Special Events/Races

Take advantage of a unique opportunity to encourage one another.....

The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart. - Helen Keller

Each of us has found encouragement and inspiration in other runners. If you reflect upon the day you stepped out the door on your very first run, and the months and years following, there were people along the way who have come in and out of your life; coaching, motivating, inspiring and encouraging you. In past Rundown articles I have mentioned my high school track coach, who was as tough as nails, but was a great motivator. He instilled in each of us the importance of giving it your all, not only in the sport of running, but the walk of life. Sometimes we are encouraged by those we watch from afar, who exemplify the virtues most important to us. It could be a talented and accomplished athlete who exemplifies drive and ambition. Perhaps it is a committed training partner, who shows up rain, shine, or in recent months, snow. It may be someone who volunteers countless hours to the running community or someone who persevered and came back from insurmountable odds due to illness or injury. It might be a brand new runner whose contagious excitement and enthusiasm served to rejuvenate your own passion for the sport.

Our Runner Recognition Program offers a terrific opportunity to recognize those who have inspired you along the way. KAR Members nominate fellow club members for the award categories below. Final winners will be selected from among the nominees by the Board, and awards are presented at the Annual Banquet to be held March 10, 2009. Nominators will be encouraged to read their nomination to attendees. Please consider fellow club members who might be candidates for the awards below and submit a brief paragraph supporting their nomination to Bonnie Sexton at besrun2003@yahoo.com by January 31, 2009. Mega Racer candidates with 22 or more races and Mega-Marathoners with 6 or more races should submit nominations. The criteria and categories are listed below.

Criteria

• Awards to be presented at the Annual Banquet on March 10, 2009
• Recognition period will be January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2008
• Submit a brief paragraph supporting why you are nominating candidate by January 31, 2009 and E-mail to Bonnie Sexton at besrun2003@yahoo.com
• Board selects from the nominees
• Both Nominators and Nominees must be current members of the Kalamazoo Area Runners
• Prior award winners can be re-nominated
• Board Members eligible except for the Volunteer of the Year Award as long as they are current KAR members.
• Mega-Marathoner and Mega-Racer candidates may self-nominate

Categories

Reynold Oas Volunteer of the Year Award

Demonstrates an exemplary level of volunteerism within at both Club sponsored events and programs as well as those that benefit the running community and community as a whole

Spirit of Running Award

Shares their love and passion for the sport and serves as a positive role model and source of inspiration and encouragement to others

Rookie Runner of the Year Award

Runner who started running the current year and demonstrates outstanding potential or progress, dedication and sportsmanship

Comeback Runner of the Year Award

Runner who has been on hiatus for a year or more and makes a notable comeback

Mega-Marathoner of the Year

Posts the most marathon completions for the current year. Strictly based on number of completions

Mega-Racer of the Year

Posts the most race completions (5k – Marathon) for the current year. Strictly based on the number of completions Events may be relays or fun runs as long as the leg distance is 5k or greater

Social Runner of the Year Award

Welcomes and draws people into the running community through demonstrating a warm and friendly spirit

Story Contributor of the Year Award

Frequently shares fun stories and experiences for the News Rundown and other KAR related Communications

Gender Specific Categories

Youth Runner of the Year (Under age 12) Male & Female

Runner under age 12 that demonstrates competitive excellence, sportsmanship & serves as a positive role model to others

Open Runner of the Year Award – Male & Female

Demonstrates competitive excellence in Open Competition, sportsmanship & serves as a positive role model to others

Masters Runner of the Year Award – Male & Female

Demonstrates competitive excellence in Masters Competition, sportsmanship & serves as a positive role model to others

Hot Club news and Events

Farewell Phyllis!

With a chock full schedule, Phyllis Florian felt it appropriate to announce her resignation from the KAR Board as interim Vice President Hospitality effective January 1, 2009. We express sincere gratitude to Phyllis for coming on board earlier this year (we have to confess she may have been slightly coerced) and for her contribution to the Kalamazoo Area Runners. Phyllis organized the member reception runs & attendance at expos and we wish her the best of success in her many future endeavors.

