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WINTER 2010
Quarterly Newsletter for the Members of the Road Runners Club of America IN THIS ISSUE: !
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2011 RRCA Membership Renewals
RRCA KICKS OFF 2011 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL PERIOD! WHERE ARE MY 2010 MEMBERSHIP FORMS? ONLINE, OF COURSE!
Using Radio Operators At Your Event
Hopefully you recall that the RRCA transitioned to an online membership system as part of the 2010 renewal process. Our online system eliminated the old hard copy renewal forms that used to be mailed to members. All 2011 membership renewals will be processed using our online system, but membership dues and insurance can still be paid by check, which is preferred to credit card payments. Your payment by check will save the RRCA thousands of dollars in credit card processing fees.
National Running Awards Nomination Reminder
Reminder: RRCA membership runs on the calendar year. All members must renew by February 1st to ensure full coverage of all club and event activities. Find details about the membership term at www.rrca.org/membership/.
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2011 DUES AND INSURANCE RATES
RRCA: Runner Friendly Community" Designation
RRCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brent Ayer President David Cotter Vice President Dennis Novak Treasurer Dan Edwards Secretary, At-Large Director Mark Grandonico Eastern Region Director Mitchell Garner Central Region Director Lena Hollmann Southern Region Director David Epstein Western Region Director Kelly Richards At-Large Director
For the fourth year in a row the RRCA Board of Directors has elected to maintain the membership dues at the current rate. We are able to do this through prudent financial management of the organization and from generous financial support by our members and corporate supporters. For 2011, we are very excited to introduce two options for liability coverage for clubs and events. The RRCA will now have a tiered liability insurance program that provides $1 million per occurrence coverage with no aggregate limit for clubs and events (our standard policy) and $2 million per occurrence coverage with no aggregate limit based on the number of household members or event participants. In previous years we were only able to offer the $2 million in coverage for specific events and at a flat rate fee. We are very pleased by this level of coverage offered by our insurance providers, which provides our members with more choice. We recommend that members select the $1 million per occurrence in liability option if they are not required by their local government to insure their activities for $2 million or more. The $1 million liability insurance rates have NOT increased for running clubs for 2011. For event members dues remain the same, but there is a very modest increase in the liability insurance rates for participants to ensure adequate premiums for the additional medical coverage piece of the policy. You can find the detailed dues and insurance rates online at www.rrca.org/membership/join-renew/ and on page 4. Both running clubs and events will be able to purchase additional coverage for volunteer medical personnel at a rate of $250 for the year for $1 million per occurrence coverage, and $300 for $2 million per occurrence coverage. The Volunteer Medical Personnel Endorsement covers emergency first aid and/or oncourse medical treatment by properly licensed medical personnel working on a voluntary basis. Paid medical staff are not covered under this endorsement. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
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FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear RRCA Members, For as long as I can remember, I wanted to coach college track & field. Like a lot of us who “want” something, I put that dream in abeyance as I raised a family and paid a mortgage instead of pursuing a notoriously un-lucrative profession for which I had no credentials. About fifteen years ago, I decided it was time to do something about that lack of credentials. That something was to get myself down to Peachtree, Georgia to attend the RRCA National Convention, specifically to take the Coaches Certification Program. The instructors were fantastic: Jim “Mad Dog” Deguay, Dr. Andy Palmer, and Roy Benson. With the knowledge they imparted, I returned home and volunteered to coach the youth distance runners for my local AAU Track & Field program, the Frederick Striders. I was hooked. The next winter, it was off to USA Track & Field’s Level One Certification and the next summer I burned ten vacation days to travel to Boise State University to take USATF’s Level Two Endurance Certification. I now find myself as the Head Track & Field coach at Hood College, a small NCAA Division III program in my hometown. Much like getting started in running, getting started in coaching works a lot better if you have a well thoughtout plan. RRCA Coaching Certification was literally the first step to reaching one of my life-long goals. The RRCA has aggressively expanded its course offerings over the last couple of years. That written, classes fill-up quickly. Please be a little patient with us in the coming months. Last month, we suffered the loss of a wonderful coach-instructor when Mike Broderick passed away from complications resulting from his battle with cancer. He will be missed, and while he can’t be replaced, we will do our best to keep this popular program going strong. We are in the process of actively recruiting a new instructor to join the team with Patti and Warren Finke and Janet Hamilton. Keep Running,
Brent Ayer SUPPORT THE ROADS SCHOLAR FUND Since 1996, the RRCA has awarded over $330,000 in grants through the Roads Scholar program to assist American post-collegiate runners who show great promise to develop into national and world-class road running athletes. Make a tax-deductible contribution today! 100% of your contribution is granted to emerging elite runners that are recent college graduates Mail contributions to: RRCA 1501 Lee Hwy, Ste 140 Arlington, VA 22209 Write Road Scholars on the memo line.
