SHORE AC XC MEET RESCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY NOV. 13TH.

LAKEWOOD, N.J. - The 38th Annual Shore Athletic Club Open Cross Country Meet - originally set for Oct. 30 but weathered-out by the storm that battered the Northeast that weekend - has been rescheduled for Sunday, November 13th, 2011, at Ocean County Park in Lakewood, N.J.

All runners are invited to the meet, which includes seven races for competitors of all ages, and rewards top 10 finishers in each race with trophies. Entries will be happily accepted until the starting time of each event.

The program starts with the Open 5K Run at 9:30 am, and continues with the first of six age-group events at 10:30 am. These will be the boys 9-under 1.5-mile run at 10:30, the girls 1.5-mile run at 10:45, boys 10-11 1.5-mile run at 11, girls 1.5-mile run at 11.15, boys 2-mile run at 11.30, and girls 2-mile run at 11.50,

For further information: www.shoreac.org; elliottden@aol.com, or call 732-222-9080.

Hayes Medal in Hands of American Running Royalty

I took the Johnny Hayes medal up to New York City to show it to Camille Herron. While you probably don't know her, she just finished ninth in the Pan-Am Games Marathon. She's running New York tomorrow and will be running the Olympic Trials at Houston in January.

Here's Camille with the 1908 Olympic Marathon gold medal. Of course, some of you may say, "She's not running royalty yet." Perhaps your right, sooo....

What about Desiree Davila? She took second at Boston this year, posting a 2:22:38. I'm pretty sure that classes as running royalty.

Ms. Davila was making an appearance at Paragon Sports when I managed to meet up with her. Still not good enough for you?


What about Ryan Hall?
I believe Hall has run the fastest marathon by an American with his fourth place finish at Boston this year, posting a 2:04:58. I think that may well make him the king of American Marathoners, at least for now.

Shore AC Open X-C Meet - Oct 30, 2011

POSTPONED!!! - We hope to get a date to hold the meet - we're looking at the possibility of November 13. We'll keep you posted. The decision came from the park that icy conditions made it unsafe. - 7:10AM

Update: 7:00AM - the park rep had not arrived at the park as I spoke to race director Elliott Denman a few minutes ago. We're sorry to be keeping you in limbo. Expect word very shortly.

As of right now, we're planning to go forward with tomorrow's cross-country meet as scheduled. Ocean County Park has promised a decision about whether the park will be closed by approximately 6:30 AM. There are several places where we will be posting information about the meet. You may also call (732) 222-9080 to get recorded information about the meet's status. I will be adding links etc. over the next few hours to give a variety of places you may check. Due to the risk of communication problems due to power outages, please check more than one until you receive definitive information.

General meet info is here:
http://www.shoreac.org/openxcountryblank.pdf

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AshhCk42kKaOdHdDZnZQam5La3dkQWlYdGRUOGJQVGc&hl=en_US&pli=1#gid=0

Here is the link to the completed results for all 6 weeks! The youth series was a great success :) Also, you can find photos from at least 4 of the 6 weeks up on the Facebook group page "Shore Athletic Club Youth XC Series"-anyone can join it!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AshhCk42kKaOdHdDZnZQam5La3dkQWlYdGRUOGJQVGc&hl=en_US

Here is a link to today's results!! Great turnout at the park today. Lots of best times, and great performances by all!! Pictures to come :) Hope to see everyone there next week for our last race of the series (spread the word!! the more the merrier)

Youth XC Series Photos

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?id=20103244&frecId=false&qn=1316978297&tid=262206373813693&success=63&failure=0&set=oa.265448663489464#!/groups/262206373813693/

Facebook members can access photos (courtesy of Kerry Gillespie) by clicking this link! Also, search for the event and the group "Shore Athletic Club Youth Cross Country Series" and join!! Both the event and the group are open for all facebook members. Enjoy!

SHORE AC YOUTH XC SERIES RESULTS FOR WEEK #2 9/25/11

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AshhCk42kKaOdHdDZnZQam5La3dkQWlYdGRUOGJQVGc&hl=en_US

GREAT JOB to everyone that showed up and competed at Holmdel Park this morning. Follow the link to view the results from today's race, as well as last week. Enjoy! Hope to see everyone again next week- same time, same place!!

