From Kristan Dietz of the Open:
Hi Everyone,
We had another weekend of great road and XC performances from our Women’s Open and Cross Country teams! On Sunday, the Women’s Open Team snagged first place at Grete’s Great Gallop! The team was led by Jane Vongvorachoti’s second place finish in a time of 1:18:18, a personal best by over a minute as well as a new Thai National record. Jane thanks the many teammates on the men’s and women’s side who helped her run a great race!
Cat Beck finished third in 1:19:25, a 9 minute PR from her first half marathon! Cat noted that while 2 loops of the park is not the easiest especially during the last mile “with horses and bikes trying to go one way while the race went the other”, it was a “festive experience.” She also liked it “because SOOOOOO many people were cheering everywhere and that made a huge difference.”
Rounding out our scoring team was Megan Kelly in 1:25:30 (a 3 minute PR from last year’s race), Yumi Ogita in 1:25:53 and Krystine Beneke in 1:27:48. Before running her 3 minute PR, Megan had in interesting pre-race experience. After a woman in the bathroom asked Megan if they would make it on time for the start, she noticed Megan’s orange attire and declared that she trusted her judgment because she was CPTC. As Megan noted it’s “nice people look up to us, even if just pre-race bathroom routine.” She also said that Yumi was great to work with during the race.
From Cat Beck and Nicole Falcaro of the XC squad:
A small squad headed to Van Cortlandt Park for the Harry Murphy XC 5k on Sunday. The first CPTC female finisher was Erin Conroy in 21:27 on the hilly course of Vanny. Or call that “Fanny,” because “The hills kicked my butt, but there’s something special about Van Cortlandt Park!”
Tara was 4th on the team in her first Vanny experience ever, and Stephanie Yang was 5th. When asked of the course, Steph said “ouch, ouch, and ouch!” Alma was “happy to wear the orange singlet again.” Speaking of orange, Alma was the only one to get carrot cake afterward!
Denise blasted out a 16:57 road 5k, almost beating the first male, at the Hunts Point Hustle, which puts her 3rd on the CPTC all-time road 5k list!
Big thanks to all those who came out to cheer on Sunday. As always, please send us any notable race performances and PR’s. Congrats to all who ran!
Your captains,
Kristan, Cat, and Nicole
From Ani Go of the W 40+:
Holy Odin’s spear! The masters 40+ Valkyries were ready for action at Grete’s Great Gallop. Despite the moody weather the Norse deities tossed at us, it was a fabulous day for racing. Sue P (who, by the way won the Gorilla 5k outright), was ready to take the job down if your humble captain should fall by way of Loki’s mischief. She sent Wonder Wanda and me off in style and went to join the cheering squad.
Here comes the great Yumi Ogita, fierce, first for the masters, in 1:25:53, and also scoring for the ladies open team. She will not be denied. Her time is one of her top 3 performances for this distance and has an age grading of 87.92%. Next was me in 1:33:50 (pr by 31 seconds), and rounding out the scoring team, and helping us take second place is Ms Wonder Wanda Wang, in 1:40:16. Her persistence and strength placed us, without her second wouldn’t have been possible.
Thanks to everyone who came and cheered. There was orange at almost every mile, and no lack of energy to cull from our wonderful teammates. And who doesn’t love having a twin run with them (thanks Ambreleah!)?
Next–THE MARATHON! The crew from Grete’s is also your crew for the marathon. Can’t wait to see everyone out there. Also big congrats to our open women and men, the men’s 50 + & 60+ teams. Podium finishes for all!
GO ORANGE!
From Coach Devon:
Congrats to our Grete’s and VCP racers
BIG PRs in the Half: Jane by minute plus (1:18), Cat by 10 minutes (1:19), Megan by 3 min (1:25), Herb by 3 min (1:23), Kenworthy by 5 min, Atilla by 3 min (1:13 NJ Half)
Denise runs 16:57 in the Hunts Point 5k!
Grete Women Champions: Jane, Cat, Megan K, Yumi, Krystine
Grete Men Runner-ups: Matt, Patrick, Carlos (debut), Stan (debut), Kenworthy
Masters Team at Grete’s
Women 40+ Runner-up
Men 40+ 3rd place
Men 50+ Champions
Men 60+ Champions
VCP XC Women Champions – Erin, Emily, Alma, Tara, Stephanie Y
VCP XC Men Champions – Pollina, Armando, Vincent, Glen, Mel, David G
USA Masters XC Championships 70-74 Champ – Marie-Louise
Women’s Best Lists
Half Marathon – Jane Vongvorachoti & Cat Beck
http://www.centralparktc.org/best-times/open-best-times/women-half-marathon/
5k – Denise Mazzeo
http://www.centralparktc.org/best-times/open-best-times/women-5k/
Men’s Masters Best Lists
Half Marathon – Eric Boucher
http://www.centralparktc.org/best-times/masters-best-times/masters-men-half-marathon/