National non-profit organization marks a decade of achievement to build and promote the sport
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - (March 13, 2009) - On this day, March 13th, ten years ago in Los Angeles, Running USA was launched by leading figures and events in U.S. distance running with USA Track & Field in an historic partnership. From its original press release, the national industry non-profit organization was created to improve "the status of road racing in the United States through collective marketing and promotions, services to runners and events and the development of American world class stars."
"It is hard to believe that ten years has already passed since our formation, but we look back - with pride and passion - at our successes and development, and moreover, with initiatives such as "20 in 10" - 20 million race participants in 10 years, we look ahead with our members, sponsors and partners to further grow and promote the vibrant sport that we know and love," said Allan Steinfeld, Running USA's first and long-standing president.
Since its inception in March 1999, Running USA's ten major accomplishments to build and promote the sport include:
1) jump started the U.S. distance running resurgence
2) established Team Running USA which led to two Olympic medals and many other noteworthy achievements
3) the resource center and clearinghouse for the sport and media
4) annual running industry conference - the sport's largest
5) the Running USA wire - twice weekly news on the sport
6) the Running USA E-News - weekly industry news
7) annual marathon and State of the Sport reports - widely cited
8) grown from 51 Founding Members to more than 250 members
9) the coordination and promotion of youth running programs - RunningRocks.com
10) comprehensive Runner Rankings with Active.com - 5 million runner performances in 2008
Running USA recognizes and thanks the following Founders and Founding Members who made the organization a reality.
FOUNDERS
Steve Bosley, David Coyne, Steve & Joy Edwards, Ed Froehlich, David Hannah, Basil & Linda Honikman, Danny Grimes, Wally Kastner, Creigh Kelley, Ryan Lamppa, Craig Masback, Tim Murphy, Bill Reef and Allan Steinfeld
FOUNDING MEMBERS (joined Running USA during its first year)
Active.com, adidas, All American Trail Running Association (AATRA), Alta Peruvian Lodge Downhill Dash 8K, America's Finest City Half-Marathon, American Ultrarunning Association (AUA), Army Ten-Miler, ASICS Corporation, Bank of America Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K, Big Sur International Marathon, BKB Ltd., Bolder Boulder 10K, ChampionChip, Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon, City of Los Angeles Marathon, Columbus Marathon, Crim Festival of Races, Do It Sports, Elite Racing, EMMI, Examiner Bay to Breakers 12K, Florida Running Festival, Food Fitness International, Freihofer's Run for Women 5K, Gate River Run 15K, GetFit.com, Gold Medal Event Management, Inc., Indian Path Medical Center & SunTrust Bank Crazy 8's 8K, Jefferson Hospital Philadelphia Distance Run, Kinane Events, Marty Liquori Productions, Methodist Health Care Houston Marathon, National Sports Network, New York City Marathon, Nike, Inc., Park Forest Scenic 10 Mile Run, PhotoRun, PowerBar, Quad-City Times Bix 7, RhodyCo Productions, Runner's World, The Running Network, Salmini Films, Inc., Shooting Star Media, Steamboat Classic 4 Mile, Summit Exhibition Management, Tulsa Run 15K, Twin Cities Marathon, USA Track & Field, Utica Boilermaker 15K and Wharf to Wharf Race
For more information on Running USA and its objectives, contact Ryan Lamppa at (805) 696-6232 or ryan@runningusa.org or visit: RunningUSA.org.
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.
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