BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Inspiring his athletes, school administration and his community to Run Happy with his own selfless commitment and passion for track makes Coach Paul Raley stand out from the pack. A willingness to volunteer personal time and pay out of pocket to restart the track and field program at the high school where his coaching career began over 30 years ago earned him the title of 2012 Brooks Inspiring Coach of the Year.

Leading running company Brooks Sports, Inc. today announced Coach Paul Raley from Benton High School in Benton, Wis., its 2012 most inspiring coach. In nominations from his runners, fellow coaches and community members, Raley was described as someone who “loves the sport and passes that love along to his athletes” and whose “dedication and commitment to his athletes serve as inspiration to all who know him.”

“We created the Brooks Inspiring Coaches program to recognize the unsung heroes in our sport who hit the track and trails every day to make a lifelong impact in the lives of young runners,” said Jim Weber, president and CEO of Brooks Sports, Inc. “Inspirational coaches teach lessons on the run that go well beyond the next race or even the next year. We believe it’s important to reward these individuals for the impact their knowledge, time and guidance make in helping their teams achieve both athletic and personal greatness well beyond high school.”