The 2013 RunPro Camp will be held on July 19-21, 2013, in Arlington, Virginia, at the national office location of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA).  The camp is a companion to www.RunPro.com, which is designed to assist promising distance runners make the transition from collegiate to professional running.

The goal of the RunPro Camp is to encourage, support and provide the tools for more top collegiate distance runners to stay in the sport, pursue a professional running career, and train at a high level so that U.S. performances will continue to improve nationally and internationally.  The first RunPro Camp, created and hosted by Team USA Minnesota, was held in July 2011 in Minneapolis.

“The RRCA’s goal with the RunPro Camp is to provide important information and resources that will contribute to the ongoing pipeline of U.S. professional distance runners,” said Jean Knaack, RRCA executive director.  “This isn’t a camp to learn how to run or how to run better.  It’s a camp to give promising U.S. distance runners the knowledge and guidance they need to pursue a professional running career.”

The interactive camp will provide opportunities for runners to meet coaches and athletes from professional training centers, learn about shoe company requirements for sponsorship, determine what type of representation (agents) would be best, find out about elite race recruitment, and how to seek both financial and health support, along with various USATF rules governing professional running including anti-doping compliance.

The RunPro Camp will have USATF representatives in attendance, along with training center coaches, shoe company representatives, financial and health experts, agents, and elite race recruiters.  There will also be athletes who are already running professionally who will share their experiences on turning pro.

Travel and lodging assistance will be provided by the RRCA to qualified runners.  The RRCA anticipates supporting up to 20 athletes for the three-day 2013 RunPro Camp.

For more information, visit www.RunPro.com.

Candidates should: 

• Be a current college student or a recent college graduate or post-graduate student with an interest in distance running, sports management, nonprofit management, and journalism/communications.
• Candidate should be willing and able to work on projects as assigned with limited supervision.
• Be willing to commit to a regular work schedule in the RRCA National Office throughout the summer/semester with the opportunity to work on some projects remotely.
• Be professional at all times while working on RRCA projects.

Internship project opportunities may include:

• Assist with research and survey projects about members.
• Assist with database management projects.
• Assisting with archiving RRCA historical documents: scanning, cataloging, database entry, etc.
• Writing and circulating press releases, scheduling radio or television interviews, and more journalism related projects.
• Special events coordination.
• Interface on a regular basis with RRCA member clubs and events and assist them with special projects as assigned.
• Assist with fundraising efforts.
• Assist with general administrative duties as needed.
• Other projects as desired or assigned.

Interested candidates must submit a cover letter outlining how an RRCA internship might assist long-term professional goals along with a resume and a letter of recommendation from a professor.  Submit application materials to Jean Knaack at Execdir@RRCA.org by June 7, 2013.  The RRCA can work with your university if credits are needed for internship requirements.

The RRCA encourages members engaging in these business activities to utilize this insurance program to cover their activities when hired by a third party client.  As a condition of continual coverage, a running club or event management company must have at least one RRCA Certified Race Director in good standing as of December 31, 2013 that represents the club or event management company.  Since your club or event management company is providing professional services to a client and you are being hired as an expert, the RRCA will require Race Director Certification or enrollment into the Race Director Certification Course before a club or event management company will be allowed to access this insurance program.  For this first year, representatives must complete the course by December 31, 2013 in order for the policy to be renewed in 2014. After January 1, 2014, new representatives for clubs and events will need to complete the course before access is granted to this insurance program.

Members interested in this policy may only access it by emailing .  You will receive further instructions about submitting detailed information about the events you have been hired to director or time.

Read more about this additional insurance program.

New Operations Package for Clubs and Events

The insurance program now offers the OPTIONAL Operations Package, which provides for basic business type insurance coverages for your club or event management companies.  This insurance coverages for items such as timing clocks, club or event owned computers, etc.  It also helps cover clubs in the event that a volunteer or employee embezzles funds from the club or event through theft, forgery, or alterations of documents.  Clubs and events MUST have documented evidence that RRCA recommended financial policies and procedures are in place in advance of a claim.

