“I met Marsha Way 48 years ago when she came to my room at Youngstown State University and recruited me to play field hockey for the school. What followed was a lifetime of creating stories! Some of the stories are hilarious, some sad, but through it all Marsha and I are inseparable! I am so proud of her, her talent as a coach, her sense of humor, her attention to detail and most of all how she takes care of me! She is the person in my life who would be there seconds after I called her for help – no questions asked. Her dedication to the Credit Union Cherry Blossom race is unfailing – I’m not sure the race could go on without Marsha issuing orders from the Volunteer tent – and everyone listens! That is an indication of the respect everyone has for her. When we are in a bind we all say – ‘Ask Marsha.’ The Les Kinion award was created to honor outstanding volunteers – Marsha is truly one of those.”
Race Director Phil Stewart added: “Marsha’s enthusiasm and energy for the race seems to ramp up to a crescendo as race weekend approaches. She has recruited and motivated our volunteer corps for over 20 years. She approaches our volunteers the same way she approached her high school field hockey teams which she coached to numerous Virginia State titles — with caring, but with a no-nonsense style that brings out the best in everyone. In the end, volunteers just want to do whatever Marsha asks them to do. She is a most worthy recipient of the 2021 Les Kinion Outstanding Volunteer Service award.”
It was this enthusiasm and energy for the race that permeated the room as Marsha received the award. Like previous Kinion Award recipients, she stood out as a worthy award recipient through the impact that she has had in bringing this event together, but with her unique coach-like corralling and championing of her fellow volunteers at the forefront.
The Les Kinion Award was established in honor of Les Kinion, a Baltimore firefighter with Engine Company 43. By passion, he was first a runner and then a running club officer and race director. In 1970, Les co-founded the Baltimore Road Runners Club, one of the earliest chapters of the Road Runners Club of America. In 1973 he helped launch the first Maryland Marathon. After retiring in 1986, Les moved to Bishopville, MD, and worked on hundreds of races on the Maryland-Delaware Coast. He became involved with the Cherry Blossom Run in the early 1990s and was active until he passed away in July 2014 at the age of 78.
With virtual editions held in April 2020 and 2021, the in-person Fall Edition of the 2021 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Runs marks the 20th year of title sponsorship by Credit Union Miracle Day. Since 2002, $10 million has been raised for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, including $439,000 in 2020. Of that $439,000, $66,000 came from runners donating their entry fees instead of asking for a refund when race weekend in our Nation’s Capital was wiped out by Covid-19. Participants in the 2021 in-person race have raised an additional $180,059.
