ABOUT THE CONVENTION AND HOST CLUB
Although officially founded in 1958, a group of dedicated runners convened in 1957 to discuss the state of road racing in the US. Since that time, the RRCA has continued to convene for 50 years as a running community to discuss important issues related to the sport of grassroots, distance running. The goal of the RRCA Convention has always been to promote idea sharing, best practice discussions, and the development of quality road races that anyone can run.
We invite everyone in the running community to join us March 21 through 25, 2007 to celebrate 50 years of convening to promote grassroots distance running around the country. The Alpine Runners of Lake Zurich and Illinois Runs will host the 50th RRCA Annual Convention in Chicago, IL. The Convention will be held in conjunction with the 28th Annual LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K, the largest 8K run in the country, which is schedule for March 25, 2007.
�I look forward to developing this great event and welcoming everyone to our beautiful city of Chicago,� stated Beth Onines, planning chair for the Convention. �Convention attendees will not only be able to see our beautiful city, but they will have the opportunity to learn from expert speakers we will have lined up for our sessions. Our Convention Committee is already working on all the fine details to make everyone's stay in Chicago one of the best RRCA conventions they have experienced.�
Your host club, the Alpine Runners of Lake Zurich was founded in 1981 when a group of high school reunion organizers got together to plan their ten year reunion. As it turned out, half of the planning team was distance runners, so they set out to develop a running club while the rest of the committee planned the reunion. Twenty-five years later, the Alpine Runners of Lake Zurich have grown to be one of the most visible running clubs in the Chicago area. Illinois Runs Training Programs is the brainchild of long time Chicago distance runner, Beth Onines. Illinois Runs is designed to help runners in the Chicago area set and achieve their running goals in a fun, educational, and injury free setting. Between the two organizations, they have the ability to create outstanding educational and networking sessions that will greatly benefit everyone attending the 50th Convention.
�Celebrating our 50th Convention in Chicago is really exciting�, exclaims Jean Knaack, executive director. �Not only is this the first time the RRCA Convention has been hosted in Chicago, but Chicago is also home to a very large running community and world class road races.�
Planning efforts are underway to highlight the impact RRCA Conventions have had on the running community over the last 50 years. RRCA Eastern Region Director Brent Ayer is chairing the efforts to develop the twenty-four months worth of 50th Anniversary celebratory events for the RRCA.
Click here ->for hotel reservations , hotel information and room reservations.
If your club or event is interested in sponsoring the 50th Convention, please contact Jean Knaack.
All RRCA club and event officers and directors are highly encouraged to attend this momentous occasion. The Convention is an opportunity to meet with dedicated individuals in the running community that share your passion and commitment to the sport. You will meet with your Region Director, your RRCA State Rep, and you will learn about how they can help your club and events. Networking with RRCA sponsors, national leaders, and RRCA national staff provide you with insight into the organization and the benefits of membership.
SEE YOU IN CHICAGO MARCH 21-25, 2007
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The Road Runners Club of America is a non-profit organization of over 700 running clubs and 175,000 members across the United States. The RRCA chapters organize races, have training runs, provide safety guidelines, promote children's and masters fitness running programs, and have social programs. http://www.RRCA.org
