Crystal Knickelbein of Huntsville received the Norman Harris Award as an outstanding volunteer Tuesday night at the annual Huntsville Track Club awards banquet.
The club was founded in 1971. A variety of awards have been given since 1975. The Norman Harris Award is given to a person or persons “to recognize extraordinary volunteerism in regard to not only the HTC, but also running in general.”
Knickelbein is a planning specialist with the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Along with regularly participating in and volunteering for local events, she has been a Fleet Feet Team member.
Other awards and recipients, with descriptions:
Gerri and Jeff Plain, Tom Bolt President’s Award — Gerri and Jeff Plain of Huntsville are longtime runners and supporters who put on the weekly Huntsville Pub Run and Rise ‘n Shine run. The popular pub group runs at local pubs and restaurants have been held on Wednesday evenings for the last nine years, and the latter on Sunday mornings. The award, named for former club president Tom Bolt, is “to allow the President to recognize a person, group, or organization that has made a significant contribution to the Club or proved especially helpful in the conduct of club business. The President selects the recipient for the award without restriction, which includes consideration of the board members.”
Pete Schreiner, Media Award — A retired newspaper photographer and avowed trail junkie, Schreiner is an unmistakable presence at local events. Whether dashing along trails in summer only in shorts and shoes with his Canon or quietly observing and working at an aid station for more intimate moments, his photos capture the essence of dirtbags. The award is presented by the HTC Executive Board to “a member of the media, media organization, or other media-related individual making a dedicated effort and worthy contribution to the sport of running and the ideals which the club strives to achieve.”
Shannon and Kevin Green, Admiration Award — This power couple from Huntsville can be found on the roads in everything from 5Ks to half marathons. Members of Ainsley’s Angels, Kevin pushes Shannon in road events, or they volunteer for events. Shannon also volunteers for trail events Kevin runs, such as Mountain Mist. The award is given to “a person be admired by a significant segment of the club membership.”
Kim Hanson, Tinsley Dedication Award — Hanson took over in 2024 as race director of the annual Huntsville Half Marathon, one of the city’s oldest continuous athletic events, and contributes at others. She is a member of the Team Rocket Tri Club. The honor is “traditionally awarded to a club member, who for many years has silently and unassumingly contributed considerable time, effort and talent to our club that has been a significant benefit to the members.”
Dink Taylor, Service Award — A longtime HTC member, Taylor served for years as VP of Races/Equipment before stepping back in 2024. Taylor also is founder and director for the annual Mountain Mist 50K in January, one of the iconic trail ultras based at Monte Sano State Park. The award is given “to a club member, civic organization or supporter for outstanding service contributions to the club and sport over an extended number of years.”
Huntsville Parks and Recreation, Appreciation Award — Many local events are held at facilities maintained by Huntsville Parks and Recreation Department, including John Hunt Park running course and local swim facilities. Huntsville Track Club (and Team Rocket Tri Club) use these solidly maintained facilities year-round. James Gossett is director of the department. The award is given “to an individual, company, municipal or civic organization for outstanding contributions to the club and sport over an extended number of years. The Appreciation Award is most often presented to our major race sponsors or product sponsors for contributions which save the HTC money allowing us to conduct a first class race and pass the savings on to those who enter our events.”
Carl Smith, RRCA Browning Ross Spirit of the RRCA Award Nominee — If you’ve run an HTC event over the years, you’ve likely seen Smith at the finish line manning the timing clock. He served HTC well for many years in this capacity, providing accurate result in a timely manner. Smith received the HTC honorary lifetime member award in 2023. The RRCA spirit award “honors an individual who is an unsung hero in their club.”
Kim Balzer, RRCA Outstanding Volunteer Award Nominee — Balzer is a longtime runner and volunteer for HTC events, present to provide help with myriad duties along with a smile and generous demeanor. The award is “given to recognize the outstanding volunteer (excluding the president) of a local club. A general selection criterion includes someone that is a dedicated volunteer to the local running club and someone that stands out among the other volunteers in the club.” This award is formerly known as the Rod Steele Memorial Award.
Hunter Nails, Outstanding Male Performance — A regular podium finisher in local events, Nails was fourth in the recent Vulcan Run 10K in Birmingham along with other top outings this year. He lives in Huntsville.
Malia Gill, Outstanding Female Performance — Also a regular on the podium, Gill won the inaugural Run the Cove Half in spring. She also was honored by the Team Rocket Tri Club this year with its Rick Greif Award for outstanding achievement and volunteerism. She lives in Madison.
Jack Shattuck, Outstanding HTC High School Cross Country Runner Award — Shattuck is a junior at Grissom High School. Among other top finishes this season, he was third in the 7A State Championship cross country meet Nov. 8 in Oakville. His finishing time was 15:28.27. Shattuck will compete in the New Balance Running Lane Championships at John Hunt Running Park on Dec. 6.
Nora Allan, Outstanding HTC High School Cross Country Runner Award — Allan is a freshman at Whitesburg Christian Academy in Huntsville. She recently won the 4A State Championship cross country title by 45 seconds to claim her first title and helped WCA to its third straight state championship.
