Tonight's HARRA Board Meeting Highlights
Thanks to HARRA president Tom Stilwell, I'm able to share with you a summarization of tonight's HARRA Board Meeting. If you are not already a member of HARRA, please consider doing so.
One of the biggest questions that HARRA gets is: "What does it do for me?"
There are many to list (and at 10:45 p.m. in the evening, I'm less inclined to find them); however, the biggest is simply the 10 percent discount many merchants provide as part of the HARRA Discount program. If you buy two (2) pairs of running shoes from one of the five Houston running specialty stores, you'll save what you expended for your HARRA membership besides your free subscription to Inside Texas Running.
I joined HARRA in the summer of 2003 exactly a year before I considered joining a HARRA-affiliated club, such as the Houston Striders. Why? Primarily because of the newsletter, "Footprints," that now appears in Inside Texas Running. As a new runner to the sport, it gave me tons of local information that I didn't have before. Here are Tom's notes:
Fall 2005 Series
The committee discussed the fact that the 30k was a well organized race with no medical issues. As for the marathon, while the conditions were not “optimal” everyone was extremely impressed with the growth and quality of the race. A couple of runners experienced issues with the water stations not having water fully ready and available to hand to passing runners.
Fall 2006 Series
A general discussion was held concerning the planning for the Fall 2006 series. There have been some questions concerning the ability for a race to move dates in order to improve weather conditions. HARRA’s requirements specify that any race over a 10k has to be more than two weeks away from another HARRA event. Consequently if the Fall Series Races were spaced like they were for 2005, at a month apart, there would be an ability for a race to move. The committee also discussed that an additional shorter “tune up” race used to take place after the 30k, and that the series does not currently have this race in place.
Spring 2006 Series
The Spring Series Races have been posted on the HARRA website. Note that the Terlinqua’s LP Run will take place on April 19, not the April 22 date currently on the website. Also the final Bayou Bash Relay will be a 4 x 2.5 mile event, not 2 x 2.5 as posted on the website. The website is being updated.
For the IRON Foot Award, HARRA members must complete the first six races of the series. However, volunteering at one of those races will count towards the Iron Foot Award.
Just for Kids Run
The Just for Kids event was cancelled this fall due to rain and lightning. The event spent approximately $6,200 with $2,600 being left as a surplus. HARRA is currently running at a surplus. Consequently HARRA will ask the major sponsors if they want their money back, or if they want their portion of the surplus to be held for next years race.
Additionally, the Memorial Park Running Club has decided that they do not want to organize the race for next year. HARRA plans to ask the member clubs if one of them will want to host the event next year. If no club wants to organize the event, then HARRA will form a sub-committee of the board to plan and organize the event. If any club wants to organize the event, please contact HARRA.
Club Competition & Runner Of The Season
We will announce the Club Competition and Runner Of The Season (ROTS) winners at the Buffalo Wallow on February 4, 2006. HARRA will once again award a total of $3050 to the ROTS winners this year. Tom will take care of getting new plaques for the Club Competition winners this year. They will be presented at the first Spring Race possible.
Marathon Finisher Towels
HARRA will award the Marathon Finisher Towels to the HARRA members who completed the Marathon at the Bayou City Classic 10K.
Party In the Park
Marla and Caroline Burum are planning the Spring Party in the Park for late March or early April. The board suggested that the PIP occur in April after the date when HARRA opens its new registration period and that the PIP be used to kick off sign-ups for the 2006-2007 HARRA membership year.
Memorial Park
The City of Houston has met with HARRA to discuss opening Memorial Park for a selected number of events per year. The City is considering allowing approximately 5 events per year to be held at off peak usage times. HARRA is working with the City of Houston and the Memorial Park Conservancy to establish the guidelines for choosing and organizing the events.
River Oaks Fountain
The architect at Kirksey Architects has promised delivery of the presentation materials by the next (February) meeting.
Membership
We now have 1,539 total members, not including those who signed up or renewed at the Marathon Expo.
Treasury
As noted above, we are running at a significant surplus over last year.
