Announcing...The Extraordinary Runner Awards

The Lounge is a constant source of inspiration for us.  Some of the bits of inspiration come from everyday posts and messages.  Great moments in running happen every day. As ordinary runners we experience great runs, have personal triumphs in races, and achieve life-changing outcomes during our days, seasons, and years of running.  We have seen it through Frayed Laces constant posts and words of encouragement while she rehabilitates a pelvic fracture, Nancy's stories of two minutes planks, or Joe's continued persistence as he has become a runner.  We have also been inspired by race reports like Bill's sub 3:00 marathon, Zanne's amazing finish after jumping out of the back of an ambulance, Nitmos finish of the Goofy Challenge, or Katie's marathon finish with 2 seconds to spare.

All of these stories of inspiration keep us running.

After almost a year of reading and sharing them, Tom and I decided that these stories need to a special place.   We need to bring them together to inspire all runners.  To do this, we have launched the Extraordinary Runner Awards to honor the extra effort of ordinary runners.

These awards consist of four special, distinct categories of running greatness that unfold for us as ordinary runners, our running friends, and in our running communities. 

• The Golden Runner Award. Dedicated to stories about beginning running. Tell others why you started, how you kept going, how it has changed your life, or what you have achieved.
• The Milestone Award.  Dedicated to stories about running successes and accomplishments. It may be a training run or a race, returning from a setback, making a lifestyle change, or going faster or farther–or both. Tell us about what you have overcome and what you have achieved.
• The Applause Award. Dedicated to stories about charity, community, coaches, and support for running and runners. Share how running has helped you and others. And don't forget to showcase your favorite fans and supporters who keep you going.
• The Heart and Sole Award. Dedicated to stories about "Why I run." Running can be a powerful influence in our lives. Tell others what drives you to run…and what keeps you going.

Each month we will feature an inspiring story on our site.  Those submitting stories that are featured will receive prizes. In addition, twice each year we will select and recognize the overall top stories with the Runners' Lounge Awards, and will award cash prizes to the winners in each category as well as a cash award for them to give back to their community.

To kick it off, the first two stories added to this section by February 13th will receive a pair of tickets to “Spirit of the Marathon” on February 21st, compliments of the movie distributors. The next eight new stories will receive gifts from our sponsors.

We have dedicated a special page on the site where stories can be added and shared with the entire virtual community of running.  Everyone of us has a story to share and tell about our running.   It could be as simple as an everyday run, a breakthrough, or the big race.   It can be about progress or come back.  Share your own and ask other runners to share their story.

Please join the excitement in recognizing the greatness of running that you have experienced and showcase the greatness of running of others and in your community.  Share your story today! 

Comments

[Bob Gentile]

Great idea look forward to reading the stories!

[viv]

This is going to be great, Amy!

[suzanne]

thanks for that recognition on my columbus marathon finish. i sometimes forget that it was "amazing" as you say ... i just posted about my latest marathon finish. again, not quite the outcome i wanted, but a marathon finish all the same. i can't wait to read all the stories!

[Database Diva]

Another great idea. It makes me wish I had a good story to tell ;)