Meet the inductees
The Hall of Fame annually honors individuals who have significantly contributed to the Omaha Running Community. The nominees are recognized at the Annual Meeting.
2025
Volunteer and Competitor
Hilary Catron has been an outstanding volunteer in supporting the mission of the Omaha Running Club. Hilary started with the ORC Distance Clinic as a participant with the goal of completing a half-marathon. She soon became the leader of the Clinic and did an outstanding job maintaining the viability of the Clinic during the Covid pandemic years. She coordinated off-season ORC distance runs for many years and has a commendable record of accomplishment in races from the marathon to many other race distances. She also is a triathlete, having completed the full ironman distance and six half ironman events. She received the Ironman All-World Athlete Bronze level award in 2022 and has qualified for the USA Triathlon National Championships in both Sprint and Olympic distances since 2018. Additionally, Hilary has been a part of the Cornhusker State Games for more than three decades—first as a fierce Taekwondo competitor, and now as a multi-sport athlete, mentor, and long-time Sport Director. From earning medals in Taekwondo, Open Water Swimming, and Triathlon to guiding athletes through coaching, nutrition education, and community self-defense programs.
Race Organizer, Volunteer and Competitor
Dave began running at the age of 9, as a 4th grader at Hillside Elementary School and ran competitively in Middle School, High School, College and post collegiately, placing 9th at the State Cross Country Meet in 1972. He was part of the Gold Medal winning 2-mile relay (4 by 880 yards) team at the 1972 State Track Meet. He gained a scholarship at UNL in 1975 and 1976, scoring points for Nebraska in all 11 cross country meets he ran. During the summer, he was a regular participant in the summer evening runs in the 1970s, where Omaha-area high school and college runners would meet every summer evening at “the big tree” in Omaha’s Elmwood Park, and then go on long runs together from there. Post collegiately, he won several local road races, including the 1978 Buffalo Run and Gateway Getaway 10K in Lincoln, the 1978 Bellevue-Offutt Kiwanis 15K, 1978 CUES 6.45 mile at Fort Omaha, the 1979 Don Childs Memorial Road Race in Kearney, the 1979 Septemberfest Labor Day Road 10K in Omaha and the 1979 DeCosta Sporting Goods Deep Freeze 6 Mile in Omaha. He finished first in the 1976 AAU Region VII 5000 meters on the track and finished in the top 3 at several other local races in the late 70s and early 80s. He finished 10th at the 1979 Road Runner’s Club of America National Championship Marathon in a time of 2:22:52.
Dave was an active member of the Plains Track Club from its inception, including assisting John Hawkins and Jim McMahon with various club tasks such as course set-up and measuring, t-shirt printing, and race day support when he was not competing. He also was the PTC newsletter editor for several years. He was the store manager at The Athlete’s Foot at the Omaha Westroads shopping center from 1979 to 1983 (assistant manager in 1978). The Athlete’s Foot was one of the first running apparel stores in Nebraska and supported the local running community however/whenever they could. He co-created (along with Jim Carter of Z-92 Radio) and co-sponsored (The Athlete’s Foot along with Z-92 Radio) the Trick-r-Treat Trot. The race ran for several years in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, on or around Halloween. There was a competitive 5-mile race with a 2-mile fun run. Costumes were encouraged, and cash prizes were given for best costumes, both individual and team. The race was run in and around Omaha’s Memorial Park. The 5-mile course records were 24:21 by Bob Wallace (men) and 29:23 by Cindy Dixon (women). Dave created the course and measured it. He also helped implement a race-day safety change to the Omaha Marathon in 1980.
2024
Competitor
Mike Huggenberger completed his first marathon at the 1980 Lincoln Marathon and completed his 100th marathon virtually during the 2020 Lincoln Marathon. Mike’s PR in the marathon was 2:46:01 at the Omaha Riverfront Marathon. Mike completed the Boston Marathon six times. It was noted that Mike led a group of runners that used to run from the Downtown YMCA over the noon hour back in the early 80’s. Some days they would run 3 miles, some days 9 miles. Several runners in the YMCA group worked at Northwestern Bell with Mike, as well as other runners who worked at other downtown locations. Mike has also completed many triathlons and local running events. He recently completed the 2023 Good Life Halfsy in 2:13:30.01 at the age of 73! Mike has volunteered for Race Director Erin Sullivan’s event, Ironhawk Juniors Triathlon, that takes place in July in Omaha. He recently began volunteering with the Sammy Strong 5K in Omaha.