Shore AC Youth XC Series Results for Week #1 9/18/11

Meets are held at Holmdel Park every Sunday morning through October 23, 2011. Registration at 9:00AM, first race at 9:30AM. Races are based on USATF age groups and competitors range from pre-schoolers thru high-schoolers. (This portion added by Wayne Baker.)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AshhCk42kKaOdHdDZnZQam5La3dkQWlYdGRUOGJQVGc&hl=en_US

A Few Pictures From The Shore AC Awards Banquet

Youth XC Results - Fall 2010

Results can be found here:
http://www.leaguelineup.com/ckcc/files/Holmdel_ShoreAC_YouthXCSeries_ResultsBook_2010.mht

Please let me know if there are any access problems.

Banquet 2010 - Recognizing 2009's Achievements

Awards are only listed for recipients who attended the banquet. Awards are listed by last name with the Hall of Fame following at the end.

We were celebrating completion of the club's 75th year - 1934 is the generally accepted year of the Shore AC's founding (though there are references to its having been founded a year or two earlier). This cake was dessert following the buffet dinner.


Bob Andrews (second from left) was awarded the coach of year primarily for work with his son, Robby, now running at the University of Virginia. He called up his wife, high school coach, Bill Welsh (camel jacket), and George Kochman, who'd been an influence on his coaching.


Tom Cawley was named Comeback Athlete of the Year.


Diane Cismowski received a Get Up and Go Award. Diane is pictured with club president Walter MacGowan.


Christine Clifton won both the Elliott Denman Award and President's Award, the first time anyone's won both the same year.


Farnese DaSilva was awarded the George Sheehan Memorial Award as Men's Distance Runner of the Year.


Jill Evarts won the Mary Conry Memorial Award as Women's Distance Runner of the year.


Paul G. Gaffney II, President of Monmouth University and a graduate of the US Naval Academy, was awarded the Wisner Brothers Award for Distinguished Service to the Sport of Track and Field.


The Hill Family was awarded the Tom and Phyllis Fyfe Award as Family of the Year. Dick Hill accepted on behalf of his family, which across 3 generations numbers 15 or 16 runners.


Patty and David Hitman were awarded a Get Up and Go Award.


Larry Kalb was recipient of the first Ken Williamson Memorial Award for Dedication to Officiating.


Neni Lewis received the Irwin Bernstein Award for Masters Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Her exceptional throwing keeps her in the top ranks nationally. She's pictured here with her coach Goran Milanovich?.


Art Noland received the Chris Malone Memorial Award as Men's Masters Runner of the Year.


Preznack Nowicki was, at age 65, awarded Rookie of the Year on the men's side.


Brian O'Dowd earned Boys' High School Athlete of the Year.


Ben Ottmer earned the Don Johnson Memorial Award as Masters Racewalker of the Year.


Erin Taylor was awarded the Don and Marie Henry Memorial Award as Women's Racewalker of the Year. Dave Talcott was named recipient of the William Funkhouser Memorial Award as Men's Racewalker of the Year. Dave and Erin recently became engaged.


Kerri Walker, who coaches at Rumson-Fair Haven High School, was Womens' Rookie of the Year.


Glenn Weaver, an excellent javelin thrower and Jersey City fireman, was recognized as Humanitarian of the Year. As is typical of Glenn, he said a few words about those who serve who don't come home, including firefighters, police and armed service members. Mr. Weaver was among the first responders on September 11.


A'Jee Wilson was selected as Girls' High School Athlete of the Year.


Elliott and Jo Denman were honored with cake cutting duties. Elliott's been one of the club's guiding hands since its reestablishment in the early 1960's. Jo's been supportive of Elliott's efforts through the years.

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Marc Anderson, now sprints coach at Princeton University, was inducted into Shore AC's Hall of Fame for his achievements. He told a story about being trapped in the Hotel New Yorker lobby prior to a relay at the Millrose Games, and 3 of the four athletes had gotten there, but as time closed in, the athletes wanted to change, there was no sign of the fourth, and they didn't dare leave in these pre-cell phone days. If you want the rest, you'll have to ask the coach for the rest of the story.


Curt Clausen, America's leading racewalker of the late 1990's and early 2000's was also inducted to the Hall of Fame. Mr. Clausen represented the USA at three Olympics and won a bronze medal at the World Championships in 1999.


Ralph Garfield, a long-time club member who ran in the inaugural New York City Marathon brought along a clipping from the Daily News and his trophy from that race. Close examination will reveal that's Ralph pictured at the bottom left of the clipping.


Milton Goode, who high jumped for Monmouth Regional High School and went on to jump at the 1984 Olympics was also inducted.

Dudley Dorival was also inducted. His coaching duties kept him from attending.


Special thanks go to the Mendina children whose expert help enabled Christine Clifton to run the silent auction efficiently.

