ORRRC Annual Awards
Nomination Schedule
- November 1 – December 30: Nominations accepted
- January 2-9: Online voting open
- Jan 9-10: Board Officers (President, VP, Secretary, Treasurer) & Annual Party Lead Review Nominations and Votes to Ensure Fairness, Kindness, and Avoid “Popularity Contest” Mentality – then Finalize Selectees
- January 25: The Awards Party
Award Eligibility
- Club members may nominate one person for multiple awards, but may only make one nomination in each category.
- A club member may only receive the following awards once: Ambassador, Volunteer of the Year, and Rookie of the Year. Please check our awards listing below before you nominate.
- We may change the category of a nomination or even disallow a nomination. We may cancel categories that do not receive sufficient nominations. Any change in a nomination must be approved by the ORRRC President, and the appropriate nominator will be notified.
Runner of the Year
Recognizes two runners — one male and one female member of the ORRRC — who have demonstrated consistently outstanding performances in organized races during the past year. Nominees for this award may be considered not only for their speed but also for their versatility and consistency as well as their support and representation of the club while performing at this high level over the year.
Winners
2023:
Male: Tom Helfinstine
Female : Kim Johnston
Performance of the Year
Recognizes one male and one female member of the ORRRC for the most outstanding performance of the year in a race, road or trail. “Outstanding” is considered in terms of course difficulty and weather conditions as well as the age, gender, and ability of the runner. In other words, this is a relative, not an absolute, test.
Winners
2023:
Male: Chris Thieke
Female: Molly Kash
Most Improved
Recognizes one male and one female member of the ORRRC whose performances in running in the past year have significantly improved. This is calculated using data from races and is not voted-upon by the membership.
Winners
2023:
Male: Robert Saul
Female: Elizabeth Wells
Rookie of the Year
Recognizes the male or female member of the ORRRC who, in his or her first year of running has demonstrated mental toughness and persistence as well as ability. A person can only win this award once.
Winners
2023:
Male: Eric Nicoles
Female: Kayla Edwards
Ambassador
Whereas many of our awards acknowledge service within the ORRRC, the Ambassador Award recognizes the single individual who favorably represents the Club to the greater running community. Criteria for this award may include noteworthy performances at national and international races, improving trail conditions through volunteerism, serving as an advocate for running in civic and government arenas, and volunteering at ORRRC and non-club running events. In short, the Ambassador Award is given to the one person who somehow manages to make us look good. A person can only win this award once.
Winners
2023:
Jennifer Summers
Volunteer of the Year
The Volunteer Award is for a person who graciously gives of his or her time to help at club events. The recipient of this award does not have to be a runner, but may be. This award is for the person who volunteers in many different ways: at aid stations, helping organize events, pacing, crewing, or otherwise helping the runners of the ORRRC. A person can only win this award once. This award should not be given to a current Board of Trustees Member, as it is intended to recognize at-large volunteers.
Winners
2023:
Lawrence Chow
Best Photo
Best photo of a ORRRC run or of a ORRRC member at any race. The photo must be submitted in digital format and taken by an ORRRC member who authorizes its use in the contest. (If we receive enough submissions, we may make categories. If we do not receive enough submissions, we may cancel the category.)