Anne Audain Running Her Way Through Life

Few Evansvillians, even enthusiastic distance runners, are aware that there is a world-class pioneer in professional distance running living right here among us, in the person of Anne Audain. The native New Zealander has traveled a long road both geographically and metaphorically from her native land to Southern Indiana.

She chronicles her journey in her biography, “Uncommon Heart” from Cedarwinds Publishing and is the subject of the documentary film “Anne Audain: Running Her Way.”  Her life is traced from meeting challenges as a child born with deformed feet, to a teen-aged running phenom after painful surgery to correct the foot problems, to a career as a teacher. From her teaching career, she stepped onto the world stage to make a name for herself as a three time Olympian, World record holder, Gold medalist and the first woman to become a professional distance runner in the US. Ms. Audain is now a motivational speaker who has spoken at institutions of higher learning such as Indiana and Purdue Universities and in the corporate world for companies like her former running sponsor, Nike.

We are struck by Anne’s philosophy as a teacher, which is to endeavor “to give children the self-esteem necessary to reach their goals and dreams.” She is a living example of just what determination and belief in oneself can accomplish, which makes her as much of a “natural” as a motivational speaker as she is as a distance runner. Her discussion of her father’s influence on her success offers some wisdom to all parents who are dedicated to helping their children accomplish exceptional goals. His extraordinary adopted daughter credits him with teaching her the attitudes that led her to being inducted into three Halls of Fame in two countries and recognition from Queen Elizabeth II as a Member of the British Empire.

The City-County Observer is pleased to spread the news of this renowned resident’s accomplishments by awarding two autographed copies of “ Uncommon Heart” to our readers weekly for the next several months. One copy will go to the most notable posters, one on this site and our Facebook page. Monday, March 14 is the first day of the first contest and the winners will be announced at the end of the week. Good luck, everybody! Winning this prize is worth your efforts, as the book is a “great read.”

Accomplishments Of Anne Audain

Qualified for Six Olympic Games –1972 to 1992 in every distance from 800m to marathon.
Pioneered professionalism for female track and field competitors by accepting prize money at the first professional event in 1981 which resulted in a “temporary” lifetime ban from the sport.
Set a World Record for 5000 meters, Auckland, New Zealand 1982.
Awarded the New Zealand Medal of Honor, 1990.
Honored by Queen Elizabeth II of England with a Member of the British Empire award in1995.
Inducted into the Running USA Hall of Fame, 2008. www.runningusa.org
Inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, 2009. www.halloffame.co.nz
Inducted into Road Runner Clubs of America Distance Hall of Fame 2014 www.rrca.org
Founded the “St Luke’s Women’s Celebration 5K” in Boise, Idaho (1993) that became the largest run /walk for women and children in the USA. Now called FitOne (2013) www.FitOneBoise.org

Philosophy

Few know that before Anne Audain was a household name in running, she was a household name in the homes of her grade school students in the Auckland School District. Anne always wanted to teach because she believed in giving children the self-esteem necessary to reach their goals and dreams. Today she relies on her running experiences and other accomplishments to teach through her motivational speaking and other activities. Her speaking engagements include those at Indiana University, Purdue University, U of Evansville, Vincennes University, Case Western University, Delta Airlines, KeyBank, Pepsi Co., Nike Concept Stores and the Women’s Sports Foundation.

History

Born 1955 in Auckland, New Zealand, with severe bone deformities of both feet. Adopted at birth.
Did not walk correctly until re-constructive surgery at age 13. Three years later qualified for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games in the 1500m.
Graduated from Auckland Teachers College with honors (1975). Taught at the elementary level for 4 years before arriving in the USA to further her sporting career (March 1981).
Won more USA road races (75) than any other male or female runner in the 1980’s.
Won Gold (3000m) and Silver (10,000m) medals at the Commonwealth Games – Australia 1982, Scotland 1986.
Founded the Anne Audain Charitable Trust (1991) to support “at risk” youth in Auckland,
New Zealand.
Became USA Citizen, 1995.
Launched the Anne Audain Scholarship Awards which fund college scholarships for young
women balancing academics, sports, leadership and community endeavors- Idaho, 2000.
Member of the Board of Directors of Running USA 2009-2015 (Running Event Trade Group)

REFERENCES:

“Your presentation was appreciated by all the first ladies in attendance. You were magnificent!” – Patricia Kempthorne, Former First Lady of Idaho.

“ Very few people have the ability to make students not only listen but to really hear what is being said. Anne Audain is one of those people. The students began as passive listeners and ended as engaged learners.” –Neil Saunders, Upper School Head, Evansville Day School.

“Having interviewed and worked with Anne many times, one would be hard pressed to find a more inspiring and hard working individual. She has committed herself to a life of leadership and excellence.” – Hal Rothman, Producer of Running and Racing on ESPN.

“ Anne Audain possesses a natural ability to communicate and relate to people of all backgrounds, income levels and cultures.” – Sergeant First Class, John Murphy, USA Army National Guard and Director for the Guard’s National Marathon Program.

“ Several individuals, primarily students, have told me that Anne Audain was one of the finest motivational speakers they have heard.”- Pauline King, Superintendent of the Payette School District, Idaho.

“Any entity concerned with promoting and/ or enriching a fitness lifestyle or event could do no better than have Anne Audain serve as it’s representative or spokesperson.”- Patrick Shoulders, Director of the River Run, Evansville IN. Currently a Member of the IU Board of Trustees.

“On behalf of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), I want to thank you for speaking at our State Conference. Everyone was really impressed and said you were the best speaker we’ve ever had at our conference.” – Jan Winner, Area Captain, Idaho.

“ I’ve heard nothing but “ wows” from our student athletes and coaches. You are an inspiration to us all.”- Sarah Solinsky, Senior Woman Administrator, University of Evansville, IN.

“ Your presentation was both inspirational and motivational and certainly contributed to the health and well-being of all the participants at the annual conference.”- Katherine Wilbur, Health Director of the Maine Department of Education.

“ I can surely testify to Anne’s personal power to effect positive changes in anyone who meets her and listens to her speak.”- Drew Mearns, Theology Teacher and Cross-Country Coach at the Walsingham Academy, Virginia.

“ I want to thank you personally for all the various speeches you gave to clubs, corporations and schools. It was a pleasure to hear your inspiring words.”- Brenda Berger, Program Director of the Women’s Heart Advantage, St Luke’s Hospital, Idaho.

“ No words can express how much I appreciate your thought provoking and inspirational message both to the girls and adults present.”- Deborah Wagner, Director of the Girl Scouts of Southern Indiana.

“The staff enjoyed you immensely and are already asking when you can return. I don’t think we could have asked for a more perfect speaker and message to encourage and inspire.” – Martha Brown, Executive Director at Evansville, IN Community Health Care.

FOOTNOTE: If you looking for a MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER please contact Anne at Phone: 812-457-4269 or e-mail: anneaudain@aol.com

Biography: “Uncommon Heart” (Cedarwinds Publishing 2000)  and Documentary Film “Anne Audain:Running Her Way” (2009).   Anne Audain is from new Zealand Native USA Citizen (1995)

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