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The Runaround February 2012

Newsletter of the Rockland Road Runners

Volume 28, Issue 1

The Runaround

Inside this issue:

Inside Loop 1

Annual Persons of the Year Award

2

Team RRR 4

Swifty Sixties 5

Turkey Trot Sets New Standards

6

NYC Marathon 8

Rockland Alumni 10

South Nyack 10 Miler

12

Its Better In The Bahamas

15

Orthotics, Custom Made or OTC

16

The Inside Loop

By Jamie Kempton

The times, they are a-changin‘. As we head into the spring racing season I hope your times will be

plummeting and your performances soaring. Although we have transitioned to new board leadership, be

assured that RRR continues to go full throttle in making your running and racing experience as pleasurable

and rewarding as possible.

We are springboarding into 2012 on the coattails of an especially successful campaign in 2011. Our five club

races drew 5,700 participants, a 20 percent increase from 2010. Our races also donated $65,000 to local

charities last year. The charities affiliated with the club‘s races also raised an additional $60,000 in direct

sponsorship, individual and team contributions, for a total of $125,000 attributable to the club‘s efforts in

2011.

Our membership is robust at about 450 but our active nucleus of volunteers continues to dwindle, down to

about 60-70. Last year we instituted a volunteer incentive program in which volunteers for three or more club

races in 2011 were eligible for one of six prizes, including round-trip airfare to any U.S. destination. The

program, which we‘ll continue, provided a boost to our volunteer base but we are still in great need of

committed, dedicated individuals to help us maintain the high professional standard that has become an RRR

trademark. Contact me ([email protected]) or any of the officers listed on our newly

remodeled website (www.rocklandroadrunners.org) if you would like to help.

Next up on the race agenda is the Inter-Club Challenge, a 5K team

competition with the Orange Runners Club, Sullivan Striders and

Bronx Runners, which we will be hosting at Rockland Lake on

March 25. The next club-sponsored race is the George Wodicka

Hook Mountain Half-Marathon and 5K on April 22. Please circle

the dates and come out to support these club events, either by

participating or volunteering.

Congratulations to our 2011 award winners: Don Cordisco/Person

of the Year co-recipients John Melican and Frank Dickinson;

Runners of the Year Narcis Aron and Barbara Paer; George

Wodicka Inspiration Award winner Laura DiMarino; and Volunteer

of the Year Jesse Hackell.

In this Olympic year of 2012, here‘s a wish that everyone reaches

their own Olympian heights. Citius, Altius, Fortius – swifter,

higher, stronger!


Rockland Road Runners promotes running and jogging

in Rockland County. Membership is open to all. Yearly

dues are $25 (individual), $15 (junior- under 18 and

senior - over 64) and $45 (family of two or more).

CLUB CONTACTS

President: Jamie Kempton

[email protected]

Vice President: Jonathan Farrell

[email protected]

Treasurer: William Carpenter

[email protected]

Secretary: Kathy Daly

[email protected]

Membership: Jesse Hackell

[email protected]

Media Relations: Jamie Kempton

627-2030, [email protected]

Activities: Enilda Indyk

[email protected]

Race Events Chairperson: Kathleen Daly

[email protected]

Track Workouts: Jamie Kempton-Jesse Hackell

Race Circulation:

Open

Club Clothing: Marie Killeen

[email protected]

Adopt-A-Road Coordinators: John Melican

and JoAnn Hodges

Webmaster: Frank Dickinson


Advertising: Myrna Rivera

[email protected]

Counsel: Teresa Kenny, Esq.


RUNAROUND

Editor: Herb Conrad

954-683-6814, [email protected]

Staff

Frank Dickinson, Joyce Magee

The following stores offer members a 10% discount on

running shoes and gear: The Running Company, NJ

(various locations); Cleats & Sneaks, Nanuet. Orange

County Sporting Goods in Middletown offers 20% off its

list price on shoes. Gracie’s Ravioli in Nyack offers a

10% discount to members and families.

On the Web www.rocklandroadrunners.org

Weekly E-News: www.rocklandroadrunners.org/RRRNews.html

Group Runs: http://www.rocklandroadrunners.org/RRRtrack.html

Melican, Dickinson Named Persons of the Year for 2011

Narcis Aron, Barbara Paer take Runner of Year honors

By Jamie Kempton

For the first time since the award debuted in 1986, two RRR members walked off

with Person of the Year honors. John Melican and Frank Dickinson were

recognized as co-recipients of the award, the highest accolade bestowed by the

club, during the general meeting Jan. 17 at the Nanuet Restaurant.

The roll call of annual award honorees also includes Runners of the Year Narcis

Aron and Barbara Paer, George Wodicka Inspiration Award recipient Laura

DiMarino, and Volunteer of the Year Jesse Hackell.

Don Cordisco Award

The Person of the Year Award was renamed the Person of the Year/Don Cordisco

Award in 1990, in memory of a well-loved and popular member of the club who

died of a heart attack at age 37 in 1989. Don was described as ―…an accomplished

runner and triathlete whose love of running was second only to his love of family.‖

He was renowned for his compassion and generous spirit in helping others,

including his many running friends.

In 1998, the club officially dropped the Person of the Year title because the award

had evolved into a recognition of longtime contribution and service to the RRR.

The Don Cordisco Award is the most prestigious award presented by the club,

annually chosen by a committee of previous winners who are still active club

members.

John Melican is being recognized for his long and meritorious service to the club.

He has been an RRR team captain for the annual American Cancer Society Relay

for Life since its inception, is one of the club coordinators for the Adopt-A-Road

program at Rockland Lake, and has been a dedicated volunteer at club races for

many years. John has suffered several health setbacks in the past few years but continues to inspire others with his upbeat disposition and courage. He is also a

two-time recipient of the George Wodicka Inspiration Award.

