JACK KENWORTHY: Original Member Who Continues to Give
“…his love of running gave him the idea to start a jogging class. He developed the cirriculum and persuaded BCC to implement the course. He was the first instructor and his training and ecouragement gave this authoer her first taste of the endorphins and freedom which only running can provide. Also during this time, Jack, together with his friends, developed a loose knit running club called the “Space Coast Runners”. Jack encouraged the “joggers” in his classes to join. He remembers an unusual character showing up for his jogging class in the late seventies raring to run in Army boots. This feisty, older student’s name was Harold Tucker. In addition to persuading Harold to join SCR, Jack also showed him the advantages of trading in the boots for the running shoes of that time.
He still is encouraging others to run. He has been the Brevard County coach for Team in Training for the last four years. He not only runs and/or walks with folks at their races, but he also raises his own funds, sometimes the TNT coaches don’t have to do. He wants to be an example so he chooses not to accept the “perks” provided to the TNT volunteer staff…” —Submitted by Patti Sponsler-Sher
JACK KENWORTHY, NOMINATION FOR THE SPACE COAST RUNNERS HALL OF FAME
Getting Jack Kenworthy to talk about his running involvement and accomplishments is like trying to pull the front teeth out of an alert, angry alligator. He is a very modest man. He is also one of the original members of the Space Coast Runners.
Back in the sixties, Jack played baseball as a student at the University of Florida. At that time, the coaches didn’t make their team run laps and others were probably puzzled that Jack would go out and run anyway. Like Forrest Gump, he simply enjoyed it and has continued to do it for forty years.
When he graduated from college, Jack was offered a position at Brevard Community College as the assistant baseball coach. Two years later he became their head coach. In addition to his coaching duties, Jack taught physical education classes. His love of running gave him the idea to start a jogging class. He developed the curriculum and persuaded the college to implement the course. He was the first instructor and his training and encouragement gave this author her first taste of the endorphins and freedom which only running can provide.
Also during this time, Jack, together with his friends Tom Pifer, Bob Lawton and Dave St. John, developed a loose knit running club called the “Space Coast Runners”. Jack encouraged the “joggers” in his classes to join. Jack remembers an unusual character showing up for his jogging class in the late seventies raring to run in Army boots. This feisty, older student’s name was Harold Tucker. In addition to persuading Harold to join SCR, Jack also showed him the advantages of trading in the boots for the running shoes of that time.
In 1976, Jack ran his first marathon, a SCR event, at that time named “The Melbourne Marathon”. He became its director the next year and continued through 1981. Jack did whatever needed doing for the club, whether it was holding an office no one else would take (sometimes multiple), handing out water or persuading council members that a SCR race would not tie up traffic. Even today, when Jack sees something that needs doing, he just does it. This was evidenced at the November 2000 SCR Marathon when the water stop at mile 5 ran out of cups and water. This stop was almost in front of Jack’s home and he offered and provided the stop with water, cups and Gatorade from his own Team-in-Training supplies until Ken could get back. He was embarrassed when I thanked him for his contribution and refused any repayment.
Although Jack retired from BCC as Department Chairman in 1996, he still is encouraging others to run. He has been the Brevard County coach for Team-in-Training for the last four years. He not only runs and/or walks with his folks at their races but he also raises his own funds, something the TNT coaches don’t have to do. He wants to be an example so he chooses not to accept the “perks” provided to the TNT volunteer staff. Jack discussed how the night before their first marathon, his folks are usually nervous and apprehensive. He became emotional as he described the same runners sharing their victories with him 24 hours later at the TNT post-race party. He truly loves to see others enjoy running…
Jack has “taught” and encouraged hundreds of Brevard County residents to discover the joys of running. Because of Jack Kenworthy, his friends and their collective efforts, Brevard County runners have a running club which they can be proud of.
It is with pride and gratitude that I submit him as a candidate for the SCR 2001 Hall of Fame. — Submitted by Patti Sponsler