Blake Bolden-USATF Men's Long Distance Running Chair presenting me with the H. Browning Ross Long Distance Running Merit Award. The award is given annually by USATF to that individual who has made an outstanding contribution and/or has been of service to the sport of long distance running in the U.S. It was named in honor of the founder of the AAU LDR committee and the Road Runners Club of America, as well as the first recipient of the award in 1969. The award has been bestowed annually since its inception.
NOTE: This post was updated in bold on 12/21/2024)
(December 30, 2018) I am deeply honored and profoundly humbled to have been recognized by USATF and to join the incredible list of individuals who have received the H. Browning Ross Award. Words cannot fully capture my gratitude for this humbling experience and distinction.
For those reasons, I’ve become deeply committed to supporting events, like those that helped me grow and to creating new opportunities for the next generation. As our sport continues to evolve, we must look ahead and shape the future we want it to have. Running is inherently simple, and while some argue it needs reinvention, I believe its greatest appeal lies in its purity. Create the opportunity, and the competition will naturally follow. At its core, we all want to witness athletes push their boundaries and test their limits—that’s what makes this sport so powerful.
As we look to the future, we have big goals and plans. Along with road, mountain and trail championships we will partner with the United State Snowshoe Association to offer a collegiate championship for men and women. (updated 12/2024 - In 2020 the CRA and the USSA partnered to offer the first Collegiate Snowshoe Championship in Leadville, CO)
Since the age of 9, running through the hills, back roads and ATV trails of Pleasants County, West Virginia, I have been deeply passionate—some might say obsessed—with the sport of running. And yes, obsessed is the right word. The type of running has never mattered to me; I simply love it all. Whether it’s two kids racing down the street to settle a playful rivalry or an athlete striving to make an Olympic team, racing is racing. At its core, winning a distance race often boils down to a single, split-second decision made amidst the relentless intensity of self-inflicted pain: Who is willing to push forward as the discomfort and effort reach a crescendo?
The relentless pursuit of testing my limits was always my greatest motivation. With every mile I logged, the same questions echoed in my mind: Can I push myself further today than I did yesterday? Am I becoming better, stronger, more refined with each passing day? Have I cleared the fog to see the person in the mirror with sharper clarity? Have I stretched the edges of my willpower? Can I not only endure more pain but also embrace it—welcoming discomfort with eagerness and rising to face it more boldly every time the chance presents itself? This mindset became the guiding mantra of my competitive career and journey.
The relentless pursuit of testing my limits was always my greatest motivation. With every mile I logged, the same questions echoed in my mind: Can I push myself further today than I did yesterday? Am I becoming better, stronger, more refined with each passing day? Have I cleared the fog to see the person in the mirror with sharper clarity? Have I stretched the edges of my willpower? Can I not only endure more pain but also embrace it—welcoming discomfort with eagerness and rising to face it more boldly every time the chance presents itself? This mindset became the guiding mantra of my competitive career and journey.
Running is a sport that appears deceptively simple—just take one more step. But that simplicity hides a depth that reveals itself the more you commit to it. It’s pure, unpretentious, and grounded in effort, a sport free from the influence of subjective officiating often found in some other sports. It’s a working-class pursuit, built on grit and determination.
I've never met a successful distance runner who was lazy. The lifestyle demands too much for laziness to have a place. It’s not just about the miles, the sleep, the healthy meals, or the carefully crafted workouts—though those are essential. Running is a way of life.
The beauty of this sport is that it offers everyone a chance to succeed in their own way. Not everyone will become an Olympian, but everyone can test their limits. Everyone can achieve their personal best. Everyone can push themselves into that uncharted territory—a place of discomfort so profound it transforms into comfort, even peace. A place where being uncomfortable becomes second nature. For those who’ve been there, you know exactly what I mean. As Henry Rollins said, "If you know what I mean, then you know what I mean".
I’m the youngest of five boys, raised in a small West Virginia town by loving parents who instilled in us the values of integrity, hard work, knowing right from wrong, having faith, and facing adversity with both compassion and strength. My dad and brothers also showed me how and when it appropriate, to fight—not just physically, but for what matters in life. They also taught me that being nice is not showing weakness, however when the line is crossed you might as well throw down, then move onward. They were the ones who set me on my path.
