BIG SIR – Big Sur Marathon Race Director Wally Kastner was inducted into the Hall of Champions at the 2008 Running USA Conference on 14 February.

Big Sur Marathon has grown impressively, and the non-profit organization has created other successful running events such as the Half Marathon on Monterey Bay, the Mud Run, the burgeoning JUST RUN® youth fitness program, and the JUST RUN! Just Kids 3K races.

Accepting the honour, Kastner highlighted the importance of youth fitness, saying "I believe that runners can save America." The 2008 conference concentrated on programs to combat childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes, including Big Sur's award-winning JUST RUN program that is now being adopted in communities throughout the USA.

Kastner joins a distinguished list of honorees including Amby Burfoot of Runner's World Magazine, Guy Morse of the Boston Marathon, Bill Roe of USA Track & Field, Rich Benyo of Marathon & Beyond and Allan Steinfeld of the New York City Marathon.

Running USA is the trade organization for the running industry, devoted to improving the status of road racing and long distance running in the United States.