The next event in the series is the R.U.T. race, a European-style cross country event, on August 18th, at Bond Lake in Lewiston. Good luck to Mike, Matt, Debra, and Amy, and all of the age-group contenders from Checkers.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• Our condolences of Marcy Sheehan whose mother recently passed away.
• And our best to the family and friends of Charlie Mc Mullen who died recently. While not a member of Checkers, he was a good friend to many in the running community.

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

Aug 22 Fri 7;00pm Highland Hose Firehouse Run, 5k, Derby, Karen Schiedel 716-947-5009

Aug 23 Sat 6:30pm Mississippi Mudd's River Race, 5K, 313 Niagara Street, Ellen Ode 716-913-0621

Aug 24 Sun 9:00am Toyfest 10k Hamlin Park, East Aurora, 716-655-1552

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

Aug 31 Sun 9:00am Dan Feather 5K, Bergman Park, 487 Baker St., Jamestown, 716-488-3090.

Sept 3 Sat 6:30pm Harvest Moon Run 5k, Wendelville Volunteer Fire Company, Pendleton, Bob Leible -625-6269

Sept 6 Sat 10:00am People For The Steeple 5k, St. Anthony's Church, 160 Court Street, Pat Longboat 662-3609

Sept 6 Sat 10:00am Derby Fair 5k, 7431 Erie Road, Derby, Nancy Jackson 947-9779

Carolyn Nugent 9/2

Ryan Forrestel 9/3

Eric Twichell 9/4

Norman Ernst 9/7

Sandy Hunt 9/7

Trevor Keane 9/9

Judy Arlington 9/10

Kevin Keane 9/11

Jill Kozlowski 9/12

Debra Morris-Allen 9/14

Linda Haas 9/14

Dennis Cehulik 9/15

Joelle Mann 9/15

Paul Povinelli 9/15

Barbara A. Smith 9/15

Jeff Tracy 9/16

Becky Harasimowicz 9/18

Douglas S.Ackerman 9/19

Karl Kozlowski 9/19

Robert LaMantia 9/19

Chloe Evans 9/21

Kevin Hicks 9/21

Tom Kandefer 9/22

Jeanne Chiarmonte 9/23

Beth Gregoire 9/23

Bob Carroll 9/24

Robert Giardini 9/24

Mike Curry 9/25

Greg Davis 9/26

Susan Munson 9/27

Pete Carroll 9/29

Sandra Hebeler 9/29

Rebecca Heuer 9/29

Patricia McManus 9/29

Brendan Hickey 9/30

Jacquelyn Martin 9/30

Gloria Santarpia 29:13:00 Run to Remember 5K

Fred Lew 18:28 ST GREG'S 5K

Karl Shallowhorn 42:01 Depew Lancaster 10 K

Roger A. Roll 44:31 Lancaster Boys & Girls Club 10K

Karl Shallowhorn 42:01 Lancaster Depew 10K

Betsy Schultz 18:48 Loughran's 5K

Bill Schimpf 19:08 Loughran's 5K

Patricia Hilbert 23:45 Kenmore Week 5K

Greg Lavis 1:04:51 Boilermaker 15K

Jonathan P. Rizzo 1:07:06 Boilermaker 15K

Wendy Kolb 27:54:00 Engineer Race 5K

Sandra Hebeler 34:24 Subaru 4 M

John McMahon 21:30 Subaru

Henri Kursten 23:05 Subaru

Henri Kursten 11:35 3000m Steeplechase Empire Trials

Henri Kursten 20:05 Corp Challenge 3.5M

Henri Kursten 17:38 NCCC 5K

Jeff Harvey 21:46 Loughran
Betsy Schultz 19:03 Fisher Price 5K
Therese Vita 33:60 Subaru

