The winning team, the Old Man and the "C" (reference to the Canisius College x-country stars recruited by "Old Man" Mitchell of Run-Time Services, and originator of the ring-road concept), took top prize. Checkers members were also prominent at the awards ceremony. Results are available at the web site.

Emily Neidlinger

Michael LeMar
Allison Cihiwsky

Ann Gross
Frank Albert
Dennis Bauer

Catherine Dowrey
Andrew Cook
Cathy Ciambella

Benjamin Schussler

David Crouse 9/3

Ryan Forrestel 9/3

Susanne Hayden 9/3

Eric Twichell 9/4

Scott Hoot 9/6

Barbara Shanahan 9/6

Norman Ernst 9/7

Judy Arlington 9/10

Jill Kozlowski 9/12

Debra Morris-Allen 9/14

Linda Haas 9/14

Dennis Cehulik 9/15

Joelle Mann 9/15

Barbara A. Smith 9/15

Michael LeMar 9/16

Lori Pellicano 9/16

Jeff Tracy 9/16

Dan Horan 9/18

Patti Pembleton 9/18

Stephen Seerey 9/18

Tom Shanahan 9/18

Douglas Ackerman 9/19

Karl Kozlowski 9/19

Kevin Hicks 9/21

Jeanne Chiarmonte 9/23

Timothy Galvin 9/23

Bob Carroll 9/24

Robert Giardini 9/24

Mike Curry 9/25

Greg Davis 9/26

Marie Chiavetta 9/27

Susan Munson 9/27

Sandra Hebeler 9/29

Rebecca Heuer 9/29

Patricia McManus 9/29

Peter Watson a two-time member of the Canadian National team who ran for the Univeristy of West Virginia shattered the course record by 54 seconds. Becky Heuer set a new course for women record by 8 seconds by breaking the one she had established last year, and many familiar Checkers faces were there for the awards photos.

following the Delaware

Park workout.

For more information call 832-1006 or e-mail me at jcrouse@acsu.buffalo.edu

See you there.

Paul Drexler 1M25-29 16:31

Dan Essler 1M45-49 16:46

James Waldron 1M40-44 17:36

Chris Ankrum 1M30-34 18:25

Kathleen Yesny 145-49 22:26

Joannie Padginton 1F40-44 22:29

Edna Hyer 2F65-69 32:24

Paul Drexler 1M25-29 16:24

Fred Kobler 1M45-49 19:17

David C. Ward 2M50-54 19:24

Sam Neal 3M50-54 19:26

Elizabeth Welkley 3F30-34 21:28

Douglas Ostrom 3M55-59 21:29

Debra E. Benton 1F40-44 23:12

Carolyn Zimmermann 2F50-54 23:45

Sarah A. Neal 3F50-54 24:07

Gloria Santarpia 1F65-69 29:23

Fran Rowe 2F60-64 31:45

Edna Hyer 2F65-69 32:57

Bach Weslow 16:49 1M30-34

Dan Essler 16:52 1M45-49

Ted Paget 18:02 1M50-54

Paul Donnelly 18:35 2M15-19

Scott Simon 19:09 3M30-34

Peter Forrestel 19:18 2M50-54

Ron Snavely 19:46 2M35-39

Timothy Galvin 19:48 3M45-49

Julie Doell 20:10 3F30-34

Tom Appenheimer 20:52 2M55-59

Doug Ostrom 21:27 3M55-59

Joannie Padginton 21:44 1F40-44

Joanne York-Rappl 21:49 2F40-44

John Moore 21:54 1M60-64

Jerry Bergman 22:49 3M60-64

Maureen Lachiusa 24:05 1F45-49

Sandy Bueme 26:00 2M70-99

Richard Sullivan 26:21 3M70-99

Wendy Mohrman 26:52 1F55-59

Helen Bueme 29:48 1F70-99

Gloria Santarpia 30:19 1F65-69

Edna Hyer 31:52 3F65-69

Kathleen Manno 32:01 3F60-64

Village Glen Moonlight

1st Mike Heitzenrater 16:13

Brad Heron 2M15-19 17:00

Stephen Forrestel 1M50-54 17:57

Andy Hargrave 3M 20-24 18:56.

