Rochester Runner of the Year

Only two races left in the Rochester Runner of the Year series (sponsored by GRTC). First up is a 5k in downtown Rochester, the East Avenue Grocery Run, held on November 4. The last race in the series is the Race with Grace 10k, held in Greece, NY on Thanksgiving morning.

It took me a long time to learn that competition sometimes comes down to who shows up and runs the race, stays healthy and motivated. Thinking about how you would have finished in a race if so and so competed isn't relevant. You compete against yourself and who is there on that day. In that vein our Sal's group is doing pretty well against Rochester area runners.

Jan has completed five races in the series (4 is minimum, 6 maximum out of 12) and I've done six, so we are eligible for an award if we finish in the top five in our age group. Currently Jan is third and could finish anywhere from third-sixth in her group. I am second and could finish from second to fifth.

Pete is second in his age group, but could finish from second-fifth. Eileen is fourth and if she finishes the next two series races will be at least top five. Mike W is in seventh, but if he runs the next two series races and finishes in the top three or better could possibly make it to a top five spot.

I find the RROY series a nice motivator to measure myself against myself, really. Can I stay healthy all year, since the races run from March - November? There are a variety of distances, from 1 mile to the half-marathon, a good method to discover which distances you are best at. Can I maintain my speed compared to the previous year if the same course is used? Speed is all relative since my 5k per mile pace times are about the same as my marathon per mile pace from ten years ago. But on the other hand, I'm sixty and have been a "runner" since I was twenty-three. Normal society would consider that amazing or weird, depending on who you are talking to. 

And so I continue to run, albeit slower, since it usually feels good and I'm able to.

Rochester Runner of the Year

The RROY series is down to the final two races, the East Avenue Grocery Run 5k on November 5 and Race with Grace 10k on Thanksgiving Day.

Our local Sal's running group is doing quite well in the series, whether intentionally or not. A minimum of four races and maximum six (out of 12) are needed to be included in the final year end standings. The top five finishers in each age group get awards for the series.

Pete Leonard currently leads his age group, but is in a tight race with two other competitors. Mike Weinpress is in second place in his age group. One runner has first locked up and four others are on Mike's heels. In my age group first place is also locked up. The second place runner should at least remain in the top five. Then there are five runners, including myself, who need to run at least one of the next two races to qualify. Any one of us could finish from second-seventh place. I am currently in fifth.

On the ladies side Jan is in a very tight battle for 3-7th place and currently sits in fourth. First and second places are probably locked up. Eileen Weinpress is in fifth place and may be able to move up to fourth.

There are some great competitions in all of the age groups. I do believe, however, that the RROY committee should look at over the winter how to increase the series participation. It seems like running four races out of twelve shouldn't be a problem. Maybe it's the races they pick that count, the prizes awarded at year's end, the cost of attending the banquet (which is far more than the coffee mug or other prize they give AG winners), or advertising?

Jan and I like the series though. It's one method of measuring yourself against similar aged runners, especially after all of these years of running, of training enough to stay competitive and keep motivated.

Pineway Ponds Freezeroo

The first race in the GRTC Freezeroo series will again be at Pineway Ponds in Spencerport. Sal's, led by the infamous MikeI'msoworriedIneedScotchNow W. is leading the local volunteers in organizing the race. This is the 37th version of the race (I'm making this up). Really, though, years ago this course was used for PolarCat races before GRTC requested our help.

This is a five mile course and deceivingly harder than one might think. Many runners have insisted the course is long, but it was accurately wheeled and also Garminized. It isn't certified, but is accurate nonetheless. A course map is available at USATF. There are two small hills and a long, slight incline from 2.5-4 miles.

YellowJacket Racing will be timing the race, so expect results quickly. This year's weather looks great, for once we won't have an icy roadway within the park!

GRTC Hall of Fame

Sal's member Dick Withrow received the greatest honor the local running community has, by being named to the Greater Rochester Track Club Hall of Fame! The GRTC banquet, held on January 24, turned into an excellent night as Mike and Mike roasted and honored Dick for his achievements over the years with an awestruck crowd of 140 or so listening intently.

A short list of DW's accomplishments include; GRTC president 4 years during a time of growth of the club to 2,000 members, race director for the Lilac 10k, Human Race 10k, JCC 5k, East Ave. Mile, Freezeroos. Coach at Spencerport, Pittford and Brockport. Super fast runner, including 15+ minute 5k's as a 40 year old, 2:38 marathon, 1:12 half-marathon. Volunteer at hundreds of races through the years. Still competing in xc, triathlons and duathlons, inspiration to many of us.

GRTC Hall of Fame

One of our own, Richard Withrow, was nominated and approved for the Greater Rochester Track Club Hall of Fame! Dick was the GRTC president during the 1980's, when club membership was at an all time high. He directed local races, served as volunteer coordinator for the Lilac 10k for many years and coached at the high school level.

Dick was (and still is) a formidable racer, especially as a masters runner in his 40's. He ran a marathon in the 2:40 range and consistently won or placed in the top 3 in his age group at every race he entered. Dick competed equally well among runners half his age for many years.

It is an honor to know him, run with him in the Spencerport area, and now, train for triathlons together.