I would like to thank the AOH for this honor.

My association with Kingston and Ulster County running began in 1966 when I participated in the Joe Defino elementary school track program at George Washington School. From 1968-1972 I ran high school cross country and track for Kingston High School, I ran for two years in college. My running after college was sporadic but in 1979 I returned to the area and began to run in earnest again. I won my first all comers open race in 1973 the Marbletown Road Race. In 2013 I won my last all comers race the Woodstock Day School 5k. As a competitor I wound up winning races over 5 decades of time. I was the winner of the first Shamrock Run.

In 1981 I volunteered at my first race. I am now involved as a volunteer, organizer, or Race Director in over 30 events each year. In the early 1980’s I became involved in coaching. I have coached at Suny New Paltz ,Bard College and Kingston High School. I currently coach on the youth and adult level for the Shawangunk Runners Club. For more then 30 years I have been the leader of the children’s races at the New Paltz Summer Series. It is great fun as I get to be the “Pied Piper” for these children and have interacted with hundreds of young runners through the years. I hope I have inspired some of them in the manner Joe Defino inspired me.

Thanks,

Steve Schallenkamp