Team BRAG: St. Mary's WinterRide Adventure

Team BRAG announces its first WinterRide in beautiful St. Marys, GA.

DATES: Tue, Feb 16, 2010, through Sun, Feb 21, 2010.

CONDITIONS: The average high temperature this week in St. Marys is 65ºF.

LOCATION: St. Marys is 350 miles from Atlanta.

DIRECTIONS TO THE START: I-95 to Exit 3, GA 40, Kingsland – St. Mary’s Exit. Turn left on GA 40 E. Go 5.8 miles and turn Left into Cumberland Inn & Suites, Kingsbay Hotel.

This event would make a great Valentine’s Day present for the sweetie/cyclist in your life. Non-riders are also welcome.

SCHEDULE (subject to change due to availability of venues):
Tue, Feb. 16 -
Arrive at Cumberland Inn & Suites, St. Marys, GA.
Arrive early enough & bike 3 miles to the St. Marys Submarine Museum & the Cumberland Island Museum in downtown St. Marys.
Bring a bottle or two of your favorite wines for nightly wine tasting/happy hour.
Optional dinner together at a local restaurant.

Wed, Feb. 17 -
Ride 33-mile St. Mary's Loop Ride, led by local cylists.
Visit the oldest church in Georgia, a War of 1812 battleground, the U.S. Navy Submarine Base, including the USS Bancroft Memorial, Sugar Mill tabby ruins, & Crooked River State Park.
Return to St. Mary's for nightly happy hour & optional dinner together.
After dinner, go next door to the grocery store deli for sandwiches for the next day's adventure. (The hotel rooms have refrigerators.)

Thu, Feb. 18 -
Take the ferry to Cumberland Island.
Bikes are not allowed on the ferry, but you can rent one on the island if you want to, or walk the 5-mile path on the island. Cumberland Island is one of the most beautiful places on earth & is a photographer’s paradise. (February is the time to see it, without the heat & the bugs.)
Take the ferry back to St. Mary's for happy hour/optional dinner together.

Fri, Feb. 19 -
Bike to downtown St. Mary's.
Take the ferry to Fernandina, FL. Bikes are allowed on this ferry.
At Fernandina, we will have optional lunch at a restaurant on the pier, then visit Ft. Clinch. (small fee to enter the park, another small fee to enter the fort)
Bike to the Atlantic Ocean for a beachfront snack.
Tour Amelia Island by bike, with a stop at a gourmet bakery half-way for hot chocolate (or something stronger).
Take the ferry back to St. Mary's for wine-tasting & optional dinner together. (Total 33 miles)

Sat, Feb. 20 -
Pack up & head by car to the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge & Okefenokee Adventures.
Tour the historic homeplace, walking trails, lookout tower, & boardwalk.
Lunch (included in the fee) & an overview of the swamp by owners.
Paddle the swamp by canoe or kayak on a guided tour of this (second) photographer’s paradise of the week.
After the tour, continue by car to Waycross, GA, spending the night at the Jameson Inn (one of BRAG’s sponsors).
Happy hour & optional dinner together.

Sun, February 21 -
After breakfast, check out & head home to BRAG about your winter adventure in Georgia.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
Road bike for Wednesday and Friday. Bike helmets are mandatory.
Backpack to carry lunch to/trash bag to carry your trash from Cumberland Island.
Bug spray/sunscreen, just in case.

COST:
$400 per person, double occupancy ($600, single occupancy)

WHAT IS INCLUDED:
Hotel for 5 nights, double occupancy. (We can try to find a roommate for you; if we can’t, you will have to pay the single room supplement of $200.)
Breakfast in hotel for 5 mornings.
Happy Hour for 5 afternoons (bring wine or other beverage to share).
Ferry to/from Cumberland Island (bikes not allowed).
Admission to Cumberland Island.
Ferry to/from Fernandina, FL (bikes included).
Lunch & canoe/kayak rental at Okefenokee Adventures.
Lunch on Saturday, Feb. 20 IS included.

NOT INCLUDED:
Bike rental on Cumberland Island.
Lunches and dinners.
Admission to Ft. Clinch State Park & Ft. Clinch.

TO REGISTER:
Please send your check for payable to BRAG to:

BRAG
P O BOX 871111
STONE MOUNTAIN GA 30087-0028

No refunds after January 20, 2010.

Click here to ask for more information or to charge to VISA/MasterCard.

