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Welcome to the final Rundown of 2018!
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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Get to know PRA Sponsor & Local Runner, Mark Rask
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.
PRA: Hey Mark, thanks for helping our members get to know what makes PRA an elite running/walking organization. Tell us a little about yourself.
Mark Rask: I am the Digital Marketing Manager at
Allen Turner Hyundai - a local car dealership and proud sponsor of the Pensacola Runners Association.
Mark Rask:
Allen Turner has been your Hyundai Dealer Since 1998. We are located directly in the heart of Car City at 6000 Pensacola Boulevard, in Pensacola. Next door, you'll find our pre-owned dealership providing a great selection of pre-owned vehicles. For three years in a row we have been the #1 Hyundai dealer in the district. We would love for you to stop in; whether you're just browsing, or need a new vehicle, we are confident you will enjoy your car shopping experience. I'm always around and happy to chat!
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The official Allen Turner
pace car! |
PRA: Nice! We hear you have candy in the sales department, so we're in! Anyways...You're on the PRA Board, so you must have an interest in being active. Are you a runner/walker? If yes, why do you run/walk? What is your favorite distance?
Mark: I am a runner, mostly to help me stay healthy, but also to keep my head about me. Running does a great job of helping me stay focused. My absolute favorite distance to run is the half marathon.
PRA: Us too! It's amazing how running keeps us focused - especially this time of year. What is your favorite local race?
Mark: I am a huge fan of the Fiesta 5k and 10k in May. I love it because it's one of the last races before the temps really begin to get high. If you've every run or walked Fiesta, you've probably seen our pace car leading the front of the pack.
PRA: What's your favorite everyday running route?
Mark: You can't beat downtown. You can get a lot of miles in along the bay front; and through neighborhoods like East Hill. The views never disappoint, especially at sunrise and sunset. We are really lucky in that way. The other nice thing about running downtown is that there are always friendly runners and walkers along the route, saying hello.
PRA: We totally agree. Maybe that's why so many running clubs have thrived downtown. The PRA's Gulf Coast Brewery run on Thursday evenings roams through the east side of downtown and has attracted as many as 40 runners some nights. Maybe because of the free beer? We digress....tell us, w
hat's your favorite post-run fuel?
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Visit the Allen Turner tent at PRA races!
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Mark: Beer! Just kidding :-)
PRA: LOL. What do you love about PRA?
Mark: The way they give back to the community. I enjoy seeing how PRA's new grant program has helped local track teams fix their high jumps, provide new team unifor
ms that were 20 years old, and fund the Parkrun. The new grant program has given away over $10,000 this year.
PRA: It's a good feeling to give back! Pensacola is a very generous community. Why did you decide to sponsor the PRA?
Mark: The members really do a great job of supporting the sponsors and ensuring that we get our message out. One of Allen Turner Hyundai's beliefs is that successful communities are those where its local business support local non-profits. Especially those that promote healthy lifestyles, like the PRA. I am thrilled to work for a company that boldly embraces that belief system.
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PRA is celebrating another successful year and needs your help!
On
February 21
, it will hold its Winter Gala at Phineas Phoggs, Seville Quarter. Along with light bites, beverages, and fun, it will feature an Awards Ceremony acknowledging the hard work and courage displayed by local runners. Consider nominating a deserving individual for one of the categories. Please email your nomination by February 1 to
pensacolarunnersassociation@gmail.com
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.
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Get Involved in PRA's Upcoming Events
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January 12, 2019
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The Pensacola Beach Run, a Pensacola Runners Association Event, is one of the premier destination road races in the Southeast and the perfect way to kick off your New Year Resolution. The original half marathon on Pensacola Beach, the event features a half marathon and a "pick your distance" 10k/5k, meaning runners do not have to decide whether to run the 10k or the 5k until they are out on the course!
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Back to Back Challenge: Pensacola Beach Half and Mobile Marathon
Run the Pensacola Beach Run Half Marathon on
Saturday, January 12, 2019 and the ServisFirst Bank Mobile Marathon (Full or Half Marathon) on
Sunday, January 13, for a Back-2-Back Weekend Challenge.
Participants in both events will receive a special hand-made commemorative plaque.
Register online with
here
Marathon Guide and choose the Back-2-Back Challenge option. (A service fee will apply.) PRA members receive a 20% discount with code
Pra 2019.
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January 27, 2019
Boasting a flat and fast Boston Qualifier course, the marathon reveals beautiful scenery as it runs through the paved trail system of Gulf State Park before crossing the Beach Blvd pedestrian bridge and finishing the last 1.2 miles on Beach Blvd with great views of the Gulf of Mexico at the finish.
Choose from a flat, fast and fun half or a full tailor-made to BQ! Not up for that much running? Get 3 friends and do the marathon relay.
PRA Members receive 10% registration with discount code
PRA18
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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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