Although the mile course was changed to accommodate the Marina, that did not slow down the competition. Records for both male and female elite were broken by not two, but four, runners at this year’s Buffalo Mile. Art Siemers, from Arvada, CO, took first in 4:09, and BenjaminCooke, Silver Springs, MD, was close behind at 4:13, both eclipsing the 2002, 4:15 record of Brian Lombardo. Becky Heuer’s elite female record of 5:14 was shattered by Allison Carr with a 5:03 mile. Second place, Shannon Crane, finished just two seconds behind with a 5:05.

With 49 entries, the largest field of the day was the Masters Male. Coach Bob Carroll took 3rd in a tight: 4:40-4:48-4:54 finish. Masters women's first and second went to Checkers’, Debra Morris-Allen (5:34) and Amy Fakterowitz (5:41). Some great new faces on the running scene competed in the scholastic and kids heats. Recognition was given to two long-time running coaches with the dedication of the scholastic girls’ heat to former Canisius College coach, Joann York Rappl, and the scholastic boys’ heat to East Aurora coach Walt Lyons. A fitting tribute was given to Joann whose conscientious stand in defense of the womens’ sports program cost her her postion at Canisius.

Many thanks to race directors, Jerry Irving, Don Seitz, and Dennis Dennis Webster,, to Tom Donnelly for the awesome shirts, to the many Checkers’ volunteers, and a special thank to our friends at the Kevin Guest House who provided morning coffee and hospitality.

Wayne Zimmerman, the new Executive Director of the Kevin Guest House, recognized Checkers’ continuing support of the House and its mission by presenting President Roger Roll with an award. Proceeds from the Buffalo Mile are donated each year to the Kevin Guest House.