Many people may not be aware of the important role that Frank Dickinson has

played for the club. As webmaster, he coordinates the flow of information on the

RRR website, synthesizing all that data swirling in from various sources, making it

comprehensible to the average user, and presenting it in an easily accessible

manner. His technical skills in the computer field have also proven indispensable as

the website undergoes a makeover that promises to give club members an even

more valuable resource. Besides his website wizardry, Frank also has served as DJ

for many club races at Rockland Lake, donating his sound equipment, music and

vocal talents to keep race-goers entertained and informed throughout the staging of our events.

Runners of the Year

Narcis Aron and Barbara Paer both had memorable campaigns in 2011. Both are

regulars at the Summer Track workouts and share a trademark of consistency and

durability. Narcis, who‘s 62, represented RRR at 13 New York Road Runners Club

(Continued on page 3)


races in 2011 and competed for the club‘s 60-plus men‘s team in six of nine scored races. He placed in the top 10 of his

age group (60-64) five times, and his age-graded performance ranged from an 71.5 percent to an impressive 76.3

percent. He began competing for the club in Central Park with five races in 2009 and has kept building on his record of accomplishment since.

Narcis qualified for the local competitive start area of the New York City Marathon with an excellent 1:37:45 effort at

the New York City Half-Marathon, a 7:27 per-mile pace and a 76.3 percent age graded performance. In 2011 RRR

races, he finished first in the 60-69 age group at the Bill Fortune 10K in 45:11, took second in the 60-64 division at the

South Nyack 10-Miler in 1:19:42, and placed third in the 60-64 at the Turkey Trot 5-Miler in 37:37 (7:32 pace).

Barbara Paer was omnipresent at races in 2011, representing RRR at 22 NYRR races last year. Barbara, who‘s 57,

competed for the club‘s 50-plus women‘s team in seven of nine scored races in the city. She placed in the top 10 of her

age group (55-59) seven times, and tallied an age-graded performance of 65 percent or better eight times. She first

raced for the club in Central Park in 2009, and last year participated in all 11 club team races. In our club-sponsored

races, Barbara finished second in the 55-59 bracket at the South Nyack 10-Miler in 1:39:38, and completed the Turkey Trot in 44:49 (9:02 pace). Barbara and husband Andrew are big supporters of the club and we hope they continue to

share their buoyant enthusiasm for years to come.

George Wodicka Inspiration Award

The award is named after George Wodicka, one of the club‘s most influential members, who battled but ultimately

succumbed to prostate cancer in 1996. George once ran 13 marathons in a 12-month period but took even greater pride

and delight in helping fellow runners achieve their goals by fueling their enthusiasm with his can-do spirit and

motivational firepower. The award is presented to a club member who exemplifies the qualities that inspire and

motivate those around them to keep running, and persevere against all odds.

Laura DiMarino is a very deserving recipient of the Wodicka award. She served as club president in 2006-07 but her impact to the club extends well beyond that tenure. A former star track runner at Nanuet High School, Laura resumed

her competitive running career in her late 30s and has been a top masters runner ever since. But it‘s her commitment to

others that is the basis for this award. She put together a team for the Boston Marathon and inspired other members to

form a competitive team for the New York Road Runners races.

While she was club president, she was instrumental in organizing and coordinating workouts and transportation to races

and enhancing RRR‘s stature in the metropolitan running community. She also worked diligently to further the club‘s

philosophy of dedicating time to raise money for local charities, as well as to strengthen our membership. Laura has

done an admirable job raising her three boys, including autistic son Brandon, who in 2006 completed the George

Wodicka Hook Mountain Half Marathon after being trained and nurtured by his proud mom.

Volunteer of the Year The RRR Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to a club member who stands out by consistently exhibiting a

strong commitment toward volunteering and working at club races and events throughout the year. Jesse Hackell was

an easy choice for this year‘s honor. Jesse‘s involvement with the club spans well more than two decades. He has

devoted countless hours to working at club races in various capacities. He‘s especially noted for coordinating the

children‘s races at club events, which is fitting given his stature as a well-regarded pediatrician in Rockland County. A

veteran of many marathons, Jesse also continues to lend his running expertise as a coach for the club‘s popular Summer

Track workouts. As if that weren‘t enough hats, he‘s also the club‘s Membership chairman, and has spearheaded efforts

to streamline and automate the membership and race registration functions on the club website.

Congratulations to all the winners!

(Continued from page 2)


|The Rockland Road Runners racing team finished another successful year of competition in 2011.

RRR had a strong presence at every one of the NYRR team points races, with some excellent

performances across all age groups. John and Ann Singer led the ―Swifty Sixties― to another

fantastic showing, which they will report on separately. This is a recap of the results for those

―junior― members under age 60.

The high point of the year was our performance in the ING NYC Marathon. Team RRR had 40

finishers. We were led by the men‘s 40+ team, with four runners under 3:20: Alan Young, 3:00:29;

David Nazaroff, 3:04:56; Jim Dangler, 3:11:50; and Jason Kelly 3:19:07. Katie Ottenheimer led the

RRR women‘s team with a 3:44:44. Shelly Shrem led the W50+ team, and Rafi Shrem finished

strong for the M50+ team, which was led by Mike Nusblat and Gokhan Ozuner.

Earlier in the fall, our highlights included a 1:25 performance by Alan Young (M40+) at Grete‘s

Half Marathon, and a couple of milers under 6 minutes at the Fifth Avenue Mile – Logan Scott, 5:06

M40+; and Ricardo Hernandez, 5:54, fifth place in M50+.

Our early-season leader was Steve Joseph (M40+), who was our team‘s top performer in the first

three team points races of the year. Kim Chalfin led the RRR women‘s team in our first race of the

year, the Coogan‘s 5K, and then again in the Team Championship race held in August.