Policy coverages:

• $25,000 business income loss
• $5,000 miscellaneous office equipment coverage
• $75,000 business personal property coverage
• $10,000 hardware/software coverage
• $25,000 employee/volunteer dishonesty coverage – must have RRCA recommended financial policies and procedures in place for your club or event management company.
• $25,000 forgery and alterations
• $10,000 theft, disappearance, and destruction

*Exclusions include wind, hail, earthquake, and flooding as a peril.  To include coverage for these perils, contact Star Insurance for a quote.

This policy runs from January 1 to December 31. The annual rate for the policy is $750.  The RRCA will write members to this policy starting July 1 and the fee for 2013 will be pro-rated to $375.  Member interested in purchasing this additional package should email to obtain an invoice.

The race will take place on Wednesday July 24, 2013 in Arlington, VA at the Washington-Lee High School track.  The Track Championships are FREE to all runners, member and non-member alike, but race organizers request that runners pre-register to help with planning. 

“The race follows shortly after the 2013 RunPro Camp which will be held in Arlington, VA from July 19-21,” explained Jean Knaack, RRCA executive director.  “We are working with race officials to keep some of the RunPro athletes in Arlington so they can compete in the 1 Mile National Championship.”

Prize money will be provided by both the DC Road Runners and the Road Runners Club of America to the top male and female 1 Mile champions.

Details about the event can be found on the DC Road Runners Club website.

About DC Road Runners: Runners of all ages and speeds are invited to join the Washington, DC area’s premier running organization, the DC Road Runners. For the past 50 years, the DC Road Runners Club has offered outstanding services to its members. The DC Road Runners is an affiliate of the Road Runners Club of America and they provide a year-round schedule of running events that offers everyone a chance to participate regardless of age, gender, or athletic ability.

Des Moines has shown that it meets, and exceeds, the program’s criteria, which includes community infrastructure, civic backing, and local business support for the sport of running. Their infrastructure fosters physical activity in a safe environment; a proven track record that organizations and businesses work together to promote running as a healthy exercise and sport; and they create and maintain positive relationships between the running community and local government.

“The City of Des Moines is honored to be recognized as a 2012 Runner Friendly Community,” said Frank Cownie, Mayor of Des Moines. “In recent years, the City has gone to great lengths to improve the connectivity of the over 40 miles of city maintained trails, in order to provide our citizens the opportunity to lead and maintain healthy lifestyles.”

Des Moines is home to the Capital Striders, and The Drake Relays, Dam to Dam, IMT Des Moines Marathon, and Living History Farm Cross Country Race are the cornerstones of a busy racing calendar.  Gray’s Lake, located in downtown Des Moines, has a 1.9 mile loop trial that connects at four different locations to the Meredith Trail, Water Works Park, and Principal Riverwalk trails. The local government has a clear physical activity plan for residents of Des Moines.

“We are pleased to announce this award for Des Moines, IA during what is a busy running week for their community,” said Jean Knaack, RRCA executive director.  “Des Moines started the week of April 22 with the Grand Blue Mile,  which is the USA Men’s & Women’s 1 Mile Championships for 2013 and 2014.  The 104th Drake Relays kicked off on April 24 and will run through April 28. Des Moines will conclude their running calendar for the week with the Hy Vee Road Races 6k, 10k and Half Marathon.”

“We are honored to hear this news,” said Greg Edwards, President & CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau/Des Moines Area Sports Commission. “Our city leaders and community partners have worked hard to ensure our region provides runners with a pleasant experience. From hosting competitive track and field events and region-wide marathons to the extensive trails systems for the casual runner to explore, there’s no question that Greater Des Moines is a runner-friendly city. This is why we continue to promote our city as Track Central USA.”