Kathie Evans-Augustyn 7/2

Sean Dalton 7/2

Bonnie Bathurst 7/3

Grace Marie Dalton 7/3

Becky Forrestel 7/5

Jeff Abram 7/6

Jessica Hamm 7/6

Paul Mueller 7/6

Alex White 7/6

John McMahon 7/7

Frank Brigante 7/8

Martin Denysschen 7/8

Richard Hanson 7/8

Tiffany Baker 7/9

Julie Doell 7/9

Guofang Li 7/9

Jonathan Bernstein 7/10

Peter Forrestel III 7/11

Edmund Bouchane 7/12

Franz Kiefer 7/12

Steve Lee 7/12

Margaret Werder 7/12

Rob Wright 7/14

Barbara Bauer 7/16

David Hartzell 7/16

Douglas Ostrom 7/17

John Bauers 7/18

Paul Noe 7/18

Suzanne Fenger 7/19

Jason Raby 7/19

Chris Pitirri 7/20

Rick Queeno 7/23

Jim Dock 7/24

Terry Murphy 7/24

Beth Welkley 7/24

Leonard Czekalski 7/25

Pamela Bouquin 7/27

Rich Grimm 7/28

John Herman 7/28

Christa Karet 7/28

Andrew Moynihan 7/28

Mark Ellwood 7/29

Sandy Bueme 7/30

Jason Jones 7/30

Mark Kucharski 7/30

Debbie Symoniak 7/30

Debra Benton 7/31

Shari Hayden 7/31

Eric Newton 7/31

Judy Nowlan 7/31

Matthew Glynn 1/ 44:M30-34 32:44

John F. McMahon 1M35-39 35:18

Bob R. Carroll 1M45-49 35:24

Kevin Burke 2M30-34 35:50

Allen Dise 2M40-44 37:16

Joe F. Niezgoda 3/ M20-24 37:31

Ted W. Paget 1M50-54 38:29

Paul C. Duttge 2M50-54 39:16

Judy S. Arlington1/ F35-39 40:15

Debra Morris-Allen 1/ F40-44 40:30

Ralph Zimmermann 1/M60-64 41:48

Amy Fakterowitz 2/ 35-39 41:52

Cathy M. Levine 2/ F45-49 42:10

Julie M. Doell 2/ F30-34

Diane L. Sardes 1/ F50-54 45:56

Kenneth R. Gordon 3/ M60-64 46:06

Bill A. Donnelly 3/ M55-59 46:28

Peggy L. Towers 2/F50-54 48:24:00

Joseph G. Antkowiak 2/ M65-69 48:38

Patricia Kunselman 1/ F55-59 48:52

Helen E. Botti 1/ F65-69 55:43

Fran Rowe 3/ F60-64 1:04:20

Gloria M. Santarpia 2/ F65-69 1:06:21

Sandy J. Bueme1/ M75-79 1:08:29

Edye P. Radice 3/ F65-69 1:10:33

Helen J. Bueme 2/ F70-74 1:13:20

Ted R. Sullivan 3/M70-74 1:16:00

Bob Merritt 12:09 1/M45-49

Christopher Ankrum 5:33 1/M35-39

David Carroll 12:03 1/M40-44

Larry Krajewski 13:27 1/M50-54

Bruce Pitman 13:32 2/M45-49

Daniel Brown 14:09 3/M45-49

Douglas Ostrom 14:40 2/M55-59

Melissa Hager 16:41 2/F25-29

Grant Hennigar 17:03 3/M55-59

Rosalie Marino-Soeh18:07 2/F50-54

St. Gregory 5K

Bach R. Weslow 0:16:40 1/M30-34

Bob E. Carroll 0:16:42 1/M45-49

David S. Carroll 0:17:01 1/M40-44

Allen Dise 0:17:10 2/M40-44

Bob A. Merritt 0:17:20 2/M45-49

Ted Washburn 0:17:41 2/M30-34

Trey H. Gardner 0:17:50 3/M30-34

Robert A. Liebers 0:18:15 3/M45-49

Paul C. Duttge 0:18:18 1/M50-54

Stephen Forrestel0:18:23 2/M50-54

Fred G. Lew 0:18:28 3/M50-54

Debra Morris-Allen 0:18:38 1/F40-44

Brenda L. Spillman 0:18:52 1/F35-39

Amy Fakterowitz 0:18:52 2/F35-39

Michael Harrison 0:19:16 1/M55-59

Caitlin A. English 0:19:38 2/F15-19

Rebecca E. Heuer 0:19:54 3/F35-39

Kenneth Gordon 0:20:33 1/M60-64

Fran Emmerling 0:20:36 12/M50-54

Diane L. Sardes 0:20:46 1/F50-54

Julie M. Doell 0:21:17 1/F30-34

John W. Moore 0:21:30 3/M60-64

Mary Beth Lennon 0:21:34 2/F25-29

Patricia M. Webb 0:21:37 2/F30-34

Katie E. Dylag 0:21:47 2/F11-14

Sandra R. Harmon 0:22:28 2/F50-54

Kathleen Yesny 0:22:37 1/F45-49

Kathleen Wiltrout 0:23:51 3/F50-54

Kathie Evans Augustyn 0:24:30 3/F45-49

Sandy V. Bueme 0:26:01 1/M75-79

Helen J. Bueme 0:29:01 1/F70-74

Gloria M. Santarpia 0:29:35 1/F65-69

Fran Rowe 0:30:09 1/F60-64

Edna E. Hyer 0:31:07 2/F65-69

Kyle Reid Memorial 5K

Daniel Dengler 0:18:45 1/M45-49

Sandy Bunn 0:19:48 3/M45-49

Tom Courtney 0:22:40 2/M55-59

Brenda Lane 0:24:17 2/F40-44

Pete Carroll 0:31:27 1/M70-74

Edna Hyer 0:31:54 1/F65-69

Thomas Dessauer 0:17:31 1/M35-39

James Waldron 0:17:52 1/M40-44

Amy Fakterowitz 0:19:08 1/F35-39

Caitlin English 0:20:03 1/F15-19

Sandy Bunn 0:20:14 3/M45-49

Lauren A. Lorek 0:23:14 2/F30-34

Paul Pietraszewski 0:23:23 1/M55-59

Garry Soehner 0:24:22 2/M55-59