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SUPPORT THE KIDS RUN THE NATION FUND Make a tax-deductible contribution today! 100% of your contribution is granted to deserving youth running programs around the US. These programs are designed to get and keep kids active by teaching running as a positive lifestyle choice. Mail contributions to: RRCA 1501 Lee Hwy, Ste 140 Arlington, VA 22209 Write KRN Fund on the memo line.
RRCA KICKS OFF 2011 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL PERIOD CONTINUED! Medical volunteers who provide services at running events typically have professional liability coverage already in place to protect themselves against malpractice claims. The RRCA Volunteer Medical Personnel Endorsement is considered insurance over and above any other insurance held by the medical professional. It does, however, provide coverage when a professional liability policy does not extend coverage to emergency medical professionals volunteering at events held outside of a workplace facility. Both levels of the RRCA liability insurance program provides for sexual abuse and molestation (SAM) coverage up to $500,000 per occurrence with a cap of $ 5 million. It is very important that all RRCA members managing youth running programs or events adopt a criminal background check for all youth coaches and youth program volunteers along with a SAM abuse reporting policy and procedure. A sample policy and reporting procedure can be found at www.rrca.org/programs/kids-run-the-nation/. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS (D&O) INSURANCE COVERAGE Many people are unaware of the significance of D&O insurance for nonprofit clubs and events, and some specific illustrations underscore why this endorsement is a significant part of the RRCA insurance program. Our comprehensive general liability policy offers insurance for an “occurrence”, which is generally defined as an act or omission, which gives rise to liability in the area of “torts.” A classic illustration of this type of occurrence is a negligence action resulting in personal injury. D&O insurance extends a safety net beyond the classic tort, or negligence situation, which might generate a claim against a member organization. D&O coverage will protect the officers and directors of nonprofit clubs and events from certain situations where the club might find itself subjected to a claim as a result of an error in judgment or challenged matter of policy. Some specific illustrations of errors and omissions occurrences are as follows: ! ! ! !
A claim of discrimination against a club as a result if barring a runner from participating in an event (e.g. male runner files a suit when barred from a women’s only race). A violation of someone’s constitutional rights as a result of policy or procedure taken by a member club. An occurrence of age or disability discrimination. A decision by a race director to cancel a race (inclement weather), which results in a monetary loss to a runner.
The RRCA believes that the additional insurance coverage afforded by D&O coverage is very necessary in a day and age when some clubs have already found themselves and their officers subjected to allegations of discrimination as a result of race policy and procedure. Even if the claim is a questionable one, to have to defend a tenuous claim in court can generate extraordinary legal expenses. Of course, not only does our insurance indemnify the club from loss—it also pays the cost of litigation. In order to make the coverage affordable, it must be a mandatory part of our insurance package for nonprofit running clubs and events, but the cost is minimal ($175.00 per year) when compared to the expenses individual members of a running club could incur in the event of an allegation, which would be outside our general liability insurance but fall within the purview of D&O endorsement.
