Approximately 5 years ago, anytime you went to a race you would see 20 to 30 kids in pink Shirts. No one really knew much about them or where they came from. It turns out they were the Port St. John’s Runners Club. It was a running club for children. The club was primarily boys and girls from Challenger Elementary School, but over time they have grown to include children from Titusville, Cocoa Beach And Orlando. The person who started the club is their coach, advisor, statistician, chauffeur and friend. He holds practice two or three times a week, keeps them motivated and directed with out causing burn out. When the club first started he went to various clubs (including SCR) to help standardize and structure the younger age groups. He was able to get club discounts for his runners to many races.
He has been known to pay for some of the children’s entry fees, he has bought them running shorts, shirts and even shoes. I know he can afford this, he is a school teacher and makes the big bucks. He either provides transportation or coordinates car Pools, shares motel rooms and feeds some of the kids. He has been to races all over Brevard County, Vero Beach, Orlando, Jacksonville, Green Cove Springs, Miami, Charleston, S. C. (Cooper River Bridge 10k), Kinny Cup In North Carolina, Nebraska for the Junior Olympics and who knows where else. Even though he is a runner he seldom races. I would guess out of may be 20 to 25 races he went to this past year he probably ran in five of them.
Instead of racing he is out there offering them support, encouragement, coaching, teaching, keeping the stats, and video taping. Some of the parents of his runners are also running. A few communities over the past few years have started youth running clubs. The Port St. John’s Running Club is the only one I know of still flourishing. He must be doing something right.
Four years ago the Port St. John’s Jaycees started a run for MDA. The first year the event was poor. Poor shirts, awards, organization and an inaccurate course. He took the race over as the race director and in two years managed to improve it enough to become one of the SCR series.
I’m sure I have missed many of the things he has done, but as you can see he has done quite a lot. Much of what this individual has done could not have been done without the support of his wife, Jean. The inscription on the plaque reads: Space Coast Runners Club Golden Shoe Award is presented to Gary Harbison for your commitment and dedication to the runners of the Space Coast. Prepared by Marty Winkel
Additional Data
At this year’s banquet, Marty Winkel presented Gary Harbison with a special award for what he’s done for youth running in Brevard. Specifically, Gary can be seen at most of the races with a collection of young runners wearing their pink Port St. John’s Runner’s Club tee shirts. Gary has been a great influence to these kids and many others in the area and his contributions go beyond the normal expectations for someone in his position. Gary is also the race director for the Port St. John, MDA 5K Classic held every March. Marty has suggested that this award be presented every year and Gary was an excellent choice as the initial recipient.
Prepared by George Revels