LONG ISLAND
There is nothing as nice as a day on the trails, and on May
12 local runners had their choice of a challenging 25 Kilometer out-and-back
run from the GLIRC Clubhouse to the
There was no stopping 50K overall winner Glen Redpath of Brooklyn, winner of the
Hat Run 50K down in Maryland back in March, who stormed through the Long Island
Greenbelt course in an impressive 4:18:17, more than 19 minutes in front of
GLIRCs own Byron Lane, who was the
runner-up in this event for the second year in a row. Top female 50K finisher was Annette Bednosky of Jefferson, North
Carolina, the womens winner of the 2004 Masanuten 100 Miler and the womens
winner of the 2005 Western States 100 Miler, who scored with a record
shattering 4:48:35. Top Club female finisher in the 50K was runner-up Jodi Kartes-Heino.
Special congratulations to Al Prawda, who won the new Johnny Kenul Memorial Award as the first
finisher age 60 plus in the 50K
Peter Spagnoli won the 25K with a strong 2:21:20, with Frank Hoher scoring as the first Club
finisher in 2:35:59. Liz Flahavan, running in top form, was
a relatively easy winner of the womens division of the 25K in 2:39:41.
Congratulations and thanks to Run Director Nick Palazzo for a job very well done
once again, and a very sincere and hearty thank you to all the great volunteers
who spent hour after hour making the event a reality: Lucimar Araujo, Sherry Bellovin, Audrey Gaccione, Carl Grossbard, Rich
Innamorato, Howard and Judy Kestenbaum , Bob Lasky, Roy Lockwood, Sean
ORourke, Mike Polansky, Curt and Irene Robinson, Mike and Natasha Service, Bob
Sherman, Robin Sitzer and Marge Smith.
A special thank you to our wonderful sponsors: Gary Muhrcke of Super Runners Shop, who was most generous once again in his support
for the event, and who was the inspiration for the institution of the 25
Kilometer Run this year, and Gary
Bretton, formerly of Brettons Broadway Deli and now selling real estate
for Remax, who took care of the aid station and post-race refreshments.
Award winners in the 50K were: Annette Bednosky (1st OA), Jodi
Kartes Heino ( 1st 35-39, 2nd OA), Alicia Barahona (3rd
OA)Glen Redpath (1st OA), Byron Lane (2nd OA, 1st
35-39), Tim Barnes (3rd OA),, Al Prawda (1st finisher
over 60), Tim Henderson (2nd 35-39), Jay Masten (1st 45-49) and
Helma Clavin (1st 60-64).
Award winners in the 25K
were: Peter Spagnoli (1st
OA), Mason Parker (2nd OA), Timothy Decker (3rd OA), Liz
Flahavan (1st OA), Karen Dowd (2nd OA) and Pavla ORourke
(3rd OA).
Finishers in the 50K were as
follows:
