Road Runners Club of America Inc

From my perspective, I can financially support many worthy causes. But, I choose RRCA because they have a long history of support for all levels of runners. In addition, RRCA has always remained focused on the many levels of competitive and non-competitive running. They have a wonderful Kid's Run the Nation program. Whenever I've needed their help, they have been there for me and my other active club members.

The RRCA does an outstanding job promoting health and fitness through running. They support local running clubs across the nation, sanction races, recognize those who make contributions to the running community, promote safety, and encourage young people to be physically active.

The RRCA has been the national organization supporting the grassroots running clubs and events across the country for 50 years now. So many individuals have benefitted physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually from being able to run in races or with others in training groups that these grassroots running clubs promote and direct. My running started on a high school track team and luckily for me the local RRCA running club supported the youth teams and I was able to see that running was not just a high school or even college activity. I have been able to volunteer with that same local club for 25 years now in many ways but none more special than with the young runners. The RRCA has made a strong push towards the kids of late and my hope is that all the grassroots running clubs across the country offer a program for the kids so they can have fun, get some physical activity with some positive adult role models and to get a chance to compete. RRCA don't be afraid to encourage competition for the kids as running is one of the best sports for some one to see their improvement as times are in black and white. Of course, the coaches and parents need to have a positive and supportive coaching philosophy with long term progression as the focus. Thank you RRCA for allowing me to be apart of the organization. Being a State Rep for all these years has been a very positive experience for me as working with all these energetic and knowledable people have inspired me in so many ways.

RRCA provides great support for the running community and the running clubs within it. Our running club, Lake Grapevine Runners and Walkers, has benefited greatly from many aspects of RRCA's support including their promotion of races and of fitness and healthy lifestyles. RRCA's Kids Run the Nation program is a great program for getting young people focused on fitness and health. We are proud to have provided support for it and look forward to seeing all the people it will help.

RRCA continues to provide the leadership for the long distance runners and running clubs of America. I served six years as the Arkansas State Representative and two terms as the RRCA Southern Director. Those days serving with this great organization are by far the highlights of my 33-year running career. The RRCA clubs give so much to their communities by providing opportunities to improve the health of their residents and in many cases tremendous support for local charities.
Arkansas has a RRCA Grand Prix Series that involves races and communities over the entire state. I invite your to visit their website and see the great contributions of the RRCA in this state: www.arkrrca.com/

RRCA has been representing the interests of runners for over 50 years and was instrumental in modernizing our sport in the early days. As a former runner and current road race director I rely on RRCA for advice on best practices for my events as well as insurance. One of my events has been selected as an RRCA state championship this year and I know that will increse our exposure and attract runners statewide. The leadership at RRCA has been very supportive of our efforts here in Massachusetts. I urge fellow race directors and club members to join me in supporting RRCA and attend the the RRCA National Convention in VA this spring.

I have been a member of the RRCA for more than 30 years. During that time I have benefitted from the useful and practical resources produced by the RRCA including its Race Management manual, Womens Running Safety Programs, Kids Running programs, and its coaching education programs.

Whenever I have had a question or needed information, help has been only a telephone call or email away--quickly and completely.

I have also been a supporter of the RRCA Roads Scholar program, a program that raises money and issues grants to emerging elite distance runners. These grants fill a real need, and this is just one of the many efforts that the RRCA has pioneered and championed. I always feel good when a former Roads Scholar wins a national championship or otherwise distinquishes himself or herself.

The RRCA through its publications and educational workshops held each year at its annual meeting are among the best sources of information available for local clubs and local club leaders. Not only do we learn alot, we always have fun.

I also appreciate the willingness of the RRCA to share via its website news and information, including things like meeting minutes and reports from its various committees.

Hooray for the RRCA!
Carl Sniffen

The RRCA provides a lot of support for local communities and has a network of representatives in every state to help local races and clubs put on safe, high quality events for their runners. They provide tools for runners to find local clubs, races and even coaches.

There are running events and then there are RRCA running events. For those who take the time to read and implement the RRCA event manual, an exceptionally good run will then be had by everyone participating, including those not running, suah as, the spectators, sponsors, race day officials and volunteers.

The RRCA supports my local running club, Lake Grapevine Runners and Walkers (RAW). The RRCA and RAW promote running and walking as an active lifestyle, one in which the whole family can participate. Supporting and encouraging physical activity amongst America's youth is more important than ever, and I am glad to be a part of these fabulous organizations. I have witnessed the positive changes that occur when a family takes fitness seriously. Five out of seven in our house are proud to call themselves runners now. Five years ago, only one could.

The RRCA promotes running and a healthy lifestyle to its members through their affiliation with the numerous running clubs throughout the country. I have participated in many running events around the country and the RRCA makes these races possible by providing insurance to these clubs that host the races.
Road races used to have male runners as their largest percentage of participants, but in recent years that has changed to where females are sometimes the largest participant category. I would say this change has been brought about through efforts of the RRCA.
As the RRCA continues to reach out and support youth running programs I believe they can greatly affect the health of America's adolescents and the future obesity rate of adults.
"Get 'em while they're young". I'm a firm believer in that statement. If we can develop and instill a love of running/exercising in our youth, we will give the future adults a way to stay active and healthy throughout their life.

RRCA is a great tool for the running community of all ages. The website and emails are filled with imformative resourses and information. The kids program is a blessing for many organizations that could not survive without their support.

RRCA promotes a healthy lifestyle for all through running and proper nutrition. They encourage people from all walks of life and levels of fitness.

The RRCA is dedicated to promoting a healthy lifesyle for everyone. But to reach today's youth is vital with physical education being phased out in some schools due to budget cuts. And with the rise of childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes this is vital. Keep up the great work RRCA; the running community is behind you.

As a member of Pamakid Runners and the Dolphin South End, the RRCA has helped to included more people into the community of runners from women in the 1970s to underserved youth of today. The RRCA provides information and assistance to running clubs and events to better serve runners and their local communities.

It is important for organizations like the RRCA to demonstrate that their purpose is not just to promote running, but rather to help others where they can, to demonstrate the value of a healthy and athletic lifestyle AND to be active in these ideals.

My local running club, Lake Grapevine Runners and Walkers, has outstanding leaders who work hard for RRCA and give generously of their time. This is a worthy organization, deserving of everyone's support, not just runners. Spareribs LaMothe

As president and coach of my running club, I credit the RRCA for the courage to start and confidence to continue leading this club. I knew nothing about the actual running of a track club before we started. With the help of the RRCA State Rep, coaching certification and continuing education classes, and the consistent outreach of the national office, my club continues to grow in knowledge and numbers. It's comforting to know that if I have a question, I can get it answered in a very timely manner. My community as a whole has benefited in so many ways! From Kids'camps and training programs addressing the obesity crisis, run/walks raising funds and providing opportunities to exercise, to seminars on nutrition and other topics. One of our local junior high schools is currently in the process of applying for a Lowe's ToolBox for Education Grant. If it wasn't for the RRCA identifying these opportunities, we would have never known. I give the RRCA A++.