Kal-Haven Trail Run

Registration is officially open on-line through SignMeUp.com and via registration form through the KAR website for the Kal-Haven 33.5 Mile Trail Run! The run will take place on Saturday, March 28 and all proceeds benefit the Greater Kalamazoo area Girls on Track (Girls on the Run Program). Solo runners and Relay teams of up to 6 runners will cover the 33.5 mile course on the Kal-Haven trail between Kalamazoo and South Haven. See the following links for registration and a FAQ:

Team Registration

http://www.kalamazooarearunners.com/Kal-HavenTeam.html

Individual Registration

http://www.kalamazooarearunners.com/Kal-HavenRun.html

FAQ

http://www.kalamazooarearunners.com/Kal-HavenFAQ.html

We need you! This race is only possible through the support of our volunteers. There are many volunteer opportunities for those not running the race including manning one of 11 aid stations, assisting with registration or results, biking the course to monitor the runners, and providing transportation back to the start for solo runners. Additional information regarding these opportunities will be available shortly on the KAR website. Please contact Julie Wojtaszek (membership_kar@yahoo.com) if you are interested in volunteering for this event or Terry Hutchins (tkhutchins@chartermi.net), Race Director, if you have questions about the event. KAR Volunteer Program Event!

Free to Members! WMU Indoor Track Workouts are OFF and Running!

Beat the deep freeze predicted for this week! 2009 WMU Indoor Track Workouts started this weekend at the Read Field house! Sunday sessions run 6:00 am – 10:00 am and Tuesday sessions from 5:00 – 7:00 am. Tuesday workouts will be held 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3 and 3/10 and Sunday sessions 1/11, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15 and 3/1. Workouts are informal; show up anytime during the session and run the workout of your choice. Absolutely free to members, $5 nonmember friends. For additional information contact Sherrie Mann at Slmann@sbcglobal.net. Thanks to all those who have stepped forward to volunteer so far! A closing volunteer is still needed for 2/17 and 2/24, otherwise every week is covered. Email Sherrie if you can help out with one of these!

KAR Volunteer Program Event!

Free to the Community! Lose the “Chill” Member Reception RK Run and Chili Party!

Come out and Chill with us! The Kalamazoo Area Runners Lose the “Chill” Member Reception 5k Run and Chili Party will be held February 2, 2009 at 6:00 pm at the Borgess Health and Fitness Center. Meet in meeting room #3. Join us for a casual 5k Run on the Borgess Run for the Health of It! course, and join us afterwards for a hot Chili social! Prospective, new and of course our long term club members are all welcome. For more information contact Bonnie Sexton at besrun2003@yahoo.com.

Next Kalamazoo Area Runners Board Meeting

The next Kalamazoo Area Runners Board Meeting will be held immediately following the member reception run Monday, February 2 at 7:00 pm at the Borgess Health and Fitness Center, meeting room #3. As always, all members are welcome to attend. Questions? Contact Bonnie Sexton at besrun2003@yahoo.com.

Kalamazoo Area Runners Connection!

Are you seeking training partners or looking for others to share carpool or hotel expenses with? Let us know and we will be happy to publish your request (in good taste of course) in the Rundown. Email Bonnie Sexton at besrun2003@yahoo.com and we will include it in the following edition! Here is a great opportunity to get connected!

Boston Marathon Road Trip!

Running Boston and interested on saving on travel expenses (not to mention a little camaraderie)? Several KAR’s will be renting one or more vehicles and carpooling out to beantown Saturday, April 18, and will be returning to Kalamazoo Tuesday, April 21. If interested in riding with the caravan, please contact Bonnie Sexton at besrun2003@yahoo.com. So far we have 5-9 making the trip and estimated travel costs for car rental, gas and parking will be $100 - $125/person.

Latest Running Community News and Events

Running Community Loses a Legend!

It is with great sadness we share the news long time WMU Track & Field and Cross Country coach Jack Shaw passed away Friday due to illness. The Kalamazoo Gazette article can be found here. I had the privilege of meeting Jack at one of the early Bring Back Track meetings, and remember him vividly for his unwavering passion, and the tremendous fire in his drive to bring back men’s track at WMU. After a history of coaching for over 30 years, and numerous MAC titles, it was only fitting he became a legend, and a driving force in the effort to Bring Track Back to WMU. Jack was inducted into the WMU Hall of Fame in 1997 and will be sorely missed by all those whose lives he touched.

Bayshore is Filling UP!

Hurry, hurry! Bayshore is filling up faster than ever. The Half Marathon is expected to fill up within the next 2 weeks and the Marathon is expected to fill up by late January or early February. Check out the details at www.bayshoremarathon.com.

Boston Marathon entry increases January!

The Boston Marathon registration fee increases from $110 to $160 on February 13. Check it out at www.bostonmarathon.org. Thanks to Gale Fischer for the reminder!