2015 awards banquet february 6, 2016

2015 AWARDS BANQUET
FEBRUARY 6, 2016
CARA ORGANIZATIONAL DIRECTORY
Staff
Board of Directors
Ed Zylka
Executive Director
Anne Baker, President
Joseph Tota, President Elect, Membership
Committee Chair
Efriam Juarez, Treasurer
Gordon Kane, Past President
Betsey Madden, Secretary
Sara Brown, Medical Committee Chair
Rob Chenoweth, Race Committee Chair
Michael Davies
Nimrod Gutman
Marc Grabowski
Jennifer Kelly
Tom Klimmeck
Martin Leamy
Trisha Palmer
Tom Schnecke
Sue Valene
Johnpaul Higgins
Director of Membership &
Community Development
Alona Banai
Partnership Marketing Coordinator
Patrick Cogan
Director of Corporate Partnerships
Astrid Grimes
Organizational & Road Scholars Coordinator
Greg Hipp
Manager, Road Race Services & Event Planning
TBD
Director of Training
Melanie Jones
Marketing Coordinator
Greg Itahara
Graphic Design
Janice Brink
Accounting
CARA Interns:
Erika Kooda
Kirsten Slora
Kristen Whitney
FROM ED ZYLKA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Fellow Runners,
In 1978, the Chicago Area Runners Association was established as a not-for-profit to serve as the
advocate for our community, helping to foster group running in Chicagoland through local race
participation, running clubs, social runs and access to training for any level of runner.
The 2015 CARA Circuit consisted of 18 races across Cook, DuPage and Lake Counties. On race day
these destinations are the place where camaraderie and competition come together. I’d like to
thank the competing clubs and teams for their support -- Bootleg Runners Coalition, Dick Pond
Fast Track Racing Team, Elmhurst Running Club, Evanston Running Club, Fleet Feet/Nike Racing
Team, FrontRunners / FrontWalkers, Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Running Club, Oak Park Runners
Club, Track and Trough Athletic Union, and Team Universal Sole.
For our Road Scholars youth running program, this summer we trained over 150 students from 9
Chicago high schools. Over 65 volunteers served as group leader-mentors. Students ran their
‘final exam’ at the Rock n Roll Half Marathon. 13.1 miles is a stretch goal for a teenager, but one
made possible by the group support system provided by each other and their mentors.
In September, our CARA Ready to Run 20 Miler ‘marathon simulator’ brought together thousands of runners from our training sites throughout the city and suburbs. A magnificent day saw
these marathoners in-training end their final long run on a high-note along Chicago's beautiful
Lakefront. The runners accomplished their goal together with the support of site coordinators,
group leaders, volunteers and each other.
This year’s Awards Banquet celebrates the accomplishments of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Women
Marathon trialists who attribute their successes to the power of the group. Or to quote Runner’s
World magazine, “running friends are friends with benefits”.
Best Regards,
Ed Zylka
CARA Executive Director
FROM ANNE BAKER, PRESIDENT
Greetings Runners!
It is my honor and privilege to serve as President of the Board of Directors for the Chicago Area
Runners Association. I’d like to congratulate everyone on a successful racing season and salute
our Runners of the Year: Columba Montes of Dick Pond Fast Track and James Akita of of Fleet
Feet / Nike Racing Team as well as the race of the year: Elmhurst Running Club - 4 on The 4th!
The Awards Banquet is one of my favorite CARA events because we get to celebrate each other’s
accomplishments and we’re reminded how impactful running can be. Today, our awards go to
runners spanning over 80 years! Our youngest winners are under eight and our most senior
winner is Robert Taylor at 90.
While this event marks the close of the 2015 racing season we’re excited about the 2016 Circuit
year and opening the circuit with the Live Grit Lakefront 10 Miler this year on Saturday, March
19th. We’ve also added a 5K to the event so grab a friend that’s new to running and make it a
date!
