Tribute to Ron McElliott

by Steve Fiorina (from all of us)

It will be a glorious 4th of July in Scripps Ranch. It will be a bittersweet celebration as well. The Old Pros will present the first 10K, fun run, and bike ride without Ron McElliott.

We will miss Ron but we will also see the fruits of his labors that tens of thousands of people have enjoyed over the years. Ron was the first chairman of the 10K; his hard work and leadership were the foundation for the wonderful event we share in Scripps Ranch and Hoyt Park every 4th. But Ron was much more. He also served as Chairman of the Board and President of the Old Pros. He was the one who made the Chula Vista Marina a reality.

His professional successes are secondary, though, to the personal warmth of the man. Ron left a loving family, and so many friends, all of whom were deeply saddened by his death last October.

He'd just finished the Arturo Barrios 10K in the South Bay, which he founded, when he was stricken. It was a somber Sunday evening in Scripps Ranch...in San Diego.

The Old Pros are dedicating this and our future 10Ks to the memory of our friend, our brother...Ron McElliott.

There will be tears this 4th of July, but there will be many more smiles. Those smiles are Ron's legacy.

Ron at one of the earlier 10K's.

Ron's infectious smile is missed but not forgotten.  He touched everyone with it.