From Greg Cass of the Open:
The Central Park Track Club gets many opportunities to run fast at a wide range of distances. This year, we’ve had the opportunity to highlight impressive and inspiring successes on short roads, long roads, and the track. Unfortunately, there are not many opportunities for CPTC to demonstrate its prowess in the road mile. After seeing CPTC’s Open Men’s results from this past weekend’s Fifth Avenue Mile, I can confirm that CPTC’s prowess does indeed extend to the road mile, and I’ll add that it’s unfortunate we don’t have more opportunities to both cheer on and be wowed by our milers on city streets.
For the first time in a scoring race this year, the Men’s Open Team finished in second place, unseating NYAC from its usual top-2 finish (originally, we were listed as finishing 3rd, behind another team called “Nike” that included Matt Centrowitz and didn’t have room for Bernard Lagat’s sub-4 in its top 5…even if we don’t have to compete with them this year, we can always strive to beat them next year…).
Corey Wall
Photo: Nigel Francis
Corey Wall was our top finisher, clocking an impressive 4:11 in the NYRR Road Mile Championships heat, setting a new PR a week after winning the Farmingdale Mile in 4:12. Corey’s had an unbelievable season that includes a JP Morgan Corporate Challenge victory and some big-time work on the track. His 4:11 puts him at #5 on CPTC’s all-time road mile list – looking forward to the damage he can do in years to come. Not far behind Corey in the Road Mile Championship Heat was Eddie Mulder at 4:15, also a PR and #9 on the CPTC all-time list. Eddie recently joined the club and debuted for CPTC at Percy Sutton (16:03) – lots of early successes we hope he continues to replicate!
Eddy Mulder and Peter Brady
Photo: NYRR
Peter Brady and Harrison Hunter joined Corey and Eddie in the Championship heat, clocking 4:22 and 4:26, respectively. Peter’s range is astounding – his mile performance comes on the heels of a summer where he won the USATF Masters National Championship in the 800m and scored for the Open Men in the 5-mile Club Champs race (**footnote – he’s 43 years young…). Harrison’s time earned him some individual accolades as well, winning the 20-24 year old age group.
Our scoring crew was rounded out by Matt Lacey, who clocked a 4:29, good for 2nd in the 30-34 age group (with the losing margin less than a second). A long-time leader on the Open Men’s Team, Matt recently moved upstate to Hamilton, NY (with wife and CPTC Women’s star Cat Beck), and his results line reflects his new home – thanks for making the trip down, and we’re looking forward to seeing you whenever you want to join for a race.
To all of CPTC’s finishers – congratulations! The list of team and individual awards is amazing, and the support of everyone along the course was phenomenal. Well done Open Men – way to crack into the top-2. Next up? A natural distance progression from a fast road mile to a distance bonanza in back-to-back weekends – first a 10-miler in the Bronx and then Grete’s 2-loop march through Central Park. Hope to see many of you out there.
From David Greenberg of the 40+:
The CPTC 40+ men tied for the win with Urban Athletics at the Fifth Avenue Mile, increasing their hold on the lead in the points competition with just four races to go.
If the results stay as they are, I estimate the points will be:
CPTC: 104
Warren Street: 79
West Side: 70
And with the mandatory two weakest races deleted:
CPTC: 84
Warren Street: 72
West Side: 58
We’re in a good position for the rest of the year as we go for the repeat.
Scorers were Peter Brady (4:21.5/92.13%/2nd 40-44, sort of),
Gerry O’Hara 4:46/89.85%/1st 50-54,
Sherman Lau 4:48/83.81%/10th 40-44.
Usually I have a lot of great performances to write about – PRs, AG bests, AG top 10s…Heck, last year five people set course records at this race. I’m not sure why, but the list of superlatives is light this race.
The unquestionable race of the week goes to Peter Brady, who competed in the NYRR Road Mile championship rather than the age group event. His 4:21.5 was a personal course best by 7 seconds, he seems to have finished second in his age group to Bernard Lagat (!), and his mark is #2 all-time for the CPTC 40+ road list. He was the #3 CPTCer on the day of any age.
Peter:
Luckily today turned out to be great weather and I had the opportunity to run in the NYRR Road Championship heat instead of running in the 40-49 race, so I was able to chase after a bunch of really fast younger guys.
