The Whole Enchilada on Wineglass

Wineglass Marathon co-race director Bill Taylor and I had dinner at the Rongovian Embassy, and while chowing down on their Mexican specialties, I got the whole enchilada on this year's 19th annual Wineglass Marathon & Team Relay, slated for 9 a.m., Oct. 1. (See enclosed entry.)

Wineglass isn't exactly "our" marathon, but it's the closest and best 26.2-miler within less than an hour's drive. We tend to take the race for granted, and we'll miss it when it's gone.

And it's going to be gone -- no 20th anniversary special in 2001, unless lots of volunteers help at this year's race, and some person(s) or group says "yes" to taking over the directorship duties next year. After this year, Bill and Tom Knapp will resign as co-race directors. The marathon is a year-round job, and both men have other family and employment obligations.

The duties are many, but as Taylor sums it up: "We anticipate everything, and have an answer for it." It's time to pass the torch.

"We're looking for someone else to take over the directorship -- or else," said Taylor, the president of the Wineglass RC. "This could be the last one, and I don't want to see it happen. I'd like to run in the 20th, too."

Wineglass has received rave reviews from "Marathon & Beyond" and Runner's World magazine. In fact, RW continues to support our local gem by sending the in-house celebs like Amby Burfoot and John "the Penguin" Bingham to lead popular pacing groups.

Do some soul-searching. If you want Wineglass to be a survivor, grant them immunity from being voted off the island by volunteering to help this year, or encouraging someone to take over the directorship reins. If you plan on running this year -- or would like a fun day at the races without having to actually run, call up Taylor and Knapp to volunteer to conduct traffic, be a Chip collector, give out water or work the expo or finish area.

So, what else is up the millennium 2000 edition of Wineglass? Plenty. Here's the facts you'll need to know:

A ChampionChip on your shoe: Runner's High, of Pittsburgh, has been subcontracted to do all the timing and scoring for both the marathon and the relay. The high-tech computer chips make their debut in Wineglass, with sensory mats located at the relay exchange zones ( 9 and 18 miles) and at the finish line.

"We'll be able to do lots of neat things, like provide split times, and give relay awards based on the first person to reach each exchange point. We'll also send out a results booklet to all entrants based on the chip," said Taylor.

The most beautiful T-shirt: It's a return to the rave '98 elaborate design featured on the Wineglass brochure. It's long-sleeved, white-based with the multi-colored art. There will be a small logo on the front; the painting on the back.

Make a toast: Pleasant Valley Winery will give each runner a Brut Champagne Split (NYS), and you'll receive those at packet pickup.

Bridge rebuilt: No more twisty turny finishes. The course was rerouted last year due to bridge construction on the last two miles of the course. The course returns to normal this season, with a final sprint down Market Street and across the Centerway Bridge to the finish behind the Corning, Inc. building. The YMCA, last year's modified finish line, is also under construction.

Pasta party & expo on the move: The expo moves to downtown Bath at the Flint Glass Workers Hall (more floor space than the Curtiss Museum), with extended hours; and the pasta party moves to East High School in Corning. Taylor says you can go to the expo, drive the race course into Corning, and then eat pasta.

You're never too old: Due to several requests, race organizers have added a 70-plus age division for men and women. The percentage of awards will be based on total number in each age category.

The check is in the mail: Awards will be mailed out later, personally engraved. Although top dogs and age-groupers will be recognized at a post-race ceremony, organizers will take time to check the facts before someone hauls home the wrong hardware (or money).

Fastest legs: Additional relay awards will be presented to open and masters male and female runners who reach each exchange point first. This new perk is possible because of the chip.

Click on www.wineglassmarathon.com: Do It Sports has created a new and improved website for the race. It's brimming with information, and the best deal: Online registration.

You'll save $5 if you fire up the computer, pull out a credit card and sign up online. Taylor estimates over 200 runners have already done so.

No star power: No featured celebrity this year. Why? No good ideas, timing and it's getting expensive.

Take out a loan: most of you don't know it yet, but the Wineglass entry fees have zoomed to the moon. Although in line with most marathon fees, the marathon registration fee is now $45 per person, received by Sept. 15, and up and up it goes. See enclosed fee structure on entry sheet. Bring your own chip, and deduct $; register online and deduct $5 (by Sept. 29).

The three-person relay fees are $45 per person ( yes, you read that correctly: 3 x $45!); and up and up it goes by different deadline dates. The Chip and online perks are equal; deduct $ and/or $5.

Taylor defends the price jump (last year the pre-fees were marathon/$30 and relay $25 per team member), by pointing out that all costs have gone up for putting on a mega-race. The chip and T-shirts are especially expensive. He says now the relay and marathon are "equal," but cost-wise the marathoners pay $2 a mile; the relayers $5 a mile.

I've given Bill a lot of backtalk about the relay fees ("Diane, you're beating me up!"), and I'm extremely upset about it. But I love Wineglass weekend; there's nothing quite like it. All entrants do receive a lot of loot and excellent care. It's just cheaper to run the whole marathon.

For more information, call Tom Knapp at 937-2677; Bill Taylor at 739-9622; or by e-mail: WineglassRace@aol.com.