Runner Recognition Program – Kalamazoo Area Runners

Reynold G. Oas Memorial Volunteer of the Year (Kalamazoo)

Awarded to an individual who demonstrates an exceptional level of volunteerism in support of runners and running-related events, including but not limited to pacing, crewing, race-day support, or other meaningful contributions to the running community (inside or outside of KAR events).

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
2013 - Andrew Hirzel
2014 - Matthew Santner
2015 - Fred Keister
2016 - Arya Jayatilaka
2017 - Melissa Garza
2018 - Jeff Wettig
2019 - Amanda Burdette
2024 - Erica Ford
2025 - Travis Followell

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
2013 - Maggie Austin
2014 - Randy Middaugh
2015 - Ron Reid
2015 - Rebecca Strauss
2016 - Matthew Norko
2017 - Christine Walker
2018 - Laurie Oleksa
2019 - Sherri Taylor
2019 - Mike Guthrie
2024 - Matthew Santer
2025 - John Howley

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
2013 - Steve Rice
2014 - Sherii Sherban
2015 - Lora Hutchinson
2016 - Julie Bradfield
2017 - Holly KcKee
2018 - Lisa Patel
2019 - Kerri Langdon

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
2013 - Gale Fischer
2014 - Gale Fischer
2015 - Gale Fischer
2016 - Bonnie Sexton
2017 - Gale Fischer
2018 - Gale Fischer
2019 - Gale Fischer

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
2013 - Sharon Manski
2013 - Kristen Maxwell
2014 - James Scott Johnson
2015 - Audrey Hayes
2017 - Denis Billen
2018 - John Gossner
2019 - Erin Romel
2024 - Gianna Mills / Sally Reid
2025- Dani Arias-Rotondo / Zan Powell

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
2014 - John Shubnell
2015 - Lisa Jasiak
2016 - Chelsey Jones
2017 - Aimee Garrison
2018 - Kevin Rabineau
2019 - Stacey Newton

Josh Hollin Most Improved Runner of the Year

Recognizes a runner who has shown the most improvement over the past year, whether through race performance, consistency, endurance, or personal achievement.

2010 - Jeff Layne
2011 - Teri Olbrot
2012 - Chris Huff
2012 - Lauren Macvicar
2012 - Brent Yager
2013 - Sherri Taylor
2014 - Jason Wilhelmi
2015 - Marie Billen
2016 - Andrew Hirzel
2017 - Doug Chapel
2018 - Thresa Brady
2019 - Martin Minteer
2024 - Wences De Leon-Villanueva
2025 – Alec Salminen

Mark Sigfrids Perseverance Award

Honors a runner who has overcome significant challenges, adversity, or setbacks and demonstrated resilience, determination, and perseverance in pursuing their running goals.

2013 - Pam Davis
2013 - Margaret Munger
2014 - Kristen Maxwell
2015 - Amy Clark
2016 - Denise Keely
2017 - Lisa Schreiner
2018 - Kathy Mann
2019 - Laurie Oleksa
2024 - Pat Vanderbush
2025 - Doug Chapel

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
2013 - Scott VanLoo
2014 - Scott VanLoo
2015 - Scott VanLoo
2016 - Scott VanLoo
2017 - Scott VanLoo
2018 - Brian Schneider
2019 - Andy Boris
2019 - Brian Schneider

Ultra-Marathoner of the Year

Awarded to the runner who completes the most in-person or virtual ultra-marathon races (50K or longer) during the current year. Selection is strictly based on the number of completed events.

2017 - Scott VanLoo
2018 - Jessica Simpson
2019 - Scott Struck
2024 - Scott Struck
2025 - Aly Lampari

Mega-Racer of the Year

Awarded to the runner who completes the greatest number of in-person or virtual races (5K and longer) during the current year, across any surface or distance. Selection is strictly based on number of completed races.

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
2013 - Frank Maston
2014 - Frank Maston
2015 - Frank Maston
2016 - Frank Maston
2017 - Randy Fielder
2024 - Janaan Meyers
2025 - Scott Struck

Mega-Trail Racer of the Year

Posts the most trail race completions (5K - Marathon) for the current year. Strictly based on the number of completions. Events may be relays or fun runs as long as the leg distance is 5K or greater.