I’m very happy with today’s result, particularly in light of my recent struggles. Thanks to NYRR# for putting on a great event as always, to Devon Martin for giving me the chance to run in this race and to all my CPTC teammates and others who cheered along the course.
I’ll let 50s captain Chris Donnelly string together some superlatives for our #2 scorer, 51-year-old Gerry O’Hara, who won the 50-54.
Our #3 was Sherman Lau, in his first scoring position of the year. Sherman told me after the race that he was happy to run as well as he did, considering he has done mostly base training so far.
Top 10s in their age groups were:
Daniel Gercke (4:49/87.59%/5th 45-49)
Daniel:
Well, I got to run with Meb Keflezghi. He finished our heat in around 4:50, which is pretty much the pace of his marathon and my mile. The whole heat was won by former Olympian Sean Wade. Which is why Fifth Ave. is such a motivating race every year: it’s like Dancing With The Stars.
Mohammed Lahseni (4:42/84.71%/6th 45-49)
Brad Kelley (4:58/84.79%/8th 45-49.
John Milone
Photo: Mikal Christopher Scott
John Milone gets credit for a sub five: 4:57/81.34%/17th 40-44)
But it looks like Peter had the only course personal record – last year we had five. What was in the air last year? Was there a tailwind?
On to the Bronx and the oddball 10 mile distance – surely we’ll get some PRs up north.
Speaking of north – Alexandre Tilmant finished in the top 10% at the Ultra-Trail de Mont Blanc recently – 105 miles plus 6 miles vertical.
Back from the UTMB race in Chamonix, France. Gorgeous weather, fabulous alpine panoramas and immense camaraderie. Happy to have finished in a little over 34h and in good shape. Will definitely be back to hike the course over a few days at a more leisurely pace!
Now on to the distance doubleheader of the Bronx 10 and Grete’s – get your chocolate milk ready.
David Greenberg
Photo: Mikal Christopher Scott
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Let XC captain John Milone know asap if you plan to run the USATF 5k Masters XC Championship in Saratoga – signing up is not simple so don’t leave that one to the last minute. Don’t hesitate about the competitive nature of the race – it’s remarkably fast up front but strings out like a road race. You can find past results at http://www.usatf.org/Events—Calendar/2015/USATF-Masters-5km-Cross-Country-Championships/Past-Results.aspx
From Chris Donnelly of the 50+:
Judy Stobbe and Gerry O’Hara
Photo: NYRR
The Fifth Avenue Mile has traditionally been a high point in the NYRR club points season, a race that plays to the strengths of CPTC’s 50+ men, and 2015 didn’t disappoint: we took top honors by a comfortable margin. Gerry O’Hara won the race for the second year running, holding off the formidable Conor O’Driscoll of Westchester Track Club in the final stretch. It was exciting finish with the top four runners all crossing the line within two seconds.
While Gerry was busy fending off Conor’s late charge, Coach Tony Ruiz was showing off those track legs. John de Csepel, also in the scoring mix, reports: “I was trailing Tony Ruiz the whole race. With 400m to go, I thought I might even be gaining on him (and the group he was in). Then with 200 to 300m to go, Tony put on the after burners, gapping me and the group he was formerly in. It was an impressive display of track speed. Happy to have a front row seat. Wish I could have gone with him.”
The weather was beautiful and looking around the corral before our heat, orange was everywhere. What other team fields a squad of 50+ men that’s 15 deep? And having our women in the mix made it all the more special as Judy Stobbe romped to victory by a 13 second margin over her nearest competitor. CPTC was all over the leader board, and on the sidelines – all that cheering really supercharged us.
In all, CPTC men placed eight of the top 24 runners in the 50-54 age group, including Gerry (1 st) and Tony (10 th). Here’s how we matched up against second-place Westchester Track Club in the scoring:
1 CPTC New Balance 00:15:07
Gerald O’Hara 04:46 (89.85% AG)
Tony Ruiz 05:07 (85.85% AG)
John de Csepel 05:14 (81.94% AG)
2 Westchester TC 00:15:30
Conor O’Driscoll 04:47
Jay Duggan 05:03
Evan Bender 05:40
CPTC’s depth made all the difference here. In addition to John de Csepel (13th place 50-54), who also scored for us last year, there was a pack of CPTC runners galloping down Fifth Avenue hot on his heels.