Peter Forrestel 2M 50-54 19:13

Fred Lew 3M50-54 19:16

Mia Symoniak 2F 0-14 20:32

Jerry Bergman 1M 60-64 21:24

Jane Edwards 1F 40-44 21:28

Mark Spelman 2M 55-59 22:12

Kathy Moriarty 3F 25-29 23:37

Peggy Towers 1F 50-54 23:57

Gloria Santarpia 1F 65-69 29:52

Edna Hyer 2F 65-69 32:27

Judy Thompson 2F 60-64 32:46

Rebecca Heuer First woman 20:14

Mike Heitzenrater M1 20-24 17:54

Bob Carroll M1 45-49 18:13

Jerry Irving M1 50-54 19:41

David Carroll M1 35-39 19:51

James Waldron M1 40-44 20:15

Gary Raby, Jr. M1 18-19 21:24

Susan Munson F1 40-44 21:27

Debra Morris-Allen F2 35-39 22:16

Brenda Litzinger F1 30-34 23:08

Amy Fakterowitz F2 30-34 23:09

Tom Appenheimer M1 55-59 23:32

Diane Sardes F1 50-54 24:24

John Moore M1 60-64 24:26

Jane Edwards F2 40-44 24:42

Katie Pietrak F1 00-14 24:51

Bill Harden M2 60-64 25:07

Peggy Towers F2 50-54 25:20

Jerry Bergman M3 60-64 26:08

Marcy Sheehan F3 50-54 26:50

Joseph Antkowiak M2 65-69 26:56

Sharon Linstedt F2 45-49 27:19

Gloria Santarpia F1 65-69 35:40

Edna Hyer F2 65-69 37:09

Bach Weslow 16:49 1M30-34

Dan Essler 16:52 1M45-49

Ted Paget 18:02 1M50-54

Paul Donnelly 18:35 2M15-19

Scott Simon 19:09 3M30-34

Peter Forrestel19:18 2M50-54

Ron Snavely 19:46 2M35-39

Timothy Galvin 19:48 3M45-49

Julie Doell 20:10 3F30-34

Tom Appenheimer 20:52 2M55-59

Doug Ostrom 21:27 3M55-59

Joannie Padginton 21:44 1F40-44

Joanne York-Rappl 21:49 2F40-44

John Moore 21:54 1M60-64

Jerry Bergman 22:49 3M60-64

Maureen Lachiusa 24:05 1F45-49

Sandy Bueme 26:00 2M70-99

Richard Sullivan 26:21 3M70-99

Wendy Mohrman 26:52 1F55-59

Helen Bueme 29:48 1F70-99

Gloria Santarpia 30:19 1F65-69

Edna Hyer 31:52 3F65-69

Kathleen Manno 32:01 3F60-64

David Carroll 2M35-39 17:25

Nicholas Baer 2M15-19 19:40

Julie Doell 1F30-35 21:13

Tim Gribbin 3M45-49 21:17

Gary Thompson 2M55-59 22:47

Jim Collins 3M55-59 22:51

Lauren Lorek 3F30-35 23:23

Karin Fountain 1F50-55 24:09

Catherine Meyer 1F35-39 24:20

Sandy Bueme 1M75-79 25:22

Maria Baer 3F50-55 25:25

Mary Casey 1F55-59 25:42

Gloria Santarpia 1F65-69 29:50

Edna Hyer 2F65-69 30:59

Chin Li Pompeo 3F55-59 31:18

Paul Drexler 1M25-29 34:21

Bob Neidlinger 2M15-19 34:36

Rich Grimm 2M40-44 34:47

Dan Essler 1M45-49 34:59

Bach Weslow 1M30-34 35:00

Ted Paget 1M50-54 36:43

Steve Forrestel 2M50-54 37:00

Henri Kursten 2M35-39 37:21

Greg Lavis 3M45-49 42:11

John Moore 1M60-64 44:22

Joannie Padginton 2F40-44 45:55

Marcy Sheehan 1F50-54 46:48

Wendy Mohrman 3F55-59 55:20

Kathy Melling 3F45-49 56:00

Jeffrey J. Gruendike and  Betsy M. Schultz                
   Time:    13:00  2 / Open under 60 
Gary W. Hastings and  Jamie Rushbrook                 
   Time:    13:16  2 / Open 81-99 
Jimmy Clark and Melisa Holden                   
    Time: 13:30  1/ Open 61-80
David J. Szafran and Linda Guglielmi                 
    Time:  14:02  2 / Open 61-80
Madeline Murphy  and  John W. Moore                   
    Time:  14:04  1 / Open 100-114
 Anna P. Caci  and  Frank M. Brigante 
      Time: 14:18 3 / Open 61-80

PR's

Happy hour returns!