The Team Championship drew strong support from RRR members. Along with Kim‘s seventh-

place finish in the W40+ division, Barbara Paer led the way for RRR in the W50+ division. Logan

Scott led Team RRR in the M40+/Open age groups, and Mike Nusblat was our top finisher in

M50+.

The NYRR Team Points competition for 2012 kicks off with the Coogan‘s 5K on March 4. Check

our RRR Race Results blog to see the entire 2012 schedule and keep up with our race results.

Register with NYRR for some of the races, and join your teammates for some friendly competition.

Final team results:

The men‘s team finished 15th in Open (B), 13th in 40+, and 17th in 50+.

The women finished 18th in Open (B), 14th in 40+, and 9th in 50+.

Overall, about 100 teams compete in the NYRR Team Points competition.

Team RRR A Steady Presence on NYRR Team Points Circuit By Logan Scott


Within the Rockland Road Runners club there is a group of men and women age 60 and older called

the ―Swifty Sixties.‖ We compete in the New York Road Runners Team Points race series.

In 2011 there were 10 NYRR Team races. Both of our Swifty Sixties teams competed in 9 of the 10

races. The women's team finished fifth of 13 clubs, while the men's team came in ninth of 14 clubs.

Narcis Aron ran in six races, and in all six he scored an age grading of 7l.57 percent or better. For

his fine season-long showing, Narcis was named RRR's male runner of the year for 2011. Marie

Killeen ran in five races and made them all count, with one victory, three second places, and one

third place in the 70-74 age group. Marie‘s age-graded performances were also impressive, ranging

from 80.5 to 88.53 percent.

Not to be outdone, ―Team Singer‖ – Swifty coordinators John and Ann Singer – also performed

consistently well. John ran in nine races and racked up two first places, two second places and one

third place in the 70-74 age group. His top three age-graded marks were 70.7, 7l.4 and 71.8 percent.

Ann‘s durability was on display once again as she ran in all 10 races to bring her consecutive race

streak in NYRR team events to an amazing 38 races. Her top two age-graded showings were 60.21

and 60.39 percent.

The best Swifty total attendance at a club team race was 23 at the Coogan's 5K season-opener last

March – 13 women and 10 men. The Swifty Sixties have been competing in the NYRR team race

series since 2005.

Prior year's results standings were:

Year 60+ Women 60+ Men

2010 3rd of 7 3rd of 16

2009 4th of 11 2nd of 18

2008 3rd of 9 4th of 18

2007 4th of 7 10th of 16

2006 4th of 9 6th of 16

2005 4th of 6

Swifty Sixties Just Keep Rolling Along

By John P. Singer


Turkey Trot Sets New Standards as Rockland’s Grandest Race

Records again shattered for size of field and charitable fund-raising

By Dave Goldwasser

Whew! Registering 3,100 runners and

walkers is no easy task but that is just

what we did for the 20th Annual 5 Mile

Turkey Trot for The Marisa Fund, held on

Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 2011. It was

an amazing day helped by mild weather

and a great crowd of runners. More than

2,800 actually finished the Trot, which

raised over $90,000 before expenses.

Both the number of participants and total

proceeds from the race easily eclipsed the

records set in 2010.

Congratulations to overall winner Carlos Jamieson, who completed the course in 25

minutes 4 seconds. Carlos, 24, starred for North Rockland High School and also won

the Turkey Trot back in 2005. The female winner was Kaitlyn O‘Grady, 16, a current

North Rockland standout who finished in 31:33.

The Turkey Trot committee did an

incredible job of getting sponsors,

planning the event, schlepping race

shirts and paraphernalia, registering

runners and organizing the day of the

race. They gave up their time to make

sure that everything went perfectly.


The crowd waiting for race to start.

Winner Carlos Jamieson (orange singlet) eyes

his competition at the start


We are also grateful to the

volunteers who helped with

registration and on race day.

As a result of everyone's hard

work and tireless efforts we were

able to support The Vasculitis

Foundation, the Rockland County

Police Hispanic Society (who

gave us their usual 50-plus

volunteers!), People to People

(more than 2,100 pounds of food!), and the reason I do this ... The Marisa Fund.

The Trot has become the largest event of its kind in Rockland County and we

say ―thanks‖ to all the runners, walkers and families who come out to support

us on Thanksgiving morning!

Dave Goldwasser is race director of the Turkey Trot.


Dave Goldwasser Race Director


Young, Ottenheimer Pace RRR at 2011 NYC Marathon

Radakovich Boosts Streak to 22 Years and Counting

By Jamie Kempton

Alan Young of Suffern and Katie Ottenheimer of New City blazed the trail for Rockland Road Runners participants in the 42nd

edition of the New York City Marathon on Nov. 6. Meanwhile, club member Rozanna Radakovich just kept rolling along,

completing her 22nd consecutive Big Apple trek and 26th overall.

Young made the 26.2-mile, five-borough trek in a personal-best 3 hours 29 seconds, while Ottenheimer just missed her NYC best,

clocking a solid 3:44:44.

―I trained for a three-hour marathon,‖ says Alan, who‘s 43. ―I was gunning to try to run 2:59:59. I would be delighted with myself

if I finished anywhere under three hours.‖ Although he just missed, he could take consolation in his nearly 11-minute improvement

over last year – his first New York and first marathon overall – when he hit the tape in 3:11:12. That year he missed his start in the

first wave when ―they closed the gate early,‖ he says, and managed to merge in with the second wave. ―There was almost a full -

blown riot‖ by first-wave entrants who were victims of the premature gate-closing, he says. ―I thought it was better to just chill out

for another half-hour. My wife and kids were coming to see me and they were running late, so they were happy for the delay.‖ This

year Alan‘s wife and three young children, ages 9, 6, and 4, were decked out in bright blue T-shirts and noisemakers at miles 18

and 24 to cheer on their hero.

