Jess Bell

Jess Bell Award

by Mike Twigg

The Jess Bell award. The two winners of this award are determined by our race directors and is given to those who provide outstanding service to our annual race series. "The award used to go to the most improved runner. But it seems fair to go with the volunteers."

Who is Jess Bell? Well...

Where do we start? What Jess has done for this club and the sport of distance running could fill several newsletters. Jess helped launch the Club, was there for the Saturday runs at Scenic Park and gave us a home at his nearby Bonne Bell headquarters. "The Club would never have got off the ground if it wasn't for Jess" said Steve Gladis. Jess has run races of marathon distance or longer all over the world. But on New Year's Day he keeps it local. He is usually the first arrival for the Hangover Run at Bonne Bell. And January 2nd is Jess' birthday. We are a hearty and lucky few who get a chance to sing "Happy Birthday" to him over bagels and coffee.

Mr. Bell has been a champion of athletic wellness for decades. He was invited by Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush to sit on the President's Council of Physical Fitness and Sports. He gives to athletic endeavors all the time, including the Bell Relays at Rocky River High School. Jess provides fitness facilities for employees at Bonne Bell and even built a two mile cinder track through the woods behind the Westlake plant. The track is open to the public, a water fountain is provided and there's ample parking. I've run there many times. Thanks, Jess.

Jess Bell Award Winners

1988 John Kolosvary, Ross Larson	1998 Bob Budzilek, Debbie Lemmer
1989 Larry Gmucs, Ross Larson	1999 Mark Breudigam, Rich Medykowski
1990 Chip Cooper, Ross Larson	2000 Tim Furey, Micky Rzymek
1991 John Kolosvary, George Klier	2001 Mark Breudigam, Tom Prue
1992 Karen Kolosvary, Mark Breudigam	2002 Christine Pavlas, Glenn Dumonthier
1993 Liese Naniger, Joe Naniger	2003 Cathy Fischer, Mark Breudigam
1994 Tim Crisman, Liese Naniger and Joe Naniger	2004 Cathy Fischer, Mike Twigg
1995 Tim Crisman, John Gilmore	2005 Pat Ashmun, Maureen Scullin
1996 Bob Budzilek, Maureen Scullin	2006 JoAnna Brell, Tom Todrank
1997 Bob Budzilek, Debbie Lemmer


2007 Mark Breudigam, Toni Massa	2008 Mark Brinich, Kimberly Roach