Competitor
Jodi Semonell has built a reputation for being a runner’s friend, a supportive teammate, and a determined competitor. She has faced all challenges head on from the personal loss of family members to the strong-minded will needed to compete in the ultra-marathon world. In 2011 following the passing of her father due to lung cancer on Christmas day, she quit smoking and decided to take up running and signed up for the 2012 Lincoln Marathon. Since that time, she has run countless marathons including Chicago, New York, and Boston. In 2015, she ran her first long distance race, the Hitchcock 100. To this date, she has run a total of twenty-three 100 mile or longer races which include The Western States 100-mile Endurance Run (California), Badwater 135 Ultramarathon (California) and five races of 200 miles or more. Some of her top finishes include 2nd place female at the MOAB 240 Ultramarathon (Utah), 5th place female at Badwater 135 Ultramarathon (California), two top ten finishes at Cocodona 250 Trail Ultramarathon (Arizona), and the Overall Winner of the Across the Years 200 (Arizona). In 2022, she lost her son to carbon monoxide poisoning. To raise awareness of the problem and to honor her son, she ran more than 500 miles across the State of Nebraska. Jodi sincerely enjoys giving back to the running community. You will see her at local races either volunteering, pacing others, or giving high fives on the course. She is an amazing person, tremendous athlete, and a great representative of the Omaha running community.
2023
Competitor
Kaci Lickteig, also known as the Pixie Ninja due to her petite stature yet remarkable running achievements, has built an outstanding record in the ultrarunning world. As a junior in high school Kaci started running and continued throughout college by running road races, track and cross country. Post-college she moved on to the marathon and achieved the 2012 Olympic Trials Standard of sub 2:46 at the 2011 California International Marathon with a time of 2:44:14. A month after the Olympic Trials Marathon, Kaci ran her first ultra trail race, the Psycho WyCo 50K in Kansas City, where she fell in love with both the ultra-distance and trail running. From that day forward she has found her passion in ultras/trails and has now raced and finished the Western States 100 Mile trail race nine times, winning it in 2016 in 17:57:59, the third fastest time in the 40-year history of the event and nearly an hour ahead of runner-up Amy Sproston. Kaci returned the next year and despite a “mishap” at mile 47 when she fell in a hole, realizing she had “scuffed up” her arm but not that she’d injured her ankle for another 30-some miles, she pushed through the pain and reached the finish line in 17 hours, 55 minutes, and 55 seconds, about two minutes faster than her first-place finish in 2016. She has completed numerous 100Ks, 50-mile races and 50Ks, and more marathons than she can keep track of. Kaci has won many local events including the Lincoln Marathon, Omaha Marathon, and many other local races. Top honors include being named the Ultra Runner of the Year in 2016 and being featured in Runner’s World Magazine in 2019. Kaci is a truly amazing competitor and accomplished athlete and deserves to be in the Omaha Running Club Hall of Fame.
Contributor
Pat Lawlor has been providing apparel with customized logos for running events in the Omaha and Lincoln metro areas since 1995 when he was asked to join Lawlor Sporting Goods to take over its struggling screen-printing division (known as “the company loser” by Lawlor’s employees). From 1995 to 2000 Lawlor’s Sporting Goods struggled due to numerous large national sporting goods stores entering the Lincoln and Omaha markets. Ironically while Lawlor’s retail sporting goods sales struggled, it’s screen-printing and uniforms sales were booming. In 2000, Lawlor’s made the difficult decision to close its three retail sporting goods stores in Lincoln and Omaha. In the fall of 2000, the only part of Lawlor’s that remained was Pat’s company, Lawlor’s Custom Sportswear. Despite operating out of a small industrial warehouse in Millard with only 3 employees and a manual T-shirt press, Lawlor’s Custom Sportswear grew rapidly due to its loyal customers and hard-working staff. From 1995 to 2005, Pat personally produced the t-shirts and other apparel for the Omaha Marathon and the Omaha Running Club and Lincoln Track Club events. With the last shirt often coming off the manual T-shirt press in the wee hours of the morning before packet pickup was scheduled to take place, Pat would load the shirts into his vehicle and deliver them. In 2005, Lawlor’s purchased a 20,000 square foot retail and manufacturing facility in Omaha at 84th and J Streets. Lawlor’s has grown to over 30 employees and now operates one of Omaha’s largest screen-printing and embroidery businesses. Lawlor’s is officially licensed to produce apparel for the University of Nebraska, Creighton University, the University of Nebraska Omaha, the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the Omaha Storm Chasers. In 2010, the Omaha World Herald referred to Lawlor’s Custom Sportswear as “Omaha’s ‘Go To’ store for fan apparel for all of Omaha’s teams”. In 2011, Lawlor’s Custom Sportswear was named the Nebraska Retailer of the Year in recognition of Lawlor’s “being a business that made a comeback from difficult circumstances”. The production process is much more efficient these days under the watchful eyes of Pat’s daughter, Jamie, and their staff. This gives Pat the time to train for and complete marathons and half marathons including the Heartland Marathon and Half Marathon, the Lincoln Marathon and Half Marathon and the Twin Cities Marathon several times, as well as the Los Angeles Marathon and the Boston Marathon each twice.
