Wednesday, January 27, 2010

CARA Awards Luncheon a Big Plus

I've got to give CARA, its new executive director, Valerie Bushey, and her entire staff some well-deserved credit for an excellent 2009 awards luncheon on Saturday (Jan. 23) in Oak Brook. The fast-moving program was just right and kept everyone interested, attentive and motivated. There were strong speeches by many people, including CARA board president-elect Chris Wehrman, who never is afraid to tell it like it is, and runners of the year Christina Overbeck and Dave Wilson. CARA is moving forward and freshening up its approach. That is good for all concerned as we look ahead to the 2010 running season (already under way for a lot of you!). I saw a lot of people I knew and realized the room was full of some of the fittest people, not just in the Chicago area, but in the country. They also get to run in some of the best and safest races in the country, due in large part to CARA.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

How are they moving forward and freshening their approach?. I'd sure like to know..haven't received any mail of any type in ages and their website is uninformative (ergo, Chicago Run Times!...seriously, a good blog, Bob.

Bob Richards said...

In general, they are trying re-connect the dots between good races, good runners, social runners and running advocacy. I think they are definitely pointed in the right direction.

Anonymous said...

Succinctly put. Most of those connections have been pretty weak the last half-dozen years or so. I wish them luck.

Anonymous said...

I hope CARA will bring the awards ceremony to Chicago next year. Oak Brook is a bit of a hike for some of us "city runners". (hint, hint) ;)