Three Memorial Runs

How would you memorialize your child with a race? Most of us, thankfully, have never had to think about it, but three area families have given tremendous amounts of time, thought, and energy to doing just that. During late summer and early fall, three races honoring Chris Tennant, Pete Matzke, and Scott Spencer are held in Cincinnatus, Endwell, and Newark Valley respectively. Although each event centers around a 5K, each somehow seems to capture different aspects of the young men's unique personalities.

Chris's Run, now held in conjunction with the Cincinnatus Corn Fest on September 16th, is the oldest of the three. Including a 10K, a 5K, and a fun run/walk, this one is dedicated to spreading the DWI message to young people. John Tennant, Chris's dad, has worked tirelessly to make sure that what happened so needlessly to his own son doesn't happen to more rural kids. Chris's Run is "pure country": mostly quiet village streets and back roads, friendly locals, lots of "corny" entertainment in the park and throughout the village. This quirky, one-of-a-kind (I can recall one year running along in typical-of-the-season dense valley fog and being startled out of my wits by an eerie sound from the side of the road: duh, it was a cow mooing!) attracts all kinds: from Olympics marathon trialist Charlene Lyford to groups of sorority girls from SUNY Cortland. (I understand that last year had a minor course mix-up, but it's unlikely to happen again, given how much the organizers are devoted to making this a good day for all). See this month's calendar for contact details.

The Pete Matzke 5K, held at Maine-Endwell High School on August 3rd, honors a M-E track team standout and honor student who died in a freak gorge fall on a visit here to Ithaca during his college years. The 5K in his memory starts on the Spartans' track, goes through a hilly local neighborhood, with a little cross-country stretch over the athletic fields, to finish with two more laps of the track. A go-for-it kind of race, as Pete was a go-for-it kind of guy. Pete's mom, Barbara Ann Turecek, has overseen the improvement of this event (and consequently larger turn-out) each year, with proceeds benefiting a scholarship in Pete's name. A chance to test your ability to keep up with local high-school runners getting in shape for the season, good eats at the finish, and really nicely-designed teeshirts.

The third race, held on July 29th this year in Newark Valley,

was the first time for Scotty's 5K. Scott Spencer, according to Joe Reynolds, who talked to me about him, was the slowest runner on the Newark Valley High School team and the bravest. His regular workouts on village streets took hours because he had friends to chat with at almost every house, and his determination to be an athlete despite his physical disabilities was such that competing teams like Watkins Glen made him an honorary member of their team in recognition of his charm and his courage.

Scotty's 5K, starting in the village's Trout Ponds Park, is a basically flat and fast out-and-back course, with a small incline before the turnaround. Despite its natural speediness, it is also designed for people to enjoy themselves: it's the first race-course I've ever heard of with designated chairs en route for people to sit down and relax for a bit! Lots of people who knew Scott were in attendance as spectators, participants and organizers: his dad said that Scott himself would have had a wonderful time doing what he loved with so many old and new friends! Held during Newark Valley's "Depot Days", there's lots to do afterwards, too. Race proceeds are earmarked for a youth center in the village.

Give any one of these a try next time: you'll be glad you did. Oh, and by the way… bring your kids along and count your blessings.

-- Betsy Martens