Sacramento Running Association Hall of Fame 2017

I had the honor of accepting an award for the "Best Local Running Club" on behalf of all the local chapters of MOMS RUN THIS TOWN at this year's Sacramento Running Association Hall of Fame and Annual Achievement Awards.

The Sacramento Running Association (SRA), was established in 1982 with the mission of bringing world class running events to the Sacramento area. They founded the California International Marathon in December of 1983, and currently host a variety of local running events for all levels and coupled with the ultra distance running community in Auburn, they have sealed this region as a stellar place to run.

In 2013, SRA decided to recognize some of the legendary runners in the area, past and present, and developed the Hall of Fame and Annual Achievement Awards Banquet.

My friend, Janice (a bit of a local running celebrity herself...started running at 47....has ran a marathon in all 50 states...is currently on marathon #71....plans to run a marathon a month for the rest of the year...goal is to run 100 marathons...), and I arrived early and enjoyed a glass of wine before the festivities began. We met a woman named Kathy who was with her fiancé Michael Hernandez.  Michael has ran the Wester States 100 miler 10 times before injuring his hip. Post hip replacement, he is now working his way back up and hopes to run ultras again. 

When we went to be seated for dinner, we ended up sitting at the same table as Kathy and Michael. We did not know anyone else at the table, but they knew everyone. Kathy whispered to me that accomplishments of some of the others at the table...(this woman races in Ironman's....this man runs Western States as well....)

One of the ladies at our table received an Annual Achievement Award in the Super Seniors (age 60-69) Ultra Womens Athlete category: in 2016, Barbara Ashe ran Rodeo Beach 50K, placing 10th in her age group, running it in 7:22:03. Lake Chabot 50K, placing 6th in her age group, running it in 6:50:34, and San Diego 50 and Trail Marathon, running it in 5:22:09.

There were five people inducted into the Hall of Fame. I am posting just a few of their accomplishments:

1) Will Stephens - a running coach who coached three Olympians, and won five consecutive national women's cross country championships. He passed away in 1982, and his daughters accepted the award in his honor. Other members of the Hall of Fame had been coached by him.

2) Marie Mulder - Trained under Will Stephens. Won the first Women's US National Cross County Championship.

Set five American records. Placed 2nd to a world record in 1965. Was on the cover of both Sport's Illustrated and Parade Magazine. She received her award and shared some great stories about the early days of her running life. 

3) Sue Williams - coached at UC Davis for 29 years. Named NCAA Cross Country National Coach of the Decade- 1980's. Coached more that 80 All-American's and captures 25 combined conference titles.

There were quite a few there to cheer her on as she accepted her award. She shared an excellent piece of wisdom. I'm afraid I might butcher the exact way she said it, but it was something like, "Your identity is not as a good runner. You are a good runner because of who your are."

4) Bjorg Austrheim-Smith - Started running at age 35. Three time Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run Champion '81-'83. First WSER100 female gold buckle holes (10 finishes in under 24 hours). Two time American River 50 winner. etc.etc.

This woman is a hoot. She is a talented story teller and had us all in stitches as she recounted a few of her race experiences.

5) Rich Hanna - well known and loved in this area, Rich has devoted his life to the Sacramento running community. His accomplishments and contributions are huge. Here's just a few: Owner of the Capitol Road Race Management. Coached over 4,000 marathon and half marathoners. Author/co-author of five running related books.

He shared this great story of how at the age of 13, he decided to run the Sacramento Marathon. His mom made him a breakfast of bacon and eggs. He wore brand new running shoes and cotton socks, and he drank no water or took in fuel the whole race. The other runners near him kept saying he might "break three". He had no clue what that meant. Well, he did not "break three", but he did finish the marathon in 3:01!!

It was a special night, surrounded by outstanding athletes. I left feeling inspired, honored, and humbled to be around this incredible community.