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RRCA KICKS OFF 2011 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL PERIOD CONTINUED! D&O insurance does not extend to for-profit business entities that own and direct races. Individuals that own races and direct races for a profit are highly encouraged to obtain their own business insurance to ensure their business activities are covered. 2011 DUES AND INSURANCE RATES Running Club Membership Dues To ensure adequate insurance coverage for all running clubs, the RRCA assess the dues and insurance rates at a minimum of 35 households. If your running club has 34 or fewer members, you will be assessed the flat rate for dues. If your running club has 35 or more members, you will be assessed based on the number of household members in your club. Nonprofit running clubs with 35 or fewer household members pay a flat fee of $76 for dues and for-profit clubs pay a flat fee of $100 for dues. All running clubs with 36 or more household members pay $2.27 per the number of household members. Running Club Insurance Rates • $2.33 per the number of household members for the $1 million general liability insurance policy • $2.65 per the number of household members for the $2 million general liability insurance policy • Insurance is assessed at a minimum rate of 35 households • All nonprofit running clubs are required to purchase Directors & Officers Insurance at a flat rate of $175 • Optional Volunteer Medical Personnel Coverage is $250 for $1million in coverage and $300 for $2million in coverage. Event Membership Dues Nonprofit events pay a flat fee of $76 plus $0.05 per race participant, event volunteers and race committee members. For profit events or events owned by race directing companies pay a flat fee of $100 plus $0.05 per race participant, event volunteers and race committee members. Event Insurance Rates All event members pay general liability insurance rates on a scale based on the number of participants, volunteers and race committee members involved in the event. All nonprofit event members are required to purchase Directors & Officers Insurance at a flat fee of $175. $1 million policy: • 500 or fewer participants is a flat fee of $133 • 501– 999 pay $0.41 per total participants • 1,000–1,999 pay $0.35 per total participants • 2,000–3,000 pay $0.28 per total participants • 3,001–12,499 pay $0.25 per total participants • 12,500+ pay $0.21 per total participants • Optional: Volunteer Medical Coverage $250
$2 million policy: • 500 or fewer participants is a flat fee of $262 • 501– 999 pay $0.48 per total participants • 1,000–1,999 pay $0.41 per total participants • 2,000–3,000 pay $0.33 per total participants • 3,001–12,499 pay $0.30 per total participants • 12,500+ pay $0.25 per total participants • Option: Volunteer Medical Coverage $300
Detailed instructions on how to renew your 2011 RRCA membership are posted online at www.rrca.org/membership/join-renew/. We recommend that you print a copy of the instructions and read through each of the steps where you will find answers to most of your questions. If you need assistance with the renewal process please email office@rrca.org or call (703) 525-3890 and ask for Jessica Benney. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
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ROAD RUNNERS CLUB OF AMERICA RUNNER FRIENDLY COMMUNITY!! Running is one of the most popular and affordable forms of exercise to get and keep people fit and healthy. Running with a group can also be a positive social experience. Running can generate significant economic impact dollars for communities that host events and support the running community. Pedestrian networks that include sidewalks, trails, paths, and share lanes often increase property values and overall quality of living in a community. While runners do not require a lot of expensive equipment, there are several ways that local communities can invest to ensure that running is safe, affordable, accessible, and enjoyable for anyone that wants to run. Many communities support a variety of sports and sporting facilities and at the heart of almost every sport is running. Being a Runner Friendly Community not only supports the running community, but running as the foundation for many other community-based sports (soccer, football, tennis, basketball, etc.). The goal of this program is to shine a national spotlight on communities that standout as runner friendly and to provide incentive and ideas for communities to work towards becoming runner friendly communities. Runner friendly communities can increase the quality of life, can improve physical activity for residents as outlined in the National Physical Activity Plan, and can provide for increased economic impact for the community.
The Road Runners Club of America is seeking applications for the Inaugural Runner Friendly Community designation: The RRCA will review three primary segments: (1) community infrastructure, (2) community support, and (3) local government support. Each segment includes important criteria as part of the designation process. The goal is for applicants to prove that their community works together to promote running as healthy exercise for their community while ensuring runners safety. All applications will be reviewed and scored by a selection panel consisting of RRCA board and staff members. Applicants will be scored based on their ability to prove that they meet most of the program criteria. The review panel will determine the number of communities that will receive the designation each quarter of the year, and all applicants will receive feedback. One top city will be selected by the review panel and awarded as the Outstanding Runner Friendly Community. The application deadline to be considered for the first round of Runner Friendly Community designations and the first Outstanding Runner Friendly Community is February 1. Second quarter deadline is May 1; third quarter deadline is August 1; and forth quarter deadline is November 1.