Michelle Rioux 0:25:15 3/F25-29

Elizabeth Subjeck 0:25:32 2/F11-14

Rosalie Marino-Soehner 25:58 1/F50-54

Gloria Santarpia 0:29:13 1/F65-69

Fran Rowe 0:29:49 1/F60-64

Edna Hyer 0:32:41 2/F65-69

John F. McMahon 0:11:39 1/M35-39

Dan P. Essler 0:11:53 1/M45-49

Paul C. Duttge 0:12:53 1/M50-54

Larry F. Krajewski 0:12:57 2/M50-54

Dave C. Ward 0:13:12 3/M50-54

Marty P. Farrell 0:14:43 3/M35-39

Ellen M. Hamm 0:15:13 1/F35-39

Joannie Padginton 0:16:01 2/F45-49

Melissa M. Hager 0:16:31 2/F25-29

Sandy V. Bueme 0:18:16 1/M75-90

Helen V. Bueme 0:21:07 1/F70-74

Edna E. Hyer 0:22:06 1/F65-69

• Tom Baroni beaten by little girl at St. Greg’s. After Jacy passed Tom Baroni, she almost caught Steve Forrestel. Steve is now considering a new maneuver to prevent small children from passing him at the finish line.

• Brenda Spillman and Sandy Harmon qualified for the 800m and 1500m in the master's division for the Empire State Games
   
• Jane Jontz established a PR in her first trail marathon.
   
• Congratulations to Rebecca Forrestel, one of 98 athletes in the Buffalo News All Western New York Academic Spring Team, honoring student/athletes in all sports during the fall, winter and spring seasons.
• Marcy Sheehan falls and bruises her body in 5 places at the start of the Lancaster 10K and still runs the race.
• Pat Kunselman collapses at the end of the 10K and still wins her age group!
• When asked how Helen Bueme keeps on going so strong her husband had one answer, "I feed her jet fuel!"

Area residents are accustomed to giving runners and people on bikes room on the (shoulder) road. It’s a place where three Olympic Games were held.

June 28^th was the weekend of the Tinman. It was held at Tupper Lake, about 20 miles from Lake Placid. I had the best run of my life as I ran over the mountains into Lake Placid with Chris Ankrum while our spouses were recovering from their races. Lake Placid is where the Ironman will be held on July 27^th; many Checkers members will once again be competing. We will bring you more pictures and results in the next newsletter as we once again return to The Land of Oz. Diane Sardes

5:09:51 Andrew R. Moynihan
5:28:15 Anthony Garrow

5:44:33 Jonathan Bernstein

6:07:05 Kara Klaasesz

6:11:45 Quinn Ankrum

Meet at the Floral Clock, located at the first right after crossing the

Lewiston-Queenston bridge.

Plan to arrive at 8:30 AM.

We begin the fun run at 9 AM.

The course is an easy downhill 8 miles, with a water and Gatorade stop.

Snacks and changing facilities at the restaurant in N-on-L, as well as transportation back to the start are provided. A voluntary donation of $3 is appreciated.

Bicyclists and guests are welcome.

Non-runners may wait in town at the finish and join the group as well.

RSVP by Friday, 8/9 to Jerry Bergman 688-7581 rxbymail@rxbymail.com

I had a great time and I have NEVER been treated as well. What you are doing is great for the sport. I really enjoyed meeting you and the community in Buffalo. I really appreciate the opportunity. Sorry we did not run faster..admittedly I am a little bitter I did not run better. However. you guys have a great city, running community, and really treat people 1^st class. It was a wonderful experience. Ben Cook, Washington D.C. (4:13)

Nice job with this race…we had a great time. We will be back! Mike Platt, Syracuse, NY (4:40)

July 8Tues 7:00pm Loughran's Buffalo Alumni Rally 5k, 4543 Main Street, Snyder 716-839-0283

July 10 Thur 6:30pm The Kenmore Week 5k, 2919 Delaware Avenue, Kenmore 716-831-1001

July 12 Sat 11:00am Running For The Children 5k, Jefferson & Best Streets, Buffalo 716-886-2199

July 13 Sun 8:00am Utica Boilermaker 15k, Utica, NY15-797-5838

July 17 Thur 7:00pm Tim Frank Memorial Canal Fest, 4 Miles, 7 Broad Street, Tonawanda 716-873-9842

