Road Runners Club of America
Encyclopedia
Founded in 1958, the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) is the oldest and largest distance running organization in the United States with over 1500 running club and event members representing 200,000 individual runners active in their running communities. The mission of the RRCA is to promote the development and growth of running clubs, running events, and supporting the common interests of runners throughout the country at all stages in life. The RRCA provides a national infrastructure for the development of adult and youth running clubs and events that have boomed into a robust sporting activity. The RRCA actively promotes running as a healthy lifestyle and positive social activity and strives to provide quality programming that can be replicated throughout the country, such as the highly successful Start a Running Club program has been the cornerstone of our organization for over fifty years.
organization for American distance runners. Ross' concept was modeled after the Road Runners Club
of the United Kingdom
founded in 1952, as well as similar groups in South Africa and New Zealand. Its first meeting was on February 22, 1958, at the Paramount Hotel
in New York City with ten interested "founding members" in attendance. Ross was named acting provisional president.
From 1966 through 1976, the RRCA conducted its business at an annual meeting held in conjunction with the Boston Marathon
. Since 1977, the RRCA holds an annual convention for its membership at sites throughout the nation, usually in conjunction with a major race.
In 1974, the RRCA applied for and received IRS group exemption status. This confers 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status on RRCA's member organizations that desired and qualified for the designation. That same year, the first group of RRCA State Representatives were recruited to assist RRCA members and recruit potential members. This evolved into the formal development of the RRCA State Representative Program which provides similar services today.
By 1977, RRCA membership had grown to 92 clubs and by the following year the membership included 142 clubs representing over 33,000 individuals. The logo
was re-designed to include the image of both a male and female runner.
By 1989, membership was up to 450 clubs, and Henley Gabeau was selected to serve the organization as the first paid Executive Director. With a 650 square feet (60.4 m²) office in Alexandria, Virginia
, the RRCA embarked on the development of a professional organization.
In 2001, Gabeau retired as Executive Director, and her successor was a polarizing figure. A schism developed and a number of running clubs formed a competing organization called the American Association of Running Clubs. However, following certain personnel and policy changes, the two organizations merged back together in 2005. In 2006, the Board of Directors hired Jean Knaack as the executive director. Membership in 2006 exceeded 740 member clubs and events. It represents 180,000 individual runners. The organization is now based in Arlington, Virginia. As of 2011, the organization has over 1200 running club and event members that represent over 200,000 individuals involved in local running clubs and over three million event participants annually.
The ultimate policy making power is vested in the member clubs who vote at the annual meeting or special meetings. The voting power of each club is proportional to its size. The membership elects a 9-member Board of Directors
. Four Directors are responsible for four Regions of the nation. The four Regional Directors in turn select State Representatives to coordinate RRCA efforts in each state. (Some large states such as California
and Texas
have more than one state representative.) Although individuals can join the RRCA, the RRCA encourages individuals to join a local member running club where one is available. All members of each member running club receive the full benefits of RRCA membership.
. The Act changed the nature of amateur sports in the US and essentially disbanded the AAU
. This ended the virtual monopoly that the AAU had on Olympic sports governing in this country. The result of the breakup of the AAU was the formation of “The Athletics Congress/USA” (TAC/USA). Between 1980 and 1992, TAC/USA served as the official governing body for the sport. In 1992, TAC/USA changed their name to USA Track & Field (USATF) to increase recognition for their organization and the sport. USATF continues to serve as the governing body for the sport. The AAU continues on primarily as a youth sports organization. The RRCA continues to appoint USATF Directors and lobbies for fairness and inclusiveness in that organization. In the 1990s, the RRCA successfully lobbied to lift the requirement of USATF membership as a precondition to competing in major marathons.
The RRCA has promoted women's running, including lobbying for a Women Olympic
marathon
and hosting women-only races. The RRCA has advocated equal prize structures for men and women runners.
The RRCA member clubs conduct thousands of races each year and provide training programs for runners in every state. Many RRCA clubs award college scholarships to local runners.
