Club Recognition Awards
Reynold G. Oas Volunteer of the Year (Kalamazoo)
Demonstrates an exemplary level of volunteerism within the Kalamazoo community at both club sponsored events/programs and other events that benefit the running community and the community as a whole.
- 2005 – Steve Long
- 2006 – Bob Smola
- 2006 – Brenda Stoddard
- 2007 – Mark Sigfrids
- 2008 – Peggy Zeeb
- 2009 – Natalie Dale
- 2010 – Stephanie Sabin
- 2011 – Julie Wojtaszek
- 2011 – Brian Dobbie
- 2012 – Nikki Gates
Volunteer of the Year (Battle Creek)
Demonstrates an exemplary level of volunteerism within the Battle Creek community at both club sponsored events/programs and other events that benefit the running community and the community as a whole.
- 2005 – Wayne Young
- 2006 – Gale Fischer
Spirit of Running
Shares their love and passion for the sport and serves as a positive role model and source of inspiration and encouragement to others.
- 2006 – Peter Burrill
- 2006 – Carole Stevens
- 2008 – Dottie Sullivan
- 2009 – Mark Sigfrids
- 2010 – Steve Rice
- 2011 – Laurie Simmons
- 2011 – Scott VanLoo
- 2012 – Brandon Van Dusen
- 2012 – Nancy Yager
Social Runner of the Year
Welcomes and draws people into the running community through demonstrating a warm and friendly spirit.
- 2006 – Bonnie Sexton
- 2007 – Bonnie Sexton
- 2008 – Karen Hook
- 2009 – Carolyn Brammer
- 2010 – Christine Thompson
- 2011 – Andy Boris
- 2012 – Pat Enlow
- 2012 – Sherri Enlow
Story Contributor of the Year
Frequently shares fun stories and experiences for the “Rundown” and other KAR related Communications.
- 2006 – Gale Fischer
- 2007 – Gale Fischer
- 2009 – Gale Fischer
- 2011 – Christen McCool
Rookie Runner of the Year
Runner who started running the current year and demonstrates outstanding potential or progress, dedication and sportsmanship.
- 2006 – Kayla Kling
- 2009 – Brandon Wise
- 2010 – Jason Wilhemi
- 2011 – Robert Williams
- 2012 – Alayna Pelfresne
Comeback Runner of the Year
Runner who has been on hiatus for a year or more and makes a notable comeback.
- 2006 – Mike Willy
- 2007 – Scott Taylor
- 2008 – Carole Stevens
- 2009 – Jane Rolfe
- 2010 – Joe Hulsebus
- 2011 – Nick Gooch
- 2012 – Chelsey Jones
Most Improved Runner of the Year
Runner who has shown the most improvement over the past year.
- 2010 – Jeff Layne
- 2011 – Teri Olbrot
- 2012 – Chris Huff
- 2012 – Lauren Macvicar
- 2012 – Brent Yager
Mega-Marathoner of the Year
Posts the most marathon completions for the current year. Strictly based on number of completions.
- 2006 – Peter Gower
- 2007 – Fred Colbert
- 2008 – Natalie Dale
- 2008 – Bob Smola
- 2008 – Todd Raab
- 2009 – Joel Pennington
- 2010 – David Thierjung
- 2011 – David Thierjung
- 2012 – Ken Brooks
Mega-Racer of the Year
Posts the most race completions (5K — Marathon) for the current year. Strictly based on the number of completions. Events may be relay’s or fun runs as long as the leg distance is 5K or greater.
- 2006 – Peggy Zeeb
- 2007 – Fred Colbert
- 2008 – Fred Colbert
- 2008 – Joe Reitz
- 2008 – Peggy Zeeb
- 2009 – Peggy Zeeb
- 2010 – Peggy Zeeb
- 2011 – Frank Maston
- 2012 – Frank Maston
Male Youth Runner of the Year
Runner under age 12 that demonstrates competitive excellence, sportsmanship & serves as a positive role model to others.
- 2006 – Kyle Downard
- 2009 – Michael Orwin
Female Youth Runner of the Year
Runner under age 12 that demonstrates competitive excellence, sportsmanship & serves as a positive role model to others.