MEN
1. Glen
Redpath 41 4:18:17
2. Byron
Lane 39 4:37:34
3. Tim
Barnes 39 4:51:18
4. Jimmy
Buff 44 5:12:32
5. Marc
Gravatt 40 5:17:14
6. Jay
Masten 48 5:21:39
7. Tim
Henderson 37 5:28:29
8. Charles
Crompton 59 5:32:38
9. Ramiro
Munoz 48 5:50:04
10. Mitchell Goodman 30 6:06:49
11. Robert Villani 48 6:15:55
12. Grant McKeown 58 6:16:28
12. Chris Woods 48 6:16:28
14. Frank Colella 44 6:21:50
15. Steven Escaler 30 6:30:41
16. Thomas Triumph 49 6:36:58
17. Garth Griffiths 45 6:40:00
18. Tom Kavanagh 46 6:40:52
19. Anthony Portera 36 6:42:58
19. Ira Zaroff 32 6:42:58
21. Tim Kelly 45 6:53:47
22. Tim Austin 39 6:57:49
23. Al Prawda 60 7:06:35
24. Christopher Ertola 32 7:13:53
25. Larry Lewis 49 7:19:04.
26. Eric Houck Sr. 49 7:21:52
27. Timothy Kourounis 69 7:24:58
28. Charles Olson 42 7:28:35
29. Willie Williams 46 7:29:04
30. Chip Tilden 38 7:32:07
31. Steve Kaplan 43 7:44:07
32. Khanh Duong 59 7:47:26
33. Rick Szambel 47 8:17:27
34. Bruce Kacen 59 8:27:38
35. Douglas Bartocci 45 8:42:06
35. Sal Carratta 50 8:42:06
37. Ojars Stikis 72 9.20:03
WOMEN
1. Annette
Bednosky 40 4:48:35
2. Jodi
Kartes Heino 37 5:33:41
3. Alicia
Barahona 52 6:31:05
4. Emmy
Stocker 48 6:56:24
5. Davnet
Schaffer 36 7:14:34
6. Kathy
Crompton 50 7.22.24
7. D.
Lydia Redding 52 7:24:08
8. Helma
Clavin 64 8:33:42
Finishers in the 25K were as
follows:
MEN
1. Peter
Spagnoli 47 2.21:20
2. Mason
Parker 36 2.23.48
3. Timothy
Decker 38 2.27:45
4. Christopher
Ricciardi 26 2.27:49
5. Brandon
Mims 27 2.29:57
6. Frank
Hoher 61 2.35:59
7. Nate
Brese 42 2:39:14
8. Gary
Muhrcke 66 2:39:58
9. Ben
Ray 32 2:40:01
10. Dan Ingegno 63 2:40:34
11. Brad Skillman 39 2:49:09
12. David Graham 46 2:56:27
13. David Edwards 43 2:59:38
14. Andrew Lewandowski 27 3:00:51
15. Padraig Keane 35 3:01:24
16. Chris Greco 32 3:10:41
17. Frank Martinez 50 3:11:25
18. Christopher Hamilton 26 3:12:22
19. Alex Sesack 20 3:14:04
20. Bryan Barnosky 31 3:17:57
21. Ralph Haebich 43 3:21:56
22. Steve Rossi 27 3:22:57
23. William Rigby 38 3:23:39
24. Raymond Intriago 18 3:24:28
25. Robert Almeraz 38 3:24:31
26. Joseph Kommer 49 3:25:33
27. Joe Otters 52 3:26:34
28. Greg Taha 62 3:39:17
29. Paul DElisa 44 3:40:40
30. Lewis Thornton 64 3:41:49
31. Jason Jerozal 29 3:44:52
32. Raymond Ingriago 19 3:45:52
33. John Schneider 43 3:41:46
34. Daniel Wallace 38 3:53:03
35. Howie Bergesen 61 4:02:35
36. Brion Cobb 56 4:04:41
37. George Devoe 74 4:11:06
38. Joseph Lanfair 70 4:14:28
39. Paul Cooper 60 4:14:53
40. Barry Aronowsky 66 4.14:53
41. Ray Beckerman 59 4:36:04
42. Stanley Friedlander 66 4:31:19.
WOMEN
1. Liz
Flahavan 43 2:39:41
2. Karen
Dowd 46 2:49:21
3.. Pavla
ORourke 30 2:50:41
4. Antana
Locs 48 3:02:43
5. Shari
Hymes 45 3:14:26
6. Martine
Gorevie 27 3:16:16
7. Courtney
Laborious 31 3:16:17
8. Courtney
Donaldson 23 3:19:20
9. Brigid
Cruikshank 32 3:19:19
10. Mary Scheerer 48 3:23:23
11. Janine Trude 27 3:25:01
12. Judy Latta 52 3:26:08
13. Connie Murphy 44 3:30:37
14. Charita Bondanza 36 3:31:43
15. Zoila Denis 55 3:33:39
16. Mary Fraker 50 3:36:39.
17. Mona Rechner 54 3:38:29
18. Patricia Carroll 55 3:39:16
19. Lois Polesky 53 3:40:02
20. Alice Aiello 43 3:48:33
21. Louise Scala 54 3:48:34
22. Lorelei McGlynn 43 4:04:41
23. Sandra Palmer 57 4:04:41
24. Alexandra Gonzalez 55 4:04:41
25. Angela Wakefield 33 4:12:54
26. Linda Chan 26 4:12:59
27. Sevati Bondanza 38 4:13:04
28. Amy Goldstein 47 4:14:53
29. Kelly Winters 44 4:20:59
30. Kate Quaranto 51 4:52:16
HERES WHAT PARTICIPANTS SAID ABOUT THE
2007 LONG ISLAND GREENBELT TRAIL RUNS:
FROM THE GLIRC MAILBOX
Hi Nick and all who helped make the Greenbelt 25 and
50K a success:
Thanks so much to Nick, Bob, Mike, Linda, and all the
many volunteers who made this past Saturday's race a success.
What a great idea Gary Muhrcke had to add the 25K.
For those of us who did not feel up to the 50K this was a great alternative!
What a wonderful day....the Robinsons were there to greet you at registration
and then Bob Sherman and Nick sent us on our way. The sun was out, the trails
beautiful, and smiling volunteers along the way at well stocked aid stations!
It was wonderful to see so many I knew out there (Audrey, Robin, Richie, Carl,
Sherry, Howard, Myron, and I'm sure I'm forgetting a few!) Half way done and
then there was Marge smiling as she turned us around. Back to the clubhouse as
we were cheered in and given even more food!