Everyone who participates in the CARA Circuit knows what running has done for them. Imagine
if we could spread that love to more adults and children across the Chicagoland area? Over the
next two years we want to grow the CARA Road Scholars program, our youth running initiative,
create more beginning running programs, and strengthen our advocacy efforts in the city and
suburbs. But we can’t do this alone. We need our members to be our eyes and ears, reporting
back to us where running conditions need to be improved. We need volunteers to help us mentor youth runners, serve as group leaders in our various programs, and serve on committees that
help support the Board’s efforts to deliver on CARA’s mission. Watch the CARA Connection for
more details or please contact [email protected] if you would like more information on how you
can help CARA.
Lastly, I’d like to thank the CARA staff who wake up every morning thinking about how to make
running better for our community. I look forward to the great things we’re going to accomplish.
Here’s to a great end to 2015 and fast start to 2016!
See you on the path,
Anne
CARA Board of Directors, President
FROM ROB CHENOWETH, RACE COMMITTEE CHAIR
Congratulations!
I want to thank everybody for the time and effort that they put into the 2015 CARA Runners
Choice Circuit. It takes a lot of determination and commitment to participate week in and week
out, and your dedication is truly inspiring.
With your help and feedback, we try our best to make the circuit fun and accessible to everybody. We make sure there are a range of race distances, and that we cover as many Chicago
area locations as we can. We also continue to try new races to really get a great representation
of what Chicagoland has to offer. With this in mind, we hope that you like the changes for 2016
and are looking forward to another great racing season. We would also love to see more people participate in the 2016 circuit, so please make sure to invite your fellow club runners,
friends and family to join in the fun.
I would be remiss if I didn't also thank the CARA staff and the racing committee for all of the
work that they do to help ensure a successful racing season and awards banquet. They put in a
lot of time and effort and are very passionate about helping the running community.
Sincerely,
Rob Chenoweth
CARA Racing Committee, Chair
Race Committee Members
Rob Chenoweth, Chair
Nick Bensen
Stephanie Hughes
Beth Onines
Ed Packel
Doug Pearson
Mark Przybyla
Kimberley Stedman
Danielle Steimel
Will Van Dyke
Robert Wiegand
CARA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Presented by Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K
Twenty years ago, five runners from Chicago trained together for the ’96 U.S. Olympic Marathon
Trial. Ann Schaefers-Coles, Laurie Mizener, Jane Murphy, Janeth Salazar-Ohst, and Jenny Spangler formed a support system that they used for motivation, accountability, and a strong social
connection with the single focus of performing at their peak for the trials. They call this the
“power of the group.”
Their influence on Chicago area running and CARA still continues through coaching, racing, social
connections and their club affiliations - Ann with Dick Pond-Fast Track, Jane with Oak Park Runner’s Club, and Jenny with Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Running Club. For their outstanding contributions over the whole of their running career, we would like to recognize Ann, Jane and Jenny as
recipients of the 2015 CARA Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Bank of America
Shamrock Shuffle 8K!
Jane Murphy
While growing up in Oak Park, Jane’s start to running did not come until
her early 20’s; but once she began promising results came quickly. Representing Triton College Jane earned All-American honors that allowed to
her move on to DePaul University where she became the Blue Demon’s
MVP after winning a conference cross country championship.
Three year’s later in 1988 Jane qualified, and competed, in her first US Olympic Marathon Trials;
a feat she would repeat in 1996. Her marathon personal best of 2:44:15 would still hold up to
the trials standard of today. In between Jane’s Trials efforts she would represent the United
State’s internationally at the Chiba Ekiden Relay Championship in Japan where her team would
net the Silver medal.
Jane continues to run with the support of her club mates at the Oak Park Runner’s Club. She
notes that her club keeps her motivated despite the weather challenges that Chicago presents.
Looking back Jane credits many of her coaches and fellow runners, especially Willie Rios who she
feels forever grateful to for motivating her and her teammates to “get our tickets to the dance!”.
Ann Schaefers-Coles
While competing at nearby Loyola University Ann’s coach Bill Branda told
her, “someday you are going to make a great marathoner”. That comment
became prophecy for this Schaumburg native who would go on to qualify
for the US Olympic Marathon Trials in both 1996 and 2000.
