The Empire State Games were held in Westchester County this year, which means many more Central Park athletes were able to compete. There were many great performances.

In the open championships Adrian Crichlow broke his own club record in the 100 meters, and took the silver with a time of 10.83. Running against athletes 25 years younger than himself, Darnell Gatling broke his own American masters record (M45-49) in the 400 hurdles, just missing a medal, with a 4th place finish of 55.63. Results.

As John mentioned in an earlier journal entry, in the masters championships everyone medaled. Results.

Sprints:

Val Barnwell (M45-49) and Kendrick Smith (M55-59) took golds in the 100 in 11.56, and 12.27. Marie-Louis Michelson (W65-69) ran in some shorter events than usual, and won the 200 in 33.61 and the 400 in 73.69.

Middle Distance:

Ligaya Mishan (W35-39) ran a very competitive race in the 800, and just missed winning, as she took the silver with a season best of 2:28.83. Glen Carnes (M35-39) took two golds – 800 and 1500, running 2:08.29, and 4:31.40. Michael Potter (M45-49) ran 2:20.15 for the silver in the 800, while John Affleck (M40-44), just coming back from injury, took the bronze in 2:19.04. Salih Talib (M60-64) came in second in the 1500 with a 5:28.92.

Distance:

Margot Sheehan (W45-49) ran to victory in a pair of events – the 2000 meter steeplechase and the 5000 meters, winning in 9:36.51, and 22:34.9. Norm Goluskin (M65-69) won the 10,000 meters (46:18.76) and took second in the 5000 meters (21:57.79).

Field Events:

Rick Shultz took the silver in the Long Jump with a jump of 5.30 meters (17’ 4.5”).