Tom Fitzpatrick cruised to a 5:15 (82.37% AG), good for 14th place in 50-54. Coming off surgery earlier this year, Tom printed his best AG score in the Fifth Avenue Mile since 2011.
Chris Donnelly
Photo: NYRR
Chris Donnelly ran 5:18 for 17th place in 50-54 for his best ever AG score, 82.23% and fastest time in three years.
Impressions: “Seeing how many of us showed up to race, I was really psyched to compete. Got away with a clean start for once, and was keeping a string on Tony, John, and Tom for the first 800 meters, though they opened up more distance after cresting the uphill. Summoned up a solid closing kick with 200 to go.”
Marc Mizrahi was next at 5:20 (81.04% AG), for 18th place in 50-54.
Steve Eick got glitched to a gun-time 5:24 (79.33% AG), though his time looks closer to 5:20 on his watch based on the video his wife took. We know the truth, Steve.
Stephen Menlove was new to the mile and ran 5:22 (81% AG) in his Fifth Avenue debut. Steve tells us: “This was my first race shorter than 5K, so I didn’t know how to approach it. I settled in behind Chris Donnelly until the last 100 meters, when he started to kick. My legs got so acidy, that I lost coordination. I was happy to cross the finish line without falling down.”
Michael Siegel recently aged into the 50+ squad, and raced to a 5:26 (78.10% AG), far and away his best AG% in a roadrunners race. Welcome aboard, Mike.
Casey Yamazaki followed at 5:52 (73.49% AG), finishing with Eiji Ebihara, our top finisher in the 55-59 category. Eiji ran 5:53 (75.28% AG), again an AG% best.
Dennis O’Donnell ran 6:05 (74.6% AG, and Bob Markinson crossed the line in 6:23 (68.2 AG). Art Palmer tells us he was tracking well until the 1200 mark when his heart arrhythmia kicked in, forcing a slowdown to 6:24 (70.83% AG). Budd Heyman closed out the CPTC team effort with a 6:25 (70.15% AG).
Our first place finish vaults the 50+ men into third place in the club points competition, separating us from what was effectively a four way tie for the final podium slot. Dropping two races in a back of the envelope calculation, West Side has the upper hand at 70 points, trailed by Warren Street at 67. CPTC is 10 points back, at 57, now followed by DWRT at 51, and BRRC at 50.
Now, onto the long roads, with the Bronx 10 miler up next on Sept. 27.
From Hank Schiffman of the 60+:
On Sunday, in an act of age group sati, eight CPTC 60+ men threw themselves across the starting line, played the highest cards they had in their hands, and heaved across the finish line. This was the 5th Avenue Mile, a race perhaps best described as human chromatography. With a shining sun, low humidity and little to no wind, the weather proved better than the forecast. Of our 8, one walked. Sid Howard maintained his streak from the start, treading water waiting for his body to heal. He will dominate again. In perspective, 10 years ago at the same age as our fastest scorer this year, Sid ran an impressive 5:39/87.3% AG.
Our sole runner in the 70+ group, Hal Lieberman , bridesmaid as 4th in his age group, ran 7:09/72.77%. Hal looked great at the CPTC viewing area at 800 meters and hung on till the end.
Hal:
I ran just as fast as in past years but the timers were off by about a minute. I hope they get the timing system fixed by the time I turn 75 in 2018. Great to see everyone at the starting line. I could use some company in the 70+ race next year – and I hope that Sid really races! He will always be my mentor.
Dave Delano proved our 4th back up in 8:24/59.69%. This was the 5th team point race that Dave has gone the distance for us this season.
Dave:
As this aging journey gets more interesting, I find myself thinking more and more about George Sheehan . He certainly was right when he said “We are all an experiment of one”, yet I find small comfort in his truth, because I must run against some whose curves are still defying gravity. My new MRM (Garmin)watch has been terrific in helping me regain my aerobic capacity and increase my training miles. Unfortunately, my fast twitch fibers did not get the memo, and they ran their own race. I worked hard, ran smart, felt good, but still finished 25 seconds off of last year. So, with everything going so well, what was different than last year? The Fred Factor. There was no Fred Trilli to run with, stride for stride, down 5th Avenue. After last year, we talked about tethering ourselves with a bungee and pulling each other down the course to new AG personal bests. But, Fred is on the IR list and was sorely missed by his team, especially me. And this brings up one aspect of this running life that George never really addressed: teammates and friendship. I find that going slower is OK, especially if I can share the experience with a bunch of guys like my mates on this team. A sense of community and belonging is an uniquely human trait, and at this stage in my life, I consider membership on this team as something priceless. And, I look forward to next year, when Fred and I will join Hal at the next level…well, not at Hal’s level, but at least his age group.
