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2004 RRCA National Club President of the Year
USATF Certified Coach-Track & Field
During my term as club president I had many goals: growth in membership, progression of website, establishing a race director mentor program, improving quality of GCS races, developing youth program, among others. Trying to keep pace with modern technology and maintain member interest yet protect club traditions, was a continuing challenge. I noticed that family participation in the local races was becoming the trend, so after five years of service as president, and with those aforementioned goals fulfilled, I stepped down in 2005 to concentrate on the growth of the Junior Strider program which now consists of three programs: 1) Gold Cup Race Series- points scoring incentive for completing the required minimum number of 5K races; 2) the summer AAU track and field program and 3) the fall AAU cross-country program which now boasts local and national team experience. Structured practices are offered and are supervised by local school coaches, and parents.
In May of 2005, I was fortunate to be nominated for, and receive the Road Runners Club of America's National Club President Award. I received an all-expense paid trip to the RRCA convention in New Orleans to receive my award-coincidentally just before Hurricane Katrina. I felt that my work in developing the youth program was a strong basis for selection of this award. It was an honor to receive national recognition for this award, and I am fortunate to have made many invaluable national friendships and contacts since.
As I enter my 14th competitive season, I am still Boston-less despite a near qualifying miss at the Disney Marathon this past January so I feel another Boston Marathon qualifying attempt is certain. My favorite place to retreat for weekend racing is northern Michigan. The Mackinac Island 8m run is an annual favorite, and the 3 discipline race series offers both the duathlons for me, and the triathlons for my fiancé, Strider Jim Nickerson.
Membership is our greatest resource, so keep recruiting, keep running, and I look forward to hearing you cheer for our junior striders at the races!