2022
Competitor
Shari Kucera was a competitive runner while in High School, College and as an adult. While at Peru State College, Shari set several individual and relay team records. Some of the records include: Indoor 500-meter run in 1:23.61, indoor 800-meter run in 2:19.63, and outdoor 3200-meter relay. During all four years, Shari qualified for the NAIA Nationals in Indoor Track in the 800-meter run. In 1984, her team placed seventh at the NAIA National Indoor Meet in the two-mile relay with a time of 9:52.39. Upon graduation from Peru State, Shari continued to run and continued winning at all levels of competition, from the 1994 Omaha Corporate Cup 10K to the 2009 USA Masters Track and Field 5,000 meters. At the end of the 2009 season, Shari’s 5,000-meter time was the top time in the United States for her age division. Shari won the Columbus Downtown Runaround 2.1 Mile Event ten (10) straight years! She was often one of the top finishers, regardless of gender in local road races. She was inducted into the Peru State College Hall of Fame in 2013 and deserves to be in the Omaha Running Hall of Fame.
Race Organizer, Volunteer and Competitor
Anna was the race director for the annual Harvest Run (formerly the King Korn Karnival Run for many years. The race started in 1989. Anna was also a key volunteer for many races held in the Cass and Sarpy County area including the Bellevue Runway Run. She was a “go to” resource for everyone in the Plattsmouth/Bellevue area. She did a lot of administrative “grunt work” – particularly on the day of the race. She often recruited her mom, husband, daughter, son, granddaughter, grandson and son-in-law to help. They were a full service “crew” for organizers who wanted to put on a race but weren’t sure about the details. Anna was also one of the top female finishers in many of the local road races in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
2021
Volunteer and Contributor
John Fey has been involved in the Omaha Running community since the 1980’s as a runner, volunteer, sportswriter, shoe salesman and newsletter editor. John was a sportswriter for the Omaha World Herald and one of the areas he covered was the local running community. John attended area road races, interviewed runners and often featured runners throughout the year in special articles. He interviewed and wrote about local running legends and fellow Omaha Running Club Hall of Famers Leonard Vavra and Gary Julin among others and did his level best to make sure the OWH published race results each week. When he left the OWH, he became more involved as a volunteer with the Omaha Running Club and eventually went to work for Peak Performance where he began assisting with the races they put on as well as assisting customers with shoes, apparel and fitness equipment. He became the newsletter editor for the Omaha Running Club in 2008 and continues to publish informative newsletters several times per year. His skills were recognized by the Road Runner Club of America as Newsletter Editor of the Year! John has written and published two (2) books. One was written at the request of Don Leahy, the former UNO and Creighton Athletic Director and architect of UNO Hockey, to write about the history of the UNO Hockey program. That book was published just prior to the 2015 opening of the new Baxter Arena, home of Maverick Hockey. The other book was recently published and is an autobiography entitled “The Inkster”. It chronicles the life of John and the interesting people he had the opportunity to work with, interview and write about. John has been a friend to the Omaha Running Community for many years and has interviewed and written about so many runners, volunteers and contributors, to include those of us in the Omaha Running Club Hall of Fame. John deserves to be in the Hall of Fame with us!
Coach, Volunteer and Competitor
Derek Fey is in his eighth year as head coach of the College of Saint Mary cross country team. He is also the assistant coach of the CSM track team. Fey is a full-time teacher at Westside High School in Omaha, where he teaches AP Geography, Global Geography and US History. He was the head coach for Girls Distance Track and Field for Westside High School from 2007 to 2020 and the head coach for Boys Cross Country at Westside High School from 2008 to 2013. He was the head coach for Men’s and Women’s Cross Country at Dana College from 2005 to 2006. Derek won the 2021 GPAC Coach of Character Award. This award recognizes a head coach who is dedicated to deliberately teaching character through sport.
Derek graduated from Westside High School in 1998, Dana College in 2003 and the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 2007. He was a 2-time NAIA All-American in cross country and track. He is the Dana College school record-holder in the half marathon (1:09:23) and was the 2002
GPAC Individual Conference Champion – Cross Country. He continued to run road races after college placing 3rd at the Jacksonville Marathon in 2003, 2nd at the 2004 Lincoln Marathon, 2nd at the Omaha Half Marathon in 2005 and won the Omaha Marathon in 2013. Derek placed 77th out of 25, 000 at the 2010 Boston Marathon! Derek is a past board member of the Omaha Running Club and is the meet director for the Jim McMahon Memorial Track Meet each year.
Derek has committed his life to the running community and deserves to be inducted in the Omaha Running Club Hall of Fame.
