From Lauren Carter of the Open:

Kryssie Beneke

On a cooler, but humid Sunday morning, several Women’s Open members were daring enough to compete in Grete’s Great Gallop in Central Park.  Kryssie Beneke lead the way with her 1:27:21 finish and a 24s PR.  Kate Pfeffer made her return to the road with a 1:27:47 as our second scorer, and our third scorer, Jane Vongvoracharti, completed a weekend of races with 1:29:49 finish.  Jen Busse was our fourth finisher with a 1:30:30 and our fifth lady, Rae Baemiller, doubled dipped with her 1:42:03 finish.

From Ani Go of the 40+:

It was an unexpectedly humid, sticky day for Grete’s Great Gallop. In all appearances, it was a spooky morning that could be fraught with peril or bring unexpected surprises.
The Iron Lady, Ms Audrey Kingsley, represented the master women’s 40+ team. Audrey had just run a marathon just about a month ago, after an absence from the distance scene, gave it a go for Grete’s, perhaps as prep for another big game day coming up. The day was perilous for her, as she had stubbed her toe badly earlier this week and did battle with that and the course. But as her name suggests, she finished what she started and scored 2nd for the team. Great job Aud, those with lesser problems would’ve given up.

Our first class 60+ masters ladies stepped up to the plate and scored for the master’s 40+, as well as coming in 1st for their own team, and 5th for the 50+ team! The legendary Rae Baymiller, at 70 years fast, was the first scorer, with her time of 1:42:03, earns an incredible AG of 97.05%. Rounding up the scoring team is the great Barbara Byrne, who I swear I’ve seen wings on her back. 1:44:24 puts her at an AG of 82.66%. Both ladies handily won their age groups.

We had 40+ representation for the 1.7mi run as well. Although it was a fun run, Judy Stobbe tested her skills on the odd distance and won, with her time of 10:29. She’ll be bringing her A game along with Lady Veep Sue P and Tigress Terry B to the Masters XC champs in Flemington, NJ on October 20th!

Only 2 more scoring races left–the big game–NYC Marathon, and the Ted Corbitt 15k on December 14. Please let me know if you’ll be doing either one (or both?).

Sandwiched in between is our annual benefit on November 22nd, which we always look forward to. Our date for that night is Leo Manzano. I’m still hoping he’ll bring his medal so we can all touch it. 🙂

Congrats to the women’s & men’s open teams, and masters!

GO ORANGE!

–ani

From Sylvie Kimche of the 50+ and 60+:

Judith Tripp

Photo: NYRR

As the saying in fashion goes: 60 is the new 40….

Well, it seems an accurate description of our fabulous W60+ team who got another first place in the Grete’s Great Gallop Half Marathon on Sunday, led by the ageless Rae Baymiller in an incredible 1:42:03 (a new American record), 1st in her age group of course & 1st in the AG classification with a 97.05%.It bodes well for her goal of breaking the world record at the NYC marathon less than 4 weeks from now!

Even if she was not too happy with her race (in her own words: “I wasn’t that thrilled with my time, considering I gave it all I had.  Realize I haven’t been training to do a long run at a decent pace so this is a reminder that there won’t be a good result without putting in the practice”), Barbara was second for the team in an excellent 1:44:24, 1st in her age group by 13 minutes with a very commendable  82.66% AG.

Stalwart Judith & road warrior Lynn both stepped up to the line to make sure we would have a team. Steady Lynn was ready to run and walk if necessary to finish the race – which she did – in case Judith would have to drop out because of bruised ribs. Judith managed to run the whole race to complete the team and even got 3rd place in her age group (and a great photo to boot on the NYRR website!).

Many thanks to both Judith and Lynn. What a great team spirit!

These amazing ladies once again scored for the W50+ team and took 5th place.

And to go back to my opening comment that 60 is the new 40, Rae did quadruple duty at Grete’s and Barbara  triple duty, helping Audrey Kingsley to a 6th place in the W40+ category (Barbara was 3rd for the W40+ team and Rae was 1st, which seems completely normal because she does not look a year older….  🙂 For the record, Rae was fifth woman on the open team and first for the 40+, 50+ and 60+.  Amazing feat!

Again, congrats to our amazing W60+ runners! With this race the 60+ has clinched the 1st place overall as we cannot be overtaken by either Mercury Masters or Millrose, whatever happens in the next two team races.

Next team race is the NYC Marathon on Nov 3. We will not have a W60+ team (which we don’t need it to cinch the overall 1st place, as long as we have a team in the last team race in December), but CPTCers, if you’re not running the NYCM yourself, please come out to cheer Rae on her World record attempt. Thanks in advance!

We will also have a 60+ team for the Masters National 5x XC Championships in Flemington, NY on October 20.

GO ORANGE!

Sylvie

Team Points Standings After the Fifth Avenue Mile:

1st: W 60+

Second: Open

Fifth: 40+, 50+