Norm Harris Achievement Award 2007 Presented to David Purinton

I know that most of the speeches start off with a bunch of statistics about the winner so here are a few about our award winner David Purinton.

David has been the HTC president for 10yrs which was by the way the last time I actually ran well!!! Started in Jan of 1998. David was also the youngest Track Club president in HTC history a scant 29 years old when he started. The haircut that you see is to hide all the gray!!!!

Two years prior he was the HTC treasurer which Clare shared with me were the longest 2 years of his life probably for the fact that he does not even know how to pay his own bills at home.

David and Clare both have race directed an HTC event (starting with Women’s Distance and moving to the ReCreation 5K) since 1996.

He won the HTC Grand Prix 6 years in a row( I did tell him though the only reason he did win is that I was off winning Ultras and bringing fame and fortune to Huntsville)

What most people do not realize though is that there was a two year period that Dave could not run because of a stress fracture in his heel and yet he was at all the races helping in some way to make the HTC better. He as worked tirelessly to give money back to the community when Lou Hovatter who is sitting with us today called and asked David if the Track Club would be willing to give bicycles to underprivileged kids his response was not let me think about it it was how many do you need!!! Clare also shared with me one of Dave most proud accomplishment within the Track Club was helping in getting the Liz Hurley race up and off the ground and as you are all very aware that race has blossomed in to one of the most successful events in Huntsville. Dave coordinated the track club sponsoring a room in the Hospital ER and getting necessary life saving equipment to the police department. He has fostered relationships within the community that will benefit this club and many other clubs in Huntsville for years to come.

Now for the more personal notes of David Purinton. I have never met a person that actually plans his spontaneity. This was best seen when we decided last minute to go and race the Big South Fork trail race. I have had the privilege to travel to many races with the Purinton family. I have had the privilege to be Clare’s husband when Dave would not confront a nasty Hotel manager we did get free stays by the way. You want anything ever negotiated let Clare and I tag team it will get done!!! I have also never met someone more dedicated to his family and be more eager to share them I for one am a better person for getting to know his grandmother BA. She literally became a grandmother to us all. I have also never met a person more dedicated to his friends. When I asked him to pace me at Western States there was no hesitation it was just when are we going. Now it was difficult dealing with Dave enthusiasm after leaving Forresthill but it was one of the best times of my life and I appreciate every minute we were out there together. Dave is one of those people that you know will be there for you any time. Please help me congratulate David. David thank you for all you are.