White River Roadrunners

[ndriver]

The Ballot is up on the Home page: www.arkrrca.com

Congratulations to our club nominees!!!


GO VOTE!!


Male Runner of the Year
Josh Holt
Glen Mays
Chad Sanders

Female Runner of the Year
Sunnie Butcher-Keller
Amy Smith
Leah Thorvilson

Masters Male Runner of the Year
Ross Bolding
James Bresette
Kevin Golden
John Pankey
Keith Willsey

Masters Female Runner of the Year
Tina Coutu
Cindy Knott
Bernita Lovelace
Jamie Merriman
Gabrielle Peoples

Youth Male Runner of the Year
Gideon Drake
Tristen Driver
Austin Rutledge
Joseph Sutton

Youth Female Runner of the Year
Kaitlin Bounds
Alea Humes
Jessie Jones
Katelyn Ohlde

Race Director of the Year
Jay Lewis - Chile Pepper 10K
The Chile Pepper 10K had a record turnout in 2009 as runners continue to flock to Northwest Arkansas from all over the country for this race. In addition to the open 10K, race organizers must coordinate multiple collegiate, high school and jr high races of various distances. Officials were also able to keep the course in good (if a bit muddy) working order despite heavy rainfull in the weeks leading up to the race. After the race, runners were treated to the best post-race food buffet of the year.
Ken McSpadden - White River 4 Mile Classic
Although Ken McSpadden was voted Race Director of the Year for the 4 Mile Classic in 2008, continued excellence and improvements in the 2009 race warranted a rare back-to-back nomination in this category. After road construction rendered the previous course unworkable, the WRR crew turned that potential negative into a positive with a much raved about new course route. Other new features in 2009 included technical race shirts, reuseable goodie bags, and prize money. Despite all these additions, the entry fee for the race actually decreased.
Bill Torrey - Capital City Classic 10K
In addition to the Capital City Classic, Bill Torrey also directed the Tyler Curtis 5K in the 2009 GP Series and he could have been nominated for either race due to the smooth, efficient organization noted at both events. Outside of the Series, Torrey also directed the Little Rock Marathon, Paws on the Pavement 5K, MLK Day 5K, BDB Twilight 5K, and Firecracker 5K. New features for the 2009 Capital City Classic 10K included technical race shirts, online race registration, and tech shirts for race volunteers. After the race, runners were provided with free pizza and beverages from the Diamond Bear Brewery.

Most Improved Male Runner
Frank Massingill
2007 Dam Night Run 5K - 29:31
2008 Dam Night Run 5K - 26:40
2009 Dam Night Run 5K - 24:29
2007 Spa 10K - 1:05:35
2008 Spa 10K - 56:13
2009 Chile Pepper 10K - 51:01
2007 One Hour Track Run - 5.59 miles
2009 One Hour Track Run - 6.54
Ethan Neyman
2007 Little Rock Marathon - 3:44:59
2008 Little Rock Marathon - 3:25:51
2009 Little Rock Marathon - 3:06:28
2008 Capital City Classic 10K - 39:15
2009 Chile Pepper 10K - 37:29
2008 Paws on the Pavement 5K - 19:07
2009 Clear Mtn 5K - 17:44
Joel Perez
2007 Jingle Bell 5K - 22:14
2008 Valentine's Day 5K - 21:35
2008 Brickfest 5K - 20:58
2008 Tyler Curtis 5K - 19:25
2009 Toad Suck 10K - 45:12
2009 Chile Pepper 10K - 40:20
Steve Yanoviak
2008 River Trail 15K - 1:01:25
2009 River Trail 15K - 58:59
2008 Chile Pepper 10K - 39:29
2009 Toad Suck 10K - 38:13
2008 Soaring Wings Half Marathon - 1:28:55
2009 Philadelphia Distance Run - 1:23:14
Most Improved Female Runner
Patti Hammerstein
2008 River Trail 15K - 1:41:02
2009 River Trail 15K - 1:26:04
2008 Little Rock Half Marathon - 2:32:21
2009 Run the Line Half Marathon - 1:59:17
2008 Women Can Run 5K - 28:29
2009 Women Can Run 5K - 26:45
Karen Hayes
2008 Arkansas Runner 2M - 18:11
2009 Chase Race 2M - 16:26
2008 ARK Clear Mtn 5K - 33:10
2009 ARK Clear Mtn 5K - 25:07
2008 Spa 10K - 59:42
2009 Toad Suck 10K - 52:12
Melinda Hendrix
2008 Brickfest 5K - 31:48
2009 Brickfest 5K - 26:41
2008 Arkansas 20K - 2:16:31
2009 Arkansas 20K - 2:04:18
2008 Dam Night Run 5K - 30:25
2009 Dam Night Run 5K - 25:33
Jennifer Liles-Dorris
2008 Spring Fling 5K - 25:29
2009 Spring Fling 5K - 23:08
2008 Capital City Classic 10K - 52:59
2009 Capital City Classic 10K - 48:09
2008 Memphis Marathon - 4:49:14
2009 Green Bay Marathon - 4:04:55
Gabrielle Peoples
2008 Little Rock Half Marathon - 2:16:01
2009 Little Rock Half Marathon - 2:02:22
2008 MADD Dash 10K - 57:40
2009 Capital City Classic 10K - 51:50
2008 White River 4M - 37:16
2009 White River 4M - 33:18

