at the bottom of the information, because it is important to actually read everything on the page to be an informed primary contact for your running club or event.

PLEASE PAY BY CHECK!!!! RRCA members are encouraged to pay by check. Your check allows the RRCA to invest our resources into programs, not credit card processing fees. Members with dues and insurance fees over $5,000 MUST mail a check. We will no longer break payments into multiple batches for credit card payments above the $5,000 threshold. Our system won’t accept payments over $5,000. Paying by check is an important way to financially support RRCA programs.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS ABOUT THE INSURANCE PROGRAM! The RRCA group liability policy does not cover high risk events that include overnight relay races run on open roads (no police support, no road closures, or separate lanes for participants), and high risk events commonly referred to as mud-runs, “warrior dashes”, and urbanathons that include man-made obstacles such as man-made mud pits, man-made slippery slopes, wall climbs, tunnel crawls, or other similar man-made obstacles. Events run on man-made trails or cross country courses that do not include man-made obstacles ARE included in coverage, but the course cannot be altered to create man-made obstacles such as watering-down a dry trail or cross country course with a hose to make it muddy. Star Insurance can write a policy specifically for your event if the RRCA insurance program cannot cover the event due to exclusions to our policy. The RRCA reserves the right to deny access to the insurance program for activities it deems beyond the scope of the covered activities of policy. RRCA Insurance is non-transferable. RRCA clubs and race directing companies that assist other organizations with putting on an event may NOT extend insurance coverage to these organizations. If the club or race director does not own the race or manage all aspects of the event, it is not an insured event of the club or race directing company. In this case, the organization receiving the assistance must join the RRCA as an event member to obtain insurance for their event. Race Directing companies may insure an event through the RRCA if they OWN the race and direct all aspects of the race. If the race directing company is hired by another organization to manage all elements of an event, this event is not owned by the race directing company and not insured. Transferring or selling of the RRCA insurance by race directing companies and running clubs for non-owned events is FRAUD. !!

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL REMINDER

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!MEMBERS ONLY SECTION AT RRCA.ORG !The RRCA has built a “members only” section into the RRCA website. You can find the page under the “Membership” tab or at www.RRCA.org/members-only/. Only the primary contact for clubs, events, and event management companies will be authorized to access this page. Primary contacts must use their RRCA.org login information to see information in this section.

For 2014, the RRCA will post copies of the insurance program policies for members to download to keep on record for their clubs and events. We will no longer snail mail or email the policy copies to members. In this section, members can also complete a brief form to access the incident report form for reporting claims to the insurance policy. We will also post items of interest to club leaders that only dues paying members will have access to, such as best practices webinars.

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The Bloomsday Road Runners Club invites you to the 56th Annual RRCA National Convention that will be held May 1-4, 2014 in Spokane, WA. The RRCA Convention starts with the welcome reception on Thursday May 1 at 5:00 PM and concludes on Sunday May 4 with the 37th running of the Lilac Bloomsday Race, the 2014 RRCA National 12K Championship (registration for the event is separate from the convention registration. A special code will be sent to attendees when race registration opens in January). RRCA Convention attendees registered for the race get preferred seeding and a commutative shirt for this 50,000 person event.

Register Today! The $375 convention registration includes all educational seminars, attendee goodie bag, commemorative gifts, event shirt, coaches’ continuing education, and much more. Registration also includes ALL social events, and meals including:

• Thursday Welcome Reception • Friday breakfast sponsored by K&K

and Star Insurance • Friday Luncheon • Friday night social • Saturday Luncheon • Saturday evening National Running

Awards Reception and Banquet

www.RRCA.org/Convention/

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Convention Central: The Davenport Hotel

The Davenport Hotel opened in 1914. The hotel has served as a beacon of culture and refinement throughout the region for the better part of a century. The original historic hotel was fully restored to its early splendor between 2000 and 2002 and is widely regarded as one of the grandest hotels in North America. All education session, luncheons, and the RRCA National Awards Banquet will take place here.

Host Hotel: The Davenport Tower

The Davenport Tower will provide the sleeping rooms for all RRCA Convention attendees.

111 South Post St Spokane, WA 99201 800-899-1482

Across the street from the historic Davenport Hotel is the Davenport Tower where the Convention has a block of rooms. The Convention room rate is $129 per night for single/double occupancy. Use the booking code “RRCA” when calling the hotel to make your reservation.!