It wasn’t until years later, after countless miles where you learn self-reflection, that I came to fully appreciate the roots I came from. Having a “redneck and a blue collar” isn’t something to shy away from—it’s something to embrace, a strength - even if you don’t wear it outwardly for all to see. Running played a big part in helping me understand that. It has a way of revealing who you really are, especially during those formative years of growth and discovery.
After retiring from competitive running following the 1996 U.S. Olympic Marathon Team Trials, I knew it was time to shift my personal passion toward creating opportunities for aspiring athletes striving to excel in this sport. Running has always been a shared passion in my family, and my brothers and I have had countless conversations for hours and hours and hours about it over the years. One thing became clear to me after stepping away from competition: the races and meets that shaped my journey didn’t just happen.
The Hershey Youth Track & Field Meet, Kinney (now Footlocker) Cross Country Championships, the local road races, cross country meets, and track events I grew up with—they were made possible by people. Officials, coaches, volunteers, and athletes worked together to make those opportunities a reality. Without their efforts, I wouldn’t have had the chance to compete, earn a scholarship, and become a first-generation college graduate. Those events gave me the platform to develop my skills, push my limits, and literally explore the world. They allowed me to discover who I truly am.
Running isn’t just something I did; it’s who I am. It defined me then, and it still does today.
For those reasons, I’ve become deeply committed to supporting events, like those that helped me grow and to creating new opportunities for the next generation. As our sport continues to evolve, we must look ahead and shape the future we want it to have. Running is inherently simple, and while some argue it needs reinvention, I believe its greatest appeal lies in its purity. Create the opportunity, and the competition will naturally follow. At its core, we all want to witness athletes push their boundaries and test their limits—that’s what makes this sport so powerful.
In 2012, NCAA legislation for Division I student-athletes in individual sports underwent a pivotal change, allowing them to accept prize money to cover sport-related expenses within a calendar year. This change, which took effect in August 2013, may have seemed minor at first glance but ultimately opened the door to new possibilities.
Inspired by this shift, the 501(c)(3) non-profit Collegiate Running Association (CRA) was established to create Collegiate National Championship events in road, mountain, and trail running, with prize money specifically reserved for college students. These areas of collegiate running—road, mountain, and trail—were not previously governed by any national body.
In its creation the CRA not only provided new opportunities for college athletes but also became the first organization to offer prize money exclusively to them. As of December, 2018 the Collegiate Running Association and its event partners have awarded over $120,000 (updated as of 12/2024- $560,000) in prize money, awards, prizes, and travel support to college students enrolled in at least one course at any level. Additionally, at this time 17 CRA members have qualified to compete for 26 nation teams including the Olympic Games, World Track & Field Championships, World Cross Country Championships, World Mountain Running Championships, World Snowshoe Running Championships and Sky Running World Championships to name a few. This initiative has significantly enhanced opportunities for collegiate runners and elevated their experience within the sport, along with strengthening team USA.
We are working actively to bring the USATF National Cross Country Championships to the Richmond region with the goal to host those at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville, VA. The venue will handle the magnitude of the event and our partners within the community are very supportive of the concept. (updated 12/2024 - The 2023 and 2024 USATF National Cross Country Championships were hosted at Pole Green Park and selected the U.S. teams for the 2023 and 2024 World Cross Country Championships)
Although we have not structured the CRA as a membership based/driven organization, we also want to grow our free membership. Currently we have nearly 7,000 members (updated 12/2024- currently 13,000+ members).
Again, my many thanks to everyone who provides us with support and helps expand opportunities within this amazing sport.
via Collegiate Running Association
Steve Taylor Receives H. Browning Ross Long Distance Running Merit Award
via University of Richmond Sports Information
Taylor Honored with H. Browning Ross Long Distance Running Merit Award
Steve Taylor Receives H. Browning Ross Long Distance Running Merit Award
via University of Richmond Sports Information
Taylor Honored with H. Browning Ross Long Distance Running Merit Award