This Word From Our Sponsor: RRCA Officer/Director Nominations

RRCA President, Vice President, Treasurer, Eastern Director, and Central Director positions are up for election in 2010. Elections for these positions will be held at the RRCA Annual Meeting of the Membership in Lakeland, FL on April 23, 2010 at 4:30 PM.

Candidates may nominate themselves or a third party may nominate them. Candidates must state the position for which they are running & provide a written statement to that effect. Candidates must provide an outline of appropriate qualifications. Learn more about the Nominating Procedure including how to nominate someone for an RRCA Board of Directors seat.

To be eligible for nomination a nominee should:
A. Be a member of the RRCA (individual member or member club) for at least six months immediately preceding nomination.
B. Support the mission, vision, & values of the RRCA.
C. Demonstrate a commitment to distance running through prior service to the sport or demonstrated expertise in one or more areas of need.
D. Be able to focus with a broad, long-range scope on many issues, not just single issues or events or short term solutions.
E. Participate assertively in deliberation with respect & tolerance for divergent opinions & ideas.
F. Share power & delegate tasks.
G. Understand the roles & responsibilities of RRCA Board Members.

Additionally, Regional Directors must be from the region for which they are running.

A nominating committee, appointed by RRCA President Brent Ayer, review all nominations & may review other candidates as allowed in the bylaws. A report to members will be prepared & posted with the notice of the annual business meeting. Names & qualifications of eligible nominees can be submitted by RRCA club or event members or individual RRCA members, & may include eligible incumbents.

The deadline for nominations is February 8, 2010.

Gulf Winds TC: Transrockies Fundraiser Cookbook

The Fleet Foot, Vol 35, Iss 1, Jan 10:

Need ideas this year for the chef, cook, baker or athlete in your life?


Survival of the Fittest: Winning Recipes From Tallahassee's Runners is ready for purchase.

Robin Adams & Shelby Augustyniak are participating in the 2010 TransRockies Race in Colorado. All proceeds from the sale of this beautiful cookbook go toward registration fees for this two-woman team representing Tallahassee.

Recipes include Salsa Pepperjack Grits Dip, Rocky Top Chicken, Omelets in a Bag, Firecracker Salmon, & Smothered Turkey Lasagna.

Cookbooks are $26.20 each, plus $6 shipping. Orders of six or more cookbooks can take ten percent off the cost($23.58 each).

Order/Mailing Information should include your name, address, city, state, ZIP code, daytime phone number, and e-mail address. Orders and Checks should be made payable to:

Shelby Augustyniak
703 Lothian Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32312

Click here for more information about the TransRockies Race.

Click here to get more information about the cookbooks from Robin or Shelby.

Pensacola Race Management: Midway 8K Challenge

DATE: March 7, 2010 TIME: 2:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Midway Fire Station 1
1322 College Parkway (next to Winn-Dixie)
Gulf Breeze, FL 32563

SPONSORED BY: Midway Professional Fire Fighters Benefiting Muscular Dystrophy Association

COURSE:
USATF-Certified (FL09023EBM) course, start/finish at the Midway Fire Station, on shaded residential streets.

AWARDS:
Age-Groups - Top 3 Male/Female 10 & Under, 11-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+

Public Service Team (Fire, Police, Sheriff, EMS) - Up to six runners per team – top four runners are scored for the team average.

Walkers - Top 5 Male/Female

SHIRTS:
To the first 200 per-registered runners!

REGISTRATION:
Online registration available before online close date
Individual Adult $20.00
Individual Child (15 & under) $10.00
Public Service Team $40.00 (Team entries must be submitted together)

PACKET PICK-UP:
Saturday, March 6 - 3:00-6:00 p.m.
New Balance Gulf Breeze
824 Gulf Breeze Hwy
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
(850-916-9700)

Day-Of-Race On-Site Registration/Packet Pick Up - Sunday, March 7 - 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Midway Fire Department
1322 College Parkway (next to Winn-Dixie)
Gulf Breeze, FL 32563

Click here for a paper-based registration form.
Registration forms/checks (make checks out to Pensacola Race Management, LLC) can be mailed to:

Pensacola Race Management, LLC
MIDWAY 8K ENTRY
P.O. Box 10050
Pensacola, FL 32524

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS EVENT

RRCA Coaching Certification Class - Bradenton, FL

Date: 03/12/2010 8:00 AM

Location: American Red Cross
10311 Malachite Drive
Bradenton, FL 34211

Phone for Info: 503-692-5126

Email for more information: coaching@rrca.org

Click Here For Online Registration.