The City of Des Moines has gone to great lengths in recent years to connect portions of trails and trail heads with one another that are of benefit to not only the running community but also biking community.  Most recently, the city has installed signs that link these pedestrian networks that show mileage and distance to other trail connectors.  You can complete over 20 miles on the Des Moines pedestrian network.

Chris Coleman, Des Moines City Councilman said, “Des Moines prides itself on the beauty of its streets and trails. There is no better place than Des Moines to enjoy a run. Amazing trails in nature, friendly tree-lined streets, and fans always there to cheer on the competitors.”

Learn more about the Runner Friendly Community program.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Menino today announced the formation of The One Fund Boston, the purpose of which is to raise money to help those families most affected by the tragic events that unfolded during Monday’s Boston Marathon.

“I am humbled by the outpouring of support by the business community and individuals who are united in their desire to help; The One Fund Boston will act as a central fund to receive much needed financial support,” Governor Patrick said. “At moments like this, we are one state, one city, and one people.”

According to Mayor Menino, support from the business community was immediate. “Within an hour, I had calls from business leaders and local philanthropists who, like me, were heartbroken by the impact this hideous tragedy has had on individuals, their families, and friends. And they want to do everything they can to help these people physically and psychologically in the future.”

The cornerstone donation to The One Fund Boston is a $1 million commitment from John Hancock. “John Hancock is honored to contribute to The One Fund Boston, aiding those who were affected by this terrible event,” said Craig Bromley, President. “The Boston Marathon is about courage and resilience and community. John Hancock, which has been headquartered in Boston for more than 150 years, will continue to stand by our city, the people of Boston, our community partners, the runners, and the Boston Athletic Association as we unite in recovery and in renewal of our commitment to the Boston Marathon.”

Other individuals and corporations making commitments to The One Fund Boston include Jack Connors, John Fish, CEO of Suffolk Construction, Brian Moynihan, President and CEO of Bank of America, Paul Grogan, President of The Boston Foundation, Steve Pagliuca, Managing Director of Bain Capital and co-owner of the Boston Celtics, Larry Lucchino, CEO of the Boston Red Sox, and Mike Sheehan, CEO, and Karen Kaplan, President of Hill Holliday.

Boston law firm Goodwin Procter has volunteered to organize The One Fund Boston and has applied for 501(c)(3) status. One Fund Boston, Inc. will apply for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service. Although the Fund cannot guarantee that the IRS will make a determination that the organization qualifies as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity, if approval is received within the expected time frame, the determination will be retroactive to the date of the Fund’s formation, which is April 16, 2013.

“We are one Boston. We are one community. As always, we will come together to help those most in need. And in the end, we will all be better for it,” Mayor Menino said. To contribute to The One Fund Boston, click on onefundboston.org.

Yesterday’s events sent a shock wave through the entire running community. As the grassroots organization for runners, clubs, and events, we encourage our members and all runners to keep running and racing in the days, weeks, months, and years to come.

While we have no specific knowledge of the facts beyond what is being reported in national news sources, we believe that this act was not specifically an attack on runners, but this was certainly an act of violence at an international sports event designed to garner international attention. 

As community race organizers look to their upcoming events, we encourage you to review your security plans with your organizing team and local law enforcement.  We encourage thoughtful review, but caution against over reaction to the wake of the events in Boston. Let rational thought be your guide as opposed to fear.  Review your disaster management plans.  Be vigilant.

The running community is the most generous group of people in the country; it is one of our greatest assets. The victims of the tragedy in Boston will need our support.  However, we caution our members to be smart about giving money. The RRCA will remain in contact with the organizers of the Boston Marathon.  At a time when an official charity is designated by race officials to assist victims of the tragedy, we will share that information with members so you can give with confidence.  If you prefer to give as soon as possible before any official fund is created, we encourage supporting locally established organizations such as the American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts (www.redcross.org/ma/boston).

In the coming weeks, as more lessons are learned from this tragedy, we will share information with our members at the RRCA Convention and in our print and e-newsletters.

Sincerely,
Jean Knaack
Executive Director