A Couple Of Guys Visit Queen's (Palace)

At the end of May, Walter MacGowan, club president, and Elliott Denman, lifetime trustee, travelled with Johnny Hayes' gold medal to Windsor Castle to attend a reception arrangged by the British Olympic Committee and the London Marathon. Here Walter and Elliott meet Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II.

Mr. Hayes Goes To Toronto

I saw him before I heard the call, "Mr. Hayes." I replied, "Mr. Hayes." So began our walk together. Kurt Steege had just walked back from the finish line of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. I was dragging myself in to a 6:11 finish; while Kurt, just cruising, had finished in 3:52, after having taken a big detour to call attention of officials to a woman down on the course.

Kurt had run this as an overdistance run in preparation for the Marine Corps Marathon a month later. Kurt was dressed as Johnny Hayes, the 1908 Olympic Marathon winner, as was I. We'd been invited up to Toronto to bring up Johnny Hayes' gold medal along with his 3rd place trophy from the 1907 Boston Marathon.

While Hayes finished better at Boston (2nd) the next year, the 1907 trophy has a special tie to Toronto. Tom Longboat, Canada's finest runner of the era hailed from hearby. Longboat was an Onandaga Indian from the Six Nations Reserve about an hour west of Toronto. Plans had called for his daughter, Phyllis Winney, to have attended along with his Boston Trophy, which is held at the Woodlands Cultural Center. Unfortunately, at the last minute, this part of the plan fell apart.

The third major player in Toronto's presentation of the story of how the marathon came to be 26.2 miles was Dorando Pietri. Dorando's struggles to finish the marathon at the 1908 Olympics had prompted Queen Alexandra to give him a special cup. That cup had been brought to Toronto by Carlo Gabbi and his wife, Luisa Ricco, bringing those relics together for public display for just the second time since they were given a century ago. (The first was earlier this year at the Flora London Marathon.)

That's Carlo Gabbi of Italy as Dorando with Dorando's cup, me as Johnny Hayes with Hayes' gold medal, and Michal (rhymes with nickel) Kapral aka "The Joggler" as Tom Longboat at the prerace press conference.

After the marathon, Kurt and I flew home together. We both had some fun teasing each other about how badly we were both walking. I'm pretty sure I was worse. Kurt is slated to be running Marine Corps next weekend. If you see him, please wish him well.

By the way, my 6:11 was planned as a 5:45 to 6:00. I'd guessed at that kind of time based on Elliott Denman's past performances at the NY City Marathon. Elliott has rarely crossed to the slow side of 6 hours in his recent New York performances. I figured I could post a number that would match the man with a quarter century on me, I wasn't to be. I have even more respect for him after seeing how tough walking a 6-hour marathon can be.

National 5km & One Hour Racewalk Championships

October is a busy month on the National Racewalk Championship calendar. First up was the National 5km Championship in Kingsport, TN on October 4. Panse Geer, 5000m RW Champ and silver in the 10km RW in W60 at the 2008 National Masters Track & Field Championships, continued her age group leading ways by finishing 9th overall, 1st W60 in 30:16.

The following week action shifted to the Bentley College track in Waltham, MA for the National One Hour Racewalk. Dave Talcott had covered 11,131m when time was called, good enough for third and first master. Dave was coming off a win at the USATF-Metropolitan 25km Racewalk on September 21. Unfortunately, Waltham was not as hospitable to Panse Geer as she ran afoul of the judges and was disqualified.

October 26 will bring the last of the month's National Championships, this time in Hauppauge, NY to cover 30km. The Shore AC men's racewalk team will look to better last year's team silver medal.

Lake Takanassee

I shot a few pictures at last night's race, a two-mile not counting in the season's scoring.

The start.

Chip Nolan managed to hold off his Dad for a lap before his early dinner convinced him that wouldn't be a wise idea.

Thus, Harry Nolan beat his son.




Jimmy Leslie passed by doing the "don't shoot me, I've already finished" thing.

Closer examination reveals another reason why Mr. Leslie is smiling, his place card bears a "1."

The women's winner (someone please post a comment with her name)

John Fredericks displays good form on his way to winning the men's racewalk.


Anyone knowing this young woman, please scold her for ruining the picture by goofing around. ;-)


Here, Larry Bergmayer and Walter MacGowan pose with Christine Clifton of Shore Runner at the post-race event at Stewart's Root Beer in Pier Village, near the store.


Christine poses with her sister, Wyomia, visiting from Seattle. (And for you track geeks, yes, she was named after Wyomia Tyus, but pronounces it differently - Wee-Oh-Mee-Uh.)