SURPRISE!!! ... New Overall and Woman Champs at Sybil 50K

 

The reign of Bob Sweeney and woman's champ Ellen McCurtin ended April 21 this year at the Sybil Ludington 50K when both Bob and Ellen failed to defend. The other Sweeney, the young Sweeney, Jim, no relation to Bob, from Albany NY proved to be a worthy successor with his win in 3:17 over this famously challenging course. His time was only 3 minutes off Bob's course record! The Taconic's own Emmy Stocker displaced 10-time woman champ Ellen McCurtin this year with a solid win in 4:29. This only 6 days after her 3:39 at the Boston marathon under less than ideal ( cool and windy ) conditions.

Byron Lane was a worthy second overall but a long way behind Sweeney. He was followed closely by Phil McCarthy in third place overall.

 

Emmy's win, and the second and third overall places of Byron and Phil were in the best ultra and Sybil traditions. In the 70's and the 80's it was common for ultra runners to run Boston on Monday and Sybil on Saturday. Some would continue by running the Lake Waramaug (in Connecticut) 50 mile on Sunday. Probably not recommended for fast times! Only three weeks before Sybil, Phil McCarthy won the NY Metro 50 mile in 6:17 followed by Byron Lane in 6:19.

Also of special note was Rob Fryer. Rob celebrated his new age group (60-69) by uncorking a fine 4:23 to win the Sy Mah award and establish a new age group record - an improvement of about 3 minutes over Don Villeneuve's 2002 effort.
 

This brief commentary would be incomplete without mention of the weather. At the race start it was a cool 45 and by 2-3 pm it reached the low 70's. Perhaps some runners found it a bit too warm. Not the race directors. Based on very recent deluges in the area pre-race, they had nightmarish visions of bridge and road disruptions leading to chaos on Sybil's 31 miles of road. These visions were quickly swept away by the loveliest of Spring days. Actually, it seemed that everyone had a good time including deposed perennial winners Bob Sweeney and Ellen McCurtin who hung around to exchange bullshit and congratulate finishers.
 

David Farquhar