Race Reports from the Women: Autism Speaks

From Lauren Carter of the Open:

Jane Vongvorachoti

The number of PRs set in Saturday’s Autism 4M has made it evident that Lady Orange is indeed fit for Fall. In her 4M debut, Jane not only led the Women’s Open team, but won the race in 22:20! Full of excitement to be back racing with the team, Cat Beck finished behind Jane in 22:58. After getting out in a blazing start, Andrea Bradshaw finished third for the Women’s Open with a PR of 23:19. Coming in behind her were Kir Selert, 23:44, and Steph Herrick with a 3s PR of 23:45. Although the first 5 women of the team traditionally score, it is only appropriate we honor our 6th scorer in this race, Grace White, with her 1+ minute PR finishing in 24:23.

These ladies have definitely set the bar high and some of their teammates met the challenge with their own personal achievements. Dani Sturtz and Megan Kretz worked together throughout the race to achieve their goals. Megan achieved a 43s PR and Dani finished just behind her own PR. Tara and Erin Conroy both set PRs as well by 13s and 31s respectively.

If the slew of PRs and achievements wasn’t enough on Saturday, the Women’s Open team continued with the momentum on Sunday. Lindsay Kos ran the VIA Lehigh Valley Marathon to comfortably qualify for Boston 2014. Running negative splits, Lindsay ran 3:19.43. Special shout out to Veronica Jackson for keeping her company miles 11-26! We also had Nicole Falcaro compete AND win her first Triathlon. Nicole blazed through the Athleta Iron Girl Sandy Hook Triathlon in 59:27.

After a toasty summer, it looks like the Women’s Open team is prepared to take on any challenge, whether it be one Mother Nature gives or ones we give ourselves. Look for great things from the Women’s Open team this Fall!

Megan Kelly

(photo Ben Ko)

From Ani Go of the 40+:

Ani Go

An absolutely stunning day presented itself for the Autism Speaks 4 miler! While the women’s masters 40+ did not have a full team, we enjoyed the nearly ideal conditions to run. The fantastic Judy Stobbe used the race as a tune-up for the upcoming xc season, and to build strength for the 5th Ave mile (coming up–9/22, sign up now!). She lead our team of two with 26:52, and your little captain caboosed it in at 27:47. We borrowed the talents of the 1st place 60+ team’s Captain Sylvie who rounded up our scorers in 29:17 (a nice AG of 92.77%, holy crow!). Way to go!

The incredible ladies of the 60+ team, made up of Captain Sylvie, stalwart Judy Tripp, and the ever young Lynn Blackstone, once again captured 1st place. More double dipping to be had as the very same team also scored 7th place in the 50+ category.

Great racing by the women and men’s open teams, and our male masters!

Huge congrats to Jane V who won the whole enchilada in the women’s race! Amazing, all!

BONUS! CPTC represents as our iron lady Audrey Kingsley made the trek down to PA and did the Lehigh Valley Health Network VIA Marathon! 7th place in her age group in 3:37:13! Ms Aud, do we see Boston in the future? Congrats! Recover well and we’ll see you again on the road soon!

Next pts race–FIFTH AVE MILE! time to BRING IT!

http://www.nyrr.org/races-and-events/2013/nyrr-fifth-avenue-mile-presented-by-nissan-1m

GO ORANGE!

–ani

From Sylvie Kimche of the W 60+:

Sylvie Kimche

On a perfect day for racing, cool, dry and breezy, the W60+ team, made up of Lynn Blackstone, Judith Tripp and Sylvie Kimche, came in first – for the 6th time in as many races (FYI, we did not score for the Brooklyn Half as we did not have a team) – for a total of 105 points, i.e 26 points ahead of 2nd team Millrose and 29 pts ahead of 3rd team Mercury Masters.

Lynn, always steady and reliable, was 3rd for the team in a great effort 40:12 – her 2nd fastest pace of the year – good for 2nd in her age group.

Stalwart (borrowing that word from Ani in her write-up today as I like it and it fits like a glove – although it fits Lynn like a glove too!!!) Judith, despite not feeling very well, was 2nd for the team and 2nd in her age group too in 34:50, good for 78% AG

Yours truly, Captain Sylvie, fresh off her 2-weeks hiking trip carrying a heavy backpack and wearing heavy hiking boots in the mountains of Corsica, felt like the hills of CP were ant hills and had her best race since April 2012. She came in 1st for the team and 1st in her age group in 29:17, good for a 92.77% AG!!!

Also in the absence of a complete W40+ team, Sylvie was surprised and happy (& very proud) to round out the W40+ team.

The W60+ team of Lynn, Judith and Sylvie also scored for the W50+ in 7th place.

Congrats to all the teams for their valiant efforts and successes.

Special congrats to Jane V for winning the race outright. Way to go Jane!!!

Next race is the Fifth Avenue Mile, the most exciting race of the year! Hope to see you all there, racing or cheering!

GO ORANGE!!! (or whatever color our team members are wearing these days as the team photo from the Team Ch’ps race will attest to!!!)

Sylvie

Standings After Team Champs:

1st: 60+

2nd: Open

5th: 40+, 50+