Running USA 2008 Conference Recap
Record attendance, Hall of Champions inductees, record amount raised at auction, ideal San Diego weather for "20 in 10" theme

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Posted Thursday, 14 February, 2008

SAN DIEGO - (February 12, 2008) - A record number of nearly 400 people attended and participated at the Running USA 2008 Conference on February 10-12 in beautiful La Jolla, California. The premier running industry conference, powered by The Active Network and Gen-A Media & Marketing, covered the gambit of topics and challenges tied to the sport including branding, new technologies, youth running, best practices, race production and building the industry.

"This conference was a kick-off to our theme and goal "20 in 10" - 20 million event participants in 10 years, and with record attendance, terrific and informative speakers and breakout sessions, generous auction winners and ideal weather, this was our best conference yet. And we thank the sponsors, the attendees and the speakers for making it all possible," said Basil Honikman, CEO of Running USA.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
At the Monday evening awards banquet and auction presented by ING, the fifth class of the Running USA Hall of Champions was honored and acknowledged for their contribution and dedication to the sport:

* Anne Audain (Evansville, IN), athlete, author and race founder
* David Hannah (Houston, TX), Chevron Houston, race director/founder
* Basil & Linda Honikman (Ventura, CA), Running USA, administration, data collection and record keeping
* Wally Kastner (Carmel, CA), Big Sur International Marathon, race director
* Craig Masback (Indianapolis, IN), USATF CEO, administrator
* Larry Rawson (New York, NY), media, TV commentator

The following conference awards were also presented by the Running USA Youth Committee and YouthRunner.com:

Youth Program of the Year
Crim Youth Program, Flint, MI

Youth Program Contributor of the Year
Nike 5K Run for Kids Series

In addition, at the conference's silent and banquet auctions, over $80,000, a conference record, was raised for the Team Running USA and youth running programs.

Before the ING Hall of Champions banquet at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, there was a 30 minute fun run with Team Running USA athletes and 40-50 attendees. Team Running USA was represented by Ryan and Sara Hall, Jen Rhines, Ian Dobson, Julia Lucas, Steve and Sara Slattery, Meb Keflezighi, Kassi Andersen and Dan Browne and coaches Bob Larsen and Terrence Mahon.

At Monday's MarathonFoto luncheon, Sharon Barbano, a women's running leader and current Saucony public relations director, was presented the Her Sports Women's Trailblazer Award for her contributions to the sport, and on Tuesday, Craig Masback, Director of Business Affairs, Global Sports Marketing, Nike and former USA Track & Field CEO, gave the featured addressed at the MapMyRun.com Leadership Lunch.

About Running USA
Running USA, founded in 1999, is a tax-exempt, non-profit association devoted to improving the status of road racing and long distance running in the United States through education, research, communications, collective marketing, promotions, services to runners and events and athlete development. Running USA, through its conference and other communication channels, provides the community "meeting place" for major road race, media and athletic industry personnel.

Its event members represent over 500 U.S. races including many of the leading ones with over 2 million participants and millions of spectators and over $3 million in prize money. For more information on Running USA, its objectives, members and annual conference, visit RunningUSA.org or call Ryan Lamppa at (805) 696-6232.

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