RRCA Southern Region

Ideas for Keeping Members Engaged
Kelly Richards, president of Lake Grapevine Runners and Walkers (RAW) in Texas shared the following ideas they have implemented to help keep members engaged.
•Virtual Scavenger Hunt via Facebook (or Instragram or other social platform) - Outline items that people would more likely find in a neighborhood versus a park or trail to avoid crowding issues. Include things like yard decor, a flag, treehouse, etc.
•Host a Shelter-in-place bingo game the is centered around maintaining running/fitness goals.
•Focus social media efforts around a lot of “show” or “tell” us what you have going on.
•Create photo collages of members doing a virtual high-five, fist bump, etc.
•Share your favorite Boston Marathon or
other race memory and photo. Its a great way to promote a variety of events in your community.
•Menu sharing ideas like what your favorite breakfast food is (RAW correlated to their monthly Short Stack Sunday run).
•Share links to free yoga classes or core strength routine videos.
•Host a Virtual group run or event and provide for raffle prizes that can be mailed out.
•Utilize unique club-centric hashtags so people can share and connect (, ).
•Encourage members to participate in letter-writing to “shut in” seniors or to essential workers (grocery, medical, etc.).
•Host weekly Zoom session/Happy Hours. Invite elite athletes to join you. Example, RAW has had Michael Wardian, Bart Yasso and Ben Rosario join them.
•Send emails to members. Consider a "needs" inventory or assessment to determine if members need help with grocery runs, food donations, or other critical assistance club leaders may be able to provide or network within the community to provide assistance.

We hope to see huge representation from the RRCA Southern Region in Portland!

The RRCA Southern Region has been well represented these past four conventions. Who will we see in Portland, Oregon?

Join the RRCA in 2020 to Access Great Benefits Including Insurance Coverage for Clubs, Events, and Coaches

It's that time of year! Renewing promptly is extra important for clubs that hold January races.

rrca.org Organized running clubs/crews, events, and event management companies have been the driving force behind the sport of running and the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) since 1958.  The cornerstone of the RRCA’s proven suite of services is its affordable insurance program along with an IRS nonpr...

Minuteman 5K

One month until the RRCA Southern Region Cross Country Championship, the Minuteman Cross Country 5K, a Arkansas RRCA - Grand Prix Series race.
Arkrun

runsignup.com

Go! Mile

The 9th Annual Go Mile in Little Rock, AR on June 15 is the RRCA Southern Region One Mile Championship.The race is also an Arkansas RRCA - Grand Prix Series Championship race. Register today for only $20! Kids Mini-Mile is $5.
Arkrun

runsignup.com The Go! Mile is on Saturday June 15, 2019. It includes the following events: 7:00 AM: Heat A - Women 40 and Over, 7:20 AM: Heat B - Men Ages 40 & over, 7:40 AM: Heat C - Women 39 and Under, 8:00 AM: Heat D - Men Ages 39 and Under, 8:15 AM: Heat E - Elite Men and Women, 8:25 AM: The First Mile, and 8...

RRCA Southern Region

this summer. with these tips from the Road Runners Club of America.

With Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer approaching, a reminder the RRCA has a series of hot weather running tips to help keep you safe when temperatures rise. https://www.rrca.org/education/hot-weather-running-tips

RRCA Southern Region

Kids Run the Nation

Kids Run the Nation grant applications are due THIS Wednesday, August 1!

Important reminder: you have just two more days to submit your 2018 Kids Run the Nation grant applications! All applications are due by Wednesday, August 1, at 11:59pm Eastern.

Please click through below to review the requirements and submit your application on our website. All applicants will be notified of their status by August 31.

📷: Students Run Chicago, a 2017 KRTN grant recipient

Find an Event

Memorial Day weekend is a popular race weekend. To find a Memorial Day race anywhere in the country, check out the Road Runners Club of America event calendar.
https://www.rrca.org/calendar/find-event/

rrca.org

[email protected] Day Planning Kit

The Road Runners Club of America 7th Annual [email protected] Day is Friday, September 14, 2018. The best time to start planning for this is NOW - before the school year ends. There's even a planning kit available!

rrca.org [email protected] Day is the perfect time to launch a school running club that meets before, during, or after school hours, or to hold a school-wide event to promote the sport. Here you will find everything you need to plan, promote, and host a [email protected] Day event in your community.

A big congratulations to RRCA Alabama State Rep Alex Morrow on finishing the Abbott World Marathon Majors when he finished the London Marathon. We're proud to have you in the RRCA Southern Region, Alex!

Road Runners Club of America event member Dallas Marathon expands to E.I.G.H.T. event options on race weekend!
Are you planning to participate in one?
Cc: RRCA Texas

The 2018 BMW Dallas Marathon Weekend will feature three new events for a total of eight event options to participate in:

12/8: 10K, 5K, 2-Mile Walk & Kids Races
12/9: Marathon, Half Marathon, Ultra (50K) & 5-Person Relay

We hope to see you and your family this December! Registration opens this coming Tuesday, May 1st at 10am.

Pictures from Swampers 5k and 1 Mile, the Road Runners Club of America Southern Region 5K Championship. Thanks to the AL State Rep Alex Morrow and Southern Region Director Ron Macksoud for representing the RRCA.
Congratulations to the new champs and all who participated today!

It was a fantastic morning for the 14th Annual
Swampers 5k and 1 Mile in Muscle Shoals, AL. This year's race served as the RRCA Southern Region 5k Championship and we could not have asked for a better event. It was a fantastic race, big turnout, and beautiful weather. Hats off to Race Director Josh Aycock for another great event!

The RRCA Southern Region thanks Leslie Jordan and Ashworth Awards for the great Road Runners Club of America swag given out at the 60th annual national convention!

