Tidewater Striders | Hall of Fame

Tidewater Striders Hall of Fame

Under the initiative and leadership of Jerry Bocrie, the Tidewater Striders club was formed in 1972. The main purpose of the club is to promote and encourage running, particularly long distance running, through educational and charitable means, while a secondary purpose is to promote participation in other athletic and fitness endeavors, such as walking and triathlon.

Over the years, numerous club members have achieved acclaim at the local, regional, or national level for their significant contributions to these club purposes - some via exceptional performance in competition, some through dedicated volunteerism efforts, and some through professional services.

The Tidewater Striders annually honors its members in a variety of ways, including awards for competitive running, walking, and triathlon performance to different age groups, as well as awards for significant volunteer efforts to the club's many activities. The Tidewater Striders also honors individuals periodically for their continued dedication to the club or outstanding accomplishments with the President's Award and the Jerry Bocrie Founder's Award.

The Tidewater Striders Hall of Fame award is designed to permanently enshrine those club members whose performance, volunteerism, or professional service in running, walking, and triathlon have helped make the Tidewater Striders one of the largest, most active, and most successful running clubs in the United States.

The inaugural class was inducted in 2011 and included 10 members. Members are listed alphabetically by year of induction with 8-10 of their most significant accomplishments as competitors (C), volunteers (V), or professionals (P).

Inaugural Class (2011) Tidewaters Striders Hall of Fame

Jerry Bocrie (V)

The Founder of the Tidewater Striders (1972)
First president of the Tidewater Striders (1972-1975)
Founder of the Shamrock Marathon (1973)
Race Director for the Shamrock Marathon and Shamrock Sportsfest for 30 consecutive years
Recognized by Runner's World Magazine as the longest continuous race director in America (2002)
Founder of the Elizabeth River Run (1979)
Founder of the Tidewater Striders Distance Series to prepare for the Shamrock Marathon
Founder of many road races throughout the cities of Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach over the course of his early years in service to and promotion of the Tidewater Striders
Completed numerous marathons , ultramarathons, and triathlons, including the following: New York City; Boston; JFK 50-miler; and the Inaugural Nags Head Triathlon, which he won
The Jerry Bocrie Founders Award, the Tidewater Striders most prestigious, is named in his honor

Rick & Sharon Brown (V)

Tidewater Strider Volunteer of the Year (1989 -- Rick)
Tidewater Strider Volunteer of the Year (1993 -- Sharon)
RRCA of Virginia Volunteer of the Year (1994 -- Rick)
Co-chair of the race committee for seven years (Rick)
Tidewater Strider recognition for volunteer efforts each year for over 20 years (Rick and Sharon)
Contributions to Tidewater Striders race events over the past 25 years (Rick and Sharon)

Served as the timing team for virtually every Tidewater Strider club and co-sponsored race, approximately 50 races per year
Coordinated the evolution of the Striders race timing systems over the years, including the posting of computer race results on site and use of the current chip system
Coordinated assignments of volunteers at the finish line

Randy Cook (C, V)

Charter Member of the Tidewater Striders
Tidewater Striders vice president (1981) and president (1982)
National Champion in the 20K for 35-39 age group (1984)
Previous state record holder for Submaster 10K on the track
Virginia State Champion as a submaster and master

Cross country (4 times)
5K on the track (4 times)
10K on the track (6 times)

Top 10 finisher overall in the 1981 and 1983 Shamrock marathon
4^th place overall in the United States for the 1 hour run on the track (1978)
Named "Most Outstanding Submaster" (30-39 age group) at the Virginia State Masters Track Championships (1982)
4^th place overall in the Shamrock 5 mile run (1979)
Tidewater Striders Grand Prix award winner for multiple years

Anthony "Cokey" Daman (C)

Running Times Magazine's #1 Age Group Runner of the Year

70-74 (1990)
75-79 (1995)
80-84 (2000)