Event Information: This two-day coaching certification (March 12 & 13) is held in conjunction with the Sarasota Marathon on March 14th.

Course Schedule:
Friday March 12 “Basics of Coaching and Training”
8:00 am – 5:00 pm Seminars - snacks, beverages and lunch provided

Saturday March 13 “Techniques of Training”
8:00 am – 5:00 pm Seminars and Group Exercises - snacks, beverages and lunch provided

Sunday March 14 Sarasota Marathon or Half Marathon - participation in events are your choice; register and pay for the event on your own.

To sign up for the certification use the online Registration Link above. Registration deadline is Feb 26 or when filled, (limited to 30).

For additional info email or phone above 1-5PM Pacific Standard Time. For info on the Sarasota Marathon see http://www.sarasotamarathon.com/

Location, Facilities: Certification classes will be held at the American Red Cross,10311 Malachite Drive, Bradenton, FL 34211

Lodging: Holiday Inn, 6231 Lake Osprey Drive,Sarasota, FL. 34240 866-782-4401 for a nightly room rate of $109.00 (code # RRCA)

Joe DiMaggio Childrens' Hospital: Tour De Broward

DATE: February 14, 2010

TIME: 7:00 a.m.

LOCATION: Miramar Regional Park

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is hosting an event to raise money for the first & only free-standing children’s hospital in Broward County, Florida. The event includes a 3K Family Walk, 5K Accu-Chip timed Run, a 50K & 100K cycling tour, & an all day spin-a-thon.

The day will be filled with fun for the whole family, including food, bounce houses & more.

Registration to participate is only $25 & includes a light breakfast, event t-shirt & goody bag
as well as lunch & lots of great entertainment.

For more information, or to register, you can visit our website. Be a part of our efforts to ensure world-class healthcare for our children. We are not just helping in the bricks & mortar, but we are providing a place for our children & grandchildren for generations to come to receive the healthcare that they need, right here in our community.

National Running Award Deadline Is December 31st

Nomination deadline for the RRCA 2009 National Running Awards is 5:00 PM Eastern on December 31, 2009.

To nominate a deserving individual for an award, review the Award Categories and Selection Criteria Information below; then complete the online nomination form during the nomination period. Only nominations made through the official online form will be accepted. Award winners are chosen by a volunteer selection panel from the nominations submitted for each award category.

Here Are The Award/Selection Criteria:

RRCA Distance Running Hall of Fame - inducts individuals who have given, not only athletic performance, but also to the overall contribution of the sport of long distance running. Preference is often given to competitive running performance. Inductees should have demonstrated long-term excellence (years of quality performance) as opposed to a few brief years of top performances. Exceptions may include a world-record mark or an Olympic championship. Racing preferably should have been done at distances of 5 miles or longer.

Browning Ross Spirit of the RRCA Award - honors an individual who champion the RRCA tirelessly and enthusiastically, but prefer to stay in the background, letting others bask in the spotlight. This award recognizes lifetime volunteer service over a period of many years to the running community.

Outstanding Club President of the Year in Honor of Scott Hamilton - honors an outstanding RRCA club president. The general criterion for this award includes developing and applying a high level of administrative and organizational management skill for their club. Pursuing community involvement through financial donations, scholarship programs, youth programs, volunteer support, and developing relationships that benefit the mission of the club. Under the president’s leadership a club should see membership retention and growth, increased participation in club hosted events such as training runs and races, and a well rounded social atmosphere for club members. The president should also ensure the club has a volunteer recognition program, exceptional communication through email, website or newsletters about club activities.

Road Runners of the Year - given to American runners with the most outstanding record of racing performances during the past year for open Male and Female, Male Masters and Female Masters runners. The general criteria includes top performances and accomplishments during the year.

Outstanding Volunteer of the Year in Honor of Rod Steele - This award is given to recognize the outstanding volunteer (excluding the president) of a local club. A general selection criterion includes someone who stands out amongst the other volunteers in the club.

