NEW COURSE RECORD AT SYBIL!
 

BOB SWEENEY AND McCURTIN RETURN TO WINNING WAYS AT SYBIL !

 

Good sunny weather and excellent support en route made for an ideal day for the 30th running of the Sybil Ludington 50k (and two-person relay) on the hilly roads of New York's Putnam County. This is a demanding road course in which the hills get worse or so it seems-- as the race progresses, and since the route consists of a single, meandering loop, it is often the case that a runner will find him or herself muscling through miles completely alone, time- trial style. The existential quality found in some of the quieter ultras is particularly evident at Sybil. You push through the prosaic early miles near strip malls, busy with street crossings, to be rewarded later by the lyrical sections of dirt roads along the reservoirs. The leaves aren't quite out on this weekend but spring is definitely here.

Truth be told, there weren't many surprises (evident to me, anyway) race day except for the one I am about to describe. Bob Sweeney, an eight-time winner of the event showed up, as he often does. Leading up to that morning, he had weighed his options, the relay, the solo,or maybe neither, since he claimed to not really be in racing mode lately. Also, he could be fairly certain that if he chose the solo, he would face a tough race with last year's winner, 26-year-old Jim Sweeney, who posted a convincing 3:17 to win in 2007. As we drove the mile or so to the start, we passed Jim, who was running to the start. Ah, youth. Not to be disloyal to my friend Bob, but based on how much he had sandbagged in our pre-race conversations and how easily Jim seemed to be loping to the start, I really didn't think Bob was planning to put up much of a fight, but I was wrong. Their first mile together was most likely their slowest of the entire race. Bob's ten-mile splits were 1:04, 2:04 and 3:06 (and change). Bob claims he was still running scared at 30 miles but unbeknownst to him, the race had been his for a little while. He claimed a new PR, and broke the old course record (3:14:47) to finish in 3:13:19. Jim came in shortly after in 3:19. Jim is young and fast and has a lot of years ahead to try to take Bob's open record away, but that master's record (Bob is 41) is probably safe for a while. Perennial Sybilite and prolific ultrarunner Byron Lane ran 3:48 to take third.

Further back, there were other stories unfolding. Making his return to the race after twenty-four years was Jonathan Katz. He told me his basic pre-race goal was to run under 4:30 but he hoped he could actually maintain an 8:30 pace, which would have gotten him about 4:23. It turns out that these were modest goals for him that day as he ran a remarkably even-paced race to finish comfortably in 4:14:27. Working in Jonathan's favor is the fact that he is very much a strength runner and was not deterred by the rapid succession of hills that constitute much of the latter part of the course.

I have to thank last year's winner, Emmy Stocker, for running the Lake Waramaug 50k six days earlier and for running her first 100 (Umstead ) only a few weeks before. None the worse for wear, though, she even stopped for a photo opp. near the 28 mile mark. These are the only reasons yours truly was able to finish ahead of her this year. This was my eleventh Sybil and it was probably my hardest won effort (4:21:57 to Emmy's 5:13:02). I hoped to run under 4:30 since I wanted to use the race as qualifier for this summer's Comrades. The middle miles had me wondering, but a too-fast pace early on left me with a nice time cushion, even if was also my undoing. Taking third was tenacious Ruth Liebowitz, in 6:13.

Winning the 70+ age category and running very well was Ojars Stikis, 72, who ran 5:49 and who, due to his modest ways, often flies under a lot of people's radar, but is in fact, a highly accomplished and prolific ultra runner.

Also in 70+ age group was Joe Handelman , who had turned 78 the Tuesday before (we were treated to a great birthday cake in his honor at the finish). He had opted for an early start so we caught up with him at 21 miles. He claimed he was not having the easiest day out there but he was moving well and with determination. He came in with a 7:59:21. While I would expect a post-race nap would be in order for most finishers that afternoon, Joe told me that he had to get going because he was heading to a concert with his wife. At 78, he still works more than full-time hours, tends acres of gardens, and runs and walks most every day, all because he enjoys it. Talk about an inspiration, but I tend to find that in all the runners who frequent Sybil.  It's a hardcore group of interesting people.

Speaking of interesting, I would be remiss if I didn't note the relay team of Richie Innamorato and Artie Linden. They took second in the 32-mile relay. Richie, who is well known as the dedicated race director for the Broadway Ultra Society, was in attendance at the inaugural Sybil in 1979. He has been so busy putting on races for the rest of us for the past three decades that this was his first time back on the course as a runner. We are glad to see him among us and hope this is the beginning of a trend.

So, another Sybil, another year. I just want to finish by saying there is an austerity to Sybil that I find appealing. To me this is the mark of a serious race. There is little in the way of unnecessary fanfare, but the race itself is well-marked and benefits from the support of a group of highly competent and good-humored volunteers from the Taconic Road Runners Club whose stations appear where you really need them. They prop us up and send us on our way. The after-race party is something which I and many others look forward to every year, for both the socializing and the abundant refreshments. This year we were happy to see the return of former-race director Ed McLaughlin and his wife Lee. They were fixtures at the race at one time, but have spent the past few years living in Singapore for Ed's job. Ed MC-ed the awards ceremony in fine form. Co-race director (with Tony Galfano) David Farquhar recalled as the post race party as one of loudest ones he can remember. This is good sign. We thank all the volunteers and our indefatigable, dedicated race directors, past and present! See you all next year.

 

Ellen McCurtin

 

2008 Winners!