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Les Kinion Award

y trade, Les Kinion was a Baltimore fire fighter with Engine Company 43. By passion, he was first a runner and
Bthen a running club officer and race director. In 1970, Les co-founded the Baltimore Road Runners Club, one of
the earliest chapters of the Road Runners Club of America. In 1973 he helped launch the first Maryland Marathon.
After retiring in 1986, Les moved to Bishopville, MD and worked on hundreds of races on the Maryland-Delaware
Coast. He became involved with the Cherry Blossom Run over 20 years ago, and was active until he passed away in
July 2014 at the age of 78.
In 2015, race organizers established the Les Kinion Outstanding Service Award, which was awarded to former
Deputy Race Director Irv Newman. In 2016, longtime Logistics Coordinator, George Tarrico won the award. In 2017,
longtime Volunteer Coordinator Michelle Carter was recognized for her many contributions. And in 2018, Jean
Arthur was awarded the Les Kinion Outstanding Service Award in recognition of her 20 years of service to the event.
Press releases about Irv, George, Michelle and Jean can be found in the archives at: http://www.cherryblossom.org/
aboutus/pr2017.php
In announcing the 2018 Les Kinion Outstanding Service Award winner, Jean Arthur, Race Director Phil Stewart said:
“Les Kinion was very much at the heart and soul of the Cherry Blossom race committee for over 20 years.” “He coordi-
nated the screen printing of the t-shirts, packaged and delivered over 150 separate packets for committee members and
others, and worked all race weekend long – always with a smile and effusive spirit that rejuvenated even the most tired
among us. There wasn’t a single thing that Les wouldn’t do to help out the race.”
“This year’s Kinion Award recipient, Jean Arthur, has been as essential to the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run as the
water and Gatorade she has served to our participants for the last 20 years. Jean overseas a corps of water stop captains
who get up before 4:00 a.m. on race day year after year largely due to the loyalty and respect she has earned from each
and every one of them.”

Photo: Dennis Steinauer

Event Director Phil Stewart Presents Jean Arthur with the Les Kinion Award. Arthur has coordinated all of the water
stops on the course for 20 years.
2019 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Media Guide 45