Alan trained 55 to 65 miles a week in preparation for New York, venturing out at 5 or 5:30

a.m. on the roads and trails of Harriman State Park, with long runs of 22 to 24 miles.

Those distances would seem daunting to the average runner, but they‘re a mere drop in the

bucket for Alan, for whom 6- to 8-hour trail runs are standard fare when gearing up for 50

mile or 50K ultramarathons. ―The marathon is a different beast altogether,‖ he says.

―After a two- or three-hour [training] run I can say, ‗Great, I‘m finished already,‘ get

home and get on with the rest of the day.‖

A native of Dublin, Alan started out in the woods-and-trails sport of orienteering at age 15

or 16 and added road running to his menu about 20 years ago. After moving to Rockland

11 years ago, he entered his first race, a 5K in Pearl River, and has been racing ever since.

His next big effort will be Boston in April 2012, where he hopes to run 2:55 ―if I can get

in the hours and miles in the winter.‖

Katie Ottenheimer is nothing if not consistent. Katie ran 3:44:08 at New York in 2009 to

qualify for Boston in 2010, when she clocked 3:38:56, the fastest of her three marathons to

date. Although her training this time was thrown off a little by illness and family

responsibilities, she felt she ran as well as her preparations allowed and enjoyed the race

much more than in ‘09 and was able to savor the experience in its full splendor. ―I met

some fantastic people on the ferry and in the village,‖ says Katie, who passed halfway in 1:49:01 and negative-split a 1:45:43 for

the second half. ―I even took pictures instead of just being a nervous wreck like I was in 2009.‖ Katie never did catch sight of her

husband, two young children and friends who came to cheer her on at First Avenue and 90th Street, but she did hear the

unmistakable shrieks of encouragement from fellow New City runner Laura DiMarino as she entered Central Park, ―which totally

made me feel like a million bucks.‖

Like Alan Young, Katie trained primarily alone in the early morning hours, logging 5-mile runs in her neighborhood at 5:20 a.m.

before her husband left for work and her children arose. She also played tennis for a couple hours four to five times a week, an


Katie Ottenheimer and her

children


unusual regimen that might have hindered her training program. Long runs were done at her tempo pace with her ―Outer

Loop‖ companions such as Wojciech Cieszkowski, who was there to give her a push when motivation was lacking for

distance runs like 20-milers at Harriman State Park. Katie managed to reach 45 to 47 miles a week in training but anything

beyond that made it difficult for her to adequately fulfill her family obligations. ―I am a mom first and foremost and I had to

leave some gas in the tank so I could manage the kids, hubby and home,‖ acknowledges Katie, 41.

Katie has mixed feelings about plunging back into the marathon wars but says she would run Boston again in 2012 if her thin

16-second qualifying margin gains her entry before the race fills its quota. The Steamtown Marathon, in Scranton, Pa., is also

a possibility if she can cajole some of her ―Outer Loop‖ buddies to join her. Katie‘s outlook on the marathon is refreshingly

positive, describing herself as a ―mom and average runner who has found out that the journey of the marathon training is the

cake and the actual marathon is the icing on top.‖

While Katie and Alan are relative greenhorns at the 26.2-mile distance, Rozanna Radakovich is an established veteran.

Although her 2011 time of 7:30:14 doesn‘t compare with her personal best of 5:04 from her maiden voyage in 1984, she was

happy to keep her streak alive and hopes to someday get back to her peak racing level, and maybe even break 5 hours. ―I

would love to run 4:59:59,‖ says Rozanna, who shocked her parents by taking on a physical challenge as arduous as a

marathon. After she finished that ‘84 race in oppressive conditions, someone asked her parents if she would try another

marathon. Her father‘s response: ―Is she still breathing?‖ ―Since I‘m still breathing I guess I‘ll keep doing marathons,‖ she

says playfully.

Rozanna caught the running bug in 1983 after deciding with a friend to volunteer for the NYC Marathon that year. She

continued to volunteer for New York Road Runners races, primarily working the pre-race registration tables and gaining the

free entry then guaranteed to volunteers at NYRR races other than the marathon. She estimates she ran as many as 35 NYRR

races a year for more than 20 years, and has run every NYC Marathon since 1984 with the exception of 1985 and ‘89, when

she was sidelined with knee injuries. She also overcame a bout of vertigo two years ago to complete the race with an escort

from the Achilles Track Club – just in case any dizzy spells recurred.

Rozanna enjoyed this year‘s race, especially in the long stretch through Brooklyn, where rabid rooters were cheering and

handing out ―tissues, candy, paper towels, all kinds of things,‖ says Rozanna, who‘s 64 and lives in Manhattan. ―The people

in Manhattan were pouring out of the bars but they were not as loud.‖ During her normal 18-week training buildup to the

marathon Rozanna runs in Central Park but also ventures to Rockland Lake periodically. Her parents resided in the Hillcrest

section of Spring Valley.

Another noteworthy RRR finisher was ―Granny Annie‖ Singer, who added another notch to her NYC Marathon belt, making

it eight total and five in a row with a clocking of 6:26:49. Ann has now completed an amazing 73 marathons, encompassing

all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, her partner in charge of the Swifty Sixties, husband John, saw his 36-race

club/team streak come to an end on Marathon Sunday, a span covering 3 ½ years. Time to start a new one, John!

We would be remiss not to cite Mike Nusblat, the club‘s male equivalent to Ann Singer. Mike‘s 3:44:55 effort at New York

represented his sixth marathon of the year and 46th overall, and that‘s in addition to the 5 ultramarathons he‘s tackled. Bravo,

Mike!

Congratulations to all of our NYC Marathon finishers!