Volunteer
John Hall has been the Omaha Running Club Volunteer Coordinator for over 16 years. John says when he started in 2005, he thought he would try it for a couple years and it turned into 16 wonderful years meeting great people from all over. He has been an integral part of the success of ORC events all those years by identifying volunteer requirements and obtaining people to fill those spots, giving a great deal of support to race directors who could then focus on other race details, knowing that John would supply the help that is so critical to putting on a successful and rewarding event for participants. John also was a competitor back in the day having completed several marathons and the Bay to Breakers run in San Francisco. He embodies the true spirit of giving to an organization without thought of reward for his efforts.
2020
Race Organizer and Volunteer
Ann Ringlein’s commitment to the pursuit of an ideal competition has taken her through several avenues. A national level runner in her own right, as well as a Coach at Nebraska Wesleyan University and as a mentor to beginning runners, Ann has been a fixture in the local running community for years. Perhaps the biggest contribution Ann has provided to our running community is her role as race director (and advisor to race directors) in many Lincoln Track Club events. Organizing three races each year: The Lincoln Running Company Mile (an American Age Group Record was set by a 75-year-old in 2020!), Buffalo Run (Lincoln’s oldest race) and the Holiday Run benefiting the Capital Humane Society. Most people do not direct one event, let alone three every year! Two of the three races were the only “live” LTC events to happen in 2020. She utilized all of her Race Director, volunteer and participant skill sets and experience to meet the “over the top” requirements dictated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department. Ann’s mantra has always been “Guys, we can do this” and she has proven it repeatedly!
Although her long term, significant contributions may not be specific to the Omaha area running community, they certainly have provided avenues for many Omaha area runners to compete in well-established events.
In her role as race director, athlete, coach, Lincoln Track Club Vice President and store manager for the Lincoln Running Company, Ann has had the opportunity to encounter, work with and engage with many different individuals and organizations. Working in connection with all these stakeholders, Ann has been instrumental in increasing access to and expanding fitness-based opportunities in Lincoln. Jumping at any chance to promote running, when it would be easy to say enough is enough, it is safe to say that no single individual has had the impact on endurance pursuits in the city of Lincoln and possibly the state of Nebraska. Ann has shaped distance running in Nebraska for at least two generations. The Omaha Running Club recognizes and appreciates all Ann has done for the sport of running in Nebraska!
Volunteers
Originally formed in 1986 for that year’s BRAN ride, The Bean Team consisted of a loose-knit group who had met at bike rides and runs in the Omaha area. There were about 25 original members who chose their own Bean name. Names ran from String, Navy, Lima and Chile all the way to Human, “How Ya” and “Judge Roy”. They participated in many of the area events ranging from the Omaha Riverfront Marathon to the Missouri River Raft Regatta.
They still participate in events and meet for weekly bike rides; however, they are probably best known for their volunteer efforts for local events. The Bean Team has been volunteering at Omaha Running Club events for many years, from packet assembly to water stops and many jobs in between. They have been a fixture at the Chiller Challenge serving runners and volunteers hot soup, chili, salads and desserts for longer than most of us have been running! They arrive early and stay until the last pot and utensil has been washed and put away. In 2015 when the Heartland Marathon needed some assistance serving the post race hot dogs and other snacks, The Bean Team stepped forward and has greeted every finisher and volunteer with a smile ever since. Over the years, The Bean Team has had many members. Carol (Lima) and Ken (String) Deman have been the driving force behind The Bean Team since the early days. With assistance from current active members Trudy (Chile) and Frank (Human) Perrone, Gloria (Castor) and Don (Navy) Glissman, LaVonne (Jumping) Folkers and Leonard (How Ya) Fuxa, John (Judge Roy) Hartigan, Marianna (Kona) Phipps, Erin (Red) Sullivan, Earnest (Has) Madison and Fran (Jelly) and Bo (Snap) Jirka and the late Leonard (Refried) Vavra, Bev (Coffee) Madison and Ben (Soy) Phipps, the Bean Team has provided valuable volunteer support to the Omaha Running Club and the community that it serves for over three decades and they deserve to be in the Omaha Running Club Hall of Fame!
Competitor and Volunteer
Anne got started running a bit later in life than most but has been one of the top masters runners in her 50’s, 60’s and 70’s on the local, regional and national stage. At local races like the No Frills Racing Series and Downhill Mile, she is a multiple age group record holder. In the No Frills Series, she holds every age record (except one) from the age 50 mark set in 1994 to the age 73 mark set in 2017. Her age-graded marks are consistently near the 80% mark (national class). She has run the Boston Marathon and many other nationwide events on several occasions into her 70’s. Ann is a frequent age-group champion and a great ambassador for Omaha running. She can be frequently seen assisting the ORC at packet pickup and in many other volunteer roles.
Because of her longevity and outstanding record as a Master’s athlete, her role as an Omaha ambassador throughout national races and her spirit of giving back at local races, Anne is an excellent addition to the ORC Hall of Fame.