Selection Criteria 1. Community Infrastructure – A Runner Friendly Community should be able to prove that is has an infrastructure that can foster physical activity in a safe environment. a. A Runner Friendly Community is pedestrian friendly, because there is a clear network of sidewalks, multi-use trails, paths, share lanes, etc. (pedestrian networks) designated for pedestrians with minimal road crossings and vehicle traffic control at intersections (stop signs as opposed to yield signs, clearly marked cross walks, etc). b. The pedestrian networks should allow a person to complete 3-10 miles of distance, either continuously in one direction or through a loop course, before the network completely ends. This may include a mix of trails, sidewalks, and share lanes that interconnect and that a person can use before having no other alternative than to run on a road. c. A Runner Friendly Community would ideally have a running track that is maintained, well lit, and open to the public for as many hours as possible. d. Additional community infrastructure would ideally include: i. Water fountains along a trail or pedestrian network, bathrooms (portajohns), and available parking near a trail or path system; ii. Trails/paths maintained year round with snow removal in winter; iii. Emergency phones on pedestrian networks and pedestrian networks well lit after dark. 2. Community Support – A Runner Friendly Community should be able to prove that organizations and businesses work together in a positive manner to promote running as a healthy exercise and sport. a. A Runner Friendly Community is home to one or more nonprofit RRCA running clubs or events whose missions are to promote running as healthy exercise and a sport. Nonprofit running organizations are designed to benefit society. While for-profit businesses may have a similar mission, nonprofit running organizations are an important element of a runner friendly community. The running clubs should host regular group runs, host races, and host social events. The membership fees for these running clubs should be affordable. b. The nonprofit running club should show that it is working in collaboration with both public and private organizations to support and promote running throughout the community. c. A Runner Friendly Community ideally has a specialty running store along with other runner friendly businesses. Runner friendly businesses (coffee shops, restaurants, other merchants, etc) are engaged with the running community. They host group runs and offer discounts to local running club members; are willing to serve as a pre or post run meeting spot; share their parking lots during non-business hours; allow runners to use their bathroom facilities as needed; serve as safe places that runners can stop at if they need to use the phone or get out of unsafe weather, or fill a water bottle to prevent dehydration; and support clubs through race sponsorships including in-kind donations, publicity, etc. d. Runner friendly businesses should be willing to hang the RRCA Runner Friendly Business static window decals in a window letting runners know the business supports the running community and is a safe place for runners in times of need. Businesses or RRCA members can purchase RRCA Runner Friendly Business static window decals to hang in advance of applying for the designation to show that local businesses are runner friendly.
3. Local Government Support – A Runner Friendly Community should be able to prove that it has positive relationships between the running community and local government: a. Runner Friendly Communities have officials that work closely with the local running community to secure race permits for safe and desirable racecourses with a reasonable permit pricing structure. b. Race permits are issued for preferred course locations and dates. c. Local government should not impose excessive liability insurance requirements on the running community. The RRCA considers anything above $1 million per occurrence excessive coverage for events hosted by nonprofit organizations and anything above $2 million per occurrence excessive coverage for events hosted by for-profit race directing companies. The RRCA has decades of claims history to justify this criteria. d. Law enforcement is a positive partner in event planning as opposed to a roadblock – excessive fees, scheduling challenges, etc. e. Law enforcement pro-actively supports pedestrian rights, address complaints about pedestrian safety including monitoring dangerous intersections, etc. f. No to low reports of crime on pedestrian networks with runner/pedestrian safety measures in place and areas patrolled regularly by law enforcement. Community responds to runner complaints by sending officers to locations. g. Community (park board, city officials, local health dept, running clubs and stores) actively promote physical fitness, including running, as part of a healthy lifestyle. Additional bonus criteria: a. Youth running programs (track, cross country, youth clubs) are in place in area schools (grade, middle, high) or hosted through the local running club. b. Community should have a physical activity promotion outreach plan that includes information about local running clubs and events. The local community plan should relate to the National Physical Activity Plan*. c. Trail/path system has mile markers, directional signs, and/or maps on the course. d. Pedestrian networks should have safety guidelines posted at various locations. See the RRCA Multi-use trail safety guidelines for more information. These guidelines should include information about safe use of personal music devices. e. Trails/paths provide soft surface in addition to paved surfaces. f. Community has a reclaiming program for old/unused land i.e. “rails to trails”. g. Run@Work Day event hosted by local businesses or local government entities. h. Water fountains are dog friendly. i. Local community involved with volunteerism at running events. j. Community has indoor running facility available. k. Local media supports and promotes running activities by promoting upcoming races and race results. Local media should support runners’ safety by including safety tips in reports about running.