Friday, Sept. 6th

Toro’s Tapas Bar

Elmwood Ave.

After some life-changing events during the fall, I felt as though I needed a challenge, and I spent the next 10 months doing my first marathon and then trying to qualify for Lake Placid. June 16^th I was entered in Ironman USA. This absurd thought was about to become a reality--an experience I will NEVER forget.

I arrived in Lake Placid on the Thursday prior to the race with so much excitement that I drove on two hours of sleep. (Don’t tell Joan Gregoire.) We went to registration. The woman gives me my packet, goes over everything, and I don’t remember a word she says (just ask Joan). We go to Ironman village and I am overwhelmed. So much stuff, so many chiseled bodies, I am in way over my head. We had only run into a few of our friends and training buddies, and I was still feeling a little out of sorts. The group was to meet at the swim the next morning so I decided to get good nights sleep.

Friday 8:00am at the Gatorade swim I finally get to see more of the group. It is starting to feel like our family that has been training together for so long is together. I don’t feel so out of control anymore. I know my friends will get me through this. They sure got me into this!!!! I go to spend more money at Ironman Village, get a massage from Warren, and then on to Jen McConveys house for a pre-race get together. What a nice day it was. Everyone is nervous, but also very excited. Lots of talk about what will be the swim strategy of choice. Mine is to stay away from everyone!!! I don’t care as long as I am out in 2:20 (the cutoff). Get some sleep!

Saturday I am up at 5:00am to put together all of my bags and label everything. I feel like I am in kindergarten again. Speaking of which, I can’t wait for my parents to get here. Everyone will have a sign but me. I go for a quick swim to try out my new goggles (add them to the purchase list), and then to Tony and Diane’s wedding. What a beautiful place to get married, on top of a mountain. They look so happy. I wonder if Tony will be smiling like that tomorrow?!? Off to the pre-race meeting, and then to find my parents. Six hours later they were located. Dinner and then bed.

4:00am the alarm goes off. Get up and eat. YEAH RIGHT!!! Grab my bags and go to transition (the place where we kept all our clothes). The sun was just starting to come up, and Enya was playing in the background. Mike Riley was welcoming everyone to Ironman USA 2002. I went to pump up my tires and found the card from my mom telling me that I was a champion just to get this far. I hope no one sees the tears in my eyes. Ok, time to pee. I start to see everyone. They all look nervous yet excited. I recall another comment from Chris Ankrum. "They told me this race would be over long before I wanted it to be." I doubt it!

I enter the water and can’t find my family anywhere. They better be here. The only families I find are the Gregory’s . With 22 of them there how could you miss them? Then I see Joan. Since she was the main motivation for me to be there, I found it suitable for me to start the race with her. The canon goes off and the next 14.5 hours are a blur. As I exit the swim, I hear my friends screaming my name. How cool!!!

On to the bike. I got to see so many of our group during the ride. It was so exciting to cheer for everyone!!! The second set of tears came when I passed Randy in his wheelchair bike. I can’t stop now!!! I come into town for the second loop and find my parents. My mom is so proud of her chalk notes to me. It has rained too hard for me too read it (or is that my eyesight?). She is holding a sign with a plastic bike taped to it the reads "Go Kara, running in memory of KK. We love you, Mom and Dad" Ok third set of tears. She sucks!!! I ride through town hearing everyone screaming. I know I am smiling. What a great feeling to have all your friends there for you. Finish the bike in the pouring rain. I get into the tent to change and I hear Ryan finish. Goal attained!! Be off the bike before the first finisher. On to the run.

This is where it gets ugly!!! This is where the crowd and all the people who have come to see you matter the most. The only way I got through that was to have the support of my friends and family. All I could hear was the Meyer family in town and Dana and Joelle and Dave MacPhee. It was incredible. Chris Ankrum who started this, sitting at the top of the hill telling me I could do it. Patty who walked 10 miles with me and waited for me at the portipottys. We solved ALL the worlds’ problems that day. Then finally at the end when Joan found me at the finish I knew why I was there. I had done something that only a small percentage of people in this world will ever do and I owe it all to the friends and family that have supported me from the beginning. I thank you all so much for being there and cheering for all of us. I hope I can someday do the same for you. This was the most incredible experience of my life AND the hardest. To quote Mary-Michael Eggers. "Having Luke was easy, THAT HURT!!!!"

