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St. Louis Track Club Grapevine by Donna Springer

 

 

 

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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Last Modified: December 27th, 2009