Outstanding Club President
Robert Barber - White River Roadrunners
As president of the White River Roadrunners, Robert Barber has continued to spur enthusiasm for road running in Batesville. The WRR Men doubled their GP participation compared to 2008. WRR also started a local racing series in Batesville that has attracted even more new runners and walkers.
April Minor - Hot Legs Running Club
The Hot Legs Running Club stormed onto the Grand Prix scene in 2009. Through a great mobilization of the ranks, the Hot Legs grew to the largest female GP team in 2009 in just their first year of participation. HLRC will host the Great Gobbler 5K in Maumelle this November for the second straight year.
Jackie Clinton - Cabot Country Cruisers
The Cabot Country Cruisers saw increased participation in the GP this year, especially on their men's team. CCC is the only club which has had a male and female team at every race so far this year, and this fact has helped them continue to climb in the standings. The Cabot crew also organizes frequent local tranining runs, hosts the Spring Fling 5K, and leads a huge Women Can Run clinic.
Melinda Hendrix - Spa Pacers
The Spa Pacers have seen big resurgence in 2009. After having just one male and female GP runner in 2008, the Pacers have 31 signed up this year. Spa continues to improve its flagship race, the Spa 10K/5K, and increase training run options in Hot Springs. The Spa Pacers have also held a very impressive tail gate party at the Dam Night Run in each of the past 3 years.
Angela Gattin - Saline County Striders
Angela Gattin has been the driving force behind the readmergence of the Saline County Women's GP team in 2009. Tirelessly recruiting and encouraging new runners, organizing training runs and carpools to races, and supporting SCS's efforts with the Arkansas Runner 2 Miler, the Arkansas 20K and the Arkansas Marathon are just a few of the roles that "Sassy" has filled over the past year in Saline County.

Al Becken Volunteer of the Year
Joe Pool
In the words of one fellow runner, "There is not enough space on the internet to list all of Joe's contributions to running." Joe has been an active member of the White River Roadrunners, helping build up the club to the vibrant level that it enjoys today. Joe will often travel hundreds of miles from Batesville just to volunteer at a race. His wisdom and sense of fairness as been invauable to the Arkansas RRCA during past stints on the Long Distance Running Committee.
Maurice Robinson
Maurice Robinson has served runners in Saline County tirelessly for over twenty years as the volunteer coordinator for the AR 2 Miler, the AR Marathon, the AR 20K, and the Winona aid station at the Arkansas Traveler 100 ultra-marathon. His challenges were especially tough in 2009. The AR 20K returned to the GP after a long absence, which more than doubles the work involved. Then, one week before race day, 24 of his promised volunteers bailed out, leaving him to scramble for sufficient volunteers to meet the GP standards for the 20K and still run the marathon simultaneously. Maurice sets the standard of excellence in volunteerism, never complains, refuses to accept any compensation, and immediately after it’s all over, starts digging up feedback on how to improve. In the words of fellow club members, "he’s simply the best."
Steve Hollowell
Steve Hollowell has been a key figure in the Little Rock Roadrunners Club for the past two decades. Steve has served several stints as club president, treasurer and any other role that needs to be filled. Steve annually hosts running get togethers at his own home and can always be counted on when help is needed. In addition to volunteering at numerous local races, Steve recently finished a ten year stint as RD of the Dino Dash 5K. He has directed the Rollin on the River 5K for the Easter Seals for numerous years as well.