Roosa, Kohlbrenner Pace Tappan Zee Sweep at Rockland Alumni Run

Suffern, Monroe-Woodbury annex team crowns in 29th Markiewicz race

Tappan Zee alumnus Nick Roosa returned to the winner‘s circle and Cailé Kohlbrenner made it a clean sweep

for the Flying Dutchmen at the 29th annual Bill Markiewicz Memorial Rockland Alumni Cross Country Run,

held Nov. 26 at Bear Mountain. The race is co-sponsored by the Rockland Road Runners.

Roosa, a 2003 graduate, covered the hilly 3-mile course in 16 minutes, 16.4 seconds for an 85-yard margin of victory over runner-up Louis Tafuto, Warwick class of 2006, who crossed the line in 16:33. Roosa pulled away

from Tafuto and Brian Crowley, Albertus Magnus class of ‘82, on the steep ski-jump incline midway through

the race. Crowley, who won the race back in 1990, finished a strong third in 16:35.

―One year I‘d like to focus just on this race and try to break 16 minutes,‖ said Roosa, a 2007 University of Roch-

ester graduate who also captured the title in 2005. He recently clocked an excellent 2:30:30 for 50th place in the

New York City Marathon, a scant three weeks before the Alumni Run.

Kohlbrenner, a 2011 Tappan Zee graduate and freshman at Providence College, stormed out to an early lead and

never relinquished it en route

to a clear-cut triumph in

19:12. ―The race was a lot of fun; I didn‘t take it too seri-

ously,‖ said Kohlbrenner, a

biology major who hopes to

become a pediatrician. She

played soccer for three years

at Tappan Zee before switch-

ing to cross country her sen-

ior year. Her father, Andy,

Pearl River class of 1981, is

a four-time Alumni runner-

up and 2008 Rockland Track & Field Hall of Fame induc-

tee.

Suffern won a hotly con-

tested men‘s team competi-

tion over Monroe-Woodbury,

83 to 88, for the Mounties‘

fifth such title. The Crusad-

ers, however, had no trouble

outdistancing the women‘s

field, extending their record

victory total to eight. Individually they placed second, third, fourth and sixth and totaled just 28 points, far ahead of Clarkstown South‘s second-place score of 88. Monroe-Woodbury also locked up its record 11th team partici-

pation crown with 54 entrants. Albertus Magnus was runner-up for the second consecutive year with 31 partici-

pants.

Racing in nearly ideal conditions – sunny, calm and 60 degrees – 267 runners made the familiar trek around Hes-

sian Lake, up the ski-slope hill, past the Bear Mountain Inn, around the carousel and across the Parade Grounds

playfield to the finish. Some 57 high schools were represented, spanning nine states and Washington, D.C., as


Right to left: Race winner Nick Roosa, Brian Crowley, Louis

Tafuto and Rob Gorski run in a pack midway through the race.


well as international competitors from Romania and Canada. The total of 267 finishers equals the fourth-highest

in meet history and the 73 female finishers also ranks fourth-best.

The annual Bill Markiewicz Award was presented to Ray Kondracki, the longtime track and cross country coach

at Clarkstown South who administers the children‘s races at the Alumni Run each year. Markiewicz was Clark-

stown North‘s successful cross country and assistant track coach for 11 years (1978-89) and perhaps Rockland

cross country‘s most enthusiastic supporter. When he died of cancer in 1991, the race was renamed in his mem-

ory and an annual award was established to recognize those who have made a significant contribution to the

sport.

As always, Janet Markiewicz, Bill‘s widow, made the award presentation. Almost 40 members of the

Markiewicz extended family gathered for the event, including six participants: Bill‘s brothers Mike and Peter,

sister Margaret, sons Matt and Dan, and cousin Patrick. Six previous Markiewicz Award winners competed in

the race – Albertus Magnus alums Pat Chambers, Larry Beckerle and Jamie Kempton, Suffern graduate Walt

Johnston, former Clarkstown North runner Jason Friedman and ex-Pearl River harrier Ray Sussmann. Seven other previous recipients helped coordinate the race – meet founder Tom Doherty, co-organizer Ralph Coleman,

official Fred Adler, Kevin Stewart, Lou Hall, Janie Howell and Kondracki.

In addition to Roosa and Crowley, other former Alumni Run champions who took part included John Traut-

mann, Monroe-Woodbury class of 1986, a three-time

champ and course record-holder at 14:08; eight-time

champion Julianne Littmann-Viscardo, Monroe-

Woodbury class of 1995; four-time titleholder Rita

Keahon, Nanuet class of 1983; two-time winner

George Buckheit, Albertus Magnus class of 1975;

Chambers, Albertus Magnus class of 1976, the inau-gural champion; and Lauren Tuchband Cullen, Na-

nuet class of 1998.

Five former Rockland County meet champions also

participated, including three-time winners Brendan

Fennell, Pearl River class of 2003, and Lisette Hau-

tau, Tappan Zee class of 1978; Mike Colangelo, Al-

bertus Magnus class of 1975; Pete Modafferi, Clark-

stown South class of 1995; and Erin Haugh Colleran,

Nanuet class of 1997. Colangelo, Chambers, Hautau

and Haugh Colleran are also members of the Rock-

land All-Century Cross Country Team, and Fennell was voted Runner of the Decade on the Rockland

All-Decade Team for 2000-2009.

Chambers and Beckerle, Albertus Magnus class of

1973, maintained their streak of never having missed an Alumni Run. Other notable entrants included Will Cun-

nane, Clarkstown North class of 1992, a former major league baseball pitcher with the Padres, Brewers, Cubs

and Braves; and George Rhein, Don Bosco class of 1973, a former U.S. national champion in the Olympic sport

of luge.


Nick Roosa at the finish line.