John P. Tamburlin 32:35 Canal Fest 4M

John P. Tamburlin 24:28 Loughran's 5K

Peter W. Hogan 11:29 Checkers Track Challenge 3000m

Jane Jontz 6:25 Trail Marathon

Sage Hurta 9:26 Fisher Price 1 mile Fun Run

Cathy Haight 1:15:11 Boilermaker

Paul Pietraszewski Empire State Games 10K 51:12 8:15

Kieran O'Loughlin Buffalo Police Chase 5k 21:39 6:58

Henri Kursten Phelps Sauerkraut 20k 1:18:53 6:21

Peter W. Hogan USATF Masters Nationals 800 meters 2:27

Brad Heron 3/19:M15-19 21:21

John McMahon 2/ 54:M35-39 21:30

Jerry J. Irving 1/ 55:M50-54 22:40

Diane Sardes 2/ 14:F50-54 27:00

Kenneth Gordon 3/ 17:M60-64 27:52

Patricia Kunselman 1/ 4:F55-59 30:15

Helen E. Botti 1/ 3:F65-69 32:44

Sandy Bueme 1/ 2:M75-79 35:11

Edna E. Hyer 2/ 3:F65-69 41:07

Edye P. Radice 3/ 3:F65-69 42:11:00

1st place, Mike Heitzenrater 15:30

Rich Grimm 16:46 1/M40-44

Allen Dise 17:32 3/M40-44

Judy Arlington 18:39 1/F35-39

Betsy Schultz 18:48 1/F20-24

Eric Newton 18:53 1/M 0-14

Bruce Pitman 18:59 1/M45-49

Daniel Dengler 19:02 2/M45-49

Chris Connelly 19:07 1/M30-34

Mike Harrison19:29 2/M55-59

Katie Pietrak 19:47 1/F15-19

Joann O'Loughlin 19:52 3/F35-39

Sam Neal 19:55 1/M50-54

Julie Doell 20:51 1/F30-34

Jennifer Priore 21:17 2/F25-29

Jane Wright 21:47 2/F40-44

Larry Ammon 23:26 1/M55-59

Diane McGuire 23:39 2/F45-49

Sarah Neal 23:52 2/F50-54

John Tamburlin 24:28 31/M40-44

Rosalie Marino-Soehner 25:24 3/F50-54

Joseph Kaszubski 30:01 3/M65-69

Edna Hyer 32:11 1/F65-69

1st place John McMahon 16:43

Patrick Garrity 18:57 3/M35-39

David Alessi 19:16 1/M50-54

Karl Shallowhorn 19:21 2/M40-44

Marcus Sikorski 19:49 3/M40-44

Richard Testa 20:10 2/M30-34

Melissa Burrows 20:11 2/F20-24

Elizabeth Randell 21:05 1/F35-39

Joanie Hays 21:37 2/F35-39

Mary Beth Lennon 21:52 3/F25-29

Jennifer Hulme 22:07 1/F30-34

Mark Spelman 22:27 2/M55-59

Richard Sullivan 25:39 1/M 70+

Rosalie Marino-Soehner 26:40 1/F50-54

Gloria Santarpia 30:23 1/F65-59

Edye Radice 30:59 3/F65-59

Barb Sauer 31:29 2/F55-59

Judy Thompson 34:55 2/F60-64

1st place Matthew Glynn 15:28

2nd place Mike Heitzenrater 15:36

Kevin Burke 2/ 32:M30-34 15:57

Joseph F. Biasillo 1/ 44:M35-39 16:51

Bob A. Merritt 1/ 48:M45-49 17:03

Thomas Dessauer 2/ 44:M35-39 17:25

Jerry J. Irving 1/ 39:M50-54 17:30

Allen Dise 2/ 59:M40-44 17:32

Ted W. Paget 2/ 39:M50-54 17:35

Stephen Forrestel 3/ 39:M50-54 18:37

Amy Fakterowitz 1/ 26:F35-39 18:38

Gary L. Hastings 1/ 27:M55-59 18:41

Michael H. Harrison 2/ 27:M55-59 19:37

Ralph Zimmermann 2/ 13:M60-64 19:49

Joann O'Loughlin 3/ 26:F35-39 20:29

Diane Sardes 2/ 10:F50-54 20:43

Julie M. Doell 2/ 17:F30-34 21:15

Karen S. Wehn 3/ 10:F50-54 22:03

Elizabeth Subjeck 1/ 4:F 1-14

Sandy V. Bueme 2/ 3:M75-79

Gloria M. Santarpia 1/ 3:F65-69

Fran Rowe 3/ 4:F60-64

Edye P. Radice 2/ 3:F65-69

Helen M. Bueme1/ 1:F70-90

Edna E. Hyer 3/ 3:F65-69

John Mcmahon 0:16:33 1/M35-39

Tom Dessauer 0:17:36 2/M35-39

Trey Gardner 0:17:59 1/M30-34

Susan Munson 0:18:02 1/F40-44

Ron Snavely 0:19:04 3/M35-39

Samuel Neal 0:19:34 2/M50-54

Debra Morris-Allen 0:19:41 2/F40-44

