Shannon Sullivan, Community

The Community Award is given to an organization or individual who through financial, material or other contributions has supported the running community over a period of years. Our 1998 community award winner has certainly done all this. I first met him in 1977. He has been active with GWTC almost from its inception. Although I canšt recall everything he has done, I know he has served as the race director of the Manatee 5k for 12 years. He was instrumental in starting and directing the Jingle Bell Jog held each year by our City in conjunction with its December Winter Festival and Celebation of Lights. He directed Tallahasseešs running of the three-year Nationwide Strohs Run for Liberty 8k series to raise money to restore the Statue of Liberty. He has put on the Devil-Take-the-Hindmost Race for at least 10 years, and more important, has hosted the post race party for 20 years.

Recently, he helped start such athletic events as the Kingston Mile, which is one of the few races that prohibit providing or drinking Gatorade during competition. His sponsorship of the butt-naked one mile is probably the only race that local law enforcement has stopped.

He has promoted our sport in several ways besides directing and sponsoring races. He helped start the local Hash House Harriers and the original Tallahassee Triathlon Club. He was one of the founders of Racing South Magazine,* which provided much needed information on regional races in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He has provided a great deal of information to the local media over the years on the local running enviroment and has always had a profound opinion on our sport that he is unafraid to share. In terms of material contribution, he and his business have provided race numbers and gift certificates for hundreds of races over the years.

Everyone in this room has probably registered for a race at Sports Beat at one time or another. I am delighted to present the 1998 GWTC Community Award to Shannon Sullivan.

Text and Presentation by Felton Wright

* Racing South was bought by Running Journal ­ed.