HARRA Leadership Team Meeting
December 20, 2004
Attendance: Lisa Ruthven, Roger Boak, Audrey Christiansen, Camille Yarborough, Tom McBrayer, Steve Shepard, Barbara Shepard, Randy Carlson, Rachel Guenther, Geoff Guenther, Doug Spence, Steve Costello (Memorial Park Conservancy), Sadie Greenman (Al Lawrence Running Club).
Meeting called to order at 6:10pm.
1. Bayou City 10k—Camille
Certified by Tom. The certification number will be available on the website. HARRA is included in the waiver. $2 off for HARRA members. HARRA logo is on the entry form in multiple locations. Recapping the 2004 Bayou City 10k, Camille noted that there was a $10,000 donation to Parks department. More than one toilet will be available per 70 runners. Parking is plentiful downtown in the underground. This year, H-E-B is the major sponsor, and as it is their centennial year, there will be special food. Race results will be posted at the race site and the web. Clocks will be at each mile marker. Entry forms will be available by the marathon. Aid stations will be close to every mile as well as a port-o-can at the aid stations. Awards are a finisher’s t-shirt. Strong compliance with HARRA race requirements overall. Meet with the mayor and media person.
Camille reminded the Leadership Team that the10k is the kick-off for the Texas 10k Challenge. Special prizes will be awarded for a member of a centipede team. H-E-B will supply the prizes in a drawing of members of centipede teams.
2. Kid’s Run Post Mortem—All
John Cody was not present, but John has an article for Inside Texas Running as well as Jerry Smith’s photos. Tom said that the race attendance was down only slightly. There were 315 participants approximately, although the hope was for 400. The only complaint was some confusion at the start line, as many children don’t know about races. He recommends a few moms next time to help at the start.
3. HARRA Race Requirements Update—Randy
Randy submitted a final draft addressing port-o-cans on the course, EMTs, and volunteer lists. The final draft had been reviewed and approved by Bob Hoekman (Medical) and Paul Cooley (Legal). Steve asked for a motion to accept. Camille moved. Unanimous acceptance.
4. HARRA Booth at Marathon Expo—Steve
Steve is securing a booth at half-price in exchange for a presence in Footprints, the HARRA web site and email blasts. Last year an end-cap booth was donated in exchange for Footprints advertisements which HARRA was not able to follow through on as Footprints was not being published.
5. RRCA Membership Renewal—Audrey
943 households have been counted for the RRCA member insurance. This will be submitted shortly.
6. Hall of Fame—Steve
Annie will update next month.
7. Marathon Finisher Towels/Ironfoot Awards—Roger
Still in progress.
8. Memorial Park Trail Committee/Health & Fitness Magazine—Randy/Roger/Steve Costello
Randy sent an email to the city to add improvements with regards to the recent attack close to the half-mile mark on the West side of the running track. A large issue concerns the thick underbrush growing next to the trails, from the golf course down to the east entrance, and half a mile from the traffic light along Memorial Drive. Steve Costello said the city has asked for a volunteer day, that if HARRA would provide 10-20 volunteers, the city will provide tools. The target area is the triangle between Woodway and the 610 loop north of the arboretum. There is a co-ordination underway with mountain biking groups for the trails January 22. Mr. Costello also mentioned Trail Head signs. The board was not previously prepared for Mr. Costello’s presentation, and Steve asked for details and discussion via email.
Steve Shepard reviewed his perspective that safety is first and foremost a matter of education and awareness, and he favored safety-oriented initiatives that benefit all HARRA members, not just those who frequent Memorial Park. He advised he would kick off an initiative to spread the word on running safety distributing existing HARRA and RRCA materials on the HARRA and affiliated club web sites, at Memorial Park, at Houston running stores and at the Marathon Expo.
Roger said the trail has been resurfaced. The Health & Fitness Magazine is interested in connecting with running groups and advertisers. Roger suggested a Spring Series race video and club photo page in the magazine.
9. Activity Updates
Membership—Barb
Barb advised we have 24 new members since the last Leadership Team Meeting.
Treasury—Audrey
Doug asked if the check has been sent to the Hermann Park Conservancy. Audrey said this is pending.
Website—Geoff
The home page has been updated, with mention of the HARRA booth for the marathon expo. All of the team results up to the 30k are updated, as well as new members. Steve asked Roger about submitting 30k race results to Inside Texas Running for January, early, instead of February.
Footprints—Steve
Upcoming articles are the 30k from Andy Stewart, Volunteers and Kid’s Run.
Member Discount—Doug
Two new vendors have been added, a running sculpture artist in Dallas offering HARRA members a 30% discount. The other is a chiropractor. Doug said we need to remind our members there are 29 discount members, shortly to be 32-33.
PIM—Lisa
PIM continues to meet informally Wednesday nights. There is an opportunity to apply for a grant with Moving Comfort, a line of women’s sport clothing. Lisa said she received this offer through the RRCA via HARRA and is looking into it.
Bayou Bash Relay—Sadie
Sadie asked if the Bayou Bash Relay could be a 2-person relay, which could make it a more popular race and avoid the same problems that arise each year with missing team members. Camille said HARRA members would be scored individually like the Trolley Run and so chips would be required. Steve asked about discussion in Al Lawrence. Sadie said the club was in favor of the idea. Steve asked for discussion whether the change would increase attendance, as traditionally a HARRA race should have stronger attendance than non-HARRA events. Steve proposed the change to the Bayou Bash be pre-approved, subject to the Al Lawrence club decision. Roger seconded. Unanimous approval.
Meeting closed at 7:35pm.