2019
Volunteer
Tom Cody has been a long-time supporter of the Omaha Running Club and has made numerous contributions over many years, having served as a race director, newsletter editor and volunteer, and still volunteers often for current events. Tom has also been a worthy competitor, having run the Lincoln Marathon a number of times, as well as other marathons and local races. He has been a steady behind the scenes contributor who deserves recognition for nearly a lifetime of work for the ORC. He embodies the true spirit of giving to an organization without thought of reward for his efforts.
Competitor
Jon Eggers was an outstanding collegiate and post collegiate runner. Eggers, who graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1978, lettered in both cross country and track as a Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior. He was a two-time NCAA Division III national cross-country qualifier. As a senior in the fall of 1977, he won the NIAC Cross Country Championship and led the Plainsmen to the conference team title. That same year, he earned All-American honors with a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Division III meet as the Plainsman team finished 19th. During the 1978 outdoor track season Eggers set the school record in the mile at 4:12.3 which still ranks among the school’s all-time list of fastest performances.
After college, Eggers was frequently one of top finishers (and often the winner) at local area road races. He also competed on the National level. He finished 7th at the 1979 Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:39:22 in one of his first marathons! He had personal bests of 24:20.4 in the 5 Mile; 29:35.00 in the 10K; 37:25.8 in the 12K; 46:44 in the 15K; 49:34:00 in the 10 Mile and 2:18:07 in the Marathon. On April 20, 1981, he finished 52nd at the Boston Marathon with a time of 2:18:55. In 1983 he finished 20th at the United States Cross Country Trials and was 38th in 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon in Buffalo, NY with a time of 2:21:09. Jon accomplished all of these feats while working full time as a graphic artist.
Race Organizer and Volunteer
Glen Moss has been actively involved in the Lincoln and Omaha running communities for over 4 decades. He has been a member of the Lincoln Track Club Board of Directors since 1995 serving in many capacities to include Technical Advisor, Equipment Manager, Financial Advisor and President since 2013. Under his leadership, the LTC has established and maintained long term working relationships and partnerships with the City of Lincoln, University of Nebraska, Nebraska National Guard, Lincoln Public Schools, The Great Plains Trails Network and several corporate sponsors. He has brought structure to the LTC Board of Directors by getting the By-Laws updated, instituting a regular schedule of Board Meetings and providing opportunities for the LTC to give back to the community, both financially and otherwise.
Glen works closely with the City of Lincoln to ensure safety for all of the runners and volunteers during the events. Glen is often the first to arrive at an event and the last to leave. He typically tows one of the trailers to the event, helps set up the start/finish area, ensures there is power to the trailer and that the audio equipment is in working order. He picks up the trash and makes sure the venue is cleaner than when we arrived. Glen helped establish the LTC “Games Committee” in accordance with the USA Track & Field Rules of Competition to ensure that the LTC is in compliance with all USATF Rules and Regulations at LTC Events. Glen is willing to do anything to ensure the event is successful.
2018
Race Director
Nancy Sutton Moss has been involved with the Lincoln Marathon for over 40 years, has been the Race Director for the last 34 years and is one of a very few remaining volunteer marathon race directors in the country! Under Nancy’s leadership, the event has grown to over 13,500 participants and registrations have sold out every year for the last 10 years. Nancy listens to the runners and volunteers and incorporates their suggestions into the event—cups with lids and straws at the aid stations; a FREE pasta meal on Saturday and a FREE post-race lunch on Sunday; adding pacers for both the full and half marathon; implementing the use of technology for live tracking of runners; adding a women’s style shirt for the female participants; various types of apparel for purchase at the expo; expanding the expo from one to two days; and finishing on the 50 yard line of Memorial Stadium. Nancy recruits volunteers to assist with various aspects of the event, gives them guidance, direction, resources and support to successfully carry out their duties. Nancy has made the Lincoln Marathon one of premier running events in the Midwest.
Competitor
Christy has been a fixture at local races since the mid 1990’s. She is a 3-time Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier and has completed over 50 marathons, over 200 half marathons and eight ultra distance races of 50K to 50 miles. Christy won the Quad Cities Marathon, Des Moines Marathon, Little Rock Marathon, Birmingham Marathon, Memphis Marathon, AL Marathon and the Lincoln Marathon three times. Her marathon PR of 2:43 was set at the Memphis Marathon when she qualified for the 2000 Olympic Marathon Trials. Christy is a multi-year winner of the Omaha Corporate Cup 10K and placed as high as second overall and 1stfemale overall in her ultra races. Christy has been one of the most talented female runners in the Omaha area for the last 25 years. She now utilizes her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Creighton University as a therapist to specialize in treating running injuries.