Ann’s time as a runner began early after being intrigued with her junior
high team’s “100 Mile Club”. Thirty-Seven years later Ann is still running, now with the Dick Pond
Fast Track Racing Team. Her club mates and her family have become “Ann’s Army” which has
supported her throughout the years, including both of her Trials attempts.
Ann’s 2000 Trials run in South Carolina brought one of the highest marks of her running career.
There Ann moved up from 12th at half-way to eighth at mile 24. She remembers seeing Ann’s
Army cheering her on, and at mile 26 mile, Chicago’s own Carey Pinkowski pulling for her. By the
finish Ann had moved up to sixth place and a then marathon best of 2:38:47; cementing her as
one of the country’s finest runners. She would better that mark in Chicago with a 2:37:48 later
the same year.
Running in Chicagoland has influenced Ann tremendously. For Ann, CARA has provided a supportive running community that has inspired her to compete on the CARA Runners’ Choice Circuit for many years.
Jenny Spangler
After being persuaded by her parents to take an up extra-curricular activity, Jenny took up track and soon found that the farther the distance, the
more her love for running grew.
That love also developed into an opportunity to compete for the University of Iowa, where Jenny would earn both All-BigTen and All-American
honors. At the age of 19 Jenny would set a then World Age Group record at the 1983 Grandmas
Marathon (2:33:51). That set the stage for a series of four US Olympic Marathon Trials qualifications over a 20-year span. Entering the 1996 Trials ranked 61st Spangler shocked the nation and
won, punching her ticket to the Olympic Games in Atlanta. At the Trials Jenny smashed her personal best set 13-years prior running 2:29:54.
Now a masters runner, in 2003 Jenny showed that little of her ability had been lost as she won
the Bank of America Chicago Marathon master division in 2:32:38. That led to one more US
Olympic Trials run in 2004 where she placed ninth (2:36:30).
Today Jenny is still running, and using her gift to help other runners realize theirs through coaching.; including coaching runners participating in CARA’s Boston Performance Training.
RUNNERS’ CHOICE CIRCUIT AWARD WINNERS
Participation Award
Long Distance Award
Chuck Aron
Fred Bazzoli
Geri Bensen
Nick Bensen
Carrie Blaine
Ruth Bonacci-Klaesser
Michael Brosilow
Julie Bruns
Jonanthan Cohen
Lynn Crim
Lisa Czepiel
Erin Ding
David Dziagwa
Debra Evans
Bill Gilmore
Angelica Guerrero
Denise Heinen
Tina Helm
David Hensley
Kevin Ho
Stephanie Hughes
Penny Jensen
Matthew Jeromin
Ken Kansa
Stephanie Kliethermes
Marsha Komosa
Bill Leiner
Kaori Maeshima
Chuck Aron
Geri Bensen
Nick Bensen
Carrie Blaine
Michael Brosilow
Shawna Cooper-Gibson
Lynn Crim
Erin Ding
Tina Helm
Stephanie Hughes
Matthew Jeromin
Ken Kansa
John Kolman
Marsha Komosa
Michele Malo
Barb Mcgovern
Michael Morrow
Edward Straka
Lovie Twine
Carlos Viramontes
Hans Wenzel
Robert Wiegand
Eileen Malec
Adrian Malec
Michele Malo
Barb Mcgovern
Michael Morrow
Donald Ordonez
Richard Osborne
Ed Packel
Doug Pearson
Daniel Pintar
Roberto Sarli
Doris Schertz
Renee Severa
Rich Slehofer
Edward Straka
Elizabeth Streit
Jacquelyn Sylte
Robert Taylor
Stacia Taylor
Michael Trepelas
Lovie Twine
Veronika Tylova
Lisa Verdon
Carlos Viramontes
Hans Wenzel
Robert Wiegand
JAMES AKITA
2015 CARA Runners’ Choice Circuit Male Runner of The Year
James Akita has been running for 22 years. He became passionate about this sport through his
experience at York High School where he was coached by the legendary Joe Newton. Coach
Newton believed in James' ability and pushed him to run in college.
