Running USA 2009 Conference Recap
Five Hall of Champions inductees, 400 plus attendees and Team Running USA enjoy 6th running industry conference

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By Ryan Lamppa, Running USA wire
Posted Friday, 13 February, 2009

SAN DIEGO - (February 10, 2009) - The early inclement weather did not put a damper on the more than 400 people who attended the Running USA 2009 powered by The Active Network and Gen-A Media & Marketing on February 8-10 at the beautiful Hilton La Jolla, Torrey Pines, California. The largest running industry conference offered diverse and relevant topics and sessions such as the power of networking, sponsorship and marketing in today's economy, the value of social media, making your event green, successful youth running programs and the World Marathon Majors.

"The 6th edition of this conference, thanks to our generous sponsors, keynote speakers and panelists and attendees, was a success, and we hope that the attendees return home energized and inspired to further grow and improve the sport," said Susan Weeks, CEO of Running USA.

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

* Jon & Betsy Hughes (Orlando, FL), Track Shack / EMMI, event management
* Rick Nealis (Quantico, VA), Marine Corps Marathon, race director
* Carey Pinkowski (Chicago, IL), Bank of America Chicago Marathon, race director
* Toni Reavis (San Diego, CA), journalist, TV commentator

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

Youth Event of the Year
Medtronic TC Kids Marathon, Minneapolis, MN

Youth Program of the Year
Youth Run 4 Fun / JUST RUN San Francisco, CA

Youth Program Contributor of the Year
Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation, GA

In addition, at the conference's popular and fun silent and live banquet auctions, more than $65,000 was raised for Team Running USA and other Running USA's programs.

Before the ING Hall of Champions banquet, there was a 30 minute "fun run" with Team Running USA and 40-50 attendees. Along with 15 out of 17 Team Running USA members including Olympic medalists Deena Kastor and Meb Keflezighi and 2008 Olympians Ryan Hall, Jen Rhines, Ian Dobson and Anna Willard, team coaches Terrence Mahon and Bob Larsen were also in attendance.

At Monday's MarathonFoto Lunch, Nancy Lieberman, GO! St. Louis Marathon executive director, was presented the Women's Running Women's Trailblazer Award for her contributions to the sport, and on Tuesday, Doug Logan, new USA Track & Field CEO, gave the featured address at the MarathonGuide.com Leadership Lunch.

For more information on Running USA, its objectives, members and annual conference, visit RunningUSA.org or contact Ryan Lamppa at (805) 696-6232 or ryan@runningusa.org