Harry Lichtenstein ran his projected pace from the repetitions at this past track workout in Tony ’s class, 6:51/69.18%.
Chris Neuhoff , our 1st backup, beset with an injury, decided to race only the morning of the race,6:19/75.82%, 11th in age group.
Chris:
Great running with you all. I had cold feet but I’m so glad I raced. I ran the same time as last year…6:19…but it felt easier because I went out slower. What great performances! Hank 82.88% 3rd place…just behind 2nd. Sam 81.96%. Dan 77.29%. Harry under 7 min. Dave under 8:30. Wow! I keyed off Barbara Byrne who ran an amazing race. Congratulations CPTC!
Tenth in the same age group, Dan Molloy was our 3rd scorer, 6:12/77.29%. Dan hung on my left for somewhere in the vicinity of 1200 meters. An inveterate triathlon, Dan maintains good mile speed for one who competes long and steady.
Dan:
I always enjoy lining up at the 5th Ave Mile as all the old timers, men and women are in good spirits wishing each other a speedy race all the while hoping that they beat you. What fun! Also, in 2012 I did 6:14; in 2013 it was 6:13 in 2014 I was slowed due to injury and managed a 6:33, (so 2014 doesn’t count). This year I ran a 6:12. At this rate I expect to break the 6:00 barrier at age 77. (smile) Sam Mann , maintained a lead on me up till the final kick. I was pretty sure he had the goods to be our first scorer. His 6:00 flat/81.96% was the bridesmaid of 65-69 men, 4th. It proved 11 seconds lost since last year. Considering Sam ’s weekly total is about 4 miles, he gives good measure.
Hank Schiffman
Hank Schiffman (me) crossed the line 7 seconds ahead of Sam and 6 seconds slower than last year, our only 60+ sub 6:00 score, good for 82.88%, 3rd in age group and oldest runner in the event to best 6 minutes for the mile.
“You are old, Father William,“ the young man said,
“And your hair has become very white:
And yet you incessantly stand on your head-
Do you think, at your age, it is right?”
“In my youth,“ Father William replied to his son,
“I feared it might injure the brain;
But now that I’m perfectly sure I have none.
Why, I do it again and again.”
As to the race stats:
9 men 50+ ran a sub 5:00: 7 were 50-54, 2 were 55-59
81 men 50-59 age men ran sub 6:00: 57 were 50-54, 24 were 55-59.
9 men 60+ ran a sub 6:00 mile (plus one exceptional woman): 6 were 60-64, 3 were 65-69.
4 men 70+ ran sub 7:00: 3 were 70-74, 1 was 75-79.
17 men 70+ ran sub 8:00: 12 were 70-74, 4 were 75-79, 1 was 80+, Witold , who ran 7:00 flat!
You only borrow your legs.
About the horse race for Club Night, team standings for this race:
1 Brooklyn Road Runners Club 00:17:06
2 CPTC New Balance 00:18:05
3 Taconic Road Runners Club 00:19:05
Which puts the current standings as:
BRR 117
CPTC 82
WSX 72
TRR 60
Applying the David Greenberg -2 standings:
BRR 90
CPTC 66
WSX 65
TRR 48
That we are in neck and neck for 2nd place with WSX is undeniable. Their advantage is the lower numbers they get to subtract from their total: 2 and 8, for a total of 10. Our disadvantage is the larger numbers we get to subtract: 6 and 10, for a total of 16. With 4 races to go, we would do well to have our big guns on these starting lines. Thus we could use another fast pair of feet in the Bronx in 2 weeks for the 10 miler (this would require special dispensation from NYRR) and another speedster for Grete’s the week after. The marathon might as well be etched in stone as our committed can only dwindle. Corbitt’s 15k on December 12th, the final hurrah of the season, tends to bring out the congregation. May it be so.
Captain Hank