James continued running at Elmhurst College where he was a 13 x All Conference runner, and an
All American in the 10,000 meters. Since college James has run 15 marathons, with a personal
best of 2:24.
James currently runs for Fleet Feet / Nike Racing Team. He also is the Cross Country and Track &
Field Coach at Elmhurst College.
2015 Runners Choice Circuit Results
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August 19th — Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K (25:22)
April 12th — The Good Life Race 5K (15:20)
April 18th — Live Grit Lakefront 10 Miler (53:56)
April 26th — Ravenswood Run 5K (15:37)
May 9th — Quarryman Challenge 10 Mile (55:41)
June 28th— Downers Grove 5 Miler (27:53)
July 4th — Elmhurst Running Club 4 on The 4th (20:24)
July 11th — Waterfall Glenn Xtreme 10 Mile (56:03)
August 9th – NU Run for Walk 4.1 Mile (21:08)
August 23rd — Windrunner 10K (33:20)
September 6th — Buffalo Grove Stampede 10K (33:20)
September 13th — Lake Zurich Alpine Races Half Marathon (1:10:47)
October 11th — Bank of America Chicago Marathon (2:32:50)
October 24th — Halloween Hustle 5K (15:39)
COLUMBA MONTES
2015 CARA Runners’ Choice Circuit Female Runner of The Year
A native of Santa Maria Tocatlan Tlaxcala, Mexico, Columba Montes, this year’s CARA Runners’
Choice Circuit Female Runner of The Year, did not begun running until 2009. Columba credits
her start to brother Silvestre who inspired her through his own running. Despite a late start to
competitive running, Columba has quickly become a force on the Chicago running scene.
Columba’s teammates Bernabe Rogel and Manuel Bautista helped her meet her coach Roberto
Alvarez. Roberto has guided Columba to become one of the area’s, and The Circuit’s, top runners. Through Roberto Columba met Dave Schaefers and the Dick Pond Fast Track Racing Team.
Columba describes herself as “blessed” to have her Fast Track teammates, along with her additional training partners from the Chicago Road Runners.
A mother of two daughters, Columba is passionate about sharing her talents with kids. Her kids,
and others, have now begun following in her footsteps through Columba’s club Mini Chicago
Road Runners.
2015 Runners Choice Circuit Results
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August 19th — Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K (29:05)
April 12th — The Good Life Race 5K (17:43)
April 18th — Live Grit Lakefront 10 Miler (1:02:10)
April 26th — Ravenswood Run 5K (17:52)
May 23rd — Fleet Feet Sports Soldier Field 10 Mile (1:00:48)
June 7th — Roselle Run for the Roses 5K (17:46)
July 4th — Elmhurst Running Club 4 on The 4th (23:08)
July 11th — Waterfall Glenn Xtreme 10 Mile (1:05:09)
August 9th – NU Run for Walk 4.1 Mile (23:53)
September 26th — Park Ridge Charity Classic 5K (17:59)
RUNNERS’ CHOICE CIRCUIT RUNNER’S OF THE YEAR
Overall
James Akita
Columba Montes
Masters
Rob Chenoweth
Elizabeth Chenoweth
Senior
Michael McCahey
Nancy Rollins
Veteran
Craig Gunby
Angelica Guerrero
Junior
Riley Spankowski
Ellie Grammas
Super Senior
Adrian Malec
Doris Schertz
NovaCare Comeback Runner of The Year
Brad Stephenson
CARA Runners’ Choice Circuit Race of The Year
Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th
RUNNERS’ CHOICE CIRCUIT AWARD WINNERS
Overall Male
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
James Akita
Jeremy Ruston
Kyle Larson
Rich Heffron
Robert Wiegand
Scott Mangum
Rob Chenoweth
Emil Bojanov
Matthew Jeromin
James Robertson
Overall Female
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Columba Montes
Bess Ritter
Stephanie Hughes
Elizabeth Chenoweth
Veronika Tylova
Angelica Guerrero
Laura Kennedy
Allison Parker
Lisa Czepiel
Laura Jortberg
Age Graded
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Nancy Rollins
Laura Kennedy
Grace Wasielewski
Angelica Guerrero
Tim Conheady
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Craig Gunby
James Akita
Rob Chenoweth
Doris Shertz
Keith Holzmueller
Clydesdale “A”
1.