Frank Brigante 0:20:34 3/M40-44

Edna Hyer 0:32:59 2/F 65+

Paul E. Drexler 1/ 8:M25-29 17:10

Greg E. Derick 1/ 12:M30-34 17:25

James R. Waldron 2/ 25:M40-44 17:54

Amy Fakterowitz 1/ 10:F35-39 19:16

Michael H. Harrison1/ 21:M55-59 19:42

Kenneth R. Gordon 1/ 8:M60-64 21:12

Bill H. White 3/ 8:M60-64 22:44

Jennifer L. Pesany 3/ 18:F30-34 22:59

Sandi J. Ludwa 1/ 8:F55-59 23:57

Pete B. Carroll 2/ 2:M70-90 34:16:00

• We thought last month that Amy Fakterowitz had run her life time PR. She excelled once again even surprising herself. At Police Chase she took another 14 seconds off her all time and raced to an 18:38!
• Rumor has it that Coach Bob Carroll raced from the back of the pack at Empire State Games to win. Sandy Bueme said his wife’s ‘jet fuel’ she uses to race was missing from her bag. Hmmmmm wonder who took it.
• John Moore was seen pulling his daughter in the Police Chase Handcuff race. Daughter screaming, "Dad, do we have to go that fast?"
• Every time that someone screamed Amy’s name in the Police Chase, Steve Forrestel was seen picking up the pace so he wouldn’t get beaten by another young girl. Looks like only ONE second separated them.
• Joe Biasillo was proudly wearing his Checkers singlet at the Police Chase.
• Joann O’Loughlin didn’t tie her sneaker tight enough and lost a lot of seconds when she had to stop in the Chase race.
• Ralph Zimmermann breaks 20 minutes. He is only in the 60-64 age group
• Someone was seen talking on HER cell phone while doing her interval at track.
• The Buffalo News highlights Lauren Lorek’s 107 pound weight loss in their Sports Section July 13^th.

Robert Taylor
Meghan Wraight
Gayle Clausen
Mark Alessi
Matt Gittermann
Kevin and Trevor Keane
John J. Lintner
David Spillman
Jerry Mangan
Leanne M. Skrabacz
John Bauman
Melissa Taylor
Allison Bartkowiak
Lauren Vanderland
Bob and Robert Jr.

LaMantia
Jenny O'Connor
Karen Caruso
Kevin Stukey
Tonya L. Cole
Robert Dowrey
Ray Ernst
Kristin Gregoire
Beth Gregoire
Richard Cassidy
Carolyn Nugent
Chloe Evans
Anne Marie Siegakowski
Patricia Hilbert
Elaine Budelewski
Karin Caldwell
Rodolfo Diaz Toyens
Denise Diaz
Nancy Jones
Michelle Sperl
Molly Richards
Elizabeth Richards
Mike Brunetto

Jake Symoniak
Mia Symoniak
Brenna Symoniak
Dan Symoniak
Debbie Symoniak
Scott Horrigan
Nancy Sheehan
David Zydel
Jamie Wierzba
Franklin Jones
Jon Meluik
Jonathan Zangara
Julie Occhino Mark, Christina, Patricia and Robert Rich

Sunday, September 7th 9AM

Bob Kolodziej's and Kathy Melling's

2173 Maxon Road

Varysburg, NY 14167

(585)535-7101

Take 90W to Exit 54 - Rt. 400. Take Rt. 400 to the East Aurora exit (Rt 20A). Make a left at the exit and take Rt. 20A towards Warsaw. Travel about 14 miles on Rt. 20A. Make a left on Maxon Rd., driveway is the first one on the right, 100 yards from 20A. (Hints: look for Byrncliff Golf Club, followed by a very long hill. Maxon Rd. is shortly after you crest the hill and start going back down.) It takes about 45 minutes from Buffalo.

4.5 mile out and back (sort of flat).

6 or 10 mile loops, ending at Byrncliff, with rides back up the hill.

