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Welcome to the first Rundown of 2019!
We are so happy that you're a member of the
Pensacola Runners Association. We hope that you find this newsletter both informative and motivating. As a PRA member, you can expect to receive our newsletters every month. The newsletters provide training tools, insider race discounts, advice from the pros, and a race calendar. Don't see something? Shoot us a line at
pra@gmail.com, and we will make sure it gets considered.
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Partner Spotlight: Pensacola Sports
This is the second article in a series introducing you to the people and organizations that make PRA one of the best runners association around. They are selfless contributors of their time, effort, and finances. Be sure to thank them when you see them in the community!
PRA: Tell us about Pensacola Sports and/or how Pensacola Sports supports runners and walkers.
Pensacola Sports: Pensacola Sports has a long history in the running community in a variety of ways dating back to the Blue Angel Marathon when it was managed by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department at Naval Air station Pensacola up to numerous races today including our own road race events, The Pensacola Marathon, Double Bridge Run and now the long standing Bayou Hill Run is part of Pensacola Sports. Our support also includes volunteers from Pensacola Sports staff, board and membership rolls at many of the local events hosted by PRA and other area organizations with announcers, laborers, race directors and just about any other task required to have a successful event. Pensacola Sports' offices is the facility used for race planning meeting, general race information central for the public and even the post event award pick-up site. Pensacola Sports created and hosts a website dedicated to the local race event calendar that is available free to any organization to submit the event information and be included on the site. The site is https://pensacolasports.org/ and we encourage all area event organizers to take advantage of this free service.
PRA: Why did Pensacola Sports decide to partner with the PRA?
Pensacola Sports: There really was no "why" needed in the decision to be a part of the Pensacola Runner's Association. The PRA is exactly the type of organization Pensacola Sports' is created to support. It is an integral part of our mission statement to work with organizations like the PRA in the promotion of a healthier, more vibrant community and that is why we support them. The fact that PRA has been around so long is a testament to the quality of their efforts.
PRA: What is your favorite Pensacola Sports event?
Pensacola Sports: We used to answer this question quickly with our Senior Scholar event but with all the diversification we now have, it's hard to pick just one. There are very rewarding, moving moments in so many of our events, I can't pick just one, but I can give dozens of great examples - if we did that here, we would run out of space!
PRA: Can you give us a glimpse of any special projects on the horizon?
Pensacola Sports: I can think of so many projects and opportunities to help make our community an even better place to live, but for now, I think I will keep the lid on them :-)
PRA: Now we're curious! In the event someone wants to get in touch with Pensacola Sports, how can they do that?
Pensacola Sports: Our website is pensacolasports.org; it provides various staff contacts and general contact information is listed on that website. If the website doesn't have what you're looking for, some one can in our office is always available at (850) 434-2800.
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PRA is celebrating another successful year and needs your help!
On
February 21
, at 6:00pm, PRA will hold its Winter Gala at Big Top Brewing (21 W. Romana Street). Along with light bites, beverages, and fun, it will feature an Awards Ceremony acknowledging the hard work and courage displayed by local runners. Awards will be given in the following categories:
Jim Harrington Award:
This award is given to a runner who has used running and physical activity to overcome adversity or to recognize persons who returned to the sport of running after overcoming serious injury of physical illness. This award is named after Jim Harrington who was a dedicated PRA member and bequeathed a gift to the PRA upon his death. Jim was an accomplished runner who lived by the notion that the older you get, the better you are. The award was established in 1988 and given for the first time in 1999.
Lou Gregory Spirit Award:
This award is named in honor of Pensacola's most famous runner. Lou Gregory placed 10th in the 1932 Olympic 10k. Although deceased, he still holds National and World records in his age group and won hundreds of races. He was a world class runner in the 30s and 40s, winning 19 National Championships and placing second in the 1941 Boston Marathon. After he moved to Pensacola, he began his second career as a Master's runner. One of his accomplishments was a 43 minute 10k in the Fiesta of Five Flags 10k at the age of 76. He was a longtime coach and teacher at Pensacola Junior College where his track and cross country teams won 10 state championships over an 18 year period. He retired in 1975 and passed away in 1989. Nominees must be members of the PRA and must have made contributions to the running community at large.
Volunteer of the Year:
Given to a PRA Member who has gone above and beyond in dedicating their time and energies info furthering the PRA Mission.
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Get Involved in PRA's Upcoming Events
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February 9, 2019
Starting February 9th, Pensacola residents will be able to join the world's largest running and walking community, with the launch of the Rec Plex North parkrun on the University of West Florida campus.
RPN parkrun is a free, weekly, timed 5k run/walk on a beautiful, wooded, undulating trail in the Baars-Firestone Wildlife Sanctuary, starting at 7.30 am every Saturday, year-round. It's timed, but it's not a race. parkrun takes a minimalist approach, with no prizes, no swag, or timing chips, and the focus is on helping people to get active in their community. Simple one-time registration gets you a free personal barcode, and then you just show up with your barcode on a Saturday morning. for more info, click
HERE.
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February 21, 2019
PRA's Annual Awards Banquet
On February 21, at Big Top Brewing (21 W. Romana Street), we will celebrate another year of achieving goals and growing the Pensacola running / walking community. This Annual Awards Banquet will include three awards: Volunteer of the Year, Lou Gregory Award, and Jim Harrington Award. RSVP for the banquet HERE.
Lou Gregory Award - Given to a PRA Member who demonstrated great leadership and enthusiasm in helping to promote and maintain the sport of running in the Pensacola area.
Jim Harrington Award - Given to a PRA Member who has used running or walking to overcome adversity or to recognize persons who returned to the sport after a serious injury or illness.