The nomination requirements include the following: (to be submitted by an RRCA member with endorsement from community leaders as outlined below) 1. An official representative from an RRCA member running club, event, or specialty running shoe store must submit an official online nomination outlining how your community meets some or all of the criteria outlined above.
2. The nomination must demonstrate that the community is working in collaboration with both public and private organizations to support running. 3. Three to six letters of support for the nomination must be mailed or emailed to the RRCA National Office. All letters must be on official letterhead. One letter must be from the president of an RRCA nonprofit member running club or event endorsing the nomination on behalf of their organization. The remaining letters must be from a mix of public leaders (mayor, government department heads, city council members, etc.) and private business owners (corporate CEOs, restaurant owners, store owners, forprofit events, etc.) for a total of six letters maximum. The letters should be scanned and emailed as a packet or mailed as a packet from the official representative making the nomination. 4. Optional submission: submit one (1) MPG video showcasing how the community meets some or all of the criteria outlined above. The video should include statements from the applicant, local official(s), business owners, and local runners along with spotlights of marquee community infrastructure. This video should be no longer than five to ten minutes. A link to the video can be posted on YouTube or other video hosting service with the URL noted in the online nomination form. A video must be saved in MPG format if mailed on disc or thumb drive.
Benefits of receiving the RRCA Runner Friendly Community designation: 1. Community listed as a Runner Friendly Community on RRCA website for a 5-year period. After 5 years, a community should resubmit a nomination to prove they continue to be a Runner Friendly Community. 2. Receive a plaque to be placed in city hall or community’s location of choice. Additional plaques will be available for purchase. 3. Community featured as a Runner Friendly Community in a national press release from the RRCA, featured in one issue of Club Running magazine, and in the RRCA Annual Report. 4. Receive up to 50 RRCA Runner Friendly Community window decals to be placed in runner-friendly businesses by the local running club. This will help local runners know which businesses are runner friendly and safe places for runners in times of need. Additional stickers are available for purchase. 5. RRCA will fund attendance (up to $400) for a designated community representative (Mayor, city council member, running club president, etc.) from the Outstanding Runner Friendly Community to be honored at the RRCA National Convention during the Saturday luncheon. 6. Royalty free use of RRCA Runner Friendly Community logo for 5-year period for use on community owned websites, in newsletters, and more.
APPLY TODAY AT WWW.RRCA.ORG/PROGRAMS/RUNNER-FRIENDLY-COMMUNITY/
*The RRCA: Runner Friendly Community program links five of the societal sectors and promotes many of the strategies outlined in the National Physical Activity Plan (details about the Plan can be found at www.physicalactivityplan.org/)
JOIN US FOR THE 53rd ANNUAL RRCA CONVENTION MAY 12-15, 2011 The Fredericksburg Area Running Club and the Marine Corps Marathon Running Club would like to cordially invite you to attend the 53rd Annual RRCA National Convention in Fredericksburg, VA. This fun-filled, networking and educational event will be held May 12 - 15, 2011 and will conclude with the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon, the 2011 RRCA National Half Marathon Championship event. Featured Speakers o The 2011 RRCA Convention is pleased to present Olympic Gold Medal Winner, author and former U.S. Marine, Billy Mills, as the featured speaker at the RRCA luncheon to be held on Friday, May 13 at the historic Fredericksburg Square. o Our luncheon speaker for Saturday, May 14 at Brocks Riverside Grill is RRCA State Rep Gary Morgan. The nationally recognized race walker and Olympian from Pontiac, MI, is a world traveler - from Antarctica to Africa-and beyond. o The 2011 National Running Awards Banquet Keynote Speaker will be JULIE ISPHORDING on Saturday, May 14 at the Fredericksburg Country Club. Olympian and radio personality Julie Isphording is a 1984 Olympian who ran with the first-ever Women's Olympic Marathon Team. She was also the first American woman finisher in the 1986 Boston Marathon. Now, an award-winning syndicated radio talk show host who can be heard on 55KRC (550 AM) in Cincinnati, Isphording features health experts and provides listeners with fitness and nutritional advice. She is the author of three books, including her most recent "Get Healthy, Get Happy: How to Make Small Changes that Give You Big Results." Registration cost is $250 per person through April 1, 2011. Convention registration includes: shirt, workshops, meetings, receptions, and the National Running Awards banquet. The additional meal package is only $100 and includes the Friday lunch and dinner and Saturday lunch. Total registration is only $350! Host hotel room rates are $125 - $165 per night.
