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The youngest of the three is Karen Swisher, young in years with HRW (just 6 years) but an “elder star” in national racewalking. Karen has also served as President from Dec. 2017 to summer 2020 before moving to Wisconsin to be closer to family. Karen brought a commitment to excellence as President of the club and expanded our membership via social media. During her HRW time, she garnered many awards in national racewalking competitions, including USATF Indoor and Outdoor Gold medals, with national records in the Indoor Mile. She has won numerous medals at National Senior Games and has “owned” the Kansas and Missouri Senior Games. In 2017 she was chosen USATF Senior Racewalker of the Year in her age division (65-69), beating out former Racewalker of the Year Marian Martino, a Hall of Fame racewalker. Just as impressive as her athletic accomplishments are the love and excellence in leadership that she brought to Heartland Racewalkers.

The Second honoree is Tom Oakes, long-time Treasurer and board member of HRW. Tom joined HRW almost 18 years ago when we were located at Health Plus and he saw us on the track and was hooked. He indicated that the health benefits also appealed to him and the “use it or lose it” philosophy. He served as Treasurer for 12 years and kept our club financially secure. His racing memories include taking first place in a club Be-A-Walker 3000-meter race and being on our Patriots Day 9-hr:11-min race team. Tom stated that his memories of HRW which were reciprocated, include the wonderful friendships that he made with fellow racewalkers.

The top name on the latest plaque is Fred Adams. Fred decided to try racewalking after a a heart attack in 1988 at age 55 when he saw our sport in the St. Louis at the Senior Olympics. He was an athletic champion at an early age, being on the Tangerine Bowl winning football team representing the University of Nebraska, Omaha. He continued racewalking when he moved to Arkansas and looked up our club when he moved to Kansas City. He became a fixture in racewalking in the area and nationally. Fred has won many medals at Missouri and Kansas Senior Games and at National Senior Games and Huntsman World Games. Fred has served as both Clinic Director and Treasurer for our club. Fred performed this service to our club while commuting from homes far away to the north in Liberty and KC North. Fred also gave back to racewalking by participating in community outreach seminars and presentations. He has had his role models in Tom Young and Jean Brunnenkant, our most senior HRW members. Now Fred is a role model to his many friends in HRW.