July 19 Sat 9:00am Laurel Run 8K, Silver Creek Village Park, Steve Waterson 716-661-4735

July 19 Sat 6:00pm Subaru Run 4 Miles, Bidwell Parkway & Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo 716-881-1652

July 24 Thur 6:30pm St. John Vianney's Kickoff Run 5k, Southwestern & Michael Road, Orchard Park 716-677-4039

July 26 Sat 7:30pm St. John The Baptist 2.3m, Belmont ave & Highland Parkway, Kenmore, 716-832-8212

July 26 Sat 6:30pm Fisher-Price 5K Race, 636 Girard Ave., East Aurora. 5K 716-687-3434

July 27 Sun 8:00am *New York State Empire Games 10K, Delaware Park,, Open/Masters and Wheelchair. 518-474-8889

July 30 Wed 6:30pm Ronald McDonald House 5K, 780 West Ferry Street, Buffalo, 883-1177

Aug 1* Fri 6:30pm *Buffalo Police Chase 2m, Couples Handcuff, 5k, D'Arcy McGee's, 257 Franklin 716-851-4590

Aug 2 Sat 9:30am Crabapple Run 5K Stiglmeier Park, Cheektowaga (Losson Road) 716-897-7207

Aug 3 Sun 9:00am Billy Mead Run for ALS 5k, Acquavia Post American Legion, Lakeshore Drive, Dunkirk, 716-673-1846

Aug 3 Sun 9:30am Iron Island 5k Express, Lovejoy & Benzinger Streets, South Buffalo, NY 716-892-3084

Aug 8 Fri 6:30pm Jack's Race 5K, Cazenovia Park, South Buffalo, 716-825-8796

Aug 9 Sat 9:00am Erie County Fair 5K, Erie County Fairgrounds, 716-648-9733 x412

Aug 13 Wed 8:00pm Village Glen Moonlight Run 5k, Village Glen, 162 Mill St, Williamsville, 716-633-1635

Aug 16 Sat 10:00am MSMH Foundation River Run 5k, Red Brick School, Lewiston, 716-298-2249

Aug 18 Mon 6:30pm *Bond Lake A.C. Rut Race, 3.5 Miles, Bond Lake Park, Lower Mountain Road, Lewiston, 716-694-8980

Aug 22 Fri 7:00pm Highland Hose Firehouse Run, 5k, George Nablo Pkwy, Derby, 716-947-5009

Aug 23 Sat 6:30pm Mississippi Mudd's River Race 5K, 313 Niagara Street, Tonawanda 913-0621

Aug 29 Fri 7:00pm *Cozumel Grill Nickel City 5k, 153 Elmwood, Buffalo 716-694-5154

Sept. 7, Sun Varysburg Fun Run (More information next month)

Ed Harkey 8/2

Mark J. Mahoney 8/3

John Feroleto 8/4

Kevin Sarkisian 8/4

Sandy Bunn 8/5

Tricia Doyle 8/5

Robert Nicoll 8/5

Allen Dise 8/6

Maureen LaChiusa 8/7

Lynn Sarkisian 8/8

Keith Scranton 8/8

Michelle Lis 8/9

Wendy Mohrman 8/11

Sam Neal 8/11

Sarah Neal 8/11

Chris Ankrum 8/12

Katie Dylag 8/14

Deb Gibson 8/14

Mark Gunther 8/14

Andrea Sapone 8/14

Gary Strenkoski 8/14

Steve O'Neill 8/15

Karen Reardon 8/15

Pat Dalton, Jr. 8/16

Maureen Knutsen 8/16

Carolyn Zimmermann 8/16

Beverly Brown 8/18

Jake Symoniak 8/18

Dave Ward 8/18

Joan Crouse 8/19

Bruce Pitman 8/19

Adam Niziol 8/19

Kathleen Wiltrout 8/20

Carol A. Dittenhofer 8/21

Ron Lemmon 8/21

Suzanne Sendlak 8/23

Jodi Reynolds 8/24

Don Seitz 8/24

Bach Weslow 8/24

Gretchen Ewing 8/25

Lori Zito 8/25

William Skop 8/26

Peter Sawicz 8/27

Cathy Ciambella 8/28

Jane Jontz 8/28

Sibatu Khahaifa 8/28

Greg Wiltrout 8/28

Mark Forell 8/30

Maureen Dalton 8/31

Residence: Kenmore, NY

Occupation: Elementary Education Teacher and Cross Country Coach/ Amherst Middle School

Checkers Member: 5 yrs.

