Thank You, Track Angels

On Broadway, they're called angels-- an individual or group of like-minded people who step in, provide money and enable a worthy production to keep going forward.

The Wineglass Running Club and its membership are track angels. The Twin Tiers-based running club, which has produced 19 editions of the popular Wineglass Marathon and organizes a series of community road races all year-round, generously donated $500 to the Finger Lakes Runners Club for sponsorship of the Hartshorne Memorial Masters Mile. "It's a year-old idea," said Bill Taylor, president of the Wineglass Running Club. "I remembered the frantic search for donations last year, but the timing was not right for us then. But now, we have a handle on our finances and our membership was in favor of the donation. The Wineglass Marathon made money this year, so rather than save it, we decided to give it. Our goal is to promote running, and to put money back into the sport. We're fortunate to have the marathon to give us that extra money.

"This is an experiment for us," Taylor added." We have also talked about the need for scholarships, increasing the prize purse for the Wineglass Marathon, and keeping the marathon debt-free."

The Wineglass Running Club joins the Ithaca Center for Postgraduate Medical Education, and Cornell professor emeritus Bob Babcock, as major sponsors of the oldest and most prestigious indoor masters mile in the nation. Wineglass' contribution was used to support the elite women's masters mile.

"It's a wonderful contribution by the Wineglass Running Club," said meet director Rick Hoebeke, assistant curator for Cornell University's insect collection. "They stepped forward; we didn't ask. It's special because they understand the need for sponsorship of running events. On behalf of the Finger Lakes Runners Club, the High Noon Athletic Club and the Hartshorne estate, we thank them for their offer of support. Having one running club contribute money to another is unprecedented."

"The Wineglass Running Club is people-oriented and goal-specific," said Lorrie Marnell, president of the Finger Lakes Runners Club. "They are not into the typical political rivalry you sometimes find among clubs. We have always had a good relationship with the Wineglass people, and they have shown their appreciation by working with us and attending our races. We both work together for common goals: promoting physical fitness and running in the community."

It might look like a strange alliance, but the mile and the marathon have a lot in common. Both events are highly-favored by a very large consumer group: masters runners. And both races want to lure the very best athletes to their respective starting lines. It takes prize money to do fulfill that dream.

"I don't know a lot about the Hartshorne Mile, but I do know the caliber of the race," said Taylor, former co-director of the Wineglass Marathon." We felt, from a marketing standpoint, that putting our name to the event would give us positive publicity outside the area."

"They have chosen the right race," said Hoebeke, a nationally-ranked runner among men ages 50-59. "Our mile is well-recognized in the nation, and anyone who runs high-level track, knows the Hartshorne Mile. The money will keep our elite fields alive."

[Editor's note: Many, many thanks to the Ithaca Center for Postgraduate Medical Education, Cornell professor emeritus Bob Babcock, and the Tompkins County Trust Company for their financial and moral support of the Hartshorne Mile. Although they did not appear in this article, written for the Elmira Star-Gazette, their contributions have not been forgotten.] -- Diane Sherrer