The RRCA has awarded 58 $5,000 annual Road Scholar stipends to promising post-collegiate athletes.
The RRCA American Long Distance Running Hall of Fame
was established in 1971. Its members "have made significant contributions to the sport of long distance running either through excellence in the sport or significant contributions to the sport." The first set of inductees was elected in April 1971 at RRCA's 14th annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.
History
The group originated from an editoral in the August 1957 issue of the Long Distance Long by Olympian Browning Ross which proposed to develop of anorganization for American distance runners. Ross' concept was modeled after the Road Runners Club
Road Runners Club (UK)
The Road Runners Club is an association of road runners formed in 1952 to encourage the athletic discipline of road running in the United Kingdom.-History:...
of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
founded in 1952, as well as similar groups in South Africa and New Zealand. Its first meeting was on February 22, 1958, at the Paramount Hotel
Paramount hotel
The Hotel Paramount in New York City is a hotel located at 235 West 46th Street, to the west of Broadway. Designed by Thomas W. Lamb, construction was completed in 1928. In 1988, the hotel was closed for an 18-month remodelling project. In 1990, the hotel, under the ownership of Ian Schrager and...
in New York City with ten interested "founding members" in attendance. Ross was named acting provisional president.
From 1966 through 1976, the RRCA conducted its business at an annual meeting held in conjunction with the Boston Marathon
Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon hosted by the U.S. city of Boston, Massachusetts, on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897 and inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics, the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest...
. Since 1977, the RRCA holds an annual convention for its membership at sites throughout the nation, usually in conjunction with a major race.
In 1974, the RRCA applied for and received IRS group exemption status. This confers 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status on RRCA's member organizations that desired and qualified for the designation. That same year, the first group of RRCA State Representatives were recruited to assist RRCA members and recruit potential members. This evolved into the formal development of the RRCA State Representative Program which provides similar services today.
By 1977, RRCA membership had grown to 92 clubs and by the following year the membership included 142 clubs representing over 33,000 individuals. The logo
Logo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
was re-designed to include the image of both a male and female runner.
By 1989, membership was up to 450 clubs, and Henley Gabeau was selected to serve the organization as the first paid Executive Director. With a 650 square feet (60.4 m²) office in Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
, the RRCA embarked on the development of a professional organization.
In 2001, Gabeau retired as Executive Director, and her successor was a polarizing figure. A schism developed and a number of running clubs formed a competing organization called the American Association of Running Clubs. However, following certain personnel and policy changes, the two organizations merged back together in 2005. In 2006, the Board of Directors hired Jean Knaack as the executive director. Membership in 2006 exceeded 740 member clubs and events. It represents 180,000 individual runners. The organization is now based in Arlington, Virginia. As of 2011, the organization has over 1200 running club and event members that represent over 200,000 individuals involved in local running clubs and over three million event participants annually.
Programs
- Liability insuranceLiability insuranceLiability insurance is a part of the general insurance system of risk financing to protect the purchaser from the risks of liabilities imposed by lawsuits and similar claims. It protects the insured in the event he or she is sued for claims that come within the coverage of the insurance policy...
covering running clubs and events. - Runner's safety, education, and advocacy
- Coaching certification - to accredit coaches who specialize in training long distance runners.
- National, regional and state championship event series.
- Road ScholarsTM Program - provides grants for promising post-collegiate athletes.
- National RUN@WORK DayAwareness dayA national or international awareness day is a date usually set by a major organisation or government to commemorate a medical research or ethical cause of importance on a national or international level.- February :* World Cancer Day - 4 Feb...
- Kids Run the Nation Program - 10-week youth running program curriculum and small grant fund for starting and/or maintaining youth running programs
- Club Running Magazine
- Runner Friendly Community Program
- National Running Awards Program
- Volunteer Recognition Program
Structure
- For a list of national officers (1958–present), see footnote
The ultimate policy making power is vested in the member clubs who vote at the annual meeting or special meetings. The voting power of each club is proportional to its size. The membership elects a 9-member Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
. Four Directors are responsible for four Regions of the nation. The four Regional Directors in turn select State Representatives to coordinate RRCA efforts in each state. (Some large states such as California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
have more than one state representative.) Although individuals can join the RRCA, the RRCA encourages individuals to join a local member running club where one is available. All members of each member running club receive the full benefits of RRCA membership.
