Christine competed in 23 races in 2010. She continued to improve her race times from last year, taking 1:35 off her 5K (to 19:50), 4:54 off her 10K (to 43:21), 16:00 off her 1/2 marathon (to 1:35) and 44 minutes off her marathon (to 3:24). She ran three marathons in 2010 and qualified for Boston in each. She finished as 2nd overall female six times in area 5K's and won her age group at the Illinois 1/2 Marathon. She was also invited to speak at Catch The Wave. Christine has become a very competitive female runner in our area. Her work ethic and determination are something to be admired.
Kim Barman
Kim has been a long-time runner who had been trying to break the 4 hour barrier in the marathon. She had a great year of meticulous training and not only PR'd in the half marathon, but also crushed her previous marathon PR and went 3:45 at the Lakefront Marathon in October, which qualified her for the Boston Marathon.
Rich is always out there making running fun for everyone. He’s supportive of all runners and makes everyone feel as if they are doing a great job. He promotes the LRC and running and racing in the community and around the country. Plus, Rich ran his first ultra 30 mile trail run this fall showing that there are always new things to try as a runner!
I'd like to nominate Christa Staley for New Female Runner of the Year. She was in my RTW group and fell in love with running, even so much as to get a runner girl tattoo! The 12K was her farthest distance and after the Lake Run she began to sign up for race after race and has even done two (or more?) half marathons. I've not seen someone so excited to run in a long time.
I would like to nominate Raymond Sevier new male runner of the year. Raymond joined the CTW program this year as a new runner. He ran the Saints Alive 5k in a time of 27:58. He then ran the Lake Run in a time of 40:30. Raymond didn’t stop there though, he ran several more 5k’s including the Minier 5k where he dropped his 5k time almost 2 full minutes to 26:09. Moving up in distance he completed the Mahomet ½ Marathon in an excellent 2:02 on a very hot and humid late summer day. Raymond finished the summer at the Detroit Free Press Marathon in an excellent 4:21:21! From CTW to a sub 4:30 marathon in one year is quite an accomplishment!
Stacie Rood, Most improved runner of the year. PR Half Marathon 1:42:43, dropped PR by over 7 minutes on certified course! Fox Valley Half Marathon, St. Charles Il.
Also dropped her 5K time to 23:19 at Danvers Days.
Connie Reeser-Hall
Most improved runner of the year can mean different things to different people: more races, faster races, longer races; or just more, faster, or longer training runs. Connie started running back in 2005 to improve her overall health. For several years she continued, enjoying some good years, others not-so-good when she suffered with back pain but never gave up. Her primary goal for 2010 was to lose weight, thus improving her back issues AND her running speed. She started small: running faster for .1 mile more each day that we ran together. By the end of summer she could run a full 3 miles at a faster pace than in the spring. Her 2010 Town & Gown 5K time was 31:37, an excellent pace of 10:12. This beat her St. Pat’s time by 2 minutes and 11 seconds. Connie is an inspiration to her early morning running group because of her perseverance and single-mindedness to improve her health. Connie is definitely the "little engine that could".
I would also like to nominate Dan as Most Improved Male Runner. Dan ran his first marathon this year at Disney, January 10, in 4:37:39, his second in Kauai, September 5, with a climb of 2000 ft, in 4:33:32 coming in 5th in his age group and then topping it off with his Ultra marathon time.
Terry Leahy
Terry began running in 2008.
In 2009,
• He completed 15 running events
• First half marathon in June - the Sunburst Half Marathon in South Bend, IN with 2:16:39
• Second half marathon in November at Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon, just missing the 2-hr mark
• Completed 500 miles in 2009.
In 2010,
• So far he has run 15 events, including four half marathons and his first marathon.
• In June, he ran the Sunburst Half again, taking 13-minutes off last year’s time.
• In May, I ran the Illinois Half Marathon and in August, the Little Miami Half Marathon on a trail near Cincinnati, OH with a 1:58:37
• Another half marathon PR in October, in Boise, ID, the City of Trees Half Marathon with a 1:56:01
First Marathon - Indianapolis completed in 4:24:33
• Completed 750 miles this year.
I'd like to nominate Jill and Les Usiak for Volunteers of the Year... They did so much this year, and she did most of it pregnant!
Jana Kiefer
Since stepping down as President of the Lake Run Club, Jana has continued to be highly involved in the success of the club. Jana is the go to person for getting services from the Lake Run Club...when someone needed LRC services, she made sure that they were connected with the proper people...she followed through and made sure that everyone was taken care of.
In addition, Jana was Finish Line Coordinator for 3 races and on the crew for 3 more. She was a CTW coach and an active board member. Jana is one of those key "behind the scenes" people that are indispensable to any organization...they do what has to be done.
Bill Hahm
for his leadership & support of CTW. I think it's the reason most of us have become runners and members of the LRC. Bill is always volunteering when needed.
Jack Capodice
for his leadership & support of CTW. I think it's the reason most of us have become runners and members of the LRC. Also, Jack has graciously hosted the CTW leader party for the past two years.
Larry & Laurel Schumacher
for their leadership & support of CTW. I think it's the reason most of us have become runners and members of the LRC.
Tim Rood ran the Farmdale 50 miler on September 19, 2010 in an impressive fashion. Sporting a healthy balance of marathon strength as well as ultra jitters he traversed the five ten mile loops in 9 hours and 33 minutes. His last loop was actually one of his fastest, showing amazing determination. He was rewarded as the winner of the Clydesdale division. This achievement is certainly something to inspire others.
Dan Anderson
I would like to nominate my husband, Dan Anderson, for two awards, first for Race Performance of the year for his performance in the Lakefront 50/50 Ultra on October 30. Dan ran the first 26.2 miles in 4:05, thirty minutes faster than his two previous marathons and finished the full 31 miles in 5:09:29 and 4th in his age group.
Donna Creditor
For completing her 2nd 100 mile trail run – this one in Pittsfield, Vermont. Donna ran through rain, sleet, snow, hail, and sunny weather to complete the 100 miles on a ten mile loop course that took runners up a mountain and back down again. Scenic, yes. Rugged, yes. Easy? No.
Deb Aukerman
Deb did an amazing job at the McNotAgain 10 mile trail run in September in McNaughton Park near Pekin. The McNaughton trail is well known by ultra and trail runners and is rated “difficult” by the top ultra runners in the nation. But Deb managed to complete the 10 mile loop in 2 hours and 3 seconds. Considering the course (with 2 creek crossings and hill climbs that just want to make you cry) Deb did an awesome job.
Les Usiak
Les Usiak - Les battled the dreaded Plantar Fasciitis for over a year - 2009-2010. At times he could not run, but still did cross-training to stay in shape. He was diligent in his stretching regime and was patient with his recovery. After returning to running and rebuilding his mileage he was able to run the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon in November and qualified for the Boston marathon.
Laura trained to BQ at the Chicago Marathon and got injured 3 weeks prior. She was unable to run then, but didn’t hesitate to register for Richmond Marathon once she was able to run again. She flew to Richmond Friday afternoon, ran her marathon nearly PRing, and flew home that night. Crazy girl, but she is a very dedicated runner and deserving of that.