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EXCELLENT EXCELLENT SOCIALSOCIAL AND AND EDUCATIONAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORUTNITIESOPPORUTNITIES

Welcome Reception

Following the round table discussions, convention attendees, including our Coaching Certification Cohort, are invite to join us for drinks and hors d’oeuvre to celebrate Running in the Lilac City. Then dine around Spokane on your own with new and old friends. Craft beer lovers, check out No-Li Brewhouse for dinner. Friday Night Wine Dinner

This is a not to be missed occasion. Our host will provide transport to Arbor Wine Cellars for a spectacular wine dinner, which will include great views, great food, and great wine. In 1982, the Mielke family started Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, the 29th winery in Washington State. Located atop a 450 ft. cliff with exquisite views of the city, The Cliff House Estate, as it is now known, has since become a destination for exceptional wines and memorable events. For the wine enthusiast, The 2010 Arbor Cellars Dionysus, a Meritage Blend, received a 91 rating from Robert Parker. And much more!!!!!!!

The cornerstone of the RRCA Convention is our education program for club leaders, race directors, coaches, runners, volunteers, and industry professionals. Highlights from the education program include:

• RRCA Coaching Certification Cohort – presented by Randy Accetta

• RRCA Insurance Program and Risk Management – presented by Terry Diller

• Successful Networking with Run Specialty: Making it a Win:Win – presented by Cari Setzler

• Injury Detection, Prevention, and Recover Strategies – presented by Kirk Herring, DPM, MA, FAAPSM

• Keeping Events Safe: Practical Measures for All Budgets – presented by National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security

• Communication Styles and their Influence on Relationships – presented by David Knapp, PhD

• Club Governance: Implementing Best Practices – presented by Jean Knaack

• What to Do When the Government Shuts Down your Race and Other Unforeseen Circumstances – presented by Steve Nearman

• Coaching for Ultra Runners – presented by RRCA Coach Ryan Knapp

• Developing an Inclusive Youth Running Program – presented by Angelo and Sherry Celesia

• Developing a Medical Team and What is Road Race Medicine – presented by The International Institute of Race Medicine

• Understanding the Ins, Outs, and Informatics of Social Engagement – presented by Andy Smith!

• Course Measurement and Certification!• Additional classes are being finalized along with this great offering of

education sessions. !!

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DON KARDONG Kardong has been a runner since 1964. He ran four years of cross country and three years of track at Stanford University, missing one season of eligibility (1969) while attending Stanford-in-Britain. After graduating, he ran his first marathon in 1972 finishing in 2:18:06. He competed in the 1972 U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon and 10,000 meters and finished 6th in both events. On May 22, 1976, he finished 3rd in the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon (2:13:54), and was 4th in the U.S. Olympic Trials 5000 meters a month later. He finished 4th in the Olympic Marathon in Montreal (7/31/76), running a personal best of 2:11:16, missing the bronze medal by 3 seconds. In 1977, he helped launch the Lilac Bloomsday Run, which now attracts 50,000 participants a year.

BERNARD LAGAT Lagat was born December 12, 1974 in Kaptel near Kapsabet in Kenya. He graduated from Washington State University with BA in MIS and Decision Science in 2001. He is a twelve time track and field medalist in World Championships and Olympics including five gold medals. Lagat has competed in four Olympic Games, winning medals at 1500 meters in Sydney 2000 (bronze) and Athens 2004 (silver) while representing his native Kenya and then competing for USA in Beijing 2008 and London 2012. He is the American record holder in the 1500m, Mile, and 2 mile indoors, as well as the 1500m, 3000m, and 5000m outdoors, and is the Kenyan record holder at 1500m outdoors. He remains the second fastest ever at 1500 meters with a time of 3:26.34 in 2001. At the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Lagat became the first athlete to become world champion in both the 1,500 m and 5,000 m at the same IAAF World Championships.

DEENA KASTOR Kastor started running competitively at the age of 11. After winning five California state titles, Deena attended the University of Arkansas, where she won seven SEC titles. In 1997, she was awarded an RRCA Roads Scholar grant during the second year of the program. Deena blossomed in 2000 as she prepared for the Olympic Games. On March 26, Kastor broke the American road record in the 5K with a time of 15:08; it was also the fastest time in the world that year. In April 2003, she finished third at the Flora London Marathon, breaking the 18-year U.S. record with a time of 2:21:16. She qualified for the 2004 Olympics in both the 10,000-meter race and marathon. She gave up her spot in the 10K, however, to focus in the marathon. The decision proved to be a wise one as she won the bronze medal, the first medal for an American marathoner in 20 years. In 2005 she won the Chicago Marathon, and in 2006, Deena won the Berlin Half Marathon and broke her American record in a time of 1:07.34. Deena has also given back to the sport by serving on both RRCA and USATF program committees. She currently serves on the USATF Board of Directors.

TRIO OF INSPIRINGTRIO OF INSPIRING OLYMPIANSOLYMPIANS TO SPEAKTO SPEAK

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While we were busy giving our website, Keeping Pace email, and Inside Track a refreshed look, we decided it was also time to give our Kids Run the Nation program logo and printed materials an updated look as well.