2.
3.
Steve Sarowitz
Daniel Pintar
Jeff Giffin
Clydesdale “B”
1.
2.
3.
Donald Ordonez
Lynn Crim
David Dziagwa
Clydesdale “C”
1.
2.
3.
Chris Stephenitch
Michael Trepelas
Christopher Janusz
Athena “A”
1.
2.
3.
Jennifer Jandras
Debra Evans
Lisa Verdon
Athena “B”
1.
2.
3.
Rachel Meiner
Lovie Twine
Michelle Green
YOUTH CIRCUIT AWARD WINNERS
Male 8 & Under
1.
Holden Jaehn
3.
Hunter Jaehn
Female 9 & 10
Female 8 & Under
1.
2.
1.
2.
Male 11 & 12
Katherine Martin
Laila Sharda
Male 9 & 10
1.
2.
Aryan Krishna
Aryan Sharda
1.
Olivia Van Kooten
Perez Kenya
Max Zeisler
Female 11 & 12
1.
None
RUNNERS’ CHOICE CIRCUIT AWARD WINNERS
Male 14 & Under
Male 25-29
1.
2.
1.
2.
3.
Riley Spankowski
Evan Smith
Female 14 & Under
1.
Ellie Grammas
Male 15-19
1.
None
Kyle Larson
Eric Erspamer
Michael Morrow
Female 25-29
1.
2.
3.
Bess Ritter
Stephanie Hughes
Christine Dunphy
Female 15-19
Male 30-34
1.
1.
2.
3.
None
Male 20-24
1.
None
Female 20-24
1.
Bianca Thai
James Akita
Rich Heffron
Matthew Jeromin
RUNNERS’ CHOICE CIRCUIT AWARD WINNERS
Female 30-34
Female 45-49
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Veronika Tylova
Stephanie Kliethermes
Allison Parker
Julie Bruns
Laura Jortberg
Geri Bensen
Male 35-39
Male 50-54
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Jeremy Ruston
Robert Wiegand
Scott Mangum
Female 35-39
1.
2.
Columba Montes
Sabra Abbott
Male 40-44
1.
2.
3.
James Robertson
Ricardo Martinez
Lance Caldwell
Female 40-44
1.
2.
3.
Elizabeth Chenoweth
Lisa Czepiel
Lisa Rodriguez
Male 45-49
1.
2.
3.
Rob Chenoweth
Matthew Abbott
Scott Ebeling
Craig Gunby
Leo Kular
Carlos Viramontes
Female 50-54
1.
2.
3.
Angelica Guerrero
Renee Severa
Koyoko Hammamura
Male 55-59
1.
2.
3.
Tim Conheady
Keith Holzmueller
Michael Brosilow
Female 55-59
1.
2.
3.
Laura Kennedy
Denise Heinen
Diana Schnell
Male 60-64
1.
2.
3.
Michael McCahey
Fred Bazzoli
Bill Leiner
RUNNERS’ CHOICE CIRCUIT AWARD WINNERS
Female 60-64
Female 75-79
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
Grace Wasielewski
Kaori Maeshima
N. Claire Berman
Male 65-69
1.
2.
3.
Bob Sievert
Andrew Suozzo
Bob Richards
Female 65-69
1.
2.
3.
Nancy Rollins
Isola Metz
Susan Zwolfer
Male 70-74
1.
2.
3.
Adrian Malec
Will Van Dyke
Ed Packel
Female 70-74
1.
2.
3.
