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As the running community begins its new year, there are accomplishments
from the old year to reflect upon…..
Gwen Kelemen enjoyed the Niagara Falls International
Half-marathon. “It was a crisp Fall morning October 25th, when area runners
Gwen Kelemen and Kathy Brett lined up. The course was flat and fast,
following the Niagara River and ending right at the magnificent Falls, on the
Canada
side. The autumn colors were tremendous, and at one point on the course,
there was even a rainbow over the mist blown up by the Falls. The event was
well-organized, and the fan support was wonderful,” she said. Gwen set a PR of 2:05:28. Kathy, who was
recovering from the flu, showed her true grit by finishing, with a big grin.
Gwen said that she and Kathy would “highly recommend this race for anyone
looking for a fun Fall event.” It’ll befall that there will be more Saint
Louisans at the Falls in the Fall of 2010?
The 4th Annual Tulsa Route 66 Marathon and Half-marathon
included a five person marathon relay, a five mile run/walk, a kids’ 1-mile
run/walk. AND a competition for the world’s “stroller!” marathon race record.
Saint Louis’
Zac Freudenburg managed to win the marathon, and to set the “stroller”
marathon record. His time, pushing his 11-month-old son, Liam, was 2:32:10. The
duo surprised the crowd and the race announcer–they finished less than a
minute after a prediction that they would finish “in about five minutes.” Zac and Liam had a major challenge from the
current stroller record holder, Michael Wardian. Michael raced with his son,
Grant, also 11-months old. Although many races do not allow strollers, the
race directors made accommodations when they learned Zac and Michael were
coming. Kathleen Nelson, of The Saint
Louis Post-Dispatch, felt that Zac and Michael, and their sons, were evenly
matched, and could not predict a winner.
(Sunday November 11, 2009, p C-2). The duos were pretty close to each
other during the first miles, but Zac and Liam managed to cross the finish
line two minutes before Michael and Grant. Zac thought that the wind might
have been more of a disadvantage to Michael.
“We pushed each other on. We challenged each other,” Zac said in a You
Tube interview. Zac also said that he enjoyed his (first) visit to Tulsa, the pre-marathon
events, and the weather.
At the pasta dinner the night before, during Zac’s
interview, Liam had put the microphone into his mouth. Did some magic microphone juice help him
and Zac glide toward the world record? --Zac said that Liam sang most of the
way!
Team Captain Jeff Bockhorn reported proud accomplishments
from over 20 Team 180 Energy Runners who participated. in the events in Tulsa. In the marathon, John Aerni took third
place overall, and Chris Gregory, a new Team 180 member, placed seventh
overall. In the half-marathon, and Sean Birren took second place and Mike Aitken
took fourth place. Expatriated member
Colleen Casey took first place in the female division of the half-marathon.
Team 180 members enjoyed their reunion with her, and with Nick Kanndy. AND–a
hundred cases of 180 energy drink were handed out, according to Jeff!
The Great River Road Run commemorated its 50th year
November 28th. Over 1250 completed the ten-miler and almost 300 completed the
two-miler. Both out-and-back courses skirt the banks of the Mississippi
River, and offer spectacular views of the river and bluffs. “We were blessed with a perfect day, for
November,” said Alton Road Runners longtime member Bob Martin. (The run has
seen ALL kinds of weather during its history.) This year’s Race director Russ Colona, and
his wife, Kathy, contacted Jim Wigger, the organizer of the race in 1959. They
honored him by having him be the official race “starter.” Russ reported that
Jim is now busy as a coach at Alton
High School. Open
female winner was Eileen Petito, 39, time 1:04:57. Female Masters winner was
Julie Bergfeld, 42, time 1:05:22. Open male winner was Karl Gilpin, 30, time
50:54. Male masters winner was Dan Rooney, 49, time 56:46. Female finishers under 40 outnumbered the
males, at 318 vs. 235, but in the Grand-masters category, 65 & Over the
males outnumbered the females 29 to 3. (Interpretation?) Male grand-master
finisher Michael Brazier, 69, of Glen
Ellyn, Illinois,
had the distinction of having run all fifty Great River Road Runs, and
completed the ten-miler.
Big River Running Company collected over 1400 cans of
food, during its second annual Miles for Food Canned Food Drive. Both the South City
and West County stores had collection barrels.
The South City store won the competition between
the stores, for the second year. The names of all shoppers who brought five
or more cans were entered into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate-- Brenda
Tripp won the certificate.
Big River Running Company was named one of the Top 100
Running Stores in the United
States by the Competitor Group, which
evaluates retailers on bases of feedback from shoppers, suppliers, reports
from a mystery shopper, and community involvement. Co-owners Matt Helbig and
Ben Rosario accepted the award in Austin,
Texas.
Over 2,500 registered for “Fun on the Freeway,” the 5k
held on the tract of I- 64/40 near Forest
Park December 6th, prior to its opening for motor
vehicle traffic December 7th. Race director Rick Lux pointed out that this
was a 30% increase in registration over the number who registered for the
2008 “Fun on the Freeway.” More runners and walkers are becoming avant-garde?
Best wishes to the new editor of the Track Time News, Anna
Jones. Anna was chosen by the Saint Louis Track Club’s Board of Directors
from the pool of six candidates interviewed. Anna graduated from the University of Missouri
School of Journalism, and has extensive experience writing and editing sports
and health-related publications. She has been a Copy Editor at St. Louis
Magazine, and at the news and sports desks of the Saint Louis Post-Dispatch.
Beth Erman and Anna worked jointly on the January issue to smoothen the
transition.
As we run new and old paths, and transition into 2010, may
our days be healthy, happy, and injury-free ones. Please share your news with
Dsprin5574@aol.com, or the Saint Louis Track Club office.
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