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RRCA MICROFINANCE FUND!
RRCA MICROFINANCE FUND The RRCA Microfinance Fund provides small annual loans to qualifying nonprofit running clubs as determined by a loan selection panel. The purpose of the loans is to assist clubs with purchasing capital assets such as timing systems, timing clocks, finish line equipment, and more. Basic club or event supplies like numbers, cups, etc. are not eligible for funding through the RRCA Microfinance Fund. The Microfinance Fund provides small annual loans ($1,000-$10,000) for a total of $20,000 annually to qualifying nonprofit running clubs as determined by the loan selection panel. Criteria for Receiving a Loan • A club must be a 501(c)3 organization either through the RRCA or directly with the IRS. • A club must be a member of the RRCA and in good standing (dues paid, bylaws on file). • A club must be in good standing financially, and they must submit a copy of their previous year’s financial statements or 990. Application Process • Clubs will apply for the loans during a loan application period that will be announced in the RRCA News and emailed in Keeping Pace. • Loans will be applied for using the standard RRCA forms within the stated application period. Loans received outside of the period will not be considered. • Loans will be reviewed and granted by a loan selection panel. • Visit www.rrca.org/services/microfinance-loans/ for the loan application document. The deadline to apply for the next round of loans has been extended to December 31st. General Repayment Terms • All loans from the Microfinance Fund are re-payable to the RRCA. • Loans may be paid in 1, 2, 3, or 4-year periods depending on loan amount. • No interest will be charged on the loans if the loan is repaid within a 12-month period of time. After 12 months, the loans will have an interest rate of 3% on the outstanding balance of the loan. • Loans will be paid quarterly. The RRCA will send an invoice for loan payments.
RRCA IS SEEKING CLUBS TO HOST WEIGHT WATCHERS WALK-IT DAY 5K EVENTS IN 2011 Building on the success of the 2010 Weight Watchers Walk-it Day, we are seeking RRCA member clubs interested in hosting a Weight Watchers Walk-It Day 5K event on Sunday, May 22, 2011. Clubs interested in hosting an event should complete our short questionnaire before December 30, 2010. If your club is chosen to host an event you will receive a generous sponsorship package from the RRCA and Weight Watchers, Inc. Please contact Eve Mills at Programdir@rrca.org if you have additional questions about hosting a 2011 Weight Watchers Walk-It Day 5K event. Details can be found at www.rrca.org/programs/walk-it-day/. ! !
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RRCA KICKS OFF 2011 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL PERIOD CONCLUDED! An IMPORTANT Note about Primary Contacts: Each running club and event member is assigned ONE Primary Contact person who is the authorized representative to renew a club or event membership. • If you were the Primary Contact for your club or event in 2010 you will be able to log in using your User ID & Password assigned previously. • If you are the NEW Primary Contact for your club or event in 2011, please create a personal profile Once you have created a profile, send an email to membership@rrca.org. In the subject line of the email, write – Primary Contact Update and include your full name and running club or event name. We will notify you when the change of primary contact is complete for your organization, and then you can proceed with the renewal process. List Club Owned Races on the RRCA Online Calendar Renewal is not complete until you add your races to the online calendar. This serves as a record of your club’s activities for insurance coverage. All RRCA event members need to list their events on the calendar as well. Failure to list your events on the calendar could result in non-coverage of an event if an insurance claim is submitted. Listing club training runs and social activities on the RRCA calendar is optional. We no longer accept the faxed or mailed paper forms for reporting events. Events can be added to the calendar throughout the year as they are planned. Submit Your Running Club Roster Running Club members must email a club roster in Excel format to office@rrca.org. The list must contain each club member’s name, street address, city, state, zip code, phone number and email address. The roster is used to verify household members and to ensure your members receive Club Running magazine. IMPORTANT: RRCA Membership and Insurance is non-transferable. RRCA members that assist other organizations with putting on an event may NOT extend insurance coverage to other organizations. If a member does not own the race or a duly appoint club representative does not manage all aspects of the event on behalf of a club or event, it is not an insured event for the member. In this case, the organization receiving the assistance must join the RRCA as an event member to obtain insurance. Transferring of the RRCA insurance is FRAUD. All members should review the insurance program information on the RRCA website at www.rrca.org/services/insurance/. !
