On Sunday, November 19, 2023, the Lifetime Service Awards were given out to two members of our club. They were nominated by the board for their innumerable accomplishments in supporting the club during their leadership and subsequent positions with FRWSD. This first post recognizes Andy Kleinke and is text of the presentation by Ken Pahkim, previous Lifetime Service recipient.
I want to share a story about a member who is a friend and an inspiration for the club. With their contributions, we’ve seen that you can challenge the status quo and inspire others to join the journey. This person would never ask others to do something they themselves would not be willing to do. They look for ways to shine the light on others and they take the time to always show care and respect for everyone around them. They are not afraid to set challenges for themselves and for others. This person has led leadership and committee roles in the club for many years. From the time they joined the club in 2015, they jumped right into volunteer opportunities and found ways to infuse their knowledge and share their talents wherever possible. The minute we list their accomplishments, you will all know whom I’m talking about.
Who runs up Texas Street enough times that it’s the equivalent of Everest’s elevation? [Andy trained this route to prepare himself for the inaugural Cocodona 255 mile super-ultramarathon in May 2021]
Who else would run 255 miles from Phoenix to Flagstaff and choose not to drive it? [Andy finished 44th in a field of 108 Finishers (66 did not finish) in a time of 107 hours: 19 minutes][Andy has competed in many marathon events and recently completed the elite Western States Endurance Run in June 2023 with 100 miles in under 24 hours]
Who else has put FRWSD on the San Diego map with our very own Pride 5K, growing the race from less than 500 to 2,500 participants? The leadership has allowed FRWSD to support the LGBT Center and now San Diego Pride with over $300,000 in donations in the last 5 years. [Andy started volunteering in 2013 when he moved to San Diego from Boston and became the Race Director in 2020]
And who else travels, what seems like every month, to exotic destinations around the world and often promotes Front Runners San Diego wherever they go? In fact, they’re so tired of waiting on the airlines, they’re getting their own pilot’s license!
I know you both inspire and scare all the members of the club with your unimaginable and dizzying feats.
Andy Kleinke, you sometimes accomplish more in a week than some people do in a lifetime. Thank you for bringing the Fat Ass Run* to San Diego. Thank you for showing us that what we do can have a huge impact on so many others with the Pride 5K. But most of all, thank you for being part of our family. So tonight, it’s my privilege, on behalf of FRWSD, to honor you with this year’s Lifetime Service Award for 2023.
{Andy has served on the FRWSD Board for many years, 3 as Chair}
*Andy brought the idea of the Fat Ass Run in 2015 to San Diego with a route from the Gliderport to La Jolla Shores and back up along Black’s Beach.
{Andy met his husband, Andy Chang, at FRWSD and were married in October 2021, and currently live in San Diego}