RunVermont honors outstanding individuals for their achievements and contributions to running in Vermont with an annual Hall of Fame award. The award is presented to an individual who is; a true ambassador of running by promoting running as a lifelong activity wherever he/she goes, has made significant contributions to the sport through running, volunteerism, sponsorship or organization, in the judgment of the Selection Committee, typifies the true spirit of RunVermont by embracing and perpetuating athletic spirit in the Vermont community.
We received six applications this year; we typically only nominate one person per year into the Hall of Fame, so it was incredibly difficult for the Selection Committee to even narrow it down. We had AMAZING people nominated and after much debate we did finally agree on one recipient. But we’re not going to tell you who it is. Not yet anyway.
The nominees are so great we feel that each person deserves recognition. Please look forward to every Wednesday when we will highlight one of the nominees.
Meet Sam Davis, nominated by Joy Dubin Grossman
Sam Davis is a true ambassador to the running community as he promotes running as a life-long activity for youth and adults. Sam has been a road race director and still continues to volunteer at many athletic events including the Ready, Set, Run and YAM Scram programs. He volunteers his time to sit on the YAM Scram Youth Race Committee, the newly formed youth committee. Sam is a USA Track & Field certified coach and provides consultation for runners of all ages and abilities. His quiet enthusiasm is incredibly inspiring to our young runners.
Sam teaches both Marathon 201 and the Half Marathon class to adults in the Burlington community.
2011 Marathon 201 student, Steve Costello raves, “Sam’s excitement about running is contagious. He came to class each week with an abundance of energy, and no matter how hard our week, how terrible the weather or how bad we might have been feeling, my classmates and I left energized every time. Training for a long race can be a chore, no doubt, but Sam’s stories, good nature and advice always made me see the upside, even on my worst days. I often hear that running is a “community,” and Sam epitomizes that for me. From first class to last, regardless of our skill levels, he made everyone feel like they were part of something special, and by example made each of us WANT To be part of it.”
2011 Half Marathon student Michael Knauer wrote, “Sam has a gentle, friendly, nurturing and enthusiastic manner about him. He exuded that in class. He made all students of all running levels and backgrounds feel welcome. He was sincerely committed to helping all of us improve ourselves and our lives through running and it’s benefits, both physical and mental. He helped experienced runners excel and less experienced runners feel welcome in the running community as well as positive in setting and reaching worthwhile and attainable goals.”
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