Suffolk Greenbelt Trail Run-August 11,2002

Over the River and through the woods
We thought we heard this tune being sung by the 40 or so exuberant runners taking
part in the "first" Suffolk Greenbelt Trail Run held on Sunday  August 11,2002.

 The event was sponsored by our friends at the Greater Long Island Running Club, and was
Advertised as a "fun filled", "no application" and "fee free" race- just what ever Ultra Runner dreams of!
Just another example of how GLIRC tries to meet the needs of all their members-even if the Ultra Crowd is limited in size. 

The Runners worked their way from Sunken Meadow Park to Heckscher Park, covering a distance of approximately 32 miles
over diverse terrain, with gorgeous scenery to be taken in by all.
The course was well marked (thanks to Vinny and Bob) and we have not received any reports of anyone
being lost and still out on the course! 

There were numerous, well stocked aid stations, with the Aid Station at Mile 22 manned by our friends from "Rolling Thunder"!
At the finish line, runners received a pleasant surprise, when they found food and refreshments waiting for them.
They also received participant hats- all this in a free race!
Kudos have been pouring in from race participants, praising Race Directors Vinny Croce and Bob Sherman as well as
everyone else associated with putting on the event-   hopefully one that will now become an annual event.

               
                                                                                        click on the pic-name the stars

Dear Vinny and crew, The GLIRC Greenbelt Ultra Run was a great adventure I
would like to call this run , Roots and Dots because for 32 miles I had to
concentrate on the roots on the ground and the dots on the trees. It was a
great experience and I am glad I did it. Thanks to you and your crew for a
great day.Ira

Dear Vinny and all the Elves who made it possible to have the Greenbelt Run. 
When God created Mankind, he asked for Givers and you all stood up and have
been giving so much to the Running Community, so I the Taker can enjoy all
the runs.  The course was well marked and the aid stations were plentiful. 
One of the last aid station had the Rolling Thunders  Crew helping and
cheering us on.  The Sign-in sheets were a great idea, the only thing I would
like to add is that we should also mark the time we are passing through.  I
also would like to thank Barry, Carl, Ric and all the people who ran with me.
 I had a wonderful time.  If there is a rumor going around that I took part
of the Greenbelt  home with me.  This is true, bring a tweezers and you can
dip it out of my skin.   Thank you for a wonderful experience  Helma

To Vinny and Bob:
     I just wanted to thank you guys for all the time and effort you put in
to organize the 32 mile Greenbelt Trail run from the North Shore of Long
Island starting at Sunken Meadow State Park, meandering thru through Suffolk
County basically in a southerly direction- (with a few Easterly moves)and
ending in Heckscher State Park on the South Shore.
    I know you spent many pre-run days reviewing and marking the trail to
insure that the route was "easy" to follow for a group of unfamiliar
ultra-runners- so as to minimize the possibility of a runner getting
off-track.
    Since this was not a race, I was able to convince Helma to stay with our
group (Also Carl Grossbard and Rick Di Veglio) for a friendly, enjoyable
run/jog/walk.  For the first 5 miles we were joined by a group from the
Rolling Thunder Track Club, which did great on one of the toughest parts of
the trail. And for the last few miles by a young high school girl completing
her first 'ultra' as an adventure run.
  And again thanks for setting-up the aid stations on race day. Also thanks
to the additional race day volunteers which included Paul Cooper and Rich
Innamorato and the Rolling Thunder group which provided an aid station. The
day was hot and the drinks were needed, made especially cooling with the ice
available at most of these stops.  Although the temperature reached 90
degrees during the day, the run was comfortable since most of the trail was
in the shade.
   Again thanks for an enjoyable day and making the Greenbelt Trail
available to the group, many of whom would never get to see these routes
which we run often.
Barry Aronowsky

Hello Mike;
It's the day after the Greenbelt run, and I thought I would summarize it for
my friends. I had originally thought I would only do the half, but you
convinced me to try the full run. It turned out okay, as today, I have just
a blister on one foot, a black toe on the other, and a bruised hip from my
flop. Otherwise, I'm fine after my very first ultra, some 32.2 miles,
according to the last, best scoop sheet. We were the final group at the
start, and we were almost the last finishers. It took us just about 9 & 1/2
hours!
I ran with you, Ira Brotman and Fred Von der Heyt. Actually, we walked
probably 85% of the total, which was mostly on trails, but some on roads. We
started at the LI Sound at Sunken Meadow and finished at the Great South Bay
at Hecksher, having traversed the island from north to south, at just about
its widest place. The north was somewhat hilly, but later it was relatively
flat, with a few tough climbs on some of the trails in mid-island.
The two guys that set up the course, Vinnie Croce and Bob Sherman, did an
unbelievable job of marking the trails with hundreds of blazes to tell us
where to turn and that we were on the right path. We only missed a couple
times, but quickly found the right way to keep going. There were really good
aid stations, water, Gatorade and some with power gel, pretzels and trail
mix. They said they would be unmanned, but several had the originating team
there to shepherd us along with words of encouragement as well as the food &
drink! Those two men and their team deserve our thanks and kudos! I can't
imagine how they did such a fabulous job!
I only fell once, my own fault, looking at a marker and not seeing a board
to trip on. I felt I bashed my elbow, but it's okay and it's the hip I
landed on that is really bruised. Fred had a tiny digital camera and we took
lots of pictures, including at the big bull statue in Smithtown. You would
never think there are so many trails that cross the island, but that's the
Greenbelt! Now, it is really marked! Again, thanks to Vinnie and Bob!
Fred knew the north and middle of the course well and you certainly know the
south end, Caumsett to Hecksher, so all I had to do was stick with you. My
power walk, mostly learned from Ellen, stood me in good stead, as I was able
to keep up with your running for much of the time.  The last mile or so is
mostly on soft sand, which really slowed us up and finally killed my feet,
mostly dead already!
By the time we finished, the party was mostly over, with only some soda,
cheese and watermelon left. But we took some pictures, and then the big
thing! We each got a green GLIRC hat, that says "Greenbelt Trail Ultra Run".
I did 32 miles and all I got was this @**&%## hat!!(Joke)! But, now you say,
I'm inducted into Long Feet!!

Howard

Hi Vinny!
Thanks again for putting on the Greenbelt race, and all the work
involved. I really enjoyed it and was so proud of myself for not getting
lost (I was alone most of the time except for about 1 or 1.5 hours with
Audrey and Sam). My friend who was to come but got sick, really felt
sorry to miss it. I would be so happy if indeed next year the Endurance
runs goes to trails!
I hope you do not mind my imposing on you for information. I'm just
wondering how I can get maps of the Greenbelt trails on Long Island.
Audrey mentioned that a book exists, and comes with the package if you
join the Greenbelt trails association (?). I cannot find any info for
Greenbelt trails on LI in the web (though I have not spent too long
searching).
You may also have some advice for where would be good running places on
Long Island, for those rare occasions when we are free on a weekend and
I can drag someone along with me.
Thank you very much!  Antana

Link to more Runner testimonials and Kudos