March 14, 2014 [KALAMAZOO, Mich.] We are pleased to announce our club president, Bonnie Sexton has been named RRCA’s Outstanding Club President of the Year.
Below is a history of her Board Service with Kalamazoo Area Runners:
-March 2004 – March 2006: Vice President, Membership
-March 2006 – March 2007: Co-President
-March 2008 – March 2012: President
-March 2012 – September 2012: Vice President
-September 2012 – March 2013: Interim President
-March 2013 – Present: President
Kalamazoo Area Runners had approximately 200 members when she first joined the Board in 2004, and since than has grown to more than 1300 members in 2014.
In addition to the above, she founded or co-founded with other KAR members the following events and programs:
-Beyond Half and Full Marathon Training Program
-Fast Track 5k and 10k Training Program
-Winter Blast Half Marathon & 5k
In addition to serving as KAR Board President, she currently directs or co-directs the Kalamazoo Klassic 10k and 5k, the Winter Blast Half Marathon and 5k, The Turkey Trot Time Prediction 5k Run and the Fast Track 5k and 10k Training Program. In the past, she has also directed the Beyond Half and Full Marathon Training Program, and served as KAR Director for the Safari Half and Full Marathon Training Program.
She served as Head Coach for the Heritage Christian Academy Cross Country team for 3 years, 2008 – 2010.
As for non-KAR running, she ran track and field, and cross country competitively in High School in New York, and competed for 1 1/2 years for Liberty University as a sprinter. Sophomore year of college she took a hiatus from the sport of running until returning in 2002. Since then, she has run more than 100 races ranging from the 5k to the Half Marathon distance, as well as 30 marathons. She has run Boston 3 times, and will be returning this April. She has also competed in the USATF Masters National Cross Country Championships twice.
As far as non-running related, she is employed full-time as the Human Resources and Community Relations Director for MRC Industries, Inc., is married (Jeff) and has three children; Michael (18), Steven – (17) and Paige (15). Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science Degree from Liberty University, and a Master of Science Degree from Mercy College, both in Human Resources Management. She was the recipient of the Community Leadership STAR Award in 2011.
Others like Bonnie will be honored at the upcoming RRCA National Running Awards Banquet and Ceremony on May 3, 2014 in Spokane, WA. All RRCA members are encouraged attend this event to celebrate these award-winning contributors to the running community.