Water and sports drink will be provided.

After: We will have a barbecue with hot dogs, burgers, veggie burgers and corn on the cob.

Everyone is welcome to stay and picnic. There is a pond available for swimming, lounging, cooling off, etc.

Ralph Zimmermann 2/129:M60-64 1:02:59

Sandi Ludwa 2/ 68:F55-59 1:15:22

Helen E. Botti 3/ 14:F65-69 1:28:36

Helen J. Bueme 1/ 3:F70-74 1:50:22

Sandy J. Bueme 4/ 13:M75-90 1:51:40

When recently asked to start writing a column for the Checkers Chatter about what running was like back in the 1970s, I thought, what a great way to annoy all the young and old hot-shots who are kicking my butt now, but who were not running back then! Then I realized, why not be an equal opportunity annoyer, and bug everyone, so here goes.

I started running in April of 1973, and with the wisdom that comes with youth, I made my first road race the New York City Marathon in September of that year. DUH! I kept training and competing, aiming mostly at marathons, through the Seventies, and I ran my last marathon in Columbus, Ohio in 1981. I then took off running completely through the Eighties, and most of the Nineties. I only got back into competitive running in 2000, and in 2001 I ran my first Boston Marathon since 1979.

It was truly as if I had been asleep for twenty-two years, and woke up to find out how much running has changed. So now to annoy you with some observations as to how much running has changed, using the Boston Marathon as my case in point.

Starting with the obvious, they have certainly lengthened the Boston course, as now it takes me much longer to finish it. My guess is they have nearly doubled the distance, but officials I have written to deny this has been done. I smell a cover-up.

I ran my first Boston Marathon in 1974. The entry fee was only $3, compared to $75 now. Of course we would get no shirt or finishing medal (only the certificate), and you pretty much depended on the spectators for water and orange slices. There were no mile marks or timers either, but you know, for three bucks, you got to run Boston, and those certificates were plenty neat.

So there I was, early Monday morning, giving Jock Semple $1 (he personally collected the money) to ride the bus to Hopkinton, wearing my $17 Tiger Boston’s (now Asics), cotton shorts, and my new Buffalo Philharmonic nylon mesh singlet that could cut the nipples off a rhino, if said rhino was crazy enough to wear such a shirt while running a marathon.

I arrived at Hopkinton as one of 1,700 runners, and this period was being called the "Running Boom", yet that number was one tenth of the 17,000 that ran with me in 2001. We were herded into a school where we had to pass a quick physical before we were handed our number. The young interns doing the exams actually refused to pass some 20 or 30 already qualified runners, said they had suspected heart murmurs. There was such an outcry over this that 1974 was the last year we had the physicals.

The school we were in provided the only bathrooms, and although small by today’s numbers, 1,700 was the biggest marathon at the time, and the few bathrooms in the school were not enough for all of us. Most of the runners headed into the nearby woods for relief. I noticed in 2001 that the woods near the school are very lush and green.

After killing time, and many trips to the woods, we headed towards the start. The shrubs and bushes of the local residents also became makeshift bathrooms, and in fact, some homeowners stood in their yards with hoses running, spraying any athlete daring to soil their yard. Who could blame them?

We lined up for the start with no computer chips on our shoes, and with only a dozen or so women in the field. Because of this, the nervous men who needed to line up early to get a good spot (no corrals or seeding of runners then) emptied their bladders right there on the road. It turned out to be a splashy start to the race despite the blue skies.

Back to the future. Now we runners are herded into the Athlete’s Village, a large grassy area surrounded by fences and more port-a-potties than I had ever seen. Probably enough to have satisfied the 500,000 concert goers at Woodstock, but just enough to handle the 17,000 nervous and anxious athletes gathered here. We start meandering the half mile or more to our different corrals. There are many more port-a-potties along the way, probably more than enough to handle the athletes had this been 1974. Unfortunately, this was 2001, and it was good to see at least one tradition from the old days still intact. Every shrub, bush, and parked car became a potential bathroom. This time, however, I saw no homeowners chasing away athletes with spewing hoses. Perhaps the residents of Hopkinton came to realize that their bushes were healthier and their grass greener, and all without the use of Miracle-Grow.