Stacia Taylor
Muriel Odeen
Judy Friedes-Craig
Male 75-79
1.
2.
3.
Nick Koplos
Frank Nicholson
Kirby Anderson
Doris Schertz
Janet Draheim
Male 80-84
1.
2.
3.
Russell Scott
Hank Caldwell
Carl Hayes
Female 80-84
1.
2.
Lois Gilmore
Mary Durham
Male 85 & Over
1.
2.
Robert Taylor
Dick Lamermayer
Female 85 & Over
1.
None
RUNNERS’ CHOICE CIRCUIT AWARD WINNERS
Combined Club
Male Senior Club
1.
2.
1.
2.
Dick Pond Fast Track
Fleet Feet / Nike Racing Team
Male Open Club
1.
2.
Fleet Feet / Nike Racing Team
Dick Pond Fast Track
Elmhurst Running Club
Evanston Running Club
Female Senior Club
1.
2.
Evanston Running Club
Dick Pond Fast Track
Female Open Club
Corporate Circuit
1.
2.
1.
2.
3.
Fleet Feet / Nike Racing Team
Dick Pond Fast Track
Male Masters Club
1.
2.
Dick Pond Fast Track
Track and Trough Athletic Union
Female Masters Club
1.
2.
Dick Pond Fast Track
Elmhurst Running Club
Male Veteran Club
1.
2.
Dick Pond Fast Track
Elmhurst Running Club
Molex
Sargent & Lundy
Metra
Special thanks to our
volunteer circuit scorers!
Jeff West
Individual, Age-Graded, Clydesdale / Athena
Competitions
Doug Pearson
Club Competition
Female Veteran Club
Jeffrey Vorreyer
Corporate Competition
1.
2.
Greg Hipp
Youth Circuit
Dick Pond Fast Track
Evanston Running Club
Janet Draheim
2015 CARA Hall of Fame Inductee
After growing up in nearby Milwaukee, Wisc. Janet found her way to
Loyola University where she completed her undergraduate work. Janet
now resides in Arlington Heights, Ill.
Janet has been a CARA Runners’ Choice Circuit fixture for more than a
decade. Over the past 12 years Janet has rung up 11 top three age-group
finishes. Her top finishes include winning the 70-74 in 2012 and a runnerup finish this past season in the 75-79 division.
Janet’s running days began in 1980. She credits influences Jeff Galloway, Jon “The Penguin”
Bingham, Jenny Hadfield, Bart Yasso, and Bank of America Chicago Marathon race director Carey
Pinkowski for much of her running inspiration.
Away from running Janet is a “serious traveler” with over 40 countries visited on her passport.
She is also an avid reader of histories, mysteries and thrillers and is a Medieval Scholar.
Janet’s Hall of Fame Points History
2004—2nd 60-64 Category (3 points)
2005—2nd 65-69 Category (3 points)
2006—2nd 65-69 Category (3 points)
2007—2nd 65-69 Category (3 points)
2008—2nd 65-69 Category (3 points)
2009—3rd 65-69 Category (1 point)
2010—2nd 70-74 Category (3 points)
2011—2nd 70-74 Category (3 points)
2012—1st 70-74 Category (5 points)
2014—3rd 70-74 Category (1 point)
2015—2nd 75-79 Category (3 points)
Hall of Fame status is earned through
participation in the CARA Runners’ Choice
Circuit. Runners must accumulate 30
points to be inducted. Points are earned
by placing in the top three in one’s age
category. Five points are awarded for a
first place standing, three for second and
one for third.
Andrew Suozzo
2015 CARA Hall of Fame Inductee
Andrew recently moved to San Diego, after living in Chicago for 34 years
as an accomplished writer and professor at DePaul University. Andrew
gained acclaim for his article “The Chicago Marathon and Urban Renaissance” earning “best article prize” by the Popular Culture Association.
Andrew is also a former recipient of the CARA “Hal Higdon Prize for Journalism” for his book “The Chicago Marathon”.