Running: Since age 12

Affiliation: Bond Lake AC and Buffalo Triathlon Club

Interests: Outdoors Activities

As runners, we are often challenged to stretch the envelope of our abilities. The recent St Gregs Great Race was unlike any other 5K Amy Fakterowitz had raced before. She knew it in her mind and heart. "I was eyeing Debbie Morris Allen. At 3 miles, Brenda Litzinger passed me and I decided to go with her." They crossed the line together and Amy nailed a PR of 18:52. Her lifetime goal of sub 19 was realized. No doubt the pre- race penned letters on her hand, ’Today!’ were prophetic.

Running is not new to Amy. "I ran in Middle and High Schools and then competed in college cross country for coach Dick Berry at UB." Feeling burned out after collegiate competition, she took a break. Her motivation was reset when Amy became a member of Checkers. "It’s been a tremendous help!" The key assets were: 1) having a support (workout) group with set workouts. 2) Having a coach to help me set goals. 3) Inspiration to run longer distances."

Amy was bit by the Marathon bug and entered Chicago in 2000. "I fell just short of a BQ (Boston Qualifier)." The long training runs in Bond Lake Country eventually paid off with a 3:38 performance in Buffalo 2001 and a BQ. The 2002 Boston Marathon was a thrilling experience but not without a price. "I think that was the beginning of a stress fracture to my right tibia." Paying it little attention, Amy continued to race through it. "I ran through it and that was a mistake." She cautions runners to be careful with injuries and allow time to heal them. Amy is currently training at 35-miles/ week and has no marathons planned for 2003. "I’m running some road training at Bond Lake with Chestnut Ridge trails on alternate weekends."

Cross-country running is first for Amy. "It’s my favorite, my first love!" She has competed on the Checkers’ cross-country team for the past 4 years. "We need more people to run. Its fun, challenging and lots of teamwork. It is also highly competitive, but a distinct contrast to road racing. The scenery is always changing." A helpful technique has been to pre run the race course. "Coach Bob has us do this to help us to develop a familiarity and mental strategy for passing." Interestingly, Checkers has its own point scoring system. That is, "points are scored if you fall and bonus points scored if you draw blood!" A trail training group convenes at the Ridge on weekend mornings. "The trail groups force me out of my comfort zone."

For the past 8 years, Amy has been the head coach of Amherst Middle School Cross Country. In that span, she has seen the program expand in numbers from 25 to 135. "These kids range from ages 12- 14 and they are the nicest individuals. They are learning to love the sport. I’m a running coach and work directly with them." One of Amy’s former athletes is Jennifer Koepel who is now a junior cross-country runner at UB. "They developed a love for running and stayed with it. They watched me run." On a somber note, Amy recounts her experiences with Tim Butler for 2 years. Tim was fatally struck while crossing Millersport Hwy earlier this year. "It was my saddest moment ever as a coach. He was a great kid and really loved running."

Most memorable of Amy’s racing experience is the 2001 Corporate Challenge. "It was my biggest win (overall female). I was passed, but I didn’t give up. I wanted it real bad. It was a big turning point for me." The hand inscription before that race was, ‘No Fear- Top 5’. For Amy Fakterowitz, having reached some major goals, this is a time to reevaluate. "Now I’m running faster times." Her goals for 2003 are going 18:30 for 5K and staying within the top ten ladies for the News Runner of the Year competition (currently no. 6). She muses about the long term and adds, "To keep improving as I get older." With the recent momentum established this year and a hard work ethic, I have no doubt that she will.