One thing that hasn’t changed in Boston are the crowds of people that cheer you on. Not many sports have literally over a million spectators cheering on the athletes during the competition. The crowd control is a bit better, as I do remember that in one of the Boston's I ran during the Seventies, we were running all the way up Heartbreak Hill in almost single file because those cheering us on had closed almost completely in on us. And then there is Wellesley, the private school for women (back then we said private girls school), whose inmates (back then we said babes) make so much noise (back then we said noise) you can hear them a half mile before you reach them. That hasn’t changed, and I still lose ten minutes each year taking up the offers of seniors with the signs that read "Kiss me, I’m a senior."

In 1974, the first woman runner, Miki Gorman, passed me with a couple miles to go and finished in 2:47:11, which was just 41 seconds off the world record for women at the time. I think that record has improved since then. Oh yeah, I would say the most noticeable and best change in running since 1974 is the number of women (did I mention that back then we said girls or babes) who compete. During the Seventies, I knew only a handful of local women runners, while now the numbers of men and women competing are nearly equal.

We finished in front of the Prudential Center then, herded into a small finishing chute, where my finishing time of 2:48:57 was good enough for 302 place. It would not be until the next year that they would give the finishers those silver blankets they still give out, and in1974 they turned the race clock off at 3:30, which was the qualifying time one needed in 1974. That qualifying time started to change soon enough, and as we all know, it keeps right on changing, but at least now, they keep the clock going much longer.

And so the biggest difference between "The Good Old Days" (I said that just to annoy you) and now are the numbers of runners, both men and women. We thought we had a "Running Boom" going then, but it does not compare to what is going on now. We were fierce competitors back then though, and I have many more tales to tell in future newsletters. Just to annoy you. Bill

Bio:

This month, please meet the Gary Raby family. Sons Gary Jr. and Jason have followed the running path of their father, Gary Sr. Both boys are avid runners and compete at the collegiate level. Gary Jr. will return to the NU Cross-country team this Fall and Jason will join the Bengal’s Track team at Buffalo State. Since their Middle and High School days, Dad was there. "My first priority was always to see my boys."

Gary Jr. had to adjust from running High School Cross Country to College level. "The courses are longer and much more challenging, typically 8-10 Km. The guys are more serious and there is a strong sense of group and team." More specifically, "I learned a better sense of pace." That has helped Gary Jr. to achieve 5km times of 17:10 on the road.

Older brother Jason, trains daily before his work at Tops Supermarket in Lewiston. "I have a 5km cross country PR of 18:36." I asked Gary Sr. about the value of school athletics. "Discipline is critical. It makes for better students."

Diane Sardes, Fred Lew, and Mike Schiavone introduced a veteran runner of 24 years, Gary Sr. to Checkers AC. "I was always competitive. I began running when I worked out at the YMCA. I like to test myself." Gary’s’ first race was a 10km and then eventually competed in 13 marathons. "My PR was 3:17 and I almost qualified for Boston (3:15). Generally, I run 3:20- 3:35." Additional performance PRs include 2:10 (6:50 pace) at 30km in the Bay Race.

Gary Sr. has participated in the Empire State Games and the 1995 World Veteran Games. At that event he recalls, "In the 1500M, Ireland was in Lane 1, I was in Lane 2 and Rod Dixon was in Lane 3." He completed that heat in 4:55, and also raced the 800M and 5KM. In the 1996 ESG, Gary took home Gold and Silver Medals in the 800M and 1500M. Most recently, Gary earned a Silver medal in the Veteran ESG 1500M at Cortland in June.

Memorable experiences for Gary Sr. were his encounters at the Syracuse Festival of Races. "The 5Km event featured a Moroccan Athlete, Kalid Knouchi, blazing the race in 13:00." Knouchi is the current World record holder in the Marathon (2:05). "I also met Lynn Jennings."

Gary Sr. comments about the local running scene. "We have many good quality runners in the area. The race coordinators do well and there is a lot of encouragement from the Clubs." His perspective on how Checkers AC helps, "Its a good introductory experience for the beginning runner to learn and train with a partner." Jason adds, "Learning from Bob Carroll and watching our elites on the Track." Gary Jr. comments, "Its great motivation to improve." Finally, Gary Sr. offers this encouragement. "Do the best you can. Work at it. Don’t quit."