Current holder of six Virginia State Age Group Running Records

70-74 -- Half-Marathon
75-79 -- 5K & 8K
80-84 -- 10K & Marathon.
85-89 -- 8 k

Previous record holder of the USATF M70-74 Masters Race Walking records in the 5K, 10K, 20K, 25K, 30K, and 40K. Current USATF single age best time for 20K at age 70 and 76
Current holder of USATF M70-74 Race Walking record for the 50K
Won the National Senior Games 1500-meter Race Walks for men age 70-74 in 1989 and 1991
Won the National Senior Games 5K Race Walk for men age 70-74 in 1989
Won the World Veterans Athletics Championships (now called World Masters Athletics Championships) 5K and 20K Race Walks for men age 70-74 in 1989
Initial recipient of the Jerry Bocrie Founder's Award of the Tidewater Striders, the club's most prestigious award

Dan Edwards (V, P)

Received the prestigious Rod Steele National RRCA Club Volunteer of the Year (1993)
RRCA At-large Board Member & Secretary 2009 - Present
RRCA Parliamentarian 2001, 2003-2004, 2007-2009
Treasurer of Tidewater Striders for the past 16 years
Tidewater Strider Volunteer of Year (1993) and nine subsequent awards
Tidewater Striders race director:

Turkey Trot Scholarship Fund Race (2001-Present)
Tidewater Strider Distance Series (2005-Present)
Lead efforts to purchase chip timing system to accommodate larger club races
Number of races and runners doubled in past six years

Tidewater Striders Committee chair

Youth Committee (1991 - Present)
Scholarship Committee (1998 - Present)

USATF Virginia Association Long Distance Running Chair (2002-2004)
Sports Manager for the AAU Junior Olympic Games including Track & Field hosting over 20,000 athletes (2001)
Coordinator for Tidewater Striders hosting 2006 AAU National Cross Country Meet in Virginia Beach

Charlie George (V)

Second president of the Tidewater Striders (1975)
RRCA National Volunteer Award (1995)
First Executive Director of the Tidewater Striders (1984-1988)
Tidewater Strider Volunteer of the Decade for the 1980s
Club designated the Charlie George Volunteer of the Year award in his honor
Director of numerous club races during the 1970s and 1980s
Editor of club newsletter - Multiple years
Certified the first race courses in the Tidewater area.
First organizer of youth teams, the predecessor to the current New Energy Youth Teams.

Coordinated trips to Richmond, Raleigh, Philadelphia, Lynchburg

Edited the first Tidewater Striders Race Manual
Promoted use of and secured the first computer to be used by the Striders (1980)

Dave McDonald (C, V)

Three Time Participant in the US Olympic Marathon Trials (1980, 1984, 1988)

Finished 34^th in 1980 with time of 2:18.12

Three Time Elizabeth River 10K Winner
Twelfth place in the Boston Marathon with a time of 2:17 (1984)
Won Shamrock Marathon (two times) and Shamrock 8K
Won Charlotte Observer Marathon and Glass City Marathon, among dozens of other races
Member of the Virginia Ekiden Team, which consisted of the top 5 runners in Virginia, to competed in the national Ekiden competition in New York City (1988; 1989)
President of the Tidewater Striders for 4 terms and Board Member more than 10 years
Race Director for various local races, including the Turkey Trot, Charlie Falk Mile, Dominion Tower Climb, and the Commodore Classic CC 5K

Bee McLeod (C, V)

Participant in the 1988 United States Olympic Marathon trials with qualifying time of 2:47
Ranked top female age group (40 - 44) in the United States and represented the country in the World Duathlon Championship in France (2000)
Overall female winner of the Shamrock Marathon (2 times), the Richmond Marathon (3 times), and the Virginia Ten Miler (1995)
President of the Road Runners Clubs of America for four terms
Board member of the RRCA and the American Association of Running Clubs
President of the Tidewater Striders for four terms and vice president for two terms
During tenure as president, the club received recognition in Runner's World as the "the best and most active running club in the country"
Recipient of the Jerry Bocrie Founder's Award (2006)
Active member of the Tidewater Striders for nearly three decades and currently involved in supporting numerous club events, as well as other local running events