2017
Competitor and Volunteer
In the late 1980’s, the Omaha Running Club was struggling. Many of the original board members were burned out. Tony stepped up and volunteered to be the club President. He would end up running the club for four years — and stayed active on the Board of Directors for ten years. Throughout the 80’s and 90’s, Tony was assistant race director for many of the popular races including the Chiller Challenge and the Festival of Races. Tony was a regular on the road race circuit and was a strong competitor. He ran 31 marathons, including a personal best at Lincoln of 3 hours and 17 seconds.
Competitor and Volunteer
Harvey was one of the runners that stepped-up in the 1980’s and kept the club moving forward. He has continued to volunteer, working the finish line at ORC races for decades. As a competitive runner, Harvey traveled around the country running at least one marathon each month for many years. For over 30 years, Harvey was a fixture at ORC events — either as a competitor or a volunteer.
2016
Jose is one of the top runners in his age group and has done well locally, regionally and even nationally. He has won the Cornhusker State Games, the Nebraska Senior Games and won age group awards at the National Senior Games. Jose has completed the London Marathon on several occasions. He is also a loyal volunteer for the Omaha Running Club.
2015
Tom has been the President of the Omaha Running Club for the past 13 years and is very active in the running community, regularly providing timing and scoring support for races. During that time, the club’s membership has grown and the club has gone from sponsoring two annual races to 11, as well as providing eight free fun runs based on holiday themes. Tom’s leadership has provided a stable environment for the club. He has implemented governance principles such as an annual president’s performance review, an annual board performance review and a confidentiality agreement for Board members. The Board has also adopted code of conduct and conflict of interest policies. Tom is the race director for the Heartland Marathon and is the Nebraska State representative for the RRCA, and is a Certified RRCA Race Director. In addition, Tom has been a runner for over 30 years.
Daren has been active in the Omaha running community for several years. He has been on the Omaha Running Club Board for 14 years – and has served as the Vice President for most of those years. He has organized and directed the popular holiday fun-run series which offers local runners a chance to meet others in the running community at low-key, free events. Daren has been a valuable resource for the Omaha community providing leadership and serving as the Director for many races which promote Omaha’s cultural and sporting events, such as the Road to Omaha CWS 5k and the Holland Run. Daren is also a very competitive runner and is frequently near the front of the pack at local road races. He has completed several marathons including the Boston Marathon on several occasions.
2014
An outstanding long distance runner – Roxi was recognized in Runner’s World magazine on several occasions for not only her marathon times and wins – but also her durability and ability to run multiple quality marathons per year. Roxi has an impressive collection of Lincoln Marathon victories as well as many in high profile local races. She has been the dominant female runner in the Omaha and Lincoln area since the early 1990s.
Ron Olsen has been competing in area road races since the 1970s. He is the only person to run in every single Lincoln Marathon — 37 to date. At one time, Ron was also a “go to” race director for Omaha civic-groups and charities. Over an 8-year period beginning in the late 1980s, Ron averaged 2 to 3 events per month during the busy road race season. Some of his more memorable runs included the Miracle Hills Mile and the Literacy Run. Ron introduced the “Clydesdale Division” to Omaha which helped attract runners who would otherwise avoid road races.
2013
Jim McMahon was one of the early pioneers in organized running Omaha. He was the second president of the Plains Track Club. At the time he was the cross country coach at UNO. Jim has been the track coach at Midlands College for 36 years. His name comes up in any discussion with runners from the 70’s. Many early ORC members claim that without Jim, there would not have been a Plains Track Club (later renamed Omaha Running Club).
Gary Wasserman was one of the most dominant runners in Nebraska for many years. A former Nebraska Wesleyan athlete, Gary was inducted to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Association (USTFCCCA) Division III Track & Field Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012. Gary, a 14-time USTFCCCA All-American, is the only man in Division III history to win three indoor NCAA 5000-meter crowns – he did so with three straight wins in 1991, 1992 and 1993. Gary won the 1992 NCAA Cross Country title and was a three-time All-American in cross country. He was a four-year NCAA scorer in the indoor 5,000, outdoor 5,000 and 10,000 meters and is one of ten men in D-III history to be a four-time All-American in the same event indoors and outdoors. Gary is in the all-time Division III top ten in the indoor 5,000 and outdoor 10,000. The Grand Island, NE, native still owns three NWU school records (indoor 5,000; outdoor 5,000 and 10,000) and is also the NWU record holder for the cross country team’s 8,000 meter home course at Pioneers Park. He earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors in 1992 and 1992. Gary was inducted into the NWU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003. The press release for his induction into the HOF has the following quote: Gary Wasserman, originally from Grand Island, NE, is the most accomplished distance runner ever to compete for Nebraska Wesleyan.