We are looking forward to a great Spring! -Tom Stilwell
One of the biggest questions that HARRA gets is: "What does it do for me?"
There are many to list (and at 10:45 p.m. in the evening, I'm less inclined to find them); however, the biggest is simply the 10 percent discount many merchants provide as part of the HARRA Discount program. If you buy two (2) pairs of running shoes from one of the five Houston running specialty stores, you'll save what you expended for your HARRA membership besides your free subscription to Inside Texas Running.
I joined HARRA in the summer of 2003 exactly a year before I considered joining a HARRA-affiliated club, such as the Houston Striders. Why? Primarily because of the newsletter, "Footprints," that now appears in Inside Texas Running. As a new runner to the sport, it gave me tons of local information that I didn't have before. Here are Tom's notes:
Fall 2005 Series
The committee discussed the fact that the 30k was a well organized race with no medical issues. As for the marathon, while the conditions were not “optimal” everyone was extremely impressed with the growth and quality of the race. A couple of runners experienced issues with the water stations not having water fully ready and available to hand to passing runners.
Fall 2006 Series
A general discussion was held concerning the planning for the Fall 2006 series. There have been some questions concerning the ability for a race to move dates in order to improve weather conditions. HARRA’s requirements specify that any race over a 10k has to be more than two weeks away from another HARRA event. Consequently if the Fall Series Races were spaced like they were for 2005, at a month apart, there would be an ability for a race to move. The committee also discussed that an additional shorter “tune up” race used to take place after the 30k, and that the series does not currently have this race in place.
Spring 2006 Series
The Spring Series Races have been posted on the HARRA website. Note that the Terlinqua’s LP Run will take place on April 19, not the April 22 date currently on the website. Also the final Bayou Bash Relay will be a 4 x 2.5 mile event, not 2 x 2.5 as posted on the website. The website is being updated.
For the IRON Foot Award, HARRA members must complete the first six races of the series. However, volunteering at one of those races will count towards the Iron Foot Award.
Just for Kids Run
The Just for Kids event was cancelled this fall due to rain and lightning. The event spent approximately $6,200 with $2,600 being left as a surplus. HARRA is currently running at a surplus. Consequently HARRA will ask the major sponsors if they want their money back, or if they want their portion of the surplus to be held for next years race.
Additionally, the Memorial Park Running Club has decided that they do not want to organize the race for next year. HARRA plans to ask the member clubs if one of them will want to host the event next year. If no club wants to organize the event, then HARRA will form a sub-committee of the board to plan and organize the event. If any club wants to organize the event, please contact HARRA.
Club Competition & Runner Of The Season
We will announce the Club Competition and Runner Of The Season (ROTS) winners at the Buffalo Wallow on February 4, 2006. HARRA will once again award a total of $3050 to the ROTS winners this year. Tom will take care of getting new plaques for the Club Competition winners this year. They will be presented at the first Spring Race possible.
Marathon Finisher Towels
HARRA will award the Marathon Finisher Towels to the HARRA members who completed the Marathon at the Bayou City Classic 10K.
Party In the Park
Marla and Caroline Burum are planning the Spring Party in the Park for late March or early April. The board suggested that the PIP occur in April after the date when HARRA opens its new registration period and that the PIP be used to kick off sign-ups for the 2006-2007 HARRA membership year.
Memorial Park
The City of Houston has met with HARRA to discuss opening Memorial Park for a selected number of events per year. The City is considering allowing approximately 5 events per year to be held at off peak usage times. HARRA is working with the City of Houston and the Memorial Park Conservancy to establish the guidelines for choosing and organizing the events.
River Oaks Fountain
The architect at Kirksey Architects has promised delivery of the presentation materials by the next (February) meeting.
Membership
We now have 1,539 total members, not including those who signed up or renewed at the Marathon Expo.
Treasury
As noted above, we are running at a significant surplus over last year.
We are looking forward to a great Spring! -Tom Stilwell
posted by WalkSports.com | 10:54 PM
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