Long-time running activist, race director and official, Basil Honikman will retire as executive director of Running USA in February. Honikman, who helped to start Running USA eight years ago, has been instrumental in the improvements of distance running in America, both from an elite and grass-roots standpoint.

Honikman said in announcing his retirement, "I believe that we have made remarkable progress in a relatively short time and although I still feel enthusiastic and energetic, I realize that sooner or later I will have to turn over the leadership of the organization to someone else. Given our achievements and the excellent health of Running USA, I feel this is an appropriate time for change. It is my intention to continue to contribute to Running USA and be active in some of its programs."

A native of South Africa, Honikman has been involved with the sport for more than 30 years in the United States. He helped found the Orange Bowl Marathon in Miami and put on one of the first big money road races--the Orange Bowl 10-K. In 1986, he and his wife Linda Honikman (a Texas native) were retained as consultants by USATF to take over the distance running records and data center. He became the USATF records chair in 1989 and continued in that position until 2004. He served on the USATF board of directors from 2001-03.