Local Runner Receives RRCA Roads Scholar Award

The RRCA is pleased to introduce and congratulate the 2011-2012 Class of Roads Scholars.

Since 1996, the Road Runners Club of America has awarded grants totaling over $360,000 through the Roads Scholar® program. The goal of the program is to assist American post collegiate runners who show great promise to develop into national and world-class road running athletes.  The grants awarded by the RRCA go directly to the athletes to help support their goals of becoming world-class distance runners.

Tyler McCandless

McCandless graduated from Northampton High School where he was a District 11 Champion and record holder in the 3200 meter run with a time of 9:13.01, as well as a PIAA State Medalist in Cross Country and Track and Field.  After graduating, McCandless ran one year for the University of Maryland before transferring to Penn State University.  At Penn State, he flourished under Coach Beth Alford-Sullivan, steadily progressing to a 29:15 personal best 10k and an All-American performance in that event in the spring of 2010.

McCandless quickly showed promise as a professional road racer with a 46:04 15k at the Utica Boilermaker, claiming top American honors.  He was also the top American finisher at the Buffalo Subaru Chase 4-Miler, and he won the San Francisco Half-Marathon and set a course record with a time of 1:05:02.  In his debut marathon, McCandless finished 6th at the 2010 California International Marathon with a time of 2:17:22.  In 2011, he ran 1:05:38 at the USA Half-Marathon Championships and 45:17 at the USA 15k Championships.  He also won and broke the course record in Denver, Colorado at the 2011 RRCA Colorado State Championships 10 mile in a time of 52:08 at 5300ft elevation. He finished 8th overall and top American at the 2011 Indianapolis Mini-Marathon with a time of 1:05:09 and followed that with a 2:17:09 marathon personal best at Grandma’s Marathon to finish 11th overall.  McCandless is coached by Brad Hudson and is sponsored by Mizuno and Honey Milk.

“It is a great honor to be chosen as a 2011 RRCA Roads Scholar, and I am very proud to follow in the footsteps of many great athletes who have been previously awarded this prestigious scholarship.  I am very thankful to the RRCA and all of the donors who make this award possible.  I’m very fortunate to have an amazing support system of family and friends that make professional running not only possible, but a dream come true.” – Tyler McCandless

The other athletes receiving this year’s Roads Scholar Award are Megan Duwell, Lex Williams, Meghan Armstrong, Bobby Mack, and Megan Hogan.