The 2005 Austin Runner's Choice Award winners were announced last week. The Runner's Choice Awards were started in 1999 and have been presented annually as a way of recognizing and celebrating runners, races and businesses that have helped make the Austin running scene the positive, supportive and vibrant community that it is.
Nominations were made in 15 categories that were solicited by a panel of experts in the Austin running community. From this list, the winners were voted upon and selected by this same panel.
To become a finalist and appear on the ballot, the nominees needed to have made significant achievements in the 2005 calendar year (thus, results from the 2006 Freescale and 3M races were not taken into account), not in the running specialty business (except for coaches) and the achievements need to be verifiable.
Female Runner of the Year
1. Sara Pizzochero: She won the Oklahoma City Marathon, finished ninth at the Dallas White Rock Marathon and notched top 10 finishes at IBM and Pervasive.
2. Desiree Ficker: An outstanding triathlete, Ficker was third at Motive Bison, second at IBM and fourth at Decker. She also won the Capitol of Texas Triathlon and was second at the Arizona Ironman.
3. Christine Kimbrough: This mother of four won Pervasive and IBM, was third at Cap 10 and second at Motive Bison.
The winner: Christine Kimbrough.
Male Runner of the Year
1. Ramon Sepulveda: He ran 12 marathons in 12 months despite suffering from multiple sclerosis.
2. Paul Pugh: Had a great year with numerous top 10 finishes in most of the top races.
3. Bernard Manirakiza: He dominated all year long. The Burundian won the Cap 10, Decker and Keep Austin Weird races as well as placing second in the Texas Round Up and IBM. Was sixth at Dallas Half Marathon in PR (bettered at 3M in 2006).
The winner: Bernard Manirakiza.
Female Masters Runner of the Year
1. Carmen Troncoso: Dominated in every race at national level and was named national runners of the year in her age group (45-49). Third at Bun Run.
2. Cathy Bridge: Made amazing comeback from medical problems. Ran Pike's Peak Marathon and Bandera 50-K.
3. Cindy Salazar: Masters champ at Motive, Pervasive, Keep Austin Weird. PR'ed at every distance in 2005.
The winner: Carmen Troncoso.
Male Masters Runner of the Year
1. Keith Dowland: The 50-year-old is so tough he competes at the front of most races against guys 30 years younger. He was fourth overall at Decker, sixth at IBM and fourth at Pervasive in 58:10.
2. Mac Allen: A medalist in US masters championship. Competed in World Masters.
3. John Paladino: Top 10 at IBM, 11th at Pervasive.
The winner: Keith Dowland.
Trail or Ultra Female of the Year
1. Cathy Bridge.
2. Joyce Prusaitis: Ran several portions of ultras as support crew for husband Joe.
3. Meredith Terranova: Won her age group at Toughest Race in Texas, 58th at Sunmart.
The winner: Joyce Prusaitis.
Trail or Ultra Male of the Year
1. Joe Prusaitis: Ran Badwater, Western States and two other 100-milers.
2. Steve Sisson: 12th overall at Pike's Peak.
3. Russ Secker: Finished the Trans Gaulle (France) ultra of 725 miles in 18 days.
The winner: Steve Sisson.
Youth (female) Runner of the Year
1. Kristin Hill: Only 19 year old in Distance Challenge Series. Cross-country captain for past two years at Hayes HS.
2. Kristin Messer: Undefeated in most races as wheelchair competitor. Won the Bun Run, 3M, Chuy's, News 8-K, Texas Round Up and Freescale.
The winner: Kristin Messer.
Youth (male) Runner of the Year
1. Travis Fort: Age group winner at Cap 10.
2. James Valadez: Won Moonlight Margarita Run and Trail of Lights, won his age group at Motive.
The winner: James Valadez.
Volunteers of the Year:
1. David Mitchell: Austin Runners Club president. Daisy race director.
2. John Patterson: IBM race director, Freescale Half coordinator.
3. Russ Secker: ARC officer and Decker race director.
4. Muna Tabatai: ARC volunteer coordinator.
5. Mike Riggs: Motive race director, Freescale starting line coordinator and president of Hill Country Trail Runners.
The winners are David Mitchell, John Patterson and Mike Riggs.
Race Sponsor of the Year
1. H-E-B: Grocery sponsor of Freescale, 3M and many other races.
2. Northcross Mall: Sponsor of IBM.
3. Silicon Laboratories: Title sponsor of Silicon Laboratories Marathon Relay, benefiting Junior Achievement of Central Texas.
4. Freescale Semiconductor: Title sponsor of the Freescale Marathon and Komen Race for the Cure.
5. 3M: Title sponsor of one of the best half marathons in the country.
The winner: H-E-B.
Coach of the Year
1. Gilbert Tuhabonye: Gilbert's Gazelles
2. Debra Saleny: Austin Fit
3. Steve Sisson: Rogue Training Systems
4. Ruth England: Rogue Training Systems
5. Carolyn Mangold: Rogue Training Systems
The winner: Steve Sisson.
Race of the Year (10-K or shorter)
1. IBM 10-K
2. 2. Shoes for Austin 5-K
3. Texas Round Up 10-K
4. Bagel Fest 5-K
5. Sunstroke Summer Stampede Series
The winner: Sunstroke Stampede
Race of the Year (15-K and longer)
1. RunTex 30-K
2. Freescale Marathon
3. Silicon Laboratories Marathon Relay
4. Bandera 100-K
5. 3M Half Marathon.
The winner: Freescale Marathon
Race T-shirt of the Year
1. IBM 10-K
2. Motive Bison Half Marathon
3. 3M Half Marathon
4. Bagel Fest 5-K
5. Decker Challenge 20-K
The winner: Bagel Fest 5-K
Runner and Walker Friendly Business of the Year
1. Northcross Mall
2. Russell's Bakery
3. Mangia Pizza
4. Whole Foods
5. H-E-B
The winner: Mangia Pizza.
 
 
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Austin Runner's Choice Award Winners Announced
by RunTex Staff, 2/22/2006 |
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