Posted: January 13, 2005

Athletics: Road Runners Club of America and American Association of Running Clubs Merger Finalized

From: Becky Lambros, Executive Director, RRCA, (410) 290-3890; Becky@rrca.org

COLUMBIA, Md. - (January 5, 2005) - The merger of the American Association of Running Clubs (AARC) and the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) became effective January 1, 2005. Due to the RRCA's wealth of history and its excellent name recognition, the combined organization will be called the Road Runners Club of America.

Over the course of nearly five decades, the RRCA has had a tremendous and positive impact on the sport of long distance running including advocacy for women's, masters and youth running and staunch support of athlete's rights. It has supported important programs such as the Roads Scholar© effort directed at developing athletes, the Women's Distance Festival, national championships, children's fitness programs and much more. And running clubs and enthusiasts throughout the United States rely on the RRCA's many valuable publications.

"The RRCA looks forward to continued contributions to the sport in the years ahead. Combining the resources of the AARC, both organizational and human, creates an efficient, unified structure that will reap the sport many benefits," added Andrews.

The Road Runners Club of America is a non-profit organization of more than 670 running clubs and 160,000 members across the United States. The RRCA member chapters organize races and training runs, provide safety guidelines, promote children's and masters fitness running programs and offer social activities.

Visit its website at: RRCA.org.

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org.