Congratulations to the 2006 age group and overall award winners! These runners and walkers earned the most points in their age groups, completed at least 3 timed races and also volunteered at one or more events.
CLUB APPRECIATION AWARD – Portland Running Company
for their generous donations and support this year.
JOURNALISM AWARD – Stacey Axmaker and Larry Axmaker
Stacey and Larry received the award for keeping the ODR one of the best running/walking club magazines in the US with their informational, humorous and insightful articles and illustrations.
KATHY WEIDKAMP VOLUNTEER AWARD – Frances Everson
This award is named after a family-oriented volunteer who passed away several years ago. She was a huge supporter of ORRC, not necessarily as a member but as a supporter of her family. This year the award goes to Frances Everson. Frances has helped her husband, Dennis, at numerous races in 2005.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD – Dennis Everson.
Dennis took over the RD job at Blue Lake this year, which was no easy task since Dave Green had done that job for many, many years. On top of that, he assisted at the Vernonia Half Marathon and was a tremendous help at the Summer Fest & Garlic Out West 10K. Both of those races were new to the calendar in 2005, and did well thanks to his helping hand.
AL NAKATA AWARD – Joe Mallon
This is the 3rd year for this award. Al Nakata was a long time member of ORRC and continued to run races into his 80’s. He exemplified the ultimate way to live…active, never complaining, always smiling. This award goes to someone who exemplifies the same traits as Al. At 84 years young, Joe Mallon is a long time ORRC member who has participated in around 1650 events since the start of his active career…sometimes 90 events a year. He walks more than runs now, still swims a lot, and loves the Blue Lake 5K. And, he has had National age group records on the track and in cross country.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD – Bernie Blasek
This year we decided to give a special recognition award to two people. Bernie person has been a model of consistency for at least the past three years. He has earned the most age group points of anyone in the club in each of those years. He runs many races, and runs them fast. His consistency is sought by many but paralleled by few, so the first award goes to Bernie Blazek.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD – Chuck Coats
The second award is an achievement award. We are proud to have this person in the club, and he was last year’s Inspirational Award. This person had a vision and a quest to break the 3000M National Age Group Record and worked very hard to achieve this goal. Last summer, he met his goal, not only breaking the record, but also breaking it twice since he wasn’t happy with his first record-breaking time. He wanted to crush it and he did. Chuck Coats is now the present National Record holder of the 3000M in the 45-49 year old age group. Congratulations.
