The Spirit of the Equinox Award was established in 1986 in memory of George Bloom.
Georgie ran the Equinox Marathon 18 consecutive years and felt that it was the ultimate running event. The award is to exemplify what Georgie stood for in the running community–someone who was always willing to lend a hand, organize a race, offer an encouraging word, and was quick with a smile and a wave.
The award recipients are selected by a committee consisting of the members of the local running community and one person from Georgie’s immediate family. The recipients of this award are not required to have run the Equinox Marathon. In fact, they need not even be runners. The committee bases their selection of the recipient on these criteria:
- Contribution to the running community
- How inspirational the recipient is to others
- Overall attitude and enthusiasm toward others
Below is a list of winners of the Spirit of the Equinox Award. Click on an award-winner’s name to get a bio of that person. (We are gradually adding bios for the winners in earlier years. If you know or knew the person well, particularly their involvement with running and RCN, please contact us!)
| Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Bobbi Jo Katchmar |
| 2018 | Andy Holland |
| 2017 | Matias Saari |
| 2016 | Ed Debevec |
| 2015 | George Berry |
| 2014 | Bob Vitale |
| 2013 | Gary Pohl |
| 2012 | Monte Jordon |
| 2011 | Glenn Hackney |
| 2010 | Tracey Martinson |
| 2009 | Jim Loftus |
| 2008 | Bob Hildebrandt |
| 2007 | Keith Pollock |
| 2006 | Woody Wenstrom |
| 2005 | John Estle |
| 2004 | Bob Eley |
| 2003 | Kevin Brinegar |
| 2002 | Dave & JoEllen Cowee |
| 2001 | Jane Lanford |
| 2000 | Steve Bainbridge |
| 1999 | Bob and Sharon Baker |
| 1998 | Jane Parrish |
| 1997 | Ron Johnson and Colleen Porter |
| 1996 | Pat Kling |
| 1995 | Bobbi Fyten and Guy Williams |
| 1994 | Dan Callahan |
| 1993 | Debbie Ganley |
| 1992 | Allen Doyle |
| 1991 | Joy and David Bloom |
| 1990 | Corky Hebard |
| 1989 | Jack Townshend |
| 1988 | Dorothy Sue Barclay |
| 1987 | Mike Faverty |
| 1986 | Bob Murphy and Stan Justice |