Friday, January 23, 2015

2014 Runabout Sports Awards


Last night our local running store, Runabout Sports, had its first year-end awards event. They held seven races in 2014 ranging from the super fast downhill Draper Mile to the Hokie Half Marathon, with all sorts of distances in between. Title sponsors included Carilion Clinic, Dowell Chiropractic and Blacksburg Physical Therapy.

The event recognized the sponsors and the following groups of runners:
  • Those who ran at least 6 of the 7 races - they won hoody sweatshirts
  • Those who completed the December 100 Mile Challenge - they won long-sleeved technical tees and were in a drawing for $100 gift cards
  • Those who won the most points overall, or in their age group, across all the races - they were awarded embroidered running jackets with money going to the top overall winners (the top male and female won $500 shopping sprees in the store!)

I received an email the prior week letting me know I was an award winner, and I was SuPeR surprised.

shocked like this

A running series award was the furthest thing from my mind and I only began racing for the year in June. But it turns out I did run 4 of the 7 races and I believe I finished top of my age group in all but the Draper Mile (edged out by the speedy Alice C!):

This is one of the most meaningful awards I have ever received.

This award marked the end of a year that finished far differently than it began. My running year led off with tears, frustration, and pain, which gave way to determination and hope, and finally the restoration of the joy of running free and healthy! I'm so glad and grateful to have battled my way back as a runner.

We got really cute Brooks running jackets (with thumb holes!) embroidered with the race series logo.



James DeMarco (in top photo) and Runabout Sports are without question the hub of running in our community. It's crazy how much he does with the stores, coaching the nationally ranked high school runners, putting on a distance running academy, hosting community running programs, directing races, etc. And beyond that, he *knows* us, he knows the area runners. When he calls your name at a race as you cross the finish line or receive an award, rest assured, he knows a bit about your journey!

Some of the folks who did at least 6 of the 7 races

The hard-earned 100-mile shirt. 44 runners (including yours truly) earned them,
with totals ranging from exactly 100 to 217! 

Five of us 100-milers were randomly selected to win $100 gift cards to the store.
I got super lucky and won!! 


What was cool about this award event was hanging out with other runner friends, seeing what we all look like in non-running clothes and with non-running hair, and spending more time together than we get from the passing wave on the road or trail. 

This event shows that running is really about showing up and that fast or slow, what matters is that we are all runners! Of the three types of awards, only one had anything to do with speed and race results. The others were about consistency and determination. 

You won't find this kind of running community coming out of a chain sports store. We are so fortunate to have the leadership of James and the staff of Runabout Sports. 

Congratulations to all who "show up" to run - recognized or not. 


2014 Carilion Race Series Overall and Age Group Winners:

Overall Winners:
Kari Putterman F 25
Sophia Link F 13
Chad Holt M 26
Kevin McGuire M 48
George Tolton M 23

Male Age Group Winners:
Sidd Nathella M 14
Sam Teller M 16
Frank Locascio M 22
Brandon Bear M 27
Nick Clark M 34
Scott Huxtable M 39
Ignacio Moore M 43
Brian Walter M 47
Marc Edwards M 50
Randy Burrier M 55
Tom Gardner M 62
Bob Shea M 69
John Gregg M 74
Female Age Group Winners:
Ailene Edwards F 13
Sarah Karalus F 19
Hayley Billingsley F 21
Allison Rahtes F 27
Mina DeMarco F 30
Ann McGranahan F 35
Kim Kitts F 42
Cortney Martin F 47
Trish Richardson F 53
Leslie Gregg F 57
Susan Terwilliger F 63
Pat Barton F 67
Rosemary Cole F 71



December 100 Mile Challenge Finishers:

Luisa Baker 100
Loren Beasley 134
Kirsten Beaudry 135.5
Brandon Bishop 100.3
Brad Bizzell 125.1
Robert Brett 153
Gary Buss 100
Janet Buss 106
Bryce Cannon 116
Jennifer Carter 104
Alicia Cohen 100
Carla Cross 141.5
Hannah Curry 129
Mina DeMarco 162
Rachel Edwards 110
Catherin Fae 101
Marlin Fjallstrom-Hosak 126.6
Jen Gagon 105.6
Michaela Kelly Galya 125
Ally Higgens 119
Shawn Hustun 155
Taylor Jennings 150
Kim Kitts 126
Cybele Lane 153.17

Tanya LeRoith 101
Michaela Linkous 101
Frank Locascio 101
Miranda Lucia 120.8
Cortney Martin 101
Corbin Mathews 120
Glenn Matthews 105
Ignacio Moore 202
Dimple Mozhi 173
Theresa Pancotto 137.7
Tara Phelps-Durr 111.5
Shannon Price 217
Joshua Rancourt 100.33
Trish Richardson 108
Brian Seitz 120
Caman Skelton 108
Dan Smith 100
Alison Smith 100
Linda Vick 115
Dawn Weeks 132.73
Nancy Whitlock 108
Mary-Beth Wisniewski 105
Toby Wright 100.2


Completed at least 6 of 7 races:

Brandon Bear
Gregor Wollmann
Kevin McGuire
Marcia Wright
Sophia Link
Vince Baranauskas
Debbie Wells
Nick Clark
Scott Huxtable
Scott Shetrone
Harry Hudson
Marlete Servidoni
Robert Smith
Theresa Pancotto
Kelly Robinson
Kim Kitts
Linda Vick
Randy Burrier
Aran Jackson
George Tolton
Heather Govenor
Kari Putterman
Ignacio Moore
Stephanie Harvey