2013 - Scott VanLoo
2014 - Scott VanLoo
2015 - Scott VanLoo
2016 - Frank Maston
2017 - Scott VanLoo
2018 - Teresa Fulcomer
2019 - Teresa Fulcomer

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
2013 - Max Rathburn
2014 - Michael Kloosterman
2015 - Thenuka Jayatilaka
2016 - Jackson Lam
2017 - Alexander Argo
2018 - Aiden Clark
2019 - Aiden Moore
2024 - Ryan Howley
2025 - Ryan Howley

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
2013 - Aliza Garcia
2014 - Maggie Mills
2015 - Claire Goodwin-Kelly
2016 - Evelyn Argo
2017 - Emily Miller
2018 - Evelyn Argo
2019 - Kelly Hope Romel

Male Open Runner of the Year

Honors a male runner who demonstrates competitive excellence through race performance, sportsmanship, and positive representation of the running community.

2006 - Marty Buffenbarger
2007 - Gale Fischer
2008 - Ken Brooks
2009 - Ken Brooks
2010 - Ken Brooks
2011 - Ken Brooks
2012 - Jonathan Marsh
2013 - Zachary Baker
2014 - Scott Evans
2015 -Brendan Molony
2016 - Julian Borst
2017 - Rocque LeFaive
2018 - Julian Borst
2019 - Julian Borst
2024 - Nick Schwerin
2025 - Julian Borst

Female Open Runner of the Year

Honors a female runner who demonstrates competitive excellence through race performance, sportsmanship, and positive representation of the running community.

2006 - Jen Shaffer
2007 - Peggy Zeeb
2008 - Erin Lumbard
2009 - Hannah Norton
2010 - Megan Osterling
2011 - Nicole Clement
2012 - Michelle Grevenstuk
2013 - Michelle Grevenstuk
2014 - Michelle Grevenstuk
2015 - Lauren MacVicar
2016 - Marie Billen
2017 - Marie Billen
2018 - Hannah Klein
2019 - Kjersten Sullivan
2024 - Katy Wilmotte
2025 - Elysia Masters

Male Masters Runner of the Year

Runner aged 40+ that demonstrates competitive excellence in Master 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
2013 - Mike Waterman
2014 - Mike Waterman
2015 - Joel VanderKooi
2016 - Jeff Layne
2017 - Mike Waterman
2018 - Tom Hall

Female Masters Runner of the Year

Runner aged 40+ that demonstrates competitive excellence in Master 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
2013 - Peggy Zeeb
2014 - Gena VanderMeulen
2015 - Megan James
2016 - Heather Boersma
2017 - Sandi Fritz
2018 - Heather Boersma
2019 - Laura Lam

Patrick Johnson Memorial Grand Masters Runner of the Year Award (50+) – Male

Recognizes a male runner age 50 or older who demonstrates competitive excellence, sportsmanship, and serves as a positive role model within the running community.

2009 - Eric Zeeb
2010 - Rick Motter
2011 - Andrew Hirzel
2012 - Mark Sigfrids
2013 - Kevin Rabineau
2014 - Morris Applebey
2015 - Arya Jayatilaka
2016 - Mark Sigfrids
2017 - Terry Hutchins
2018 - Jon Mathiesen
2019 - Kevin Rabineau
2024 - Tim Bourgeois
2025 - Keith Lohman

Patrick Johnson Memorial Grand Masters Runner of the Year Award (50+) – Female

Recognizes a female runner age 50 or older who demonstrates competitive excellence, sportsmanship, and serves as a positive role model within the running community.

2009 - Julie Hoffmann
2010 - Francine Bangs
2011 - Peggy Zeeb
2012 - Peggy Zeeb
2013 - Julie Hoffman
2014 - Leslie Scheffers
2015 - Leslie Scheffers
2016 - Peggy Zeeb
2017 - Teresa Fulcomer
2018 - Ann Garlock
2019 - Ann Garlock
2025 - Heather Boersma

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)
2013 - Bonnie Sexton (480)
2013 - Charlene Orwin (430)
2013 - Steve Rice (310)

Advocate of the Year

Description: Recognizes a runner who shares their love and passion for the sport and serves as a positive role model and source of inspiration and encouragement to others within the running community.

Winners:

2024 – Alain Clement
2025 – Mike Straubel

Veteran Runner of the Year

Description: Honors a long-standing member of the running community who has made exceptional contributions to the growth, positive reputation, and overall success of running and to fellow runners over many years.