Thanks to everyone who came out to make this first-time race a tremendous success. The only hitch was having to delay the start for 20 minutes because there were so many people wanting to register! In all there were 834 runners and walkers participating in the event.

The race will contine annually as a way to remember and celebrate the life of Kathleen Kavanagh who was lost to us last October when she was killed by a drunk driver while jogging in Ellicottville. It was also an inspiration to see Joan Gregoire herself seriously injured by the same driver, running a strong race for KK.

UPSTATE NEW YORK CROSS COUNTRY SERIES

We would like to see a good turn out. If you think you might be interested, aren’t sure, let us know. We can explain what cross country is all about. Everyone is need and wanted for the series. Fill out the entry form (available at www.gvh.net or at track) and mail it with a check for $35 and to GVH. Indicate which ones from the series you will be doing on the form AND email Bob/ Becky or write on the form at track (Tuesday) which ones you will be doing. We need to know so that we can field a team for all divisions! If you can only do one or two of the race, that is fine. Just sign up for that race and tell Bob/Becky which one that is.

Checkers will be giving $5 discount if you mail in your series entry form with money BY September 5th, to GVH Peter Glavin, as indicated on form. We will refund you the $5 when we have a list from the series director.

The 1st race in the series is at Akron Park (in our backyard). Let us show the rest of the running clubs in New York we support our club and cross country. Please let us know at track Tuesday or email us by September 5th if you will be running. We need 5 people , and up to 7 people, for a complete team! Everyone counts and is important.

Look for up coming fun run on the new cross country course at Akron State Park. We also run trails at Chestnut Ridge Park most weekends. Ask Bob/Becky on Tuesday about the time if you are interested. Coach Bob Carroll & Becky Heuer

Pre-register for the entire series by Thursday, Sept. 5 $35.00

Post-register for the entire series beginning Sept 7 $40.00

All Series entrants will receive a long-sleeve T-Shirt

Pre-register for individual Series Races:

Akron, Center Park, Oatka Creek & FLCC: $6.00

Black Creek Park $12.00

Race day registration fee for Series races #1,2,4 & 5: $8.00

Race day registration fee for Series race #3 @ Black Creek Park: $15.00

8/30* Nickel City Aid to Athletes 5k, 7:00 PM, 694-5154

9/4 Wendelville Harvest Moon 5k, Pendleton, 6:30 PM, 716-625-6269

9/6 Happy Hour, 6:00, Toro's Tapas Bar, Elmwood Ave. 6:00 +

9/7 People for the Steeple 5k, St. Anthony’s Church, Buffalo, 10:00AM, 854-2563

9/7 Derby Fair 5k, 7431 Erie Rd, Derby, 10;00 AM, 947-9779, 627-0021

9/7 Upstate NY Cross Country Series 5k, Akron Falls Park, Akron, 11:00AM.

9/8 BTC Fall Frolic

9/8 Bertrand Chaffee 5k, 224 E. Main St., Springville, 9:00 AM, 716-592-2871

9/8 Holiday Valley Ultra 10 mile Trail Run, Yodeler Lodge, Ellicottville, 716-885-4691

9/13 YMCA's Robert L. Swift Family Run/Walk 6:30 p.m. Belmont Ave. 854-5054.

9/14 Maggie Lee Memorial 5k, Delaware Park, Parkside Lodge, 10:00 AM, 883-5396

9/14 Silver Streaks 3m XC, Ischua Valley Country Club, Franklinville, 9:30 AM, 716-676-3285

9/15 Shea’s 5k, Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St, Buffalo, 11;30 AM, 884-7994(Bill)

9/20 Joanne Severin-Cinelli 5k, South Park Botanical Gardens, Buffalo, 6:30PM, 878-7068

9/21 Upstate NY Cross Country Series 5k, Center Park, Fairport, 1:00PM, gvh@frontiernet.net

9/21 Habitat 5k, Westminster Church, Delaware near Summer, Buffalo, 9:00AM, 884-9437

9/21 Lebro’s Fall Classic 5k, Getzville, 10:00 AM, 688-0404

9/28 Charlene Page 5k, D’Youville College, Buffalo, 11:30AM, 515-0608

9/29* Linda Yalem 5k, University of Buffalo, 10:00 AM, 645-6435

10/4 Happy Hour, D'Arcy Mcgee's, Franklin Street.