Raymond A. Ochs (C, V)

Tidewater Strider President for three terms (1997-1999)
Researched and wrote the 25-year History of the Tidewater Striders (1972-1997)
RRCA State Race Director of the Year Award (1997)
RRCA 2000 hour Volunteer Award (1999)
Organized, created and directed the one time only 7.44 Monitor Merrimac Bridge Run
Instrumental in the preliminary stages of bidding to attract the RRCA Annual National Convention to Norfolk
Ranked 4th in the Tidewater area by Sport Spots Magazine Road Race Rankings (1990)
Winner of more than 60 road races
Personal Bests include 14:59 5K; 31:11 10K; and , 1:11 half-marathon.
Placed in the top 50 out of 50,000 runners in the Peachtree Road Race

Mel Williams (C, V)

Former national age-group (45-49) record holder in the 50K; (3:10 in 1984)
Current state of Virginia age-group record holder

Half marathon

Age group 55-59 (1:17) and age group 65-69 (1:33)

Marathon

Age group 50-54 (2:37) and 60-64 (2:54)

Three time age-group award winner in the Boston Marathon:

50-59 (1989); 60-69 (1998; 1999)

USATF National age-group champion (65-69) in the marathon; Twin Cities Marathon (2004)
Completed all 35 Marine Corps Marathons

Multiple-year (19) age group award winner

Elected into the Marine Corps Marathon Hall of Fame (2001)
First place age-group in Montreal Ironman Triathlon (1999)
Charter member of the Tidewater Striders (1972) and Board member for 25 years

Past Vice-President (1978) and President (1979)

The Class of 2012

Jerry and Amy Frostick

Jerry and Amy Frostick, in their respective roles as president and vice-president of J&A Racing, have enthusiastically promoted running in Hampton Roads over the course of the past ten years, and have enhanced the reputation of our area as one of the most active running communities in the country. J&A Racing promotes its philosophy of "Live, Love, Run" by creating fun, festive, family events and paying attention to details to endure every athlete, regardless of ability, has a memorable race day experience. Although Jerry and Amy are accomplished runners and triathletes, they have been elected into the Hall of Fame for their professional service. The following are some of the highlights of their contributions to the local running community, several of which have earned national recognition.

Directed four of the largest and most popular races in the Hampton Roads area, attracting a total of approximately 45,000 participants annually
Received multiple honors from Runner?s World magazine, including:

Shamrock Marathon Weekend Runner-up Most Family-Friendly Marathon (2010)
Best "Swag" or amenities for a race (2009)
First recognized "Green Event" in Virginia and member of Runner's World Green Team (2007)

Received honors from Running USA
Operation Smile Final Mile awarded Youth Running Event of the Year
Generated an economic impact of approximately 8.5 million dollars from the Shamrock Sportsfest alone in 2011
Have raised approximately $2.5 million for various charities since 2003
Actively promoted fitness among elementary school age children. Over 3,600 children participate in Shamrock Sportsfest races
Fostered local development of the triathlon by presenting training clinics and organizing trips to national competition

Pete Gibson

Pete Gibson is one of the most competitive runners to wear the Tidewater Striders singlet. He has been a Tidewater Strider member for 31 years and has won over 180 races with 36 of them coming after the age of 50. Pete also served on the Tidewater Striders Board of Directors for four years. Pete has been elected into the Hall of Fame primarily for his competitive running performance, and the following are some of his major accomplishments.