In South Nyack, 10 Miles Under the Belt By Marc Maturo

Patch.com

Veteran official Mike Angarola of the Rockland Road Runners said he heard the question many times, in the days

leading up to Sunday‘s 23rd South Nyack 10-miler. ―Well, we always seem to get a break. We‘ve never had rain …

the streak is so long we‘re shooting for Joe DiMaggio (who hit in 56 straight games),‖ Angarola said just after a field

of some 500 runners answered the starter‘s horn. ―Everyone was coming up to me, asking me when the 10-miler was

scheduled,‖ Angarola related. ―I said ‗Why,‘ and they said ‗Because we want to know when it‘s going to stop rain-ing!‘ ‖ Angarola‘s well-placed confidence has made co-race director Kathleen Daly of West Nyack a tad leery.

―I keep yelling at him to stop it. I keep telling him he‘s going to jinx us!‖ Daly said. Well, as sure as the sun rises in

the East and sets in the West, the weather was absolutely perfect once again for the highly popular 10-mile benefit

run to the Piermont Pier and back, despite the recent biblical-like rains and storms. The torrential rains, however—

and a change in the course to accommodate a 9/11 ceremony conducted by the Piermont Fire Department—resulted

in a much tougher layout than usual.

But not the result. Orangetown teacher and Tappan Zee HS graduate Art Gunther Jr. of Upper Nyack posted his 14th victory in 16 at-

tempts, waylaying the field and winning by nearly three-quarters of a mile with an impressive clocking of 54:17

without any real competitor to help quicken the pace. ―Maybe if Nick (Roosa) was here, I wouldn‘t have won,‖ of-

fered the always humble champion, a Binghamton University Hall of Famer who turned back Roosa‘s fierce chal-

lenge a year ago (Gunther clocked 53:38 while Roosa, who elected to nurse a sore Achilles‘ tendon this year in

preparation for the NYC Marathon, was timed in 53:57). ―Nick‘s a good runner,‖ said Gunther, an elder statesman at

40 and now an elite Masters runner. ―He‘s done a 2:32 marathon (Austin, TX), and that‘s the best I‘ve done myself. I

missed Nick not being here, it would have made for a great race.‖ Roosa or no Roosa, the astoundingly consistent

Gunther is nearly unbeatable on his home course, with his only two defeats coming against a rival from Africa and

another who came from Pennsylvania. ―It‘s always nice to win, but I was shooting for 52:30,‖ said Gunther, whose primary goal is an upcoming half-marathon in Hartford, CT. The winning time was just one of three to break the 60-

minute barrier, unlike last year when seven competitors shattered that mark on the conventional course. Runner-up

Jaron Belgaard of Mahway, NJ, a transplant from Minnesota, clocked 58:36, and third-place finisher Tim Kuklis of

Sleepy Hollow, a teacher at New Rochelle HS, came in under an hour at 59:19.

Women’s champ

The women‘s champion, 42-year-old Sheila Casey of Park Ridge, NJ, won in 1:07:42, and placed 24th overall. She

took the lead at the 4-mile mark, and held it. ―It (course) was very tough, I was surprised,‖ said Casey, who kicked

off her running career at the advanced age of 30 with the Rockland Road Runners. Casey‘s husband Steve, who

played rugby at Bucknell (veteran road runner Jamie Kempton‘s alma mater), played a minor role, of sorts, in build-

ing Sheila‘s career. ―I asked him if I could go on a run with him, and he said I would never keep up,‖ Sheila recalled.

―I not only kept up, but I beat him in races!‖ Beating Gunther, of course, is another story. ―You might have to put an Ethiopian or a Kenyan in there to stop him because he‘s so consistent, very consistent,‖ offered sixth-year Tappan

Zee HS coach Pat Driscoll, who placed 11th in 1:03:19. Driscoll felt that the uphill portion of the course, both ways

in Piermont—and flooding on the Pier—made the course even tougher than usual. ―But I felt good, I‘m in shape. I

hope I set a good example for the team.‖

Swamped

Everyone, it seems, was caught short by the flooding on Piermont Pier, due to a combination of high tides and the

long period of heavy rain. ―It (Pier) had two enormous puddles,‖ said Gunther, putting on his scouting cap. ―The wa-

ter was up to my ankles; like wading through the water. It was a surprise; it really slowed us down. But I didn‘t feel

that great anyway, because of the training I have been doing for the half-marathon. I wasn‘t as rested for the race (as

last year).‖



Kuklis, the third-place finisher, said ―Art is unbelievable. Once I found out he was in the race I gave up trying to

win. It was my first time here, and it‘s a great race. And I went past The View (on the Hudson, in Piermont), where I got married. I love it!‖ Drew Gangemi, a member of the road-racing Gangemi Gang of Staten Island, and the as-

sistant track coach at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, was another runner surprised by the water on the

Pier. ―Definitely, the water threw me off,‖ said Gangemi, who placed ninth in 1:02:45 in his second appearance at

the event, and said the hills actually worked in his favor. ―I used the hills to my advantage to power up, and make a

move.‖

High school track coach Larry Beckerle of Nanuet, 56, who once competed at Albertus Magnus, hit his goal of

1:25, adding he was ready to stop a bit short of the actual finish. ―When I first competed in this race, the distance

was 7.8 miles (it went to 10 in 1989),‖ related Beckerle. ―I wanted to stop at that point! But it‘s my first 10-miler in

two years, so I‘m not disappointed.‖ Then, putting tongue firmly in

cheek, Beckerle added ―I didn‘t know it would be a biathlon, go through

a river! My tag came off. Someone will probably find it out in the At-lantic, and figure I was washed out to sea!‖

Pearl River‘s Mick Killeen, a self-proclaimed day trader, and an RRR

member, had another way to cope with the deep water. ―I took my shoes

off,‖ he said, nodding to fellow club member Kempton, looking for af-

firmation. ―It was a strategy, and excuse to take a break! But it kind of

backfired! All in all, it was an interesting race, different. It was fun.

