The Twin Cities Marathon Association presents the 2004 JERRY WILSON "VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR" AWARD Jerry Wilson ran his first marathon at age 40 and ran 42 of them, with a personal best of 3 hours, 27 minutes. But maybe greater than his love of finishing marathons himself was his love of coaching other runners. He helped with training programs for the American Lung Association and Northwest Athletic Club before founding Team Salubrious in 2001. He named his team after an old drinking toast that means “promoting health.” The team meets three times each week and its many members have become a familiar sight on the TCM course each October, as well as other marathon routes around the country. Team Salubrious runners say their coach loved the community spirit of running, and they call him a mentor, an inspiration, and a one-man pep squad. He recruited first-time runners, long-time runners, and many in between of every skill and athletic ability. He would plan and mark routes, set up water stops, bike back and forth between runners to offer support and encouragement. He would provide inspirational thoughts and training tips, sometimes when a runner needed it most but didn’t know it. Jerry was a familiar face to TCM too, having served on the Events and Services committee among other volunteer positions over the years. He was often found at the TCM finish line, putting medals around the necks of the many runners he trained as well as countless other finishers, greeting them all with his warm smile and words of congratulations. His passion and enthusiasm will be missed, but his legacy will live on in everyone who knew him, and now in the Jerry Wilson Volunteer of the Year Award. The first recipient of this award is Tom Breen. “Tommy B” was nominated by members of the Equipment committee in the Race Operations division. He was chosen by his fellow volunteers as someone who, like Jerry, is reliable and enthusiastic, has a friendly and positive attitude, is supportive and passionate, and is willing to go above and beyond the call of duty in support of the Twin Cities Marathon. Tom has been a volunteer at each and every TCM since its inception in 1981. He’s a “behind the scenes” volunteer, moving supplies and building equipment in the weeks and days leading up to the race. Tom can be found setting up the course at midnight and tearing it down fifteen hours later. Without complaint Tom contributes hours to the heaviest and heartiest tasks TCM has to dole out, and then has been heard to ask with a smile what else needs to be done. During the off-season Tom even finds potential sponsors and connects them with the TCM staff. “I feel like a little cog, a spoke in a big wheel,” says Tom. “I just want to get things done; just do as much as I can, as fast as I can, as good as I can. I want to do what’s best for TCM.” Tom has high praise for all TCM volunteers, who he says come from all walks of life ready to pitch in. Tom aptly sums up his volunteer experiences: “You can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.” Congratulations to Tommy B, and thanks to Jerry for giving all of us someone to look up to. —Kristin Murra Thank you to the Twin Cities Marathon Association for remembering Jerry Wilson and naming this special award after him.  He loved the Twin Cities Marathon as much as the running community loved him!   With gratitude, Jerry's Kids; Lindy, Ryan, Julie, Gigi, Inga and Jebediah