RRCA Journalism Awards in Honor of Jerry Little -

Outstanding Club Newsletter - recognizes the outstanding club newsletter of the year. The award recognizes clubs with fewer than 500 members and large clubs with 500 or more members. The RRCA logo must appear on the newsletter to be considered. Content should appeal to a broad audience in a running club from beginners to competitive runners. A calendar of local events, club meetings and social gatherings, along with member achievements such as marathon finishers, and other special interest member stories are encouraged. RRCA information such as general safety tips, runners’ etiquette, information about renewing membership in the club or links to this information should be included. Other content such as original articles, training and nutrition tips, and race reviews are also important elements.
(6 copies of 2 best newsletters for the year should be sent to the National Office.)

Outstanding Club E-Newsletter - recognizes the use of technology in communicating with members. It is open to any size club. The e-newsletter can be emailed to members or clearly posted on a website and should be in PDF or HTML format. The e-newsletter should look like a newsletter and not simply be a page on a club website. When printed, it should look like a newsletter suitable for mailing.

Outstanding Club Writer - recognizes a top club writer for the year. This writer must be a volunteer for the club and not a paid sports journalist by the club or by profession. This is an opportunity to showcase your amateur club writer’s articles. The articles should be about running and should be memorable, creative and inspiring.
(Email 3 articles to office@rrca.org as part of the nomination.)

Journalistic Excellence - given to a professional writer who has made the most notable contribution to the literature of distance running during the year or during their writing career. The general criterion includes a professional writer that promotes the virtues of and supports grassroots running through their writing, is compensated for their writing, is published in a local, regional or national publication.

RRCA Outstanding State Representative of the Year - recognizes the outstanding and superior service of our State Representatives. It is an opportunity to honor a State Representative who fulfills their role with ambitious enthusiasm helping to promote running and the RRCA while assisting the local clubs with knowledge, communication and guidance. General selection criterion includes promotion of RRCA’s programs and services at the local level, support to the local running club, coordination of club information, regular communication with local clubs and events, and general promotion of the running community within their home state.

Outstanding Youth Program Director of the Year in Honor of Kurt Steiner - recognizes a local club member who is dedicated to either promoting children’s running and/or coordinating an outstanding children’s running program. The general criterion includes someone that has done a significant job in promoting, developing and managing a children’s running program in their community. The program should engage children of various ages, races, and socio-economic status and should be open to both boys and girls. Additional consideration will be given to individuals that utilize the Kids Run the Nation materials.

RRCA Outstanding Beginning Running Program Award - focuses on programs that engage new or returning runners to the sport, regardless of their gender. General criterion includes programs that have multi-week training program that engages both men and women that are new or returning to the sport of running. The program should engage new participants in the sport and work to keep them involved in a local club, not just get them to the finish line of a marathon. The program should promote running as a lifelong activity and not just a race distance goal. The program should teach new runners how to safely increase their event distance. Special consideration will be given to programs that are voluntarily led by RRCA Certified Coaches.

RRCA Road Race of the Year - acknowledges all-volunteer-managed, nonprofit races that provide safe, well-designed and enjoyable events that promote grassroots running and the mission of the RRCA. General selection criterion includes the event must be organized as a nonrprofit event or hosted by a nonprofit club that is a member of the RRCA. The race must be all volunteer run with no contract race director, but the event can contract for chip and finish line services. The event may be any size or distance road race or trail event. The race must have no insurance claims for the year. Special consideration will be given to events that include the RRCA logo on race materials, and events that have received the RRCA Championship designation for the year.

Website Award - honors and recognizes those who have brought technology into their clubs as a means of communication and done so in an organized, efficient and technological manner. The website will be judged by the first impression, layout and graphic design, ease of navigation, use of technology, depth of content, up-to-date information, uniqueness, personality and contribution to the RRCA. Awards will be given to small (250 and fewer members) and large (over 250 members) club websites. The nominated website must be listed on the member clubs page as of December 31st with all club contact information current. The website must also have the current RRCA logo with a link to RRCA.org on the homepage. Other important selection criterion includes first Impression, layout, graphic design, and ease of navigation on the site. The board of directors for the running club along with a person to contact for general inquiries and a link to how to join the club must be clearly listed somewhere on the website. Each club entered provides a reviewer to evaluate websites of ten other clubs. Each club's reviewer whose club made it through the first round was asked to review all the other clubs to determine “top sites”, the top 3 large and top 3 small clubs. The highest scoring Large and Small websites are awarded “best club web site” recognition.

The RRCA provides a $400 travel stipend and one complementary ticket for each award winner to the 2010 RRCA Annual Banquet and National Running Awards Ceremony to be held in Lakeland, FL on April 24, 2010.


Click here for information or to nominate someone today!