- 2008 – Savannah Huitema
- 2009 – Addie Maston
- 2010 – Addie Maston
- 2011 – Addie Maston
- 2012 – Addie Maston
Male Open Runner of the Year
Demonstrates competitive excellence in Open competition, sportsmanship and serves as a positive role model to others.
- 2006 – Marty Buffenbarger
- 2007 – Gale Fischer
- 2008 – Ken Brooks
- 2009 – Ken Brooks
- 2010 – Ken Brooks
- 2011 – Ken Brooks
- 2012 – Jonathan Marsh
Female Open Runner of the Year
Demonstrates competitive excellence in Open competition, sportsmanship and serves as a positive role model to others.
- 2006 – Jen Shaffer
- 2007 – Peggy Zeeb
- 2008 – Erin Lumbard
- 2009 – Hannah Norton
- 2010 – Megan Osterling
- 2011 – Nicole Clement
- 2012 – Michelle Grevenstuk
Male Masters Runner of the Year
Runner aged 40+ that demonstrates competitive excellence in Masters competition, sportsmanship and serves as a positive role model to others.
- 2006 – Charlie Broberg
- 2007 – Joe Reitz
- 2008 – Ralph Meyer
- 2009 – Joe Reitz
- 2010 – Joe Reitz
- 2011 – Joe Reitz
- 2012 – Joe Reitz
Female Masters Runner of the Year
Runner aged 40+ that demonstrates competitive excellence in Masters competition, sportsmanship and serves as a positive role model to others.
- 2006 – Peggy Zeeb
- 2007 – Julie Hoffmann
- 2008 – Peggy Zeeb
- 2009 – Leslie Scheffers
- 2010 – Peggy Zeeb
- 2011 – Leslie Scheffers
- 2012 – Leslie Scheffers
Male Grand Masters Runner of the Year
Runner aged 50+ that demonstrates competitive excellence in Masters competition, sportsmanship and serves as a positive role model to others.
- 2009 – Eric Zeeb
- 2010 – Rick Motter
- 2011 – Andrew Hirzel
- 2012 – Mark Sigfrids
Female Grand Masters Runner of the Year
Runner aged 50+ that demonstrates competitive excellence in Masters competition, sportsmanship and serves as a positive role model to others.
- 2009 – Julie Hoffmann
- 2010 – Francine Bangs
- 2011 – Peggy Zeeb
- 2012 – Peggy Zeeb
Patrick Johnson Volunteer Recognition Program
The program is a vehicle to recognize and thank the many club members who volunteer their time and energy by contributing to the local running community through KAR events and programs. Volunteers assisting with a KAR organized or sponsored event or program are eligible to earn points towards a special gift and drawing held after the close of each year at the annual banquet. The top three volunteers earning the most points during the course of the year are awarded a special gift and recognition. Total points are listed below in ().
- 2006 – Mindy Allwardt (130)
- 2006 – Marty Buffenbarger (130)
- 2006 – Lana Hulsebus (110)
- 2006 – Todd Prom (90)
- 2006 – Peggy Zeeb (90)
- 2007 – Mark Sigfrids (140)
- 2007 – Francine Bangs (130)
- 2007 – Dave Walch (120)
- 2008 – Peggy Zeeb (160)
- 2008 – Brian Dobbie (140)
- 2008 – Pat Johnson (140)
- 2008 – Cindi MacDonald (140)
- 2008 – Dave Walch (140)
- 2008 – Francine Bangs (120)
- 2008 – Marty Buffenbarger (120)
- 2009 – Natalie Dale (240)
- 2009 – Cindi MacDonald (180)
- 2009 – Francine Bangs (150)
- 2009 – Peggy Zeeb (150)
- 2010 – Natalie Dale (220)
- 2010 – Steve Rice (150)
- 2010 – Colleen Orwin (130)
- 2010 – Michael Orwin (130)
- 2011 – Steve Rice (340)
- 2011 – Zach Baker (330)
- 2011 – Brian Dobbie (300)
- 2012 – Bonnie Sexton (450)
- 2012 – Nikki Gates (430)
- 2012 – Pat Enlow (380)