Anyway, I wasn‘t trying to break records. I haven‘t run 10 miles in the

last 10 years.‖ Kempton, taking yet another slap at Father Time (he

turns 53 next month), improved upon his clocking from last year by 50 seconds, and rose eight places to 5th, de-

spite the tougher course. He clocked 1:00:53. ―This year it was really a challenge,‖ Kempton, of Nanuet, said. ―We had to take a little swim at the Pier. There were two different bodies of water: the first you could tip-toe through;

the second you had to step high with your knees for about 50 yards, for sure. It was like a triathlon without the bike

part.‖

Short steps

Race proceeds will benefit the South Nyack and Piermont Volunteer Fire Departments, Nyack Ambulance Corps,

and Nyack Soup Kitchens. The course changes brought hills into play on Ash and Kinney streets, going out and

coming in. On Ash, the hill is short but steep; the Kinney hill is longer but not as steep. Mike Beckerle, 46, who

can be found at the family‘s eponymous lumber yard in Spring Valley, seemed pleased to note that his time (1:15)

buried his brother Larry‘s. ―He killed me,‖ Larry admitted. ―He‘s slowing down,‖ Mike replied. A former runner at

Nanuet High, Mike related that Larry was his coach in his senior year (1979).

Suffern‘s Jesse Hackell of Pomona Pediatrics is serving his second year as membership chairman of the Rockland Road Runners, of which he is a longtime member. ―I used to run, but injuries, and aging, have taken a toll,‖

Hackell said, with an easy smile. Hackell, who has completed 26 marathons, including six in New York, is another

admirer of Gunther‘s. ―He‘s built like a runner, and takes care of himself. And he doesn‘t over-race. This is his

thing; he likes it.‖ Belgaard, the runner-up, new to the area, said it was a privilege to be in the event. He said he

didn‘t know much about the champion, but offered a quick assessment of Gunter. ―He‘s legit,‖ Belgaard offered.

Clarkstown North alum George Glum (Class of 1982) was a walk-on at Villanova. This was his first time compet-

ing in the South Nyack 10-miler. ―I used to run, did 2:48 in the New York City Marathon way back when. I got

back into running last year, in 5k‘s. This year I did a triathlon. I‘m getting back in the right direction. This is my

second go-around, and now it‘s a humbling experience.‖ Glum was amazed by Gunther‘s dominating performance.

―Anytime you race against him, you have to catch him before the race to see what the front of his shirt looks like!




Renate Fersch, Glum‘s companion, was a former sprinter at Binghamton University, but is not a fan of the long dis-

tances. ―Hey,‖ she said, ―I‘m here to support him, but not to run. Glum, incidentally, proudly sported a Toga Multis-

port team jersey. Kempton, an original competitor in the event, was proud to say he still fits into the jersey in wore back in 1978, when the benefit was contested at 7.8 miles. Kempton‘s statement was easily validated as he raced in

the light-blue jersey with dark-blue though faded lettering. ―I keep it in mothballs!‖ Kempton, the preservationist,

said.

Helping to staff the event were volunteers from the Nyack Fire Department, Orangetown Co. No. 1, including third-

generation B.J. Dellolio of Nyack, in his 18th year, and newcomer William Mishkel of South Nyack, a varsity

hockey player at Nyack High. Dellolio, an event production specialist with Orangeburg-based Dynamic Productions,

hopes that he, and Mishkel, can approach the long and dedicated service given by Thomas Alworth Sr., who recently

received a commendation for 65 years of active duty. ―We call him ‗Farmer,‘ noted Dellolio. ―The reason is a long

and complicated story, but a good one.‖ Young Mishkel said his uncle, Michael Weber of Tappan, is a New York

City fireman; that his mother comes from a family of firefighters, and his dad‘s from the military. ―I hope so,‖ said

Mishkel, when asked if he would one day be able to match Dellolio‘s years with the company.

Mike Bonner was manning the official scoring truck for Bill Sherry‘s SuperRace System. Volunteer Eric Brand of Nyack, a Ramapo High School teacher, was sidelined with a heel injury. ―This is the first year I missed it (race). But

I‘ll be back,‖ promises Brand, who used his time as a spectator to dispense water bottles along with his children Eli

and Leah, both students at Nyack Middle School. Jonathan

Farrell of Nanuet, a graduate of Rockland Country Day

School, used the race as a springboard for the NYC Mara-

thon when he will run in a fundraiser for Team Meals on

Wheels in Rockland.

Gangemi, the STAC coach, next competes in the Tunnel to

Towers Run on Sept. 25, which benefits the family of

fallen firefighter Steven Siller, who died in the 9/11 terror-ist attacks. Gangemi was 9th this year in the South Nyack

10-miler, after finishing 14th last year. Asked if he might

rise further in 2012, perhaps even challenge Gunther the

Great, Gangemi said ―We‘ll see.‖ Andrew Pare of West-

wood, NJ, has been running 30 years, and is a devout RRR

member. Pare lauded Kempton for his work with the or-

ganization‘s summerlong training series. ―Jamie is a great

coach—motivated, dedicated, committed; my mentor.‖

Luke Driscoll of Pearl River—no relation to the Tappan Zee coach, Pat Driscoll—earned the eighth-place spot with a

clocking of 1:02-flat. A teacher at Mount St. Michael HS in The Bronx, and a former schoolboy wrestler in Baldwin,

LI, Luke attributes his running success to his work with the RRR‘s summer program. ―It‘s one of the best summer programs around,‖ he stated, unequivocally. ―It‘s a big-time benefit; I can‘t recommend it enough.‖ Among the many

volunteers were members of the Clarkstown South and North cross country teams, including South freshman Kevin

Holland, and Zack Rose and Shannon Kay of Clarkstown North.