Back to the Adirondack’s where training seems to be at every bend in the road.

The weather wasn’t very promising for the athlete’s this year. Winds were gusting near 30 mph. the day before the event but hopes were high. It was cloudy the morning of the Ironman but very calm. We thought it would clear up because it’s normal for the area to be a little foggy in the morning because of the mountains.

The swimming event began at 7 AM and as the swimmers began to exit the water and run the short distance to their bikes, I tried holding the shutter down on the camera as others tried to yell who was coming into focus. Spectators had it easy compared to what nearly 1800 athletes were trying to achieve. It was miserable as the rain soaked everyone.

As six hours neared we moved from the swim and then bike course to watch the run, the course is somewhat spectator friendly, 13.1 miles out and back, pass the finish line and do it again, your now running a marathon. Torrential rains and winds began. Spectators ran for cover, umbrellas were everywhere. We thought about the poor marathoners, but then remembered that there were probably 1,000 still on their bikes. They already were Ironmen and women in our eyes. The rains eased up a half a dozen times only to start up again and again.
Congratulations to all who endured the endless hours of awful weather conditions. Hopefully you will not have to fight the weather in your next Ironman. Diane Sardes

Jim Schaffstall 11:31:05 64/277 M40-44

Joanne York-Rappl 11:33:16 1/64 W40-44
Dana White 11:43:58 8/93 W30-34
Matt Ruddy 11:51:11 113/338 M30-34 367
Chris Ankrum 12:08:15 104/323 M35-39

Scott Rudzinski 12:45:25 10/27 M18-24

Bruce Levine 13:20:21 199/323
Michale Rotoloa 13:59:56 257/338 M30-34
William Seyler 14:50:49 18/39 M55-59
Patricia McManus 15:16:25 42/64 W40-44
Jim Kavanagh 15:16:25 126/156 M45-49

Melissa Hanson 16:42:12 86/97 W35-39

Are you already shopping for back to school supplies and clothes? Have you gone to Sam’s Club lately and said, "it is only August and they have Halloween and Christmas decorations out already?" Is your favorite pro or college football team (Notre Dame) starting training camp? If you have answered yes to any or all of these questions, it can only mean one thing, Cross Country season is upon us, and Checkers is looking for a few good men and women. That’s right members. If you ran in school or, like me, played football in the fall and wondered what all the fuss about running in the mud was, now’s your chance to find out. For the past couple of years Coach Carroll has been organizing Checkers teams for the Upstate New York Cross Country Series. Genesee Valley Harriers, a running club out of Rochester, N.Y., sponsors the series and the meet director is Pete Galvin who does a great job organizing them.

Every fall five different courses are scheduled, with sites ranging from Akron Park to locations in the Syracuse area. This year Akron Park is hosting the first race of the series on Sept 6, with a post race party at the Forrestel’s quarry. There is a point system for individuals and for teams, with teams being open (39/under), masters (40-49), and veterans (50+) ,in both women and men categories. A team consists of eight members with the top five scoring points. Here is a race where even an average runner can help their team win by finishing before the other team’s average runner. The best part to me is that every course is different ranging from golf courses to wooded trails, from flat parks to steep ravines and hills. Doesn’t the same old 5K route you know by heart, and racing against the same people all the time, start to get a little boring by the end of the summer? (I know with all this rain, what summer?) However, rain makes racing X-C even more fun. Therefore, if you tried it before or want to try it for the first time, now is your chance for an excellent adventure into the world of Cross Country racing. You can either go to GVH’s web site, which is at our links, or approach Coach Carroll about information on this individual and team event. Remember it is a great excuse to run in the rain and mud and act likes a kid again. Hope to see you there with spikes on. Roger.

PS. If you are afraid to get your good running shoes dirty, Runner’s Roost has a great selection of spikes and trail shoes.

Sunday, July 13 was the 26^th running of the Boilermaker, America’s largest 15K road race and this year I finally made it. Knowing I run many races, friends have been long encouraging me to try the Boilermaker and for good reason; it’s a great race!

