WDF a Winner!

Contrary to rumor, WDF does not stand for the World Wrestling Federation, although any one of us could take you down to the mats and pin you until you cried "girl power!"

It's the slang name for the RRCA's Women's Distance Festival, which this year celebrated 20 years of women's running advocacy.

FLRC hosted the first two WDFs 20 years ago at Cass Park, then took a "brief" hiatus. But Lorrie Marnell and I decided to bring it back this year, and we held it at Dryden Lake Town Park on July 20 at 6:30 p.m. -- one of the most gorgeous evenings for running we've seen all summer.

Despite the gnashing of teeth and fire-breathing debate concerning a "single gender" race, our WDF was a roaring success. The challenging, but scenic race course received rave reviews. We will do the WDF again next year! Here's the highlights:

We had about 50 women participate, and the field included several mother-daughter, sister-sister teams. As our field grows, we'll add more awards per category.

WDF is always a popular event with families. The outstanding Lockett women/girls claimed a lot of the prizes: Donna (mom) won the masters division (Audrey Balander, also a masters, finished among the top three award winners); Amanda and Emily won age group honors; the girls tied with their mother as top mother/daughter duos; and Emily, who helped me give out awards, was our youngest (age 11). The Cuomo sisters/ mother team from Rochester/Ithaca came out in full force too.

We had two sets of very fast twins: the Saari and Kosco sisters; and two twins without their other halves: Sue Aigen and Phyllis Radke. Next year, we'll add a twin category.

One only child. Because I'm weary of awards just for people with mothers, daughters, granddaughters and siblings, I created (because I can) an "only child without children" award. But I was the only one in the group. Next year, we'll keep that category too.

Unexpected numbers in age 40- and 50-plus! For a small race, we had many women in the masters and veterans categories. Luckily, we could shift awards around and give four deep in those age groups. (We need more teenagers, so bring one or two along with you next year!)

Lots of first timers and women we've never ever seen. Some of us are so jaded, we forget how thrilling that first race finish can be. We had several women who wanted to start their running/racing careers in an all-women's race. Most ran, some walked; their elation at the finish was heartwarming to experience.

Many thanks to our Triple Cities friends for bringing a van full to our race. All four women (Donna, Debbie, Linda and the world-class F60 phenom Margret Betz) hauled home awards. Next year, add the TCRC Women's 5K to your list too.

Many thanks to local friends for showing up for Lorrie and me. At times, it takes a lot of energy to coax you gals off the ledge of fear and ego. But we appreciate your support.

We had fruit, soda and homemade cookies, paid for in part by Victoria Smith. Thanks Victoria!

I collected pots from dollar stores, purchased plants (thanks to the Weatherby and Smith families at the T-Burg Home & Garden for a major price break!), and dug a big hole in my backyard for free dirt (the neighbors think I murdered someone). I prepared about 35 potted flowers for overall and age group winners. We wanted to try something different (thanks to Mickey Piscatelli, director of the Syracuse women's 5K, for the idea).

Many, many thanks to all the men (and women) who showed up to work the race. We couldn't have done it without you, and we appreciate your aid. At the risk of forgetting someone, here's the guys who served us all evening: Jim Miner, Joe Reynolds, Alan Lockett, Herb Engman, George Gavrus, Jim Hoch, Helmut Betz, Tim and Jesse Ingall, Sgt. Tim Williams (Pud's), Fran and Bill Taylor (Wineglass), Frank Chase, Sue Aigen's assistant and the very talented Chris Getman, who is coaching a beginner's group and came to help us and cheer on his team at the finish line. The women in the race had great things to say about all of you.