Andrew began running in high school, but after graduation did not continue his running until the
age of 49. A two-time sub three-hour marathoner post age 50, Andrew also has won his age
group at the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle on six occasions since turning 60.
Andrew says of the CARA Runners’ Choice Circuit, “I loved the competition, but I also very much
appreciated all the friendships that developed, especially among rivals.” For Andrew, like many
others, the circuit has provided organization to his life and a highly goal oriented atmosphere.
Andrew is an active member of both the Frontrunners and Evanston Running Club. Of CARA,
Andrew states that it meant “inclusion into a vast, friendly running community, an opportunity
to discover my abilities on a scale that no single running club could offer.”
Andrew’s Hall of Fame Points History
2001—2nd 55-59 Category (3 points)
2002—2nd 55-59 Category (3 points)
2003—2nd 55-59 Category (3 points)
2010—1st 60-64 Category (5 points)
2011—1st 65-69 Category (5 points)
2012—1st 65-69 Category (5 points)
2014—2nd 65-69 Category (3 points)
2015—2nd 65-69 Category (3 points)
Hall of Fame status is earned through
participation in the CARA Runners’ Choice
Circuit. Runners must accumulate 30
points to be inducted. Points are earned
by placing in the top three in one’s age
category. Five points are awarded for a
first place standing, three for second and
one for third.
CARA History
CARA is the voice of the-every runner; whether you run a few
miles a week, are training for your first marathon or competing
for an age group win.
Since 1978 the Chicago Area Runners Association -- CARA, a non-profit organization has been
dedicated to running advocacy in the Chicago area…city and suburbs. Starting as the local running club, CARA has grown into the organization that championed the running movement across
Chicagoland. We help runners by offering paths to a wealth of training, social, outreach and
advocacy programs, while promoting friendships and personal fulfillment.
CARA has a tradition of successful engagement and actions on issues important to runners and
the community. Stretching back nearly four decades, CARA has been firmly rooted in giving a
voice to runners’ concerns and improving the running experience in Chicagoland. We are dedicated to bridging the diverse concerns of everyone interested in running – running groups and
clubs, and municipal, businesses and community leaders – to make this a great place to run.
Our advocacy and social outreach efforts have expanded to include Road Scholars, a mentorshipbased running program that builds confidence and self-esteem for at-risk Chicago area High
School students, through a running program that achieves positive impact in education and
life. Our Charity Running Program in partnership with local non-profit organizations provides run
training programs to support fund raising efforts and help runners accomplish their marathon or
half marathons goals making their miles more meaningful.
Striving to be the best and most active source for running information, CARA shares its expertise,
enthusiasm and passion for excellence with runners in a helpful and approachable way. We do
this by bringing together the interests and enjoyment of an active and diverse running community across the Chicago area. In support of our year round training programs, racing competitions,
advocacy and social outreach initiatives, we welcome new members, new sponsors, and new
charity partners.
CARA is devoted to expanding, motivating, supporting and celebrating the running community of
Chicagoland, connecting runners to resources that enable them to run—farther, faster, better,
for life.
www.CARAruns.org | @CARAruns | 312-666-9836
CARA ROADS SCHOLARS
CARA Road Scholars builds confidence and self-esteem
for at –risk Chicago area High School students, through a
mentorship based running program that achieves positive impact in education and life. Students who participate in the program do not pay to participate. All of the
equipment and fees are paid by CARA. Your generous
contribution will help put these teens in running shoes
and apparel, provide half marathon training, transportation to training sites and races, post-run refreshments, a
pre-race pasta dinner, and a race entry fee for the
Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon.
Please support this incredible program today with a donation.
Donation Amount $ ________________
Name __________________________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________________________
City / State / Zip _________________________________________________________________
Phone _________________________________________________________________________
E-Mail _________________________________________________________________________
Payment Method (make checks payable to CARA)
Circle One:
Cash
Check
VISA
MasterCard
Discover
AmEx
Credit Card # ____________________________________________________________________
Exp. _____________________________________________ Security Code _________________
Farther, faster, better, for life.
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