The Kids Run the Nation program is designed to be gender-inclusive and teach a life-long love of running to school-aged children. Based on this key programmatic value, we updated the program logo to clearly show a boy and a girl running the national together.

The 3rd Edition of the printed Kids Run the Nation Program Guide along with the Kids Run the Nation: A Running Guide For Kids booklets are available to order online at www.rrca.org/programs/kids-run-the-nation-program/. We also have updated backpack tags to purchase for program incentives. As the updated Teacher’s Guide outlines, in an effort to increase physical activity levels of all American youth, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the report in 2013 entitled, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report: Strategies to Increase Physical Activity Among Youth, as a five-year follow-up to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for America. This report outlines that children need 60-minutes or more of physical activity per day. The report also outlines key findings from intensive research that provides evidence-based recommendations for focusing more efforts on increasing physical activity opportunities in schools and childcare centers. The school setting holds a realistic and evidence-based opportunity to increase physical activity among youth. The report further outlines that running is a beneficial form of exercise for kids. As a result, we believe the Kids Run the Nation Program is ideal for implementing in schools, after school programs and childcare centers. Help promote our program on Twitter: Great program to get kids active and running with #KidsRuntheNation. Learn more at www.rrca.org/programs/kids-run-the-nation-program/ Help promote our program on Facebook: The RRCA’s Kids Run the Nation program is leading the way to improve the health and fitness of American youth through the power of the running community. Learn more at www.rrca.org/programs/kids-run-the-nation-programs/ !!

NEW LOOK FOR KIDS RUNTHENATION

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RRCA National Race Shirt Contest Sponsored by Sport Science The RRCA is pleased to announce the 6th 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 2013 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 March 1, 2013. Please include the name of the event, event date, location, host club, contact name, contact email, and contact phone number with the shirt. RRCA National Convention attendees will vote for their favorite shirt, and the winning shirt will be announced at the RRCA National Running Awards Banquet in conjunction with the RRCA Convention. Sport Science sponsors the contest and the winning event will receive a prize pack from our sponsor. Photo: 2012 National Race Shirt Winner, San Antonio Road Runners !

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RRRuuunnnPPPrrrooo cccooommm! Professional Distance Running Resource Center

RunPro.com provides athletes with a comprehensive overview of what it takes to become a professional distance runner - competing on the track, the roads and in cross country.

Find information for: • Training Centers • Agents • NCAA Guidelines • Anti-Doping Compliance • And more!

RRRuuunnnPPPrrrooo CCCaaammmppp The RunPro Camp is designed for distance runners who are interested in pursuing a professional running career after college.

The 2014 RunPro Camp will be held in Arlington, VA on July 17-19, 2014 by the RRCA.

Applications for RunPro Camp are due on May 15, 2014.

College graduates from June 2013 – June 2014 are encouraged to apply. Select individuals will receive funding to attend the camp.

Apply today for this great opportunity at

www.RunPro.com Funded by the Road Runners Club of America

RRCA PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

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Dear RRCA Members,

As 2013 quickly comes to a close for the RRCA, I am very pleased to report the organization has seen great successes on many fronts including our brand refresh highlighted throughout this issue of Inside Track and at www.RRCA.org. We continue to work hard to keep our information and outreach with the running community up-to-date and relevant in the ever-changing landscape for running in the US. As noted on page nine, we have a great education program planned for the 56th Annual RRCA National Convention. As the national organization that interacts on a daily basis with a wide variety of running community leaders, we know what matters to the running community, and we have designed a great program for you. Clubs and events are encouraged to reward their key volunteers and leaders with a trip to the RRCA Convention! On the governance side, the RRCA Board met in November 2013. You can find minutes to this meeting along with an archive of all Board meeting minutes for several years in the About/Governance section of our website. At the meeting, the Board approved the 2014 Objectives and Budget and reviewed opportunities to work towards meeting key priorities in the RRCA Strategic Plan. In addition, the Board also reviewed a recommended update to the Member Accountability Process, which was submitted by Vice President Garner. The update was based on discussions about members that have committed flagrant violations of the membership policies. A new section was added to the process called, Imposition of Immediate Sanctions in Exigent Circumstances. Exigent circumstances include immediate removal of a member for blatant, fraudulent behavior. The updated policy can be found at www.rrca.org/about/governance/.