I can't end before thanking my running buddy Paul
Cooper. Despite my slow pace and walking breaks you once again stayed with me
Paul. Yet another long running adventure together...what a pleasure!
Thanks again one and all,
Amy Goldstein
***************************************************
Hi--
There are few things more fun than running through
the woods in spring--on trails covered in wild rose and apple petals, listening
to wood thrushes sing their fluty songs--thank you for hosting this run! Thanks
also to Gary Muhrke for suggesting a 25k version for those of us who weren't
able to do the full 50k.
When I was growing up in Wisconsin, I used to walk
and run for hours through the woods and fields--I'd get up, have breakfast, and
be out the door and gone all day, til suppertime, exploring. Thanks for letting
me relive that joy and freedom of roaming through the woods on a beautiful day.
As always, the volunteers at this event were
incredible--sitting patiently all day, giving us everything we could need to keep
running, including a smile and encouraging words. Thanks to all of you!
Also, this race's out-and-back course meant that
every runner got to see all the other runners in the race--and even the
frontrunners had time for a smile and "Good job!" as they flew up
those killer hills. You don't often see that in road races--it's part of what
makes trail races like this special.
Also, I want to thank all the ultra folks for the
award plaque that I received on Saturday, which you had been saving for me for
some time--I had no idea that I had won my age group in last year's
Ultrarunning Grand Prix. If I knew, I would have come by the clubhouse much
sooner to pick it up! I am such a slow runner that I never imagined I would
ever win anything. I truly love ultrarunning even though I'm not a particularly
talented runner, so it's a real thrill to receive any kind of encouragement to
work harder and do better in this sport that I love so much. Thank you!
Kelly Winters
************************************
Dear Friends:
The Greenbelt Trail Run was my first time back on the
trails this year. In fact, I hadnt run
on a trail since the Appalachian Trail portion of the JFK Fifty Miler last
year. As my experience on the course
revealed, my trail navigation skills were more than a little rusty.
The week before the race, a three page instruction
letter arrived from Nick Palazzo, the race director. In addition to those general instructions, a
separate one page detailed course description was included. It's basically a
double out and back course. The trail portion is preceded by a rolling 1.8 mile
road section. Runners then enter the Greenbelt Trail from the Sunnyside
Boulevard trailhead in Plainview and run the northern third of the trail to its
terminus and turnaround point in Cold Spring Harbor.
I drove to the race with my friend Emmy. She had
injured her calf earlier in the week and it hardly seemed possible that she
would run the50 K with that nagging injury. One possibility was to run the 25 K
instead. Or, volunteer at an aid station if she couldn't run. To my
astonishment, she started the 50K and
finished the50 K..
The run started at 7:30 and had a 10 hour
cut-off. Runners were advised to carry
the pre-printed course directions. Point 7 of the instructions read: "A
course guide setting out all the turns, crossings and approximate distances is
enclosed. We strongly suggest that you familiarize yourself with it, and you
should carry it with you on the run." I should have heeded this bit of
advice. But at the start I wasn't concerned about navigation. In fact, after
the turnaround on the road segment, I caught sight of Emmy as she approached me
and she was visibly in pain with each step.
I told her not to run in that condition - it wasn't worth further
aggravating her injury.
The first couple of trail miles were tame. The
proverbial calm before the storm. But it wouldn't last long. Soon we had to
cross the first of a number of roads that bisected the trail. At 3 miles it was
Woodbury Road. At that time the roads were quiet, but things would be different
a few hours later. In fact, it was merely a prelude to a much busier road
crossing, Jericho Turnpike, only 3/10's of a mile further away. And, to
complete the trifecta, we crossed Syosset-Woodbury Road less than a mile from
the Jericho Turnpike! This reminds of
Point 10: "There is no police or other traffic control for this event.
There are several points where you will be leaving the Trail to cross a public
road, and there are vehicles on the roads whose drivers don't have a clue that
a race is going on, so please exercise your common sense and your survival
skills at all times!" Aside from the numerous roads and having to
negotiate an underpass to cross the Long Island Railroad tracks, the northern
third of the trail run was filled steep elevation climbs. The terrain wasn't
technically difficult - but the constant elevation changes were very
challenging. One climb led to another, which led to another, and on it went
without respite.
Things got difficult for me on the return leg of the
first out and back. I inauspiciously ran beyond the turnaround point, and that
should have tipped me off to what lay ahead. It felt strange coming out of the
woods well to the north of the aid station and having to retrace my steps
there, somewhat sheepishly. But that paled in comparison to my next off trail
adventure. At the top of a ridge line I spotted another runner making his way
down the slope. Since he was moving in my direction, I took off after him. I
soon realized he was lost - but not before we had made our way down the
mountain side. Not only did we both have to climb back up to ridge line, but I
still couldn't locate the blaze.