2017 RRCA Annual Report

The 2017 Road Runners Club of America Annual Report is a special gem this year. Beyond the regular and great features on the National Award Winners, new Runner Friendly Community designations, the Kids Run the Nation program, donor lists (thank you!), etc. there's a wonderful timeline recap of the RRCA's first 60 years.

issuu.com Annual Report of the Road Runners Club of America for 2017

RRCA Southern Region

Y'all! Have you heard that the RRCA Southern Region is home to the next Road Runners Club of America Convention? (Drum roll...) Announcing the 61st RRCA National Convention - New Orleans!

RRCA Southern Region

RRCA Announces 2017 National Running Award Recipients

We congratulate all the award winners with an extra shout out going to those from the RRCA Southern Region! Browning Ross Spirit of the RRCA - Kelly Richards from Lake Grapevine Runners and Walkers; Road Race of the Year - DRC Half Marathon, Relay & 5K - race directors Sean Jett and Erin Jett from Dallas Running Club; Road Runner of the Year - Challenged Athlete - Tony Grossi from Chattanooga Track Club and 2018 Hall of Fame inductee Amy Cragg.

rrca.org

Cold Weather Running Tips

Cold weather running tips are not something we need often in the south but this winter has been exceptionally cold everywhere - including here in the south.

rrca.org For more information on cold-weather conditions and cold-weather health concerns, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here is a list of the 2018 RRCA Southern Region Championship races:
Marathon: Mississippi Blues Marathon, January 27, Jackson, MS
10 Mile: Surgoinsville 10 Miler, February 24, Surgoinsville, TN
Ultra: Ouachita Trail 50, April 21, Little Rock, AR
5K: Swampers 5K, April 28, Muscle Shoals, AL
1 Mile: Main Street Mile, May 18, Columbia, SC
Other Distance: Armadillo Dash Trail Run, June 30, Norco, LA
10K: Signal Mountain Pie Run, October 27, Signal Mountain, TN
Half Marathon: LaPorte by the Bay, November 18, LaPorte, TX

Convention

The 60th RRCA National Convention Presented by Final Surge is only three months away! Have you registered yet?

rrca.org The 60th RRCA National Convention Presented by Final Surge will be held in the metropolitan Washington, DC area in conjunction with the wildly popular Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Race. The RRCA Convention consists of several social networking events, educational seminars on best practices fo...

Are you looking for a running coach? The RRCA has created a national community of knowledgeable and ethical distance running coaches to work with runners at all​ ages and abilities. RRCA Certified Coaches volunteer with their local running clubs, or coach clients one-on-one, or coach training programs for groups of runners working towards a common goal such, as completing a 5k, half marathon, or marathon. Read more about the importance of working with a coach to meet your running and fitness goals. http://www.rrca.org/resources/runners/find-a-coach

Ready to Run: The Youth Running Newsletter from the Road Runners Club of America

Are you Ready to Run? America's youth is! Learn more about the Road Runners Club of America Youth Running Newsletter.

myemail.constantcontact.com

Two prominent trail races held on Lookout Mountain

The RRCA Southern Region was honored to host the RRCA National Ultra and the Tennessee State Cross Country Championship races. Thanks to the Chattanooga Times Free Press for this article and quoting Road Runners Club of America TN State Rep Sherilyn Johnson. Congratulations to the 50-mile winner John Kelly (pictured) and all the race participants.

timesfreepress.com Lookout Mountain was the hub of the trail running world Saturday.

RRCA Louisiana State Rep Betsy Boudreaux with the overall Male (Kevin Castille) and Female (Vanessa Righeimer) winners of the 36th Annual Ole Man River Half Marathon, the RRCA Southern Region Half Championship, hosted by the New Orleans Track Club on Saturday, December 16.
http://www.runnotc.org/races/2017/olemanriver.shtml

Congratulations to all the participants of Lookout Mountain 50 Mile & 10k Trail Race, the Road Runners Club of America National Ultra Championship.

Congratulations to John Kelly (7:27:44) and Aden St Charles (9:25:45) for winning the 2017 RRCA National Ultra Championship at the Lookout Mountain 50 in Chattanooga, Tennessee on Saturday, December 16. Thank you, Randy Whorton and Wild Trails for making this event a huge success.

2018 RRCA Membership Join/Renew Process is Now Open

RRCA Southern Region Clubs, have you renewed your RRCA membership for 2018 yet? This is especially important if you have a race in January.
Get registered by the end of December to maintain your insurance and good standing.

rrca.org

Runner Friendly Business

Would your club like to recognize or recruit Runner Friendly Businesses? The RRCA can help with that!

rrca.org A Runner Friendly Community should be able to prove that organizations and businesses work together in a positive manner to promote running as a healthy exercise and sport. A Runner Friendly Community ideally has a specialty running store along with other Runner Friendly Businesses.

2000 Hours Outstanding Volunteer Recognition Program

Did you know that each club can honor up to three members annually through the RRCA's 2000 Hours Outstanding Volunteer Recognition Program?

rrca.org Since its inception in 1958, the RRCA has relied on the spirit of volunteers to carry out programs, find sponsors, hand-out water, work finish lines, and many other important tasks. It is in recognition of these volunteers that the RRCA developed the National 2000 Hours Outstanding Volunteer Recogni...

The 2017 RRCA Southern Region Marathon Championship Dallas Marathon Health and Fitness Expo opens in 3,2,1...
Stop by the RRCA booth to say hi and learn more about our programs and the 50 RRCA Texas running clubs. Don't live in Texas? As the largest associations of running clubs in the U.S., we can help you can find a running club near wherever you live!

Inaugural Issue Club Running

to the Spring/Summer of 2009 when the inaugural issue of Club Running came out.

issuu.com Inaugural Issue of Club Running