News

Heartland Racewalkers celebrated their 23rd year on Dec. 3, 2011 at the home of BJ and Jerry Thornburg in Overland Park. 28 members and guests attended this event, including once again our honored guest, Dick Ross, the racing community photographer extraordinaire. Dick was presented with a memento of appreciation and made some a generous comments about the racewalkers. Photos from the previous year taken from our homepage on the Internet were shown on a large-screen TV. Many had been supplied by Dick. Thanks to Jerry Thornburg and Alan for setting this up. After a delicious brunch, it was time for announcements, awards and elections. The newcomer of the year award was announced as Mitch Kranitz and he received a club jacket (and our thanks). The volunteer of the year award was BJ Thornburg who devoted a lot of time to support our club while she was recuperating from a back injury (not sustained from racewalking). The Dandis received an award for the outstanding family. Other point winners were Julie Haller and Denise Donaldson. Door prizes were selected with the help of Lakshmi Dandi, our designated number caller. A number of members showed off the medals that they had won at national competitions. The state of the club report was delivered by Alan and a hard-copy was distributed. Our Historian, Jean Brunnenkant, brought scrapbooks showing historical events in the last few years. A highlight was the book on profiles of our members that BJ Thornburg had prepared. Alan thanked the officers and board for the work that they had done to support the club during the past year.

Elections for the 2012 year were held with the following results (resulting tenure in office-no term limits)

• President Alan Poisner (17)
• Vice-President Chuck Zarrelli (1)
• Treasurer Tom Oakes (6)
• Secretary Sarah Justice (9)
• Clinic Director Fred Adams (11)
• Historian Jean Brunnenkant (14)

This was another banner year for HRW, especially with the large number of medals at national and international competitions, and with our outreach to the community. News, results and pictures of the 2011 year can be found at the respective links on our website. We thank BJ and Jerry for allowing us to celebrate the year in their home and thank all of those who helped make it possible. We expect HRW will continue the tradition of racewalking excellence and camaraderie in 2012.