Six hour-60th Birthday Run-October 20, 2002
               Sunken Meadow Park

Sunday, October 20, 2002 was a beautiful day at Sunken Meadow State Park ( site of the 'Six Hour 60th Birthday Run') located on the north shore of Long Island, overlooking the Long Island Sound. The temperature was in the 50 degree range for the third 'running' of this event, sponsored by the Greater Long Island Running Club and part of the New York Grand Prix Ultra series.

The 2.07 miles course, described as both hilly by some and flat by others, goes over a wooden bridge and the across a moat, thus affording the participants a water view with plenty of bird and water foul sightings. Those runners familiar with the park realize that part of the route is on the course used for the high school cross county meets. Also regulars to the park will note that two substantial hills on GLIRC's normal training route were omitted from the 2.07 mile loop. However, it should be noted that after several times around the 'slight' inclines along the route seem like major hills!!!

This year saw several records broken, namely:
 
1) Most distance covered by a male runner (Rudy Afanador-46.5 miles)
2) Most distance cover by a birthday boy or girl  (Michael Service-33.9 miles)
3) Most runners completing an ultra (as defined "in excess of a marathon") (45 runners-34 men and 11 woman)
4) Most entrants running all or part of the six hours-(134 runners-81 men and 53 woman, including 13 runners born in 1942).

As stated Rudy was first overall (a repeat winner from last year), although he completed the Steamtown Marathon one week earlier. Rudy, 2nd place finisher in the 2001 Badwater 135 Mile Ultramarathon, couldn't relax as he finished only 2.4 miles ahead of Brian Teason who did 44.2 miles on a relatively slow course, as the footing varied from firm dirt trails, to loose dirt trails and trails covered by wood chips. Nice to run on but not good footing for trying to break a record. A close race for third place ensued with Byron Lane (1st male finisher in the 2002 Joe Kleinerman 12 hour) completing 40.8 miles just beating Arpon Deangelo by 1/2 mile.

The woman were led by another repeat winner, Alicja Barahona (extreme ultra-runner), completing 36.3 miles, just missing the course record set by Alicja of 36.8 miles in 2001. Also Alicja couldn't slow down as she was only 1.5 miles ahead of Hanna Ben-Shoan (34.8 miles).  Lisa Metzer placed third with 33.9 miles. Several woman deserve mention as they ignored their age by completing over a marathon on this tough course: Helma Clavin (59-finishing 5th with 30.1 miles), Irene Robinson (56-finishing 6th with 28.7 miles) and Pat Delany (63-finishing 7th with 28.1 miles) .

Mike Service and Sarah Pettinato were the leading runners among those honored
for being born in "1942".
A well stocked aid stationed and after-race party was 'manned' by Amy Goldstein and her crew of volunteers.
The feast was graciously donated by our Race sponsor-Woodbury Deli-thanks so much for your support!

Rich Innamorato, president of the Broadway Ultra Society, did a fantastic job of coordinating the scorers counting the laps as each runner passed the start/finish line and assisted by Tom Fama with his laptop and specially designed program to compute the final mileage and place of each runner. Shelly Weinstein set-up the starting line and his wife Ellen, made the birthday cake for the 1942 birthday group. Much thanks goes to MaryAnne Goldman for co-ordinating the volunteers and Vinny Croce, race director, who worked long and hard to make this event successful. Also much appreciation from the 'ultra' community
to Mike Polansky, president of the GLIRC, for his participation in and continuing support of ultra running events.

by Barry Aronowsky

If you have any comments about this years race or any suggestions
on how to improve next years race please let me know.
It is only through feedback from you that we can improve!
Vinny Croce
Race Director-

ATTENTION SIX HOUR RUN 60TH BIRTHDAY RUNNERS AND VOLUNTEERS!

If you paid the $5 vehicle use fee to get into Sunken Meadow State Park on
Sunday, the State Parks Department apologizes and advises that you are
entitled to a refund!

Please mail your ticket stub and a note that you were at the GLIRC Six Hour
Run on October 20th to:

Long Island State Parks
Att: Anne Marie Agostonello
Belmont Lake State Park
Post Office Box 247
Babylon NY 11702

       

letters from the runners:

Vinny,

Your event was only my second 6 hour race and I've been running since 1977. It was especially great to mingle after the finish with the runners far ahead of me in total miles run. At least I beat most of them in age (76, and still counting). At many races almost everybody has gone home by the time I arrive at the finish line. Once in a trail marathon the race director who had gotten tired of waiting around, left us a note pinned to a tree that said to "mail me a postcard with your name and elapsed time on it"!  

I think that the race's format, if its popularity spreads as fast as it should once more running club's realize that a race is a social event as well as a competitive event, will do more to enhance the sport of long distance running than any format that I can think of. There is probably some upper limit in the number of participants that can be handled effectively but your staff was able to keep track of over one hundred and thirty runners. I couldn't even keep track of my own laps.  
Of course, it puts more of a strain on those that have to plan the race and to administer the tally desk at the starting/finishing line but your support crew certainly responded to the challenge. I had the impression that they had all participated in this type of event before. I can't think of anything that I'd want changed except that you arrange with the state to level that long upgrade at mile 1. Keep the downhill portion though. 

I'm very glad that I decided to compete and then risk the long ride home to CT via the L.I.E. on a typical Sunday night. I made it home without falling asleep. Hmmm, maybe I could have run faster on that last lap after all.

Congratulations to you and your fine race staff.

Frank Dolen, Wolfpit Running Club, Ridgefield CT



Hi Vin
Thank you once again for putting on another great race. The weather was
perfect and combined with the great aid station and excellent (albeit tough)
course made for a wonderful day.

Thank you to all the great volunteers, especially Amy Goldstein for making
sure everyone was well-fed for the entire 6 hours.

The sweat shirts, duffle bag and gloves were great. Your tireless efforts
certainly paid off. Look forward to next year.

Pat Delaney


Dear Vinny,
Just wanted to thank you for another flawless
event: the course was challenging and clearly
marked, there were many drink and food choices
(both during and after the race), and the
volunteers were well-trained and very helpful.
Your races are every bit as well-planned as the
U.S. 24-Hour National Championship Race held in
Ohio last month.

You direct it, I'll run in it!

Byron Lane  
 

Vinny
I just wanted to thank you for all you've done with the races!!!  I ran the Knickerbocker 60K last November, and it was my introduction to ultramarathons, and was the hardest run I had ever done.  When I was through, though, all I wanted to do was run something longer.  That didn't happen, but I did run in the 6 hour Staten Island about 5 weeks ago and the 6 hour this past Sunday.  They were both awesome races and well organized.  It was great to have all that food and drink during the race, but so much after each race.  Also, all the extras that we received this past weekend with not only the sweatshirts but the gloves and bags, AND to receive trophies or medals with every race just makes it even better. 

You have done a great job organizing these races and keeping everything together.  It's a great experience that I'm glad is shared by such a tight-knit group of people.  I look forward to running more ultras in the future. 

Peter R. Thewes