Editor’s Note: We are so happy for Jeff Benjamin, who has spent over 36 years writing for all our publications. Jeff Benjamin, a daily runner and frequent racer, loves our sport, and his enthusiasm in interviews and features is obvious. Thanks, Road Runners Clubs of America, for recognizing our friend, Jeff Benjamin, with your RRCA Journalism Award!
Jeff Benjamin and Frank Shorter, Olympic gold medalists in Munich 1972 and silver medalists in Montreal 1976, were among Jeff’s nominators for the Award.
Recognized By The Sport – Congratulations To Jeff Benjamin – The 2026 Road Runner Club Of America’s Journalism Award!
RBR senior writer Jeff Benjamin with Editor Larry Eder, Ocean Breeze AC, March 1, 2026, photo by Chuck Aragon
Jeff Benjamin’s passion and love of our Sport have been nothing short of impactful, as I know firsthand from being with Jeff, whether live or via cell, text, or email, on an almost daily basis, as we contemplate the various aspects of what we write and present! Since 1990, Jeff Benjamin has written for American Athletics (1990-1994), American Track & Field (1994-2017), RunningNetwork.com (1995-present), and RunBlogRun (2006-present).
Jeff Benjamin, with many of his subjects over the years, starting with American Athletics, from Jeff Benjamin’s photo collection!
From 1990, when I published “American Athletics” magazine right through 2026 with RunBlogRun, Jeff has been one of our great stalwarts in writing profiles, book/product reviews, coverage, and historical pieces, a devotion going on four decades. Jeff’s profiles, notably the over 60 bios he wrote during the COVID crisis, stand out for his positive, view-from-the-inside writing style about our Sport and the great and inspirational people in it. Rarely do writers get to call many of these people friends, but Jeff’s passion and openness no doubt have led to these lasting relationships with all ends of the T&F/Running Spectrum!
Jeff Benjamin did many of his interviews while running, photos from Jeff Benjamin Archives
Many days, Jeff is my first text in the morning, and the last text of the day. As the Mayor of Staten Island Running, Jeff Benjamin loves the sport he writes about, and many of his subjects love him-they nominated Jeff for this important award!
Some of the legends interviewed by Jeff Benjamin for American Track & Field, RunningNetwork, and RunBlogRun over the years, from Jeff Benjamin Archives
So it was joyful but not surprising news when I learned that Jeff will be honored by the Road Runners Club of America in Arlington, Virginia, next month for his significant contributions!
Mike Shriver, Pat Tyson, Eamonn Coghlan, Jeff Benjamin, Bill Dellinger, Craig Virgin, from Jeff Benjamin
Please join me in congratulating Jeff on this award, and appreciate him for all he’s done! Here is a pic collage tribute to Jeff with his subjects (you can guess who they are), where the interview would quite often take place on a run!!
Magnum Officium, Jeff! ( Great Service, from Latin).
Jeff Benjamin with John Carlos, from World Champs 2022
The RRCA Awards Luncheon takes place on Saturday, April 11th, at the Annual RRCA convention in Arlington, VA
The Honoree List Includes –
• Browning Ross Spirit of the RRCA:
•DOUG PITCHFORD, Alpine Runners, Buffalo Grove, IL
•Outstanding Club President of the Year:
•NIKKIA YOUNG, Richmond Road Runners Club, Richmond, VA
•Outstanding RRCA Representative:
•MELANIE CLARK, Alaska Rep
•Outstanding Volunteer of the Year:
•DENNIS DUNN, Anniston Runners Club, Anniston, AL
•Outstanding Beginning Running Program:
•MEAGHAN LANGLOIS, Boston Bulldogs Running Club, Boston, MA
•Outstanding Youth Running Program:
•KIDS ON THE MOVE, Richmond Sports Backers, Richmond, VA
•Road Runners of the Year
•CONNER MANTZ, Open Male
•TAYLOR ROE, Open Female
•SAM CHELANGA, Male Master
•SARA HALL, Female Master
•Communications Excellence:
•PIKES PEAK ROAD RUNNERS, Colorado Springs, CO
•Excellence in Running Journalism:
•JEFF BENJAMIN, Staten Island, NY
Billy MIlls, Jeff Benjamin and Jeff’s Dad, Jack Benjamin, Staten Island , October 30, 2025, The Legends and Youth Gala, photo by Jeff Benjamin
•Road Race of the Year:
•ANNAPOLIS 10 MILE RUN, Annapolis, MD – Rose Dziedzic, Race Director
. RRCA Hall of Fame Induction :
Rich Kenah
Jared Ward
Jeff Benjamin in the modern-day photos by Jeff Benjamin Archives
For convention & awards lunch info, go to – RRCA.org
Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys.