2012
Erin Sullivan has been a volunteer and race director in the Omaha running community for over 28 years. She was an Omaha Running Club board member for eight years and is a past president of the club. Erin started the “Ladies of the Evening” women’s running group in 1987. She is also a member of the Omaha Corporate Cup Hall of Fame. She received the UNO Alumni Award for Excellence in Public Service in 2007. She is the Chairperson for US Masters Swimming and was the Event Coordinator for the US Masters National Swim Meet in 2012. As a competitor she won the Omaha Corporate Cup Run 10k in 1985 as well as many local running races, triathlons and swimming events. Erin competed in the Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon in 1987.
Ronn Baker has been the top competitor in his age group in the Nebraska/Iowa area for the past 25 years. In 2010, Ronn set the age group record for the 70-75 year-old age group at the highly regarded Bix 7 in Davenport, Iowa – where he has consistently won his age group for many years. Over the years, aside from his age group, he has also been one of the most dominant Masters runners in the Midwest.
2011
Jimmy Hall was one of the most dominant and consistent competitors on the Nebraska and Iowa road racing circuit throughout the late 1970’s and 1980’s. A Nebraska Class B State Champion in both cross country and track – Jimmy went on to run both sports at the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he was an All American in each. While at UNO, his cross country team won the Northcentral Conference and finished 5th in the country. Jimmy ran a lot of road races – and he won most of them. His personal best in the 10K was 29:52. An automobile accident shortened his running career. Jimmy was the race director for the popular El Bees “pairs” race in Waterloo for several years and was also the Assistant cross country coach at Paul VI High School and a graduate assistant coach for both track and cross country at UNO.
Greg Carlberg was one of the pioneers of the Plains Track Club and was arguably the areas fastest and most accomplished distance runner ever. Among his career highlights, Greg won the Drake Relays marathon, competed in the Olympic Marathon Trials and was Nebraska’s first sub-four minute miler. A search on the internet shows that Greg ranks 205th on the all-time list of fastest American milers. He ran that time in Houston on February 13, 1971. Greg was an All-American at the University of Nebraska in 1971 where he placed 5th in the NCAA outdoor track meet.
2010
Stan Shirk has been a long-time ORC volunteer. He was first elected to the ORC board in 1995 and served on the board through 2004. During that time, he held Secretary, Membership Chairman and Executive Director positions. He has been a Technical Advisor to the Club since 2004 and has been the resident expert in providing scoring expertise. He has scored virtually all of the major events in the Omaha area, including college and high school cross country meets. Stan is also a competitive runner and has often won his age group in local races – but his volunteer efforts, particularly scoring events, has limited his road racing in recent years. His personal best in the 10K (35:11) and the marathon (2:48) are indicative of his running prowess. Stan founded the ORC Marathon Training Clinic in 2001 and served as Director for the clinic for four years. He also founded and directed the first ORC Volunteer Recognition Dinner. Stan also was the Race Director for the YMCA Masters event from 1989 to 1998. In 2004, a full-page article in the Omaha World Herald (complete with color photos) highlighted Stan’s running experiences while deployed in Iraq.
John Hawkins was an outstanding runner at UNO – John was a formidable competitor in the Omaha area during the late 70’s and early 80’s. One of the initial members of the Elmwood Park Track Club/UNO Track Club. Recognized as the founder of the Plains Track Club. Directed many of the early road races. His efforts set the tone for the future.
2009
Bea Sides entered the HOF as a competitor and a volunteer/race director. Bea has been the race director of the Go Girl Run for 12 years. She has been a leader of the Ladies of the Evening, monthly running group for 18 years. Most importantly Bea has taught hundreds of women to run through the Step into Running program.
Cliff Karthauser has been called the most gifted runner from Nebraska. He ran a 2:16 at the 1980 Marathon Trials. Cliff was a four time All American at Nebraska Wesleyan University. He was the NCAAA College Division six mile champion. Cliff is on the Board of Directors for the Special Olympics Foundation, and has served as a volunteer coach for the Omaha Skutt cross country team.
Lou Soukup has been the most prolific runner in the Omaha area. Lou has run 50 or more races per year for 20 years. He has run more than 1400 races and earned over 1000 awards, including more than 60 wins. Lou has been a fierce competitor in the masters category. Lou was involved in the early organization of running in Omaha. He was a member of the Plains Track Club, and a founder of the Omaha Running Club.
2008
Volunteer and Competitor
Alan has been one of the key volunteers in both the Omaha and Lincoln running community over the past 15 years. For the ORC, he has served as a board member, membership chairman and finish line/scoring expert. In Lincoln, Alan has been a volunteer coach for youth and high school runners and also served on the Lincoln Track Club Board of Directors. Following a successful middle-distance and cross country career in high school and college, Alan was a competitive runner in local road races.
Volunteer
Gary has been one of the key volunteers in the Omaha running community and is one of the Omaha Running Clubs most visible members. Gary has provided finish line support for over 250 local running events and served as race director for the YMCA Masters Classic and the Omaha Riverfront Marathon. For local charitable organizations, Gary has provided expertise in areas such as course design, course measurement, and marketing. He has been a valuable resource and a good will ambassador for the Omaha Running Club for the past 25 year.