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O F F I C I A L R U N N I N G C LU B P R O G R AM Disney’s Endurance Series is proud to announce our Official Running Club Program! This exciting new program offers many benefits to your running club for participating in Disney’s Endurance Series events, including the opportunity to compete against other running clubs for awards! Disney Endurance Series Events • 2010 Expedition Everest™ Challenge presented by Champion • 2010 Disneyland® Half Marathon Weekend • 2010 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend • 2011 Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend presented by CIGNA • 2011 Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Lady Foot Locker Eligibility • You must be an established running club under RRCA. • Each club must submit an online application and be accepted into the Program by Disney. • Participation is subject to the Program’s terms and conditions. Benefits • $5 discount on 5K, Half Marathon, and Marathon race entry fees • Eligible to compete in Running Club Challenges • Two (2) guaranteed race entries for each race taking place during the weekend (subject to standard entry fees) • Eligible for select discounts on other race weekend amenities where applicable • Eligible for specially-priced theme park tickets where applicable (subject to availablity) • Eligible for specially-priced accommodations at selectWalt Disney World® Resort Hotels where applicable (subject to availablity) • Event transportation provided from selectWalt Disney World® Resort Hotels to all event activities • Group Rates available for Post-Race Party Tickets Resources • Personal contact from the Disney’s Endurance Series Sales Team • Assistance in planning group functions and social activities at Disney’s Endurance Series events Recruitment Incentives As part of the Official Running Club Program, we offer incentives to club organizers based on the number of members who participate in each Disney race. Incentives will vary based on which Disney races your club attends. Contact Us Contact Sarah Ratzlaff at 407-938-3826 or Sarah.E.Ratzlaff@disney.com for more details. Subject to change. All benefits subject to availability, and may be modified or withdrawn at anytime. All information subject to change. Please see Program terms and conditions at http://adisneyworldsports.disney.go.com/media/ewwos/ClubTermsAndConditions.pdf .
USE OF AMATEUR RADIO IN ASSISTING RACES!
By: James T. Martino, call sign WB8MSV
The State to State Half Marathon and 5K Run held in Oxford, Ohio on the last Sunday of September, is now in its eighth year. All the race coordinators have agreed that the usefulness of the local amateur radio operators in controlling the course and caring for the safety of the runners is vital. This involvement has expanded over the eight years and is one of the favorable comments in our race evaluation submitted by the runners. Amateur radio operators are often referred to as “Hams”. All operators are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and have passed a test on operating procedures, electrical safety and electronic knowledge. Many of these men and women own handheld radios that communicate through a radio called a repeater, which allows them to communicate over long distances. There are portions on the course that create cell phone dead spots, so it is key that the amateur radios can cover these spots. The advantage of using amateur radios over cell phones or other devices is the open communication. All the amateurs involved with State to State are operating on the same frequency. Staying connected on the same frequency allows for clear communication for all, which is vital in emergency situations. One bit of information useful to all water stations and race coordinators is runner location. There is an operator stationed at each water station. Lead runners and the last runner are tracked by radio. Other operators are stationed at the medical tent, information tent, and shadowing the race coordinators. If there is a problem, it is known along the whole course. There is also a radio in the sag wagon, one with the director of course monitors, and at strategic locations along the course. All radios are using a local repeater, which is closed to other traffic while the race is in progress. One operator has both a “ham” radio and a police radio and can communicate with the police or life squad as needed. The police try to keep all cars off the course during the early part of the race and can be alerted to any traffic encroaching on the course. Later in the race, cars are escorted along the course and cooperation between the hams, the course monitors and the police is needed. No race is without injuries. If a serious injury occurs and a participant is taken to the hospital, family can be called to the announcers stand because of the radio communication. A volunteer then can escort the family to the emergency room if needed. A runner in the medical tent can also have family alerted if needed. In years past, split timers were sent to each mile-post and a radio was used to convey the starting horn to the timers. Because of transmission lag in the repeater, times were off by about a second, but in a long race, that is not a problem. At our race, we like to announce the names of runners as they approach the finish line. A separate frequency is used to relay numbers of approaching runners to the announcer. This gives volunteers time to find the runners number and name from a print out and relay it to the announcer. This has been another positive comment from our runners. As the Communications Director and President of the Board of Directors of the State to State Half Marathon and 5K run, I am proud of our race and of the local hams who support it. If I can be of any help to anyone, feel free to contact me at wb8ptn@aol.com. I do not know all the answers, but have learned a few through the years.