10/5 Jeff Casterline 5k, Days Inn, Niagara Falls, 10:30AM, 689-2581,831-9300

10/12* Greater Buffalo Track Club 10k, 11:00 AM, 816-7223

10/12 ECMC Lifeline 5k, Parkside Lodge, Delaware Park, Buffalo, 10:30AM, 898-5885

10/12 The Elicottville Fall Festival 4.5m, Holiday Valley, Elicottvile, 10:00AM

10/13 Upstate NY Cross Country Series 5k/8k, Black Creek Park, Chili, 10:30AM

10/19 2^nd Brigade 10k, near North Forest & Maple, Amherst, 10:00AM, 875-6792

10/26 Upstate NY Cross Country Series 4m, Oatka Creek Park, Wheatland, 11:00AM

10/27 Casino Niagara Marathon, 10:00AM, 905-356-9460

10/29 Chili party, Joan’s place, after the Delaware Park run.

All of the would-be Ironmen from WNY, who started the competition, achieved their goal. In addition, 1st-time Ironman, Joanne York Rapl came in 4th female in her age-group and qualified for the championships in Hawaii, Another first-timer, Matt Ruddy, came in 104th overall. in a time of 10:31.

Special thanks are extended to the family of 2-time Ironman, Jennifer McConvey, now a Lake Placid resident, who hosted a pre-race party for the whole WNY contingent—competitors, family, and friends.

It’s been quite a busy couple months between the Ironman weekend, getting married, and coming back to move into a new home. Who knew it would be so hard getting a workout in? Or should I worry so much about it? A lot of us who spent time together in Lake Placid were able to get our runs in during the Ironman weekend. It was on all our minds as we planned when to meet and where to run. All the plans fell wonderfully into place for the wedding. That afternoon the Ironman competitors were off setting up their gear for the next morning’s race as some of us went off on our own and had a beautiful scenic run in the hills of Lake Placid. Signs that were drawn by family members for the next day’s race were being placed in the grass as we ran down one stretch of road. They were fun to read. I was hoping it would somehow take the athletes mind off any ‘pain’ they might be in on the next day of competition. It ended up being a tremendously fun weekend, one that no one will forget.

It was a real chore when we came back home to move. There were boxes and boxes. My new husband calmly asked, "How did you fit all this stuff into that tiny house?" Little did he know some of that ‘stuff’ was items like an empty dental floss container, old dresses I hadn’t worn in years, belts from the 70’s, and shoes my feet don’t fit into any more. Why did I keep so many things that mean nothing to me? Somehow I had to fit a run in as I asked myself those questions. But there was no time to get a workout in. There were boxes everywhere. I had to start unloading all this ‘stuff’. Here is where the runner came out. I dropped everything, knowing that when I came back the boxes would still be there and that no one would be hurt by me leaving for 45 minutes. As I left the house, I thought that I shouldn’t be doing this. Then there were feelings of….you SHOULD be doing this. You need a little break, and it will make you feel better. And, of course, it did. When I got back I felt more refreshed, so utterly happy. I was able to get so much work done just because I was in a better state of mind. My workout left me feeling energized. My life was much easier to handle.

Now that I am done writing this article, I think I’ll take a break and go for a run before I put away anymore boxes, but I can’t find my real thin running socks, and I don’t know where my watch is. (Oh yeah, I’m married now. I’ll just take HIS.)

Bless anyone who has moved recently. And for those of you who know you should throw a bunch of things out and haven’t…...do it, get rid of ONE thing, then go for your workout.

bring it back as an annual formal party--black tie optional.
Tickets: $21 per person
Available at Tuesday night track workouts
or by calling Donna Carr at 674-2144
Limited to the first 125, so don't delay
Tickets will NOT be available at the door,
and must be purchased in advance.
We hope to see you there!
 

Congratulations to Rich Clark and Tenna Albert, and Diane Sardes and Tony Garrow on their recent marriages.