-- Diane Sherrer

RRCA Women's Distance Festival 5K Run & Walk

(Dryden Lake Town Park,, July 20

1. Heide Spalholz, 20, Bainbridge, 20:10.

2. Amy Cuomo Oberst, 34, Rochester, 20:30.

3. Audrey Balander, 43, Cortland, 20:39.

4. Annie Scogin, 15, Groton, 20:44.

5. Amy Saari, 24, Ithaca, 20:58.

6. Lorrie Marnell, 39, Locke, 20:58.

7. Donna Lockett, 42, Moravia, 20:59.

8. Mary Saari, 24, Ithaca, 21:41.

9. Laurie Cuomo, 42, Ithaca, 22:06.

10. Margret Betz, 63, Conklin, 22:24.

11. Christine Kosco, 28, Ithaca, 23:55.

12. Karena Kosco, 28, Ithaca, 24:12.

13. Suzanne Aigen, 47, Ithaca, 24:54.

14. Pam Carlucci, 44, Ithaca, 24:57.

15. Jill Dunphy, 40, Elmira, 25:10.

16. Jennifer Sims, 25, Trumansburg, 25:17.

17. Linda Zalaffi, 38, Kirkwood, 25:24.

18. Donna Russell, 50, Kirkwood, 25:31.

19. Amanda Lockett, 12, Moravia, 25:32.

20. Emily Lockett, 11, Moravia, 25:32.

21. Betsy Martens, 46, Ithaca, 25:38.

22. Cathy Troisi, 54, Seneca Falls, 25:45.

23. Christine Bankert, 30, Genoa, 25:47.

24. Jane Galvin, 39, Elmira, 25:56.

25. Mary Ann Erickson, 37, Ithaca, 25:57.

26. Polly Van Buren, 45, Burdett, 26:08.

27. Betsy Sims, 58, Trumansburg, 26:36.

28. Nancy Hargett, 43, Moravia, 26:58.

29. Sue Habecker, 51, Ithaca, 28:04.

30. Barbara Sobol, 39, Dryden, 28:12.

31. Jennifer Alford, 26, Newfield, 28:13.

32. Debbis Grassi, 50, Johnson City, 28:40.

33. Parnel Wickham, 57, Ithaca, 30:00.

34. Denis Hiser-Ruddick, 33, Cortland, 30:34.

35. Marie Hebdon, 36, Groton, 31:09.

36. Pamela Wenck, 33, Cortland, 31:41.

37. Anne McLaughlin, 50, Ithaca, 31:53.

38. Agueda Oviedo, 33, Groton, 32:10.

39. Jennifer Vaughn, 27, Cortland, 32:36.

40. Aimee Roberts, 36, Cortland, 32:37.

41. Anne Dickinson, 42, Groton, 32:49.

42. Stacey Hean, 28, Groton, 35:24.

43. Sue Headley, 33, Freeville, 35:24.

44. Melissa Turpyn, 20, Hilton, 36:27.

45. Jessica Turpin, 23, Hilton, 36:28.

46. Sara Alba, 31. Ithaca, 37:04.

47. Katherine Stettler, 35, Ithaca, 37:26.

48. Christie Sims, 29, Ithaca, 54:50.

49. Daray McClellan, 45, 1:00:24.

50. Nancy Turpyn Cuomo, 48, Hilton, 1:01:02.

First Walker:

Sue Headley, Freeville, 35:24.

Soap Opera Award:

Sara Alba and Katie Stettler -- a tie for missing the start.

Mother/Daughter Teams (combined times):

1. Donna Lockett/Amanda Lockett, 46:32.

Donna Lockett/Emily Lockett, 46:32 (tie).

3. Linda Zalaffi and Marget Betz, 47:48.

4. Jennifer Sims and Betsy Sims, 51:53.

5. Annie Scogin and Anne Dickinson, 53:33.

Sister/Sister Teams (combined times):

1. Amy Saari and Mary Saari, 42:32.

2. Laurie Cuomo and Amy Cuomo Oberst, 42:36.

3. Karena Kosco and Chris Kosco, 48:07.

3. Amanda Lockett and Emily Lockett, 51:04.

4. Melissa Turpyn and Jessica Turpyn, 72:55.

5. Nancy Turpyn and Daray McClellan, 2:02:26.8