Running USA 2014: The 11th Industry Conference powered by ACTIVE Network Recap

SAN DIEGO – (February 12, 2014) – Running USA 2014: The 11th Industry Conference powered by ACTIVE Network, held at the Marriott Marquis & Marina from February 9-11, set a record with 550 attendees in America's Finest City.

The 10th consecutive attendance record for the largest and signature running industry conference offered something for every part of the industry from best practices to media operations to emergency planning to attracting a more diverse running population to networking opportunities and more. In addition, the conference honored those dedicated people and groups who have helped advance the sport.

"With record attendance and sponsorship and a sold-out expo, the 11th edition was our best and biggest conference ever. The attendees had a wonderful time, and one of the highlights was the Diversity Panel that explored how to bring more minorities into the sport," said Rich Harshbarger, Running USA CEO. "A big thank you goes out to our Running USA 2014 sponsors, attendees and exhibitors who all made this conference so memorable and successful."

 

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

The Monday evening Running USA Hall of Champions Dinner & Live Auction presented by Competitor Group inducted the Hall of Champions 11th Class who were acknowledged and celebrated for their contributions to the sport:

• Jeff Galloway (Atlanta, GA), 1972 Olympian / author / speaker / founder of run-walk training program / pioneer
• Scott Keenan (Duluth, MN), Co-founder of Grandma's Marathon (1977) / long-time (and first) Grandma's Marathon Executive Director (1977-2013) / leader

During the Hall of Champions dinner, American Distance Project was also announced as the 5th Allan Steinfeld Development Award winner, and the conference's silent and live auctions raised more than $35,000 for the Colorado Springs-based training group and Running USA's athlete development and youth programs.

On Monday at the Women's Trailblazer Luncheon presented by The ACTIVE Network, the Women's Trailblazer Award went to:
Jacqueline Hansen (Topanga, CA) – left with coach Bob Larsen (MarathonFoto.com), former world record holder in the marathon 1974 & 1975 (first woman sub-2:40) / Boston Marathon champion (1973) / spearheaded the lobby for the Women's Marathon, 5000m, 10,000m to be added to the Olympics / women's running advocate / coach / author

At Tuesday's Running USA Youth Awards Luncheon presented by Ashworth Awards, the following winners, who also received $5000 each, were announced:

Youth Event of the Year
Kokopelli Kids Trail Running Series, Colorado Springs, CO

Youth Program of the Year
We Run This City, Cleveland, OH

Earlier, on Sunday, Running USA's Board of Directors re-elected the following officers: Kevin Callahan (MapMyFitness, Inc.) president; Beth Salinger (Hospital Hill Run), vice president; Lonnie Somers (Hallucination Sports), treasurer, and Jeff Matlow (imAthlete), secretary. President Emeritus of Running USA is: Allan Steinfeld (New York Road Runners) and past president is Virginia Brophy Achman (Twin Cities In Motion).

Presenting sponsors of Running USA 2014 are Ashworth Awards, ChronoTrack, Competitor Group, Leslie Jordan, Inc. and MarathonFoto.com. For more information on Running USA 2014, visit: www.runningusa.org/running-usa-conference

 

New Orleans, Louisiana will host Running USA 2015 powered by ACTIVE Network, set for February 8-10, and 2015 registration will open soon.

About Running USA
Running USA advances, serves, promotes and celebrates the sport of running as a clearinghouse and resource center and though its popular annual conference, website, Running USA wire, Running USA Industry E-News, National Runner Survey, annual marathon, half-marathon and State of the Sport reports, and by providing athlete support via the Allan Steinfeld Development Award.

Running USA's more than 350 members include events with 2-plus million finishers and prize money exceeding $6 million, race services companies, running-related media companies and organizations and the athletic industry.

The national industry non-profit organization was founded in March 1999 to build and promote the sport.

For more information, visit: RunningUSA.org or contact Ryan Lamppa at (805) 966-7747 or ryan@runningusa.org

 

Source: Running USA Date: February 12, 2014