A few newsletters ago, I mentioned about my first long run at the Ridge since my knee surgery. On Saturday June 28, I did my first trail run in two years. Arriving at Chestnut Ridge Park at 7:00 am, we waited in anticipation for Coach Carroll and Becky to arrive and lead us into the deep and dark world of trails. Eleven of us entered the woods, which included club members, Bob and Becky, Tom Baroni, Amy Fakterowitz, John Moore, Mark Guasteferro, Cathy Levine, Brad Heron, Brendan Hickey, and me. Oh, I can’t forget sprinter Kevin Lozano; I think he showed up only because he was lost and looking for his Buffalo Firehouse. I wore trail shoes for the first time in years and felt great as I entered the woods that surround the park. Bob and Mark have done a great job exploring and marking trails through out the property. People who have been going there for years were astonished at areas they never knew existed. Running down the wooded trails felt much better then the pounding highways on our legs. Running down steep ravines and straight up the other side, made me feel like I had never run before and I needed a tank of oxygen to recover. Having to look out for roots, rocks, and low hanging branches definitely helps with balance and coordination. As I was catching my breath from a hard climb, Mr. Moore mentioned that he had never seen the eternal flame, so into a deep ravine, we descended knowing that a hard climb out was inevitable. I really enjoyed running in new surroundings with a group. Regardless of anyone’s speed we always ran in single file and a front-runner would always circle back to make sure the last person was not to far behind or worst, lost. We ended the run where we had started back at the casino, sweating and thirsty but feeling great from the workout. If you’re interested in joining the group for a run, Bob usually runs Thursday through Sunday at the park, but you can check the web page for exact days and times. The benefits of trail running are enormous, just ask Amy Fakterowitz why she is running the fastest times of her life and she will say trail running has played a big part of it. Your legs get a great strength workout and the cardio benefits will have you lungs telling you, "I hope this is good for me." So if you want to better your race times and are tired of the same old running routes, then head to the Ridge for some adventures on the trails. I know I will.

PS, Remember Cross-Country season is right around the corner.

Save this Date

Sunday, Sept 7th

Varysburg Fun Run

Details next month.

NOTEWORTHY: Former two-time Boston Marathon winner Johnny Miles of Canada passed away his past June 16th at age 96. Miles took the running world by storm when he Defeated Olympic Champion Albin Stenroos of Finland by 4 minutes even in a time of 2h25:40, a course record. The coal miner's son from Nova Scotia captured the public's imagination by winning his first marathon, a feat unheard of at the time. Johnny had carried a worn photo of Stenroos in his pocket for months during the train-up. The next year, Johnny's fan's were heart-broken when he dropped out. But he moved to Hamilton, Ontario and came back to win the 1929 race in 2h33:08. It was Hamilton's third Boston Champion after Jack Caffrey in 1900 & 1901 and Billy Sherring in 1906. Miles was involved with running and the Hamilton Olympic Club for many years after. From Alan Wrobel

BUFFALO MILE RESULTS
Elite Male
1.  Art Siemers     0:04:09  
2.  Benjamin Cooke  0:04:13  
3.  Steve Bohan   0:04:27  
Elite Female
1.  Allison Carr 0:05:03  
2.  Shannon R Crane 0:05:05  
3.  Debbie Springer 0:05:15  
Open Male
1.  Mike O'Connor 0:04:56  
2.  Peter J Osmond 0:04:57  
3.  Ted D Washburn 0:05:13  

1.  Laura Malczewski 0:05:59  
2.  Erika K Coles 0:06:06  
3.  Jeanne Chiarmonte 0:06:12  
Masters Male
1.  Mike Platt 0:04:40  
2.  Patrick O'Connor 0:04:48  
3.  Bob Carroll 0:04:54  
Masters Female
1.  Debra Morris-Allen 0:05:34  
2.  Amy Fakterowitz 0:05:41  
3.  Brigette K Soltiz 0:05:51  
Scholastic Male
1.  Dan R Burgio 0:04:58  
2.  Ryan P O'Connor 0:04:58  
3.  Chris P Calieri 0:05:25  
Scholastic Female
1.  Patricia Rich 0:05:39  
Kids
1.  Hillary R Sullivan 0:06:08  
2.  Zachary Combs 0:06:18	
3.  Allison M Bartkowiak 0:07:20  
COMPLETE RESULTS AT THE WEB SITE