It’s held at and by Utica, NY. I say and by because the entire city seems to be involved in some way. There were 5,400 volunteers to help! Spectators appeared to number in the thousands offering not only encouragement but, at more than one point, squeezy type Popsicles. There were bands along the way. The course almost completely circles the city but there was no apparent reluctance or problem with shutting the course off completely to traffic. The front page of Utica’s Sunday paper was devoted almost exclusively to the race with a special section included within. Many ads in the paper contained images of runners or some reference to the race. The City goes beyond merely putting on the race; it embraces it. I felt like an honored quest!

It is necessary to make arrangements much in advance. Hotels and motels are usually booked the afternoon of race day for next year’s race, and race registration - limited to 10,000 - was closed about 1 ½ months before . It was only because of my friends that I had a bib number and room (thanks again!).

The entire race …at least my experience of it…. went very well. So well that I believe God not only had a hand in it, but spent some extra time.

Given the usual weather in New York State in July, the race could have been called The Pressure Cooker. Not this one; the weather was perfect. The day before conditions were volatile; alternately soaking rain and almost clear breaks pushed by a strong wind. Race day was overcast, very cool with a very light wind. At the starting line we were sprinkled on briefly but the ominous cloud brewing behind us bypassed. It was almost chilly. At the finish it was still overcast, windier and, as expected, I was cooling down very quickly. With my Checkers running jacket miles away in my car, I started to review the symptoms of hypothermia. Just when I thought it time to look for fire wood, the sun broke out, warm and bright. I think the delay was to give runners still on the course the chance to run in the shade. Divine!

The course was very interesting varying from narrow parkway (congested and slow; about 3 miles) to broad parkway in a beautiful setting, to the golf course and its hill, to the College area and finally the old city section. Traffic problems were nonexistent. The city was ours!

The post race party was in line with everything else; great! Food, drink goody bags, a band and a very impressive ceremony; the National Anthem followed by grand finale-like fireworks display capped off by a jet fighter/bomber fly-by. That ceremony was striking in contrast; contrasting our human muscle/spirit driven race with the power in our Anthem, the fireworks and the fly-by. Wow!

The ‘ things’ of the race could not have been better. But of course, the most important part, the best part of a race is the people. The volunteers, race personnel, service providers, spectators and citizens; all were phenomenal. I had clerks in stores ask me about running; they were completely aware of the Race! And the runners…all 10,000 of us. What a great bond we share! In the hall walking to my room I spoke with a woman I have never seen before; we talked about running like old friends. Beautiful! Just as many others to follow. Like the gorgeous blonde I spotted in the starting corral impossibly far away yet somehow right next to me crossing the start. I wished her a good race! The young fellow (30’s)(!) gasping at the congestion-slowed 2 mile mark that he didn’t think he would make it……the woman in her 70’s going strong at 3 miles….the young woman (20’s) who found the only mud puddle on the whole course and who, with deadly aim, slipped and fell right into it ( it was just big enough for her to fit into) and then kept going….. passing Wendy on the downside of the hill and getting a "go for it"…..asking a woman next to me "is that the finish?" which she answered but went on to describe the rest of the course - she knew exactly what I was thinking!! Beautiful! Divine! If there ever was a day to speak with angels, this was it; I did.

And there were some special moments. At the start, a bugler played our Anthem; no singing. The crowd – all 10,000 plus of us - went completely silent as it started. When the Anthem was about 2/3^rd’s complete I heard a strange sound. It gradually grew louder and as it did I identified it; people were singing! It was a wave sweeping over the crowd!

And after the race, walking right over the starting line to my car from the shuttle bus stop, I found myself in the midst of some runners. One commented to me that just a few hours before that spot was part of the race and now just a city street. He said "remarkable" to which I added "and special".

Special. We runners are special. When God made the mold for us he added something extra, something special. Whatever that is, it was evident at this race.

That afternoon I left Utica but went East on the Thruway to go to the Adirondacks. I was treated not only to the bluffs, hills and river of the beautiful Mohawk Valley but to what my son Dave, has named a "big sky"; transparent air, puffy white clouds curving endlessly down to the horizon against a heavenly sea of pure blue. Thank you God! I was so smitten by the events of the day and this panorama, I missed the exit I needed by two, turned around at Schenectady and headed back! Finally getting to the backwoods road I was hoping to, I crossed a town line marked by a sign; the township of Hope.

Hope. Maybe that’s part of what has been added to our mold. Maybe that’s what helps us keep going. Hope.

A great race ……and 2003 was special.