2007 KC Sole Awards

Presented at the Pre-Race Pasta Dinner

Friday, October 19th, 5:00 PM

Now taking nominations for 2007! See instructions below!

Do you know somone who has made a positive, lasting impact on the Kansas City running community?  Has someone inspired you to be come a better runner and a better person?  If so, nominate them for the KC Sole Awards!

The KC Sole Awards are presented annually to one man and one woman for outstanding support, recognition and/or advancement of running in Kansas City. 

From Webster's Dictionary:

• Sole: a) the undersurface of a foot b) the part of an item of footwear on which the sole rests and upon which the runner treads.
• Soul: a) the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life b) an active or essential part, a moving spirit: leader.

Criteria:

• Committed individuals in any facet of running - athlete, administrator, coach - will be considered (i.e. consistently lends volunteer support to area running events, generally motivates/inspires others as a positive influence on the sport, etc.).
• Candidates are members of the Kansas City area running community.
• This is not a posthumous award.  Living candidates only.
• Nominations require anecdotal evidence.

Nomination Process:

Please email, mail or fax the name and contact information of the person(s) you are nominating.  Please support your nomination(s) with a few specific examples of this person's contribution to the Kansas City running community.  We would appreciate your name and contact information as well.

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The 2006 Sole Award winners:

Mary Edwards

Mary has been extremely active in the running and triathlon communities for more than three decades.  She not only has participated and competed in numerous running and multi-sport events, but she has volunteered as a race director and race volunteer in a variety of  capacities from measuring and marking the course to working results.            

Mary does more than merely participate in events, she always strives to excel and frequently wins her age division.  But Mary doesn't just show interest in her own personal development as an athlete; she also encourages and inspires others to do things they never thought they could do.            

Mary was one of the founders of the Wednesday Night Run.  She has been active in The Kansas City Express, Mid-America Masters, KC Track Club and Tri-KC.    

Van Rose

Shawnee Mission Northwest has won 29 (17 boys, 12 girls) Kansas High School State Championships in Cross Country with Van Rose as their coach.  Currently his boys team is again ranked number one in the state and has the nations longest winning streak of 12 straight State Titles.  He has also coached 5 K.C. Scholar Athletes of the Year.            

Van has organized a memorial run each May for one of his athletes.  Local elementary students can participate in the first mile for free and receive a medal.  He also organizes runs for middle school students over 3 days in May.           

Van has made one of the areas few cross-country courses possible.  For the last 20 years he has set up the 2-mile, 4K and 5K courses at Shawnee Mission Park.  He pushes his lawn mower over the field and pounds in the markers and fence posts for the finish shoot.