By Jonathan Turner
East Moline’s Jose “Joe” Moreno attended the Running USA national conference in St. Louis in early February, like he does every year.
But he was shocked to be inducted into its Hall of Champions, which recognizes leaders who’ve made the sport and business of road running the successful and beloved industry it is today. One of three members in the 22nd class, this is an honor reserved for those who have given their time, energy and passion to improving the sport in new directions.
Running USA is the leading organization committed to the growth and success of the running industry.
“It was a total surprise,” Moreno, 69, said recently of the honor. He’s the longtime director of the Quad Cities Marathon, the Firecracker Run and Freedom Run. The QC Marathon has been a Running USA member for years and he’s attended its annual conferences, which are often in the South, for about 20 years.
“It’s a good organization. There’s a lot of resources with it,” Moreno said. “As race directors, you get to do a lot of networking on sessions, on everything race related, sponsorship, timing, course.”
For the Hall of Champions (in 2005, the second class included Bix 7 race director Ed Froelich of Davenport), each honoree has “served with many years of dedication, imagination, distinction, courage, and selflessness,” according to Running USA. “Each has made a contribution that has enhanced the sport, made it more compelling and rewarding, and this award acknowledges and recognizes their noteworthy contribution to the sport.”
Moreno is the founder of the QC Marathon, and “a nationally respected leader who has spent nearly three decades building inclusive, runner-first events that have strengthened the sport across the Midwest,” the Running USA website says. “Known for visionary course design, hands-on servant leadership, and personal touches like greeting every finisher, Joe’s work has left a lasting impact on both the running community and the broader industry.”
An East Moline native, Moreno had run in over 20 marathons all over the U.S. before starting the QC Marathon.
“I would go to these marathons not just to run, but to observe and see how they did,” he said. “And those races, a lot of them were so gracious and kind. I would tell them who I am, that I’m a race director from a little marathon back in the Midwest. I’m here to run the race. And number two, to learn from you. And a lot of them, they became friends.
“And I think that’s one reason why I received this award was when my name came up,” he said. “A lot of those folks have known me, and they knew I’m just a small potato in this big pot of stew. But I’ve been very consistent. I’m very passionate about this over the years.”
“This conference doesn’t increase participation numbers. It enhances and educates and assists race directors, race planners, organizers with resources, information, experience, and knowledge,” Moreno said, noting it also functions like a race store, where directors can meet with vendors who produce T-shirts and medals to get the best deals.
Moreno’s marathon assistant director, Mike Mallon, nominated him for the award.
“I was so honored. I mean, we’re just a small potato here in the United States,” Moreno said. “But our ratings are like nines, on a scale of 1 to 10, we have great reviews.”
The Firecracker Run usually attracts over 3,000 people and QC Marathon about 4,500 (including 800 who do the full 26.2-mile race), in five races, through four cities, over three bridges, two states, and one island.
This August will be the 14th running of the Freedom Run 5K, with proceeds going to UnityPoint Trinity’s veterans center. The TBK Bank QC Marathon started in 1998 (which this Sept. 27 will host the Road Runners Club of America marathon championship) and this year is the 44th anniversary of the MercyOne Genesis Firecracker Run on July 4, and that event funded the creation of Runner’s Park in downtown East Moline.
Moreno (a former alderman and East Moline mayor) has four children and seven grandkids, including granddaughter Maddie Miller-Ross, a grad student at University of Illinois-Springfield, and a standout runner.
Moreno learned to swim when he was 60, to do triathlons (swim, bike, and run), and he’s done about a dozen. He’s been retired from 3M in Cordova for 13 years.
He first started running in high school, called himself a “troubled teenager,” and worked with the Youth Service Bureau. “The two guys assigned to my case to mentor me happened to be runners,” he said. “And one thing led to another, and they took me to races, and I just started running some races.”
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