Notes From the Skunk Cabbage Patch Doll

Our 20th annual Ithaca Skunk Cabbage Classic 10K and Half Marathon, on April 1, had 426 official finishers -- the largest field of runners in recent memory.

By the time the starting gun blasted, the total field had almost doubled in size from the number of pre-registered entrants due to last-minute, race-day sign-ups. Not a bargain seeker among them, late registrants paid $15; the early bird fee was just $6.

More runners had pre-registered for the half-marathon than the 10K, which reflects national statistics showing the 13.1-mile distance gaining in popularity. The Skunk half marathon also is a good tune-up for long distance runners bound for the Boston Marathon on April 16. But when it was all said and done, actual stats added up to 224 finishers in the 10K and 202 in the half marathon.

In the 10K, Ithaca's Chris Getman, 25, cranked out a 5:16-per-mile pace to win overall in 32 minutes, 41 seconds -- his second-straight victory. But it wasn't easy, because sitting on Getman's shoulder most of the way was Jamie Simmonds, 25, of Auburn, second in 32:57. Ithaca's James Smoliga, runner-up in 2000, placed third in 34:00.

Little known fact: In his spare time, Getman is the local Team-in-Training coach for the Leukemia Society's marathon fundraising project.

Ron Hulslander, 44, of Cortland won the masters division in 36:35 and finished sixth overall.

In the 10K women's race, a hometown Ithaca gal took home the top prize in a sprint-to-the-finish that pulled the two lead packers under 38 minutes. Catherine Herne, 27, who is attending graduate school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, won the race in a very swift 37:43.

"I'd never seen her race -- or run -- for that matter, so it was a thrill for me to see her win, " said Herne's mother Suzanne Morgan.

Little known fact: Herne placed third overall among women last October in the Detroit Marathon. Deborah Springer, 27, of Syracuse was runner-up in 37:54, and Ithaca's Esther Prins, 28, was third in 40:48.

Little known fact: Springer, a forest pathology major at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, also was runner-up in the 2001 Finger Lakes Snowshoe 7.6-miler in Hector.

Burdett's Shirley Woodford, 45, won the women's masters title in 41:45.

In the half marathon, Syracuse Charger Mike Platt, 39, used a 5:52 per-mile pace to distance himself from the field, winning in 1:16:55.

Dan Fox, 40, of Fabius placed second overall -- and first masters -- in 1:18:26, and Skaneateles resident Pete Davis, 42, was third in 1:18:40.

The most valuable player of the day was 48-year-old Winnie Ngan, who won the overall women's title in 1:25:55. Originally from Hong Kong, but now living in Staten Island, Ngan smashed Barb Bellows' 1999 masters course record of 1:28:05.

Little known facts: The Nike-sponsored Ngan represented Hong Kong in the inaugural women's marathon race at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Ngan's daughter attends Cornell University, so she visits