It’s Better in the Bahamas

Club members enjoy ‘fun, sun and run’ at tropical paradise

By Laura DiMarino

The third anniversary of the Bahamas marathon and half-marathon kicked off the weekend of January 14-15. While the

runners at Rockland Lake bore the frost of the coldest weekend

on the winter, Wojciech Cieszkowski (Voytek), Debi Ferraris

Teaton and I headed to Paradise Island to ―sun, fun and run.‖ This was our second year attending the event and we hoped to

have as much fun as the previous year. Our spouses, Basia,

Tom and Mike, came along to support us – what troupers they are!

As you can imagine preparing for the transition from the cold temperatures to warm and sunny, low 80s takes some

preparation. Upon arrival Friday at noon it was imperative that

we hydrate immediately to assure saturation, so it was straight

to the poolside bar. We were so pleased to see that the resort made the effort to accommodate the influx of serious runners

by adding the ―Rum Runner‖ beverage selection to the menu.

We did not delay and partook in the hydration specials immediately.

Upon ample hydration Debi and I decided that we should limber our bodies to loosen up after the long flight. Learning

native dances from locals at the pool seemed perfect, so we

enticed some Bahamians to join us.

That evening to keep our mind off the big race on Sunday we

ate at our favorite restaurant, Luciano‘s of Chicago. We are

regulars at this joint as well as the ―Dune‖ at the One and Only club. These are two dining experiences that keep us coming

back and hopefully we will be let back again. Saturday Debi and I ran a bit on the Island to get accustomed

to the heat. Later text messages from the Lake told us of the subzero wind chills they had faced that

morning. As we read we giggled.

I guess I should move to the race, it was just as much fun as the prior year. A 7 a.m. start is perfect, cool

in the morning and the race is over before the temperature rises. The half-marathon course is not flat. It starts in Nassau and runs over the bridge to Paradise Island and immediately back over the bridge. Imagine

doing two golf course hills at the Lake back to back and then running a 10 miler; it‘s comparable to that. It

is a beautiful course, very scenic, and the locals are enthusiastic and excited to cheer. This year was a little windy but the benefit was that you stayed cool.

Debi enjoyed the company Voytek supplied along the course. They did get a glimpse of me at the

turnaround near mile 10 and we shouted encouragements to each other. We were pleased with our efforts. I repeated as the overall Masters champion, in 1:37:17, and Debi knocked two minutes off her event PR,

winning the 45-49 age group in 1:50:42. Perhaps it was Voytek‘s company that assured her the win or

maybe it was the Rum Runners. Regardless, the trip was another success.

Laura DiMarino was RRR club president in 2006-2007.

Left to right: Debi Ferraris

Teaton, Wojciech Cieszkowski

and Laura DiMarino


Everyone loves a champion. Whether you're a New York Giants fan or a New England Patriots fan, we all love to

win. And winning involves making the right decisions. Recently, there has been a lot of discussion in the media about

Dr. Scholl's ―custom fit‖ orthotic inserts. The company claims to help individuals make decisions as to which type of

orthotic is right for him or her through a computerized foot analysis called ―foot mapping.‖ This approach to foot care is

extremely flawed and misleading to the consumer.

The term ―orthotic‖ originates from the Greek word ―ortho‖ meaning ―to straighten‖ or ―align.‖ Orthotics are medical

devices proven to be most effective when custom made. The Dr. Scholl's product is not custom made. Instead, it is

prefabricated and their computer program is simply telling people which one of the pre-made choices is right for

them. When an orthotic device is custom made, it is prescribed, much like a medication. There are several different

specifications that can be added to a custom orthotic by a podiatric physician, such as rearfoot and forefoot postings that

modify the angulation of the foot as it is cradled and controlled by the device. These devices can be very helpful in re-

ducing pain caused by neuromas (inflamed nerves often found between the third and fourth toes), heel spurs and plantar

fasciitis, metatarsalgia/bursitis (inflammation at the ball of the foot), and bunions (deformities in the great toe region).

Custom-made orthotics are traditionally created from a plaster mold of the foot or a specialized computer-scan (much

different from the machine used by Dr. Scholl). Custom devices can provide shock absorption, support, cushion and

biomechanical control of one's feet. There are definitive types for all different varieties of men's and women's shoes and

sneakers. Orthotics can also be specially designed/prescribed for certain athletic activities. The alignment of the rear-

foot/heel is critical for providing relief of pain and discomfort, and will ensure proper support of the foot and ankle,

translating that strength to the knee, hip and lower back regions.

The Dr. Scholl's insert is not effective in helping those who suffer from significantly painful conditions. Simply, it is a

foot cushion with added plastic support dispersed generically. For those who have serious foot pain, Dr. Scholl's product

may prolong the suffering or worsen the condition.

Custom-made orthotics are like the ―eyeglasses for the feet‖ – as eyeglasses help one to see better, these devices help

one to stand, walk, and run better. While custom made are higher priced than over-the-counter (OTC), the value and

benefits are dramatically greater for custom types as they last much longer (three to five years) and are prescribed spe-

cifically to address the patient's concerns. Most podiatrists fabricate their orthotics from graphite, polypropylene, or

cork/leather materials with layers of poron, spenco, and leather for top-layer cushion/support. Orthotics are just as spe-

cific to one's feet as dentures are to one's teeth.

Having the proper support for one's feet can provide greatly improved function and overall wellness. The decision as to

which type of custom-made orthotic is right for the individual should be left to the podiatric physician. Choosing the

right type of orthotic device can mean the difference between winning and losing.

Taking good care of your feet can be your first step toward good health. Remember, your feet are the foundation for

your body.

Dr. Bruce Pinker is a Pomona-based podiatrist who often writes about foot-related topics of interest to runners.

Orthotics: Custom-Made or OTC? Which One Should It Be?

By Dr. Bruce Pinker


Please email address changes or corrections to Jesse Hackell at [email protected]

or mail to RRR, Box 132, Congers, NY 10920

Next Club Meeting 7:00 p.m. Tuesday

March 13, 2012 Nanuet Restaurant

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