ALABAMA RRCA STATE REP NEWSLETTER
RRCA Convention Edition Spring 2010
ALABAMA CONTINUES WINNING, CHAMPIONSHIP TRADITION
by Ron Macksoud
Be proud—very proud! Once again, the RRCA spotlight is shining brightly on Alabama RRCA member clubs with two national award winners and two national championships announced during the 52nd Annual RRCA National Convention held in Lakeland, Florida, April 21-25.
Dave Purinton, Huntsville Track Club president, received the RRCA Scott Hamilton Outstanding Club President of the Year Award. Dave was also second overall in Lakeland’s Run the Lakes 10K. The first-ever RRCA National Race Shirt Contest winner was the 2009 Swampers 5K T-shirt. That race in Muscle Shoals was Alabama RRCA 5K State Championship last year. It was a narrow victory for race director Josh Aycock of Tennessee River Athletic Club (TRAC), as the Swampers tee edged out the second place entry by one vote.
Meanwhile, for the first-time EVER, Alabama will host a pair of RRCA National Championship in the same year. The 2011 RRCA 10K National Championship is Port City Pacers’ Azalea Trail 10K; and the 2011 RRCA 5K National Championship is Anniston Runners Club’s Woodstock 5K. Congratulations, to all of the state winners!
It may sound “trite.” But, you can’t win if you don’t enter! I encourage all running clubs to pay attention to announcements I forward from RRCA regarding nominations for national awards and bids for RRCA Championships. There are a lot of other deserving volunteers in Alabama who would make excellent nominees for national awards. Give them a chance—nominate them! As for those who were nominated but did not win, don’t hesitate to try again. The same goes for RRCA Championships--state, regional or national. There are any number of races in Alabama that are worthy of championship designation.
LOOKING AHEAD TO UPCOMING RRCA CONVENTIONS
The 53rd Annual RRCA National Convention will be in Fredericksburg, Virginia, May 12-15, 2011, and will be held in conjunction with the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon. The South will host the 54th Annual RRCA National Convention! It will be in Memphis, Tennessee, March 15-18, 2012.
OTHER RRCA CONVENTION NEWS: WEIGHT WATCHER’S & DISNEY
RRCA is looking for Alabama running clubs to host a RRCA/Weight Watcher's Walk-It Day 5K Challenge on June 6, 2010. The idea is for participating RRCA clubs to hold a safe, low-key, 5K walk called the “(Club Name) Presents the Walk-it Day 5K." Each club is welcome to promote the event, as well, to reach out to walkers and beginner runners as potential club members. Participating clubs will be eligible to receive a $1,000 sponsorship provided by Weight Watcher’s and administered by the RRCA. For more details, contact RRCA National Office, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or 703-525-3890.
RRCA is also partnering with Disney’s Endurance Series, which has launched its Official Running Club Program. Under the program RRCA member clubs will receive special perks for participating in Disney’s Endurance Series events, 2010-2011. Benefits include $5 discounts on 5K, Half Marathon, and Marathon race entry fees and two guaranteed (paid) race entries for each race. For more details, contact Sarah Ratzlaff, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or 407-938-3826.
DÉJÀ VU, ALL OVER AGAIN
Yes! There’s a reason I have two RRCA logos at the top of this newsletter. It’s the “logo motion” reborn! RRCA has again tweaked its logos. The one on the left is the new logo and the one on the right is the “old” one, circa 2009. So, I ‘m asking Alabama clubs to, A-GAIN, please incorporate the new logos into your web site, newsletters, entry forms, apparel, etc. The RRCA membership icon has also been revamped. The RRCA web site link for the logos is http://www.rrca.org/services/rrca-branding/. Speaking of web site, don’t forget, the new, improved RRCA web site is a wealth of information about all things RRCA. Check it out frequently at http://www.rrca.org/.
"The best exercise for your heart is to reach down and help someone else up."
- Tim Russert
Ron Macksoud, Alabama RRCA State Representative
6021 Bolingbrook Dr.
Montgomery, AL 36117
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ;334-354-7867