Volunteer of the Year - Given to a PRA Member who has gone above and beyond in dedicating their time and energies info furthering the PRA Mission.
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February 23, 2019
Bay to Breakfast 8k Cross Country Challenge
7:30am | B
ig Lagoon State Park, 12301 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola, FL 32507
After Party: Immediately following the race, there will be an After Party featuring free food, beverages and a bonfire for all registered participants at the pavilion at Big Lagoon State Park
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May 4, 2019
The Fiesta 10k & 5k, hosted by the Pensacola Runners Association, is the premier heritage road race in Northwest Florida and a great way to close out your Spring racing season. This event features fast and beautiful 10k and 5k races winding through the heart of Pensacola! For details on packet pickup, the race and, of course, the after party, please see the event page HERE.
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Going...But Not Gone
Steve Lipe, PRA Vice President and Racewalking Advocate
Effective June 1, 2019, I will be resigning from the board of the PRA. I have been involved with the organization since 2010 and have had the privilege to serve under great Presidents. Those being, Laura Harris, Lewis Reddoch, Charles Gheen, Eric Miller, Jason Libbert, and current, 2-term President, Gabriele Gasque.
Since my involvement in the PRA I have been an active participant, both in races,(racewalking), and volunteering. In 2017 I was fortunate and honored to be awarded the Volunteer of The Year. Being an active member of PRA and especially being on the board, I have seen that volunteering is the lifeblood of what makes the organization thrive.
I have witnessed many positive changes since joining the PRA. One major change has been the increase in membership and the accountability of members to keep their dues current. By implementing this change and with strong recruitment by our membership chairman(Heidi), our numbers increased 4-fold.
Another change has been our grant program This has given us the ability to give back to the community by donating monies to help different organizations in their pursuit of expanding their specific programs for student athletes.
The PRA has partnered with several area Running Clubs to help support their cause by running with them on their nights, and this in turn has helped with more exposure for PRA and gaining new members along the way.
PRA has also had a substantial increase in merchandising. Putting our logo on just about anything is the best way to increase exposure of our club. Our members travel all over the country and the world to participate in races and wearing an article of merchandise with our logo is the best advertising.
These are just a few of the many forward steps the PRA has made since 2010.
In retrospect my time here has been relatively short. Nine years can seem like a long time, but it has gone by very fast. Looking back I wish I would have gotten involved so much sooner,(Sandy and Kathy, where were you 9 years ago). I never dreamed that I could participate in races and actually be successful at my age. I had an incredibly long streak of success(and a lot of luck). Over 60 consecutive, competitive races, I medaled in all of them.
Recently I have taken a sabbatical from competition for personal reasons. I am trying to work thru this and hopefully get back to racing very soon. I am still, and will continue to volunteer for the PRA in any capacity that I can. It is very self rewarding.
I ask all of our members to strongly support our current Board and do whatever you can to keep the PRA thriving. Even a little help goes a very long way. I look forward to seeing everyone at all of our upcoming events.
"Don't Look Back...You've Already Been There"
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PRA GEAR IS HERE!
Order PRA singlets and hats
HERE.
PRA Hats: $15
PRA Singlets: $25 (mens and womens sizes)
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ll current PRA members are invited to the University of West Florida Track at 6:00 PM each Monday evening for a FREE interval workout led by UWF Cross Country Coach Caleb Carmichael!
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Run with us every
Thursday evening at 6pm at the Gulf Coast Brewery
for a 5K fun run and get your
first beer
on the house! Yes, that's right! Printed
maps
will be available at the brewery. After the run, each runner gets a free beer of choice and can play a variety of complimentary games such as Cornhole, Ping Pong, Checkers, and other ancillary games right there where the beer brewing and production takes place! To satisfy your hunger, there is also a food truck serving some delicious food for purchase! All runners, walkers, families or pet are welcome.
Gulf Coast Brewery is a micro brewery located in downtown Pensacola, FL. Come have a drink of local beer brewed on site!
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The PRA Needs You!
The PRA is an all-v
olunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission to promote, support and develop running, walking and racing along Florida's North
ern Gulf Coast. Our goal is to enhance the experience of being a runner or walker in Northwest Florida.
The events and programs we produce would not be possible without the support of the Pensacola area's active and involved community of runners and w
alkers. That said, we are always looking for new members and volunteers to get involved and help take us to the next level.
If you'd like more information about how to get involved please send your your inquiry and contact information to the PRA at:
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The Pensacola Runners Association brings together runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts to promote, support and develop running and racing along the Northern Gulf Coast. Our objective is to provide information, education, training, social and sporting events for competitive and noncompetitive runners and walkers of all ages, races, genders and abilities.
Benefits:
- Discounted entry rates on the full calendar of PRA Races/Events, including FREE entry to our Membership Run
- The chance to eat, drink and socialize with fellow runners at our free, members only social events
- Access to our action packed monthly newsletter: "the Rundown"
- Eligibility for the Lou Gregory, Jim Harrington and Volunteer of the Year Awards
- Access to free, members only weekly interval workouts overseen by a professional Coach
- The opportunity to do your part to promote, support and develop running and racing along the Northern Gulf Coast
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Thanks to our Organizational Sponsors!
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Contact us:
PensacolaRunnersAssociation@gmail.com
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Pensacola Runners Association offers "The Rundown" as an informational service to its members. Any articles, opinions or recommendations are owned by the respective authors, and are not necessarily opinions adopted by the Pensacola Runners Association. The Pensacola Runners Association recommends you consult your physician prior to engaging in any physical activity.
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