2007
Competitor and Coach
Tim is one of the pioneers of organized running in Omaha. He was one of the key figures in the Elmwood Park Track Club which would eventually evolve into the Omaha Running Club. Tim was a world class competitor and a member of the US cross country team that competed in France. He also ran in the 1972 U.S. Olympic trials. Tim finished second in 1976 in the U.S. Track and Field Marathon Championships. Tim recently retired after 19 years as the head track and cross country coach at UNO. As a coach, he was named North Central Conference coach of the year five times and has coached more than 120 All-American performers including two national champions.
Competitor and Volunteer
Dick was one of the pioneers in the Omaha running movement and was a leader in the original Plains Track Club. A highly competitive runner, Dick completed each of the first 22 Omaha Marathons. Dick has also served many years as a director for the Omaha Running Club.
Competitor
A prolific competitor, Gary was a regular on the Omaha road racing circuit for nearly three decades. At the time of this induction, Gary had completed well over 1,000 road races with over 100 overall wins and over 800 age group victories. During that time, Gary had finished over 165 marathons with more than 115 completed in less than three hours. Gary passed away in 2015.
Competitor
“Crazy” Leonard is one of the most recognized and popular runners in the Omaha area. His legendary howls have been a staple at local events for nearly three decades. For many runners, seeing and hearing Crazy Leonard was often the highlight of their race. Leonard has competed in 100 marathons over the course of his career.
2006
Race Director and Volunteer
Mike and his brother Jim opened Peak Performance in 1994. Since that time, Mike has been one of the key figures in the road race scene in Omaha. Mike has filled a void for organizations looking for help and expertise when sponsoring a run or walk. Mike sponsors many races each year – but he is also a key resource for other charitable groups looking for race assistance. Mike opens his store to activities like the ORC Marathon Clinic and packet pick-up for many other area events. Although Mike is relatively new to the Omaha running scene, his contribution has been huge.Bio text goes here. Bio text goes here.
Race Organizer, Competitor, Coach
Todd has been one of the top distance runners in this area for many years. A versatile competitor, he has won races and set course records in distances from the 5K to ultra-marathons. Todd has been the head cross country coach at Plattsmouth High School since 1992 and is also the assistant head track coach. As a race director, Todd has organized several popular events. His summer cross country series has grown each year and is a vital part of the training scene for many high school runners. As a competitor, coach and volunteer, Todd sets an excellent example for young runners.
2005
Race Director, Volunteer, Coach
Chuck has been a vital force in the Omaha Running community for many years. He was a key volunteer, leader and spokesman of the Omaha Running Club – serving as Club President. He also directed many Omaha area road races, and most recently has been developing young runners as a high school cross country and track coach.
Competitor, Coach, Race Director
Craig has been a vital force in the Omaha Running community for many years. As a race director, his No Frills series has provided an opportunity for runners to compete throughout the winter. He is a dedicated coach at both the youth level and the high school level. And he has been and remains one of the fastest runners in the Omaha area.Bio text goes here. Bio text goes here.
Competitor and Coach
Bob has been a regular on the local running scene for more than two decades. Bob has won many high profile events such as the Corporate Cup and the Cornhusker State Games Road Race.. He has coached cross country and track at Omaha South High and is currently the head coach at Omaha Bryan High. Regarded by many as the ultimate role model, Bob has trained along side his students – and taken them to compete (together) in offseason events. Bob also has competed in many national events since reaching the Masters Category.
2004
Competitor
One of the early female competitors in the area – Karlene was also one of the fastest ever. After a successful running career at the University of Nebraska, she was a top finisher in the 1984 Olympic Marathon Trials.
Race Director
Mick has been a long-time race director organizing one of the areas first events – the CB 13 in 1973. His Lake Manawa Series has provided runners an opportunity to compete throughout the winter for over 30 years.Bio text goes here. Bio text goes here.
Race Director
John is the race director for the Richfield Run. His run has served as a model for other local runs since 1978. The Richfield Café Run is known for its traditional shot gun start and hand crafted 10 mile Run Nebraska walnut plaque awards. John has contributed run proceeds to non-profit organizations including Make-A-Wish foundation.
Race Director
Frank was one of the pioneers of organized running in Omaha. He and his wife Trudy directed many popular road races including the Lady Runner which was the first all-female road race in the area.
Race Director
John was one of the early leaders of the Plains Track Club. As a long-time race organizer, he has directed events such as the Omaha Riverfront Marathon and the Omaha Corporate Cup.
Competitor
Jill was one of the pioneers of competitive road racing in Omaha. An outstanding athlete, she was also one of the first females to compete in the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon