Runner's World released their Heroes list; a list of running stars and folks doing exceptional things around the country. That's great, but we think there are lots of people around our area that are doing just as much and deserve similar recognition.  Therefore, for the 12 Days leading up to Christmas we began honoring Our Heroes - people who have caught our attention with their contribution to the sport we love.  You may have seen these heros posted on our our fbook page.We know there are many more, so our honorees are just a sampling of the great people running around Little Rock.

Day 1, Inspirational
Katie McManners announced to us a little more than a year ago that she was not a runner, but wanted to be one!  Her runs got longer, her clothes got loser, she started running races, and last week completed her first marathon!!  Not only did she become a runner, but she helped organize events, cheered at races, got other people into running, and has become a great ambassador of health and fitness.  She embodies what we should all be: someone who gives as much to the sport as she gets out of it.

Day 2,  Givin' Back

A foundation of running in Arkansas is the Grand Prix, and while our RRCA president for the past 3 years, Andrea Sieczkowski almost doubled the participation level to over 400, revived the Rivertrail 15K and Rock Run, started the relay in Hogeye, and is hugely responsible for why running is thriving in our region.  Even more impressive when you consider she ran in a many of those races, won her age group on occasion, and was pregnant for almost half of her tenure. 

Day 3, The Guru
There is no other way to introduce Bill Torrey. If you've run a race in Central Arkansas, chances are Bill was either the race director, course designer, on the board, a volunteer, or all the above.  His contributions to running are only matched by his knowledge of the sport, which he selflessly shares through advice, coaching, setting the LRRC Tuesday night workouts, and is always ready to help with anything thrown his way.  Thanks Bill for educating the Little Rock running scene.

Day 4, Performance
Because racing is such a big part of running, we have to mention at least one superstar.  Imari Dellimore is usually at the pointy end of any race he's in, but 2011 was a standout year for him. He won the Spring Fling, Watermelon, Arkansas Classic 5K races, and The Tupelo 14.2 Miler. He also set PR's of 16:44 (5K), 35:12 (10K), 1:15:10 (20K), and 1:16:25 (Half Marathon) and was voted Arkansas RRCA Runner of the Year by his peers - that's one amazing year. Apart from being fast, Imari is also one of the biggest cheerleaders out there and is always ready to encourage others.  We know he's signed up for the Little Rock Marathon, so you'd better say hi to him at the start because it's the last you'll see of him!

Day 5, Motivator

Last year, Nicholas Norfolk was new to running. He jumped in with both feet and a lot of heart. He ran and he ran. And he raced, starting with the BDB twilight 5k, followed by ½ marathon, marathon, and this last week a 50k. While he was doing this, he was devoting just as much time to others, to get them into running and staying in running, as he did for himself. He didn't just talk. He set the example: ran and raced with them, sent them little motivating gifts and messages, and invested much of his time in so many people. Truly, runners all across the country are enjoying fitter, healthier lives thanks in no small part to Nick. "A good day is when I get to run. A great day is when I inspire others to run". That sums up Nick's mission. Special congrats to Nick today, as this will be his 50th race this year! WOW.

Day 6, Legacy
There have many people in LR who have made their mark on Little Rock. However in the LR running world, few people have left their mark like David Williams.  Starting a long time ago, you will find a series of fast times and exceptional performances by this man. He's a institution in the Sunday morning 10 miler in the Heights, can go the distance - any distance - even running well under 6 minutes for the mile, known for his great wit and crazy shorts... and at 62 still has some sexy legs!

Day 7, Runs In The Family

Running is a part of family life for Becky Humes, Joel Perez, and their wonderful daughter, Alea. If they're not racing, they're helping at races, or cheering others on, or attending group runs to support causes, or runningtogether on training runs - all the while enjoying each others company.  Thank you for setting a wonderful example of how it can be done.

Day 8, Mentor
We knew Steve Oury was a running Razorback, is the coach of Bryant (one of the largest track programs in the state), and has been the organizer and coach for the last 8 years of the Arkansas/Oklahoma All Star Cross Country Meet. But when Steve came to us to help get running shoes for disadvantaged kids so they could run we knew was more than a coach; he is a true mentor. We need more kids into running. We need more Steves.

Day 9, Perseverance
When we found out that CHS Cross Country Runner Griffin Marzak had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, we knew that if there was anybody with the attitude to put up a battle it was Griffin.  He showed he had the stuff, but also showed incredible perseverance by never giving up on his team and ran a cross country race with them just days after his last round of chemotherapy. His mom, MJ, will tell you he has a gift to understand that the journey is not always easy but the accomplishment of reaching a goal, his goal, is worth the effort. Running helped teach him this. One tough young man who shows us perseverance through adversity.

Day 10, Hero "Defined"
Stopping in several races to use her medical skills to give aid to runners in trouble, Alison Acott defines 'Running Hero'.  Time and again she would forego her race and her goals to assist others in need.  It's even been claimed, "she saved my life" in a race.  Ali is another runner heavily involved in the running community and the Little Rock Road Runners club. You'll see her smiling face in many of the local events, running, cheering, or watching over us - thank goodness!

Day 11, In Your Corner
When runners get injured the last thing they want to hear is "rest it".  Michael DuPriest of AFCN is more likely to ask you when your event is and then figure out a way to get you treated and to the starting line.  There have been many times where we would have not made it to the start line without Michael or his fabulous staff at AFCN.   His 'can do' attitude stems from his passion for the sport of running and the 'keep moving forward' attitude of the Ultra Runner he is, as witnessed by this picture of him finishing Western States.  Our legs and hearts thank you!

Day 12, Kids R Runners, too!
In the spirit of Christmas... our last hero of the 12 days is a special one. We love seeing all kids running, but especially Worth Wilsey.  This great little guy is only 11 years old but already has an impressive running resume, 22:23 at the Dino Dash 5K then won the kids 1K, won several AAU races with a 1500M PR of 5:42, and takes on his dad in many local road races.  He's clearly not let his running success go to his head as one of our most cherished items at the store is a thank you note from Worth thanking us for helping him "go faster".  Worth could be a bright star in the future of running in Little Rock.

That concludes 'Our 12 Heroes This Year'.  We hope you enjoyed honoring some of our local running heroes as much as we did.  To see all the good wishes and read or contribute to the conversation around each by day. Have a great Holiday, from Gary, Frank, Erin, and all the great folks at Go! Running.