Happy running, Jean

REMINDER: NOMINATION PROCEDURE FOR 2014 RRCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Nominating Committee of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) is advising membership that the following director positions are up for election in 2014:

Elections will be held at the RRCA Annual Meeting of the Membership on May 2, 2014 at 3:15 PM (MT) at the Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St., Spokane, WA 99201. Nominating Procedure Details about officer and director nominations are covered in the RRCA Bylaws and the 2014 Nomination Procedures document posted on our website at www.rrca.org/about/governance/. The deadline for submitting nominations is 5:00 PM Eastern on February 16, 2014. The Nominating Committee, appointed by President Cotter, will review all nominations and may review other candidates as allowed in the Bylaws. A report from the nominating committee with a recommended slate of board member nominees will be shared with the members and posted with the notice of the annual business meeting in accordance with the Bylaws. After such time, additional candidates my express interest in running for the RRCA Board of Directors.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTE

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President Central Director Vice President Eastern Director Treasurer

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Since 1971, the RRCA has been honoring dedicated individuals for their service to the running community through the RRCA Hall of Fame and the National Running Awards. Detailed information about the award categories along with selection criteria and the online nomination form can be found at www.rrca.org/services/national-running-awards/. To nominate a deserving individual simply follow the instructions on the online nomination form, print a copy for your records, and click the submit button. Upload or mail newsletter copies as instructed in the online form. The RRCA will provide a $400 travel stipend and one complementary ticket for each award winner to the 2014 RRCA National Running Awards Banquet that will be held in Spokane, WA, Mai 1-4, 2014.

The nomination deadline is 5:00 PM Eastern January 15, 2014. The period of performance for the individual being nominated is January 1 through December 31, 2013 for all awards except the Hall of Fame and Browning Ross awards, which are lifetime achievement awards. All nominations are forwarded to the appropriate selection panels tasked with selecting the final award recipients. Individuals interested in serving on one of the award selection panels should email Andy Smith at [email protected].

RRCA NATIONAL RUNNING AWARDS CATEGORIES: RRCA DISTANCE RUNNING HALL OF FAME: Inducts individuals that have dedicated themselves to the sport of distance running.

SPIRIT OF THE RRCA IN HONOR OF BROWNING ROSS: Honors a club member who is an unsung hero and champions the RRCA at the local and/or national level.

OUTSTANDING CLUB PRESIDENT IN HONOR OF SCOTT HAMILTON: Honors an outstanding RRCA club president for the year.

ROAD RUNNERS OF THE YEAR AWARD: Honors top male and female open, masters U.S. runners with outstanding records of distance racing performance during the year. Honors one outstanding Physically Challenged Athlete of the Year (male or female).

EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM IN HONOR OF JERRY LITTLE: 1. Club Newsletter Award honors two club newsletters that demonstrate a variety of content, good presentation, informative and creative, and inclusive of the RRCA logo. One award will be given for a print newsletter and is open to any size club. 2. Club Writer award honors a top club writer that is an unpaid running journalist. 3. Club/Event E-Newsletter recognizes the use of technology when communicating with members. It is open to any size club or event. The e-newsletter can be emailed to members or clearly posted on a website and should be in PDF, HTML, or another similar format. The e-newsletter should look like a newsletter and not simply be a page on a club website or a text email. 4. Journalistic Excellence honors a professional writer who has made a notable contribution to the literature of distance running.

OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR IN HONOR OF ROD STEELE: Honors an outstanding volunteer (excluding the president) of a local club or event.

OUTSTANDING STATE REPRESENTATIVE IN HONOR OF AL BECKEN: Honors the outstanding service of an RRCA State Representative.

OUTSTANDING YOUTH PROGRAM DIRECTOR IN HONOR OF KURT STEINER: Honors a club member who is dedicated to promoting children’s running and/or coordinating an outstanding children’s running program.

OUTSTANDING BEGINNING RUNNING PROGRAM: Honors beginning running programs hosted by nonprofit clubs that engage new or returning runners to the sport, regardless of their gender.

RRCA ROAD RACE OF THE YEAR: Honors a nonprofit race that is safe, well organized, promotes grassroots running, and the mission of the RRCA.

OUTSTANDING WEBSITE AWARD: Honors a club with an outstanding website design and content. One website will be chosen from the nominations.

Learn about all of the RRCA National Award Winners at www.rrca.org/about/history/award-winners/.

RRCA ACCEPTING NATIONAL RUNNING AWARDS NOMINATIONS

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!ROAD RUNNERS CLUB OF AMERICA 1501 Lee Hwy, Ste 140 Arlington, VA 22209 703-525-3890 www.RRCA.org

WE RUN THE NATION!

RRCA Runners Etiquette Brochure Updated Because Manners Matter

As participation in running continues to grow so does the need to educate everyone why manners matter on the run. The RRCA Runners Etiquette brochure is a full color, glossy four-fold brochure that is great for beginning running programs, marathon training programs, race bag stuffers, and more. The brochure outlines general running etiquette for road and trail running, the race start and on-course etiquette, aid station etiquette, and awards ceremony etiquette.

The brochure is sold in lots of 100 or more for a modest fee of $30 per 100 brochures. Order your copies from the RRCA publication page at http://www.rrca.org/publications/.

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Inside Track !