Lucky for me a runner happened by in the inbound
direction. Rob, as it turned out, has
been running ultras for 15 years and has done the Greenbelt Trail. He's also
done the Vermont 100, and a few more 100s as well. We talked about ultras and
trail running in general. At some point I ran on ahead hoping to make up some
time from my earlier miscues. Amazingly,
I once again found myself lost when I missed the turnoff that would have
brought me back to Stillwell Field. It seemed that I ran a half mile before I
realized I wasn't in Kansas anymore.
Which brings up Point 7 again: "If you travel
more than 50-60 yards without seeing a marking, you have almost certainly gone
astray, and should retrace your footsteps. ... The bottom line is that it is
YOUR responsibility for staying on the course, PLEASE KEEP AWAKE!" The
emphasis is from the original text! So, dejectedly, I retraced my footsteps and
eventually found the missed turnoff. I
even caught back up to Rob. He was surprised to see me because he thought I was
further along on the trail! And this wouldn't be the last time.
After we crossed Jericho Turnpike, I once again
headed off down the trail, only to reach Woodbury Road and stand there
positively mystified at my complete inability to locate the trailhead - which
couldn't have been more than 50 feet in either direction from where I was
standing. It was pretty comical to see his expression as Rob emerged from the
trail to see me standing there. "What happened," he asked? "I
can't find the trailhead!" "It's right over here," as he ran the
few yards down the road on the left. Even though I was less than a mile away
from completing the first out and back - I could just as easily been on Planet
Claire. Four mistakes on the return leg had all my years of Boy Scput training
failed me?
Well, in an astonishing turn of events, I completed
the second out and back with no mistakes or mishaps. But the damage had been
done, going out too fast and trying to make up for the lost time on those
little detours had cost me a lot of energy.
Mentally, I was practically burnt out from those
careless mistakes. Physically, however, I felt fine. In fact I made up a bit of time retracing the
first 2/3rds of the outbound leg. But, when I reached the Stillwell Lane aid
station, the exhaustion started to creep up on me. Th~ toughest third still lay
ahead before reaching the Cold Spring Harbor turnaround. So that portion
included mostly power hiking the numerous hills and a modest amoUI1t of running
on the few flat stretches.
On my way back in, a mile or so beyond the
turnaround, I ran into Emmy heading outbound. I couldn't believe it. I had seen
her on the first leg during my string of mishaps. That's when she told me she
had switched out of her trail shoes and into her trainers. That did the trick
and could run, albeit slowly, again. What was an inspiring sight seeing her out
there. After reaching the Stillwell Lane aid station for the last time, I knew
the toughest stretch of the trail was finished. I picked up my pace a bit, but
I still walked all hills.
Finally, after finishing the trail, all that stood
between me and the finish was a half mile of road. But even that wouldn't come
easy. "Left" and "left" were the directions from the
volunteers. "The second left?" I said. "No. Take your first
left, then take the next one after that. Straight down to the clubhouse."
For some reason I just could not process that information. It was especially
vexing that the first left - literally - was a highway on ramp! I eventually
found the finish - helped in no small part by a large bunch of balloons
attached to a sign post! My reward was an ice cold Sam Adams. I finished in 6
hours and 21 minutes. Even discounting all the wrong turns and miscues, that
was well off the 5 hours and 30 minutes that I had targeted as a time goal.
But I was happy. I settled in with my beer and waited
for Emmy to finish. It turns out that Rob's next race will be the Nipmuck Trail
Marathon. He's run it many times, and it's probably one of ,his favorite races.
I'm registered for Nipmuck also. So between now and then, I need to add at
least one more trail run to my race calendar. Emmy, smiling and not looking the
least like someone with a calf injury, finished up in 6 hours and 55 minutes.
She was the fourth female finisher, just behind Alicja Barjona.
Despite my mistakes in the first leg, I really did
enjoy myself. It was a great day to be outdoors, a great day to be on the
trails. As a tune-up run, it certainly gave me a few lessons to work on to
sharpen my trail running skills. Next up for me, the Norwalk Mothers Day 10k,
tomorrow morning.
Frank Colella
***************************************************
Hi Nick:
If it is May it must be the Greenbelt trail run. It
has become part of my life and I enjoy the run each year. But what makes this
run so special is that all the volunteers are so helpful and they cannot do
enough for us runners. When you run a trail run you depend on your fellow
runner and each and everyone is there for you. This year was no different than
any other year. I would like to thank all the volunteers for being out there
all the hours for us. I was one of the last ones to come in, but the volunteers
were there for me. The orange tape was very helpful to see where I was going.
Thank you for a wonderful day on the Greenbelt.
Helma Clavin
***************************************************