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NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR NATIONAL RUNNING AWARDS ! 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. Email or mail newsletter copies as instructed in the online form. The RRCA will provide a $400 travel stipend and one complimentary ticket for each award winner to the 2011 RRCA Annual Banquet and National Running Awards Ceremony that will be held in Fredericksburg, VA on May 14, 2011. The nomination deadline is 5:00 PM Eastern on December 31, 2010. The period of performance for the individual being nominated is January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010 for all awards except the Hall of Fame and Browning Ross awards, which are lifetime 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 contact Eve Mills at ProgramDir@RRCA.org.
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 and masters U.S. runners with outstanding records of distance racing performance during the year. 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 is given to clubs with 499 or fewer households, and one for clubs with 500 or more households. 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 volunteer-run, nonprofit race that is safe, well organized, promotes grassroots running, and the mission of the RRCA. OUTSTANDING WEBSITE AWARD: Honors two clubs with outstanding website design and content. Awards will be given to small (499 and fewer households) and large (over 500 households) club websites. A top website will be chosen from the finalists. !
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Dear RRCA Members, During the process of developing this issue of Inside Track, we were faced with the unfortunate loss of our beloved coaching instructor, Mike Broderick. Mike was an amazing man and in his passing I have certainly witnessed the positive power of the running community as members from one of his local training groups raised over $35,000 for cancer research in a very short period of time. The outpouring of affection for Mike has been amazing; he touched so many lives in a positive way. Eve Mills, RRCA Program Director, wrote a touching memorial to Mike that is posted in the RRCA News on our homepage, and the Local Living section of the Washington Post devoted a full page to celebrate Mike’s life and accomplishments. He will be missed, and I know Mike’s wish for everyone is to keep running strong. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our members that have renewed their membership and encourage everyone else to renew as soon as possible to ensure all of your activities are covered starting on January 1st. We have worked this year to continue to enhance our insurance program to meet our member’s growing needs as your organizations continue to grow. I am truly thankful for the support and dedication our members have for the RRCA. 2010 has been a great year for the organization, and I am very much looking forward to the collective success of the running community in 2011. I will see everyone in Fredericksburg, VA in May 2011. Happy Running, ! Find back issues of Inside Track online at www.rrca.org/publications/inside-track/
RRCA RUNNER FRIENDLY BUSINESS RRCA members are encouraged to purchase RRCA Runner Friendly Business static window decals (image below is the decal graphic that is 5”x5”) to give to local businesses that club leaders designate as runner friendly. To help clubs promote and recruit businesses into this promotional effort, we have created a fact sheet that can be given to a runner friendly business owner at the time a window decal is presented. The fact sheet outlines that runner friendly businesses are engaged with the running community, and they: host group runs and offer discounts to local running club members; are willing to serve as a pre or post run meeting spot; share their parking lots during non-business hours; allow runners to use their bathroom facilities as needed; serve as safe places that runners can stop at if they need to use the phone or get out of unsafe weather, or fill a water bottle to prevent dehydration; and • support clubs through race sponsorships including in-kind donations, publicity, etc.
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Learn more about this opportunity at www.rrca.org/programs/runner-friendlycommunity/ or purchase decals today at www.rrca.org/publications/.
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ROAD RUNNERS CLUB OF AMERICA 1501 Lee Hwy, Ste 140 Arlington, VA 22209 703-525-3890 www.RRCA.org
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WE RUN THE NATION!
NATIONAL RACE SHIRT CONTEST The RRCA is pleased to announce the 3rd 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 2010 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, 20009 by March 1, 2011. Please include the name of the event, event date, location, host club, contact name, contact email, and contact phone number with the shirt. The 2011 RRCA Convention attendees will vote on the finalists to select the 2010 RRCA National Race Shirt Winner, and the winning shirt will be announced at the 2011 RRCA Annual Banquet and National Running Awards Ceremony and featured in a future issue of Club Running. The contest is sponsored by SportScience. The winning event will receive a prize pack from our sponsor. (Photo: the 2009 National Race Shirt Winner, the Swampers 5K, an event of the Tennessee River Athletic Club)
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