Accomplishments
In 1978, RRCA President, Jeff Darman helped lobby Congress for the passage of the Amateur Sports Act of 1978Amateur Sports Act of 1978
The Amateur Sports Act of 1978, , establishes a United States Olympic Committee and provides for national governing bodies for each Olympic sport...
. The Act changed the nature of amateur sports in the US and essentially disbanded the AAU
Amateur Athletic Union
The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
. This ended the virtual monopoly that the AAU had on Olympic sports governing in this country. The result of the breakup of the AAU was the formation of “The Athletics Congress/USA” (TAC/USA). Between 1980 and 1992, TAC/USA served as the official governing body for the sport. In 1992, TAC/USA changed their name to USA Track & Field (USATF) to increase recognition for their organization and the sport. USATF continues to serve as the governing body for the sport. The AAU continues on primarily as a youth sports organization. The RRCA continues to appoint USATF Directors and lobbies for fairness and inclusiveness in that organization. In the 1990s, the RRCA successfully lobbied to lift the requirement of USATF membership as a precondition to competing in major marathons.
The RRCA has promoted women's running, including lobbying for a Women Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
marathon
Marathon
The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...
and hosting women-only races. The RRCA has advocated equal prize structures for men and women runners.
The RRCA member clubs conduct thousands of races each year and provide training programs for runners in every state. Many RRCA clubs award college scholarships to local runners.
The RRCA has awarded 58 $5,000 annual Road Scholar stipends to promising post-collegiate athletes.
Awards
As a service to its members, the RRCA developed the RRCA National Running Awards to acknowledge the service and commitment of outstanding volunteers to the running community. These awards are selected by an independent committees of evaluators based upon a nation-wide solicitation of nominations. Outstanding contributors are recognized at the Annual Awards Banquet in a variety of categories. The National Running Awards include the Male and Female Runners of the Year; the RRCA Hall of Fame Inductee(s); the Outstanding Club President of the Year; the Outstanding Club Volunteer of the YEar; the Jerry Little Memorial Journalism awards for the Outstanding Club Newsletter, Club Writer, and Journalist; the Outstanding Youth Program Director Award; the Browning Ross Spirit of the RRCA award, the Outstanding Road Race of the Year, and the Outstanding Beginning Running Program award.Hall of fame
- For a list of inductees, see footnote
- For biographical sketches of each decade's inductees, see footnote
The RRCA American Long Distance Running Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
was established in 1971. Its members "have made significant contributions to the sport of long distance running either through excellence in the sport or significant contributions to the sport." The first set of inductees was elected in April 1971 at RRCA's 14th annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.
Other awards
- For a list of the winners of each award, see footnote
- Outstanding State Representative of the Year Award
- Outstanding Club President of the Year Award
- Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award
- Browning Ross Spirit of the RRCA Award
- Outstanding Youth Program Director Award
- Outstanding Beginning Running Program Award
- Outstanding Web Site Awards:
- Best Site
- Large Club Top Site
- Small Club Top Site
- Jerry Little Journalism Awards:
- Journalistic Excellence Award
- Jerry Little Memorial Club Writer Award
- Jerry Little Journalism Award for Outstanding Club Newsletters
- Outstanding Electronic Newsletter Awards:
- Large Club
- Small CLub
- Road Runner of the Year Awards:
- Male Open
- Female Open
- Male Masters
- Female Masters
- Road Race of the Year
- President's Special Award for Achievement
External links
- Daily News: Topics: Road Runners Club of America webpage. NYDailyNews.com website
- Athletics: Road Runners Club of America Launches National Campaign for Runners at Risk for Nail Fungus: A Progressive, Recurring Infection: “Toe Truck” will travel to major running events in 2005, offer free foot screenings. March 26, 2005. RunnersWeb.com