USA Track and Field National 10K, 1st place in the 55-59 age group in 2011
USA Track and Field National 8K, 2nd place in the 55-59 age group in 2011
North Carolina state record in the mile for age group 55-59 (5:06)
North Carolina state record in the 5K for age group 55-59 (17:00)
North Carolina state record in the half-marathon age group 55-59 (1:19:29)
Virginia State record holder in the 20K, age 50-54 (1:16:20)
RRCA Eastern Region Open Champion in both the 8K and 10K in 1983 and 1996
Current record holder for Virginia Beach Rock and Roll ½ Marathon in two age groups (50-54 and 55-59)
Won the Tidewater Striders Outstanding Performance award in 2002 and again in 2009
Served on the Striders Board of Directors from 1994 to 1997

Jeanne Kruger-Williams

Over the course of the past 25 years, Jeanne Kruger-Williams has placed well in numerous marathons and half-marathons, both nationally and internationally. Although Jeanne has been elected into the Hall of Fame for her competitive performances, she has also been actively involved in various club activities, such as serving as a member of the Board of Directors for five years. The following are some of the key highlights of Jeanne’s performances.

Virginia State record in the marathon for age group 50-54 (3:15:39)
Virginia State record in the half marathon for age group 60-64 (1:48:44)
Previous Virginia state record in the marathon for age 45-49 (3:06:19)
First-place age group in multiple marathons, including major marathons such as New York City, age group 50-59, and Chicago, age group 50-54. Second place finish in 50-59 year age group at Boston
Completed 45 marathons, placing 1st overall in one, 2nd overall in two, 1st masters in two, and 1st age group in thirteen
Placed third in age group 40-44 in the Veterans World Championship marathon in Eugene, Oregon
Competed in 18 certified half-marathons in the past 10 years, with a 1st place age–group finish in 11, 2nd place age-group finish in four, and 3rd place age-group finish in two
Personal best in the marathon is 3:06:19 at age 48, and in the half-marathon, 1:29 at age 38
Was an overall female winner of the Striders Grand Prix series, as well as a multiple winner in the Masters and Age-Group categories
Served as member of the Tidewater Striders Board of Directors from 1986 to 1991, including a term as vice-president, and also served as director for several local races

Monica Reilly

Monica Reilly was one of the dominating female runners for the Tidewater Striders in the mid-1980s and early 1990s. She has also served the Striders as a race director for over 20 years. Monica was elected to the Hall of Fame for her accomplishments in competition and volunteerism. The following represent some of Monica’s key accomplishments for selection into the Hall of Fame

Top 3 female finisher in the Colonial Half Marathon for 3 consecutive years
Top 3 female finisher winner in the Elizabeth River Run for 3 consecutive years
Overall female winner in the Smithfield 10 mile run
Placed 6th overall female in the Annapolis 10-mile run
Personal best for the 5K was 17:19
Personal best for the 8K was 29:27
Personal best for the 10K was 34:35
Personal best for the 10 mile was 59:59
Race director for the Independence Middle School 5K for more than 20 years
Race director, award winner, committee member & volunteer for several local multisport events, including Boys and Girls Clubs’ Duathlon, Breezy Point Triathlon and Sandman Triathlon.

Mike Robinson

Mike Robinson has been a member of the Tidewater Striders for more than 30 years, and is one of its staunchest supporters and volunteers. Although running is Mike’s business, it is also his love, and he gives so much back to the sport, and to the Tidewater Striders, because of that love. Although Mike is an accomplished runner, he has been elected into the Hall of Fame for his many contributions in volunteerism and professional service. The following are a few of the key highlights supporting Mike’s election into the Hall of Fame.

Recipient of the RRCA National Volunteer Award for 2,000 hours of volunteer service (1999)
Tidewater Strider Volunteer of the Year (1994)
Race director for the Tidewater Striders

Distance Series for 8 years (1988-1996)
Striders Summer Series for 10 years (1992-2002)

Official course certification marshal for all Tidewater Striders races for 20 years (1983-2002)
Sponsored numerous educational programs on various facets of running, such as Training for Your First Marathon, Training for Your First Triathlon, How to Avoid Common Running Injuries, Heart Rate Training, Good Form Running and Runners Core Strength
Sponsored a weekly Running Injury Clinic, in which several local pediatric physicians would provide complimentary analyses for local runners. The clinic operated for nearly 15 years
Partnered with various programs promoting running among youth, such as Tidewater Striders New Energy and Girls on the Run
Provided professional service to the Tidewater Striders for more than 20 years