Long time Space Coast Runners member, Bill Dillard was the recipient of this year’s Golden Shoe Award, which was presented by Marty Winkel at the yearly banquet. The award recognizes an individual who has made a major contribution in terms of time and quality work to the local running community.
Bill is the current Palm Bay Fun Run Director and during the warmer summer months he treats every participant to the famous Bill Dillard watermelons. Bill has also served as race director for the Aqua Fest 5K and the Space Coast Marathon and Half Marathon for many years. He helped layout, certify and paint the club’s calibration course(s). Which are used to calibrate and certify race courses. He has also certified or helped to ceritify almost all the local TAC (now USATF) certified courses, including the Space Coast Marathon (both the old course and the course that will be used in `94). Bone To Run 5K, Downtown Melbourne 5K, Aquafest 5K, Eye of the Dragon 10K, MADD Sunset Games 5K, and Winter Fest 4 Miler. He has also measured and layed out many other courses in the area that are accurate, but not certified.
Bill is skilled at graphic arts and has contributed much artwork to the running community from painting the turns and mile marks for the above listed races, to painting the FINISH boards on the swingset finish line the club uses (which he designed and built), to designing some of the race t-shirts.
Bill has always been willing to help out a fellow race director and I’m sure it’s a safe bet that he’s probably volunteered in some way at over 100 races. Bill still continues to race and has just entered the 70+ age group.
Bill has also served the community and his country through the Air Force and Reserves. Following Hurricane Andrew, he flew emergency supplies to the Miami area in his own plane. He also volunteers as an officer and instructor of the local Dog Show/Obedience Club and is a nationally renouned judge at dog show competitions.
On behalf of Space Coast Runners, congratulations on receiving the Golden Shoe Award and thank you for all you’ve done to deserve it.
— by George Revels