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Rebecca Sparks

Hall of Fame

Rebecca Sparks

REBECCA SPARKS: Passion for All Things Running

“…Rebecca began running in high school and set four, still unbroken, Kansas State High School records. Her record-setting running continued in college where she presently also holds six records at Bethany College in Kansas. She was a 6-time medalist and World-Wide Air Force National Champion. She has broken 27 Florida road race course records, has been the Overall Female Track Shack Grand Prix champion five times as well as the SCR ROY Female champion a total of six times. Her PRs include a 5K time of 17:29 and a 10K of 36:34.

Rebecca has been a SCR Board member since 1991. She was Race Director for the “Downtown Melbourne 5K” for two years as well as the creator and Race Director for the Cocoa Beach Thanksgiving “Turkey Trot 5K”. She created and continues to direct the “Peak When it Counts” running camp which, in conjunction with SCR, was Brevard’s first public enterprise to promote running fitness and enjoyment. Additionally, Rebecca opened Brevard’s first and only exclusive specialty store “Up & Running on the East Coast, Inc.”. Finally, Rebecca has created and will be sponsoring the “Summer Race Series, 2001”, Brevard’s only summer running series.

NOMINATION FOR SPACE COAST RUNNERS’ HALL OF FAME

CANDIDATE’S NAME: Rebecca Sparks

NUMBER OF YEARS WITH SCR: 1991 – Present

ATHLETIC RUNNING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 

  • 1982 – 1985: Kansas State High School: Sest four, still unbroken, high school records
  • 1985 – 1989: Johnson County Community College, Kansas: Three time All-American
  • Bethany College, Kansas: Three time All-Region and three time All-Conference
  • Presently holds six college records
  • 1989-1993: World-Wide Air Force National Champion, 6 time medalist
  • Female Athlete of the Year, Patrick Air Force Base (1992)
  • 1994 – Present: 5-time SCR Female Runner of the Year
  • 5-time Track Shack Grand Prix OA Female
  • Gator Relays 1500m Champion, Gainesville, FL
  • Kansas University Relays – 3rd place finish
  • Duke Relays – 5th place finish
  • 27 Florida road race course records broken

PRs:

  • 10,000m – 36:34
  • 5,000m – 17:29
  • Mile – 4:36
  • 1,500m – 4:22
  • 800m – 2:04

COMMUNITY RUNNING ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

  • 1991 – Present: Member of Board of Directors of Space Coast Runners.
  • 1994 – 1995: Race Director of the “Downtown Melbourne 5K” to benefit The Haven, a home for abused and neglected children.
  • 1998 – Created and continues to direct the “Peak When It Counts Camp”, Brevard’s first established public enterprise to promote running fitness and enjoyment in the community.
  • 9/2000: Opened Brevard’s first and only exclusive running specialty store, UP & Running on the East Coast, Inc. The store collected new toys for needy children at Christmas.
  • 11/2000: Created and directed the first annual Thanksgiving “Turkey Trot 5K”. Partial proceeds donated to the Thanksgivin dinner for the homeless at Fisher Park, Cocoa Beach.
  • Continual: Rebecca generously donates her time, talents and material goods to help those who are in need. Until you get to know her, you don’t realize how much of her “wealth” she gives away willingly. She is a most unselfish humanitarian in addition to her athletic prowess.