www.ArkansasRRCA.com

Since this forum is for Iron Runners, I thought I would go ahead and get it started. I had asked David Meroney if he would come up with something where Iron Runners and future Iron Runners, or anyone else that was interested, could exchange information.

I know a lot of runners have an interest in becoming an Iron Runner, but would rather not “advertise” at the first of the year that they are planning it. There are a lot of things that can go wrong during a full RRCA racing season and coming out and announcing you are going for it this year takes a certain amount of courage.

Let me be the first to say that I am definitely planning to run in all the Grand Prix races this year. That is probably not news to anyone that knows me. The real news behind this is that this will definitely be my last year. I feel that I have accomplished all I had originally set out to do and more. It’s time now to move on to other things.

I hope this forum will be used to encourage this year’s Iron Runners and educate those runners who are interested in becoming a future Grand Prix Iron Runner. So, if you have plans this year to become an Iron Runner, or just thinking about it, post something and let us know who you are.

See you Saturday at the 15K.

Thanks for kicking off the group, Joe! I look forward to seeing discussions here and the advice that you can offer.

IRON RUNNER FACTS:

The first Iron Runners recognized by the Arkansas RRCA was in 2004. There were three Iron Runners that year.

In 2015 there were 28 Iron Runners. The most ever in a single year.

There have been a total of 93 Grand Prix Iron Runners. Thirteen of those runners have completed multiple Iron Seasons. Eleven are male runners and two are female runners.

A total of 131 Iron Runner plagues have been given out.

For those who don't know him, let me tell you the ridiculous standard Joe Milligan has set for the rest of us. Going into the Valentine's 5k race tomorrow, Joe has run 226 consecutive Grand Prix races, a streak that started at the end of the 2004 season. When I started competing in the Grand Prix in 2009, I saw Joe awarded the first Milligan Award - named after him for becoming the first person to run in 100 consecutive races.

The streaks below are from 2009 forward - I have not had time to go back & see if there are longer streaks than what I'm about to list so if anyone knows of any longer ones let me know so we can update the list.

Male
226 Joe Milligan (current)
142 Eugene Atha (current)
102 Jim Miller
72 Mike Bonnette
69 John Miller
63 Greg Milligan (current)

Female
42 Pam McGill (current)
42 Nicole Hobbs (current)
30 Alise Atha (Steadman)
26 Carol DeLaney (current)
26 Jayme Butts-Hall (current)
25 Jennifer Liles-Dorris
25 Tara Begoon (current)

In addition I counted 4 other female runners who ironed last season who haven't missed a race this year so they could move up on this list.

& of course this could all change as we delve back further in time.....

As of the Arkansas Runner 2 mile race, which marks the half way point for the 2016 Grand Prix season, there are still 33 runners still in contention to become Iron Runners. The 33 runners include 17 females and 16 males.

After this next race, the Go! Mile, we will have a short stretch were we can all rest up for the remaining races. This is the time to take a week or so off and relax, or take a vacation and enjoy yourself. You have earned it!

The second half of the season will officially start on August 6th at the White River 4M Classic. Remember to continue to have fun and we will see you next Saturday and down the road.

Thanks for the Iron Runner update. Hoping I can stay healthy so I can make it this year!

Tia, I noticed that your daughter Abi has also ran in every race this year. If you both finish the remaining races you will become the first mother/daughter to become RRCA Iron Runners in the same year. That would be quite an accomplishment.

Speaking of staying healthy, Pam McGill currently has a streak of running in 51 consecutive Grand Prix races. Her streak is still intact in spite of suffering a stress fracture in her foot during the Hogeye Marathon this year. She managed to finish the Hogeye but limped badly through the Rock Run. She is a great example of the toughness it takes to be an Iron Runner.

Wow! Yes, maybe we'll try to go for mother/ daughter Iron Runner then! :-) I'd have to say doing it this year (and I know I'm only halfway through it) has given me a new perspective on running in Arkansas and the Grand Prix series. I've enjoyed the challenge and hope I can see it through this year.

Hey Joe,

Just seeing your post. Thanks for encouragement! Trying to slowly make my way back.

With four races left in the 2016 Grand Prix, there are still 28 runners who are still in the running for the coveted Iron Runner Award. As with last year, the females with 16 runners, outnumber the men who have 12 runners.

The next three races are all10K’s with the final race being the Casa Half Marathon in December. I look forward to seeing you all at the Casa so everyone stay healthy and safe and keep running!

Thanks for the update!! I'm enjoying the couple weeks break between now and Survivors 10k. :-)

To update the streaks with 4 races remaining - again these are since 2009 & are subject to change when I am able to start researching the earlier seasons.

Male
240 Joe Milligan (current)
156 Eugene Atha (current)
102 Jim Miller
77 Greg Milligan (current)
72 Mike Bonnette
69 John Miller


Female
56 Pam McGill (current)
42 Nicole Hobbs
36 Christy Brooks (current)
31 Carol DeLaney
30 Alise Atha (Steadman)
27 Hazel Milligan

Just checking in with all the Iron Runners! Only 3 races left to go! :-)

This is my first year to try for Iron Runner so I was wondering if there will be a group Iron Runner picture at the CASA Half or Spa 10k? (Spa 10k is the last race on the GP schedule for all the kids- a few who are doing Iron Runner.)

I know David usually gets a pic of all the iron runners after the last race.

It seems like we also took a picture last year at Spa to include the younger runners -- and hoping everyone else made it through CASA. :)