Buzz Wilson Spirit Award
Ben Davis
After reaching 360 lbs last year, Ben made a New Year's resolution to lose weight and get in shape. Unlike most resolutions, this one did not fizzle out by February. Using running as a cornerstone of his weight loss program, Ben has seen both his weight and running times decrease dramatically. Ben has bared (nearly) all in a blog and on the Arkansas RRCA forum, documenting his progress and giving hope to others who wish to actively mold themselves into a healthier person. As of October 18th, Ben had lost 140 lbs and finished one Denver marathon. In between, he ran countless races throughout the state, joining the Conway Running Club and entering the Grand Prix Series.
Jesse Garrett
Jesse always has a kind word or cheer of encouragement for his fellow runners. His likeable personality can be evidenced as he has at least one friend in nearly every RRCA running club in the state. He hasn't let his geographic location on the extreme west side of the Arkansas stop him from finishing every Grand Prix race so far this season as well as trips to Mississippi, Wisconsin and Minnesota to compete with and offer support to his running buddies.
Larry Merriman
Larry has served as a source of inspiration and encouragement in the Spa Pacers club this year. Teammates acknowledge that Larry will run slower than he can in order to run with friends and fellow Pacers and will often stay at the back of the pack on training runs to make sure that newer and slower runners feel safe and welcome. In both running and life, Larry is quick to put others first.
Joe Milligan
The last time that Joe Milligan missed a Grand Prix race was the 2004 Orange Crush 8K, a span of 100 races in a row. If Joe makes the last four races this year, he will have achieved Iron Man status 5 years straight! Equally consistent is Joe's humble attitude and positive words of support for his fellow competitors. Joe is also active as an Arkansas Running Klub board member.
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ndriver

[Ann1964]

Thanks Nicole for posting. Off to vote for all the WRRR's.

[deltarunner]

I voted today! Good luck White River Roadrunners!
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Gotta run for now!!!

[missouri_runner]

[Ann1964]

Joel- You can go the homepage that Nicole posted & vote from different category's. Several of the road runners are nominated for the awards.
Thanks

[ndriver]

Joel:

The club members that received nominations are:

Tristen Driver- Youth Male Runner of the Year
Robert Barber- Club President of the Year
Ken McSpadden- Race Director of the Year
Joe Pool- Al Becken Volunteer of the Year
Jennifer Dorris- Most Improved Female Runner of the Year

GO VOTE!!
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ndriver

[rusty hinges]

just did that li'l dickens whooped this wrinkled butt so many times this year he deserves to win--go tristen
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young at heart--slightly older in other places

[ndriver]

Thanks Rusty! He has worked really hard this year! Maybe he can iron next year
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ndriver

[Charlotte]

Congratulation to all of the White River Roadrunner nominees. I voted for all of you because you have all worked soo hard. You are am inspiration to all other club members as well as other runners in our community. I am very proud of all of you. Keep on running!

Grabrielle Peoples from Searcy started running about 3 years ago. She comes up and runs the 4 mile and the Sara Low. If you don't have any one to support in the Masters Female runner of the year, I suggest you support her.

Thanks,
Charlotte

[ndriver]

Just reminding everyone to go VOTE if you haven't already!!

Our club members needs everyones vote!!
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ndriver