Dear RRCA Georgia Clubs,

Greetings and well wishes from your former RRCA Georgia State Rep!  I hope that you’ve all had a great summer and that each of your clubs is gearing up for the heightened activities that fall and cool weather brings.

First and foremost I would like to introduce the new RRCA Georgia State Rep – Mark Ward (Peachtree City Running Club).  As many of you will recall, I retired as state rep in September 2007 after 8 years of service.  Mark Ward has stepped forward with great enthusiasm and boundless energy and promises to be a great representative for RRCA in Georgia. 

Mark hails from one of the largest running clubs in Georgia.  Peachtree City Running Club is a club that extends outside their organization to support the community they live and run in.  They provide several annual scholarships at the high school level; they regularly donate to civic organizations in Peachtree City; they conduct a children’s grand prix series to promote health at across several schools at the elementary level; they conduct a kid’s marathon event in conjunction with their Peachtree City Classic 15K race; they work hard to preserve their running environment on the cart paths of Peachtree City, and they conduct one of the best quality road races in Georgia. As a club, they are a family, with one of the highest percentages of participation within their club that I have seen.  Mark comes well prepared to go forward to support the sport of running in Georgia.

As your former state rep, I ask that each of you reach out to Mark and welcome him. Some of the things that you can do to make him a more effective state rep include:

·     Contact him at mark@markward.com and welcome him to the RRCA Georgia family. Let him know who your club contacts are and some of your key races/events.

·     Put him on your newsletter distribution list and make sure he receives your newsletters on a monthly basis.

·     Invite him to attend your club meetings, your club events and to contribute information to your newsletter.

·     Work with Mark to make RRCA initiatives successful:  RRCA National Run@Work Day, RRCA national award nomination from Georgia, Kids Run The Nation, Women’s Distance Festival events, RRCA national convention, and timely RRCA club membership renewals for 2009.

·     Help Mark provide greater visibility for the RRCA at the club member level.

Welcome on board, Mark!!!

Safe running and best regards,

Marlene Atwood

Former RRCA Georgia State Rep

RRCA Coaching Certifications Announced

The RRCA will be holding a Central Region coaching certification September 20 & 21 in Hammond Indiana and Western Region coaching certifications on August 2 & 3 in Palo Alto, CA and October 3 & 4 in Portland, OR. The one in Portland is in conjunction with the Portland Marathon

The certification is designed for coaching adult endurance runners for road running. There are currently more than 450 RRCA certified coaches across the US in 41 states and in Canada.

The 2 day program includes 16 hours of coursework and an online multiple choice exam with immediate results.

Visit the Coaching page on the RRCA website for more details.

May is National Fitness Month

To celebrate National Physical Activity and Sports Month, the RRCA encourages everyone to participate in the RRCA Personal Fitness Program. Founded in 1973, the RRCA Personal Fitness Program has helped motivate and reward runners.

How the Program Works:
1. Select your 6 month total mileage goal from 300, 600, or 1000 miles
2. Log onto www.rrca.org/running/tools/
3. Create your FREE Account to Log Your Miles
4. Start running and logging your miles
5. After six months, print each month, total your miles, indicate your total on the Personal Fitness Program form and mail along with your payment to receive your reward.
6. Celebrate your accomplishment!

Start Planning Your Run@Work Day Event

On September 19, 2008, the Road Runners Club of America will promote the 3rd Annual National Run@Work Day®.

The goal of the RRCA National Run@Work Day is to raise awareness about the importance of daily physical activity for adults. Running clubs, company-based wellness programs, human resources departments, and individuals nationwide are encouraged to plan fun runs and walks with their employers.

Sign the FREE pledge to run or walk at least thirty five minutes on September 19, 2008 in support of the RRCA National Run@Work Day.

To help employers, running clubs, or individuals plan and promote their local Run@Work Day event, the RRCA has developed a "Planning Kit".  The "Kit" contains a sample press release for announcing local events, ideas for planning and promoting the event, and information on nutrition and running that can be shared with event participants.  Run@Work Day events can be posted on the RRCA Calendar for FREE.  Event organizers can use the special event code, Run@Work Event.

Kids Run the Nation Fund Needs Your Support!

Make a Tax Deductable Contribution Today!

Established in 2007, the RRCA: Kids Run the Nation Fund awards grants to running clubs, events, and schools that are interested in implementing or currently have a youth running program.  This small grant program is funded through restricted contributions from RRCA members, individual donors, foundations, and corporations. Kids Run the Nation grants are awarded on an annual basis through an application and selection process overseen by a volunteer selection committee.  Click here to learn more about the 2007 grantees.

Please give to the Kids Run the Nation Fund today by mailing a check to:
Road Runners Club of America
RRCA: 1501 Lee Hwy, Ste 140
Arlington, VA: 22209 

Help us acheive our fundraising goals.  Click on the links below and give today!  Your contribution is tax deductable!

Grassroots Supporters

Roads Scholar Fund

Kids Run the Nation 

Be an RRCA fundraiser - invite others to support our programs financially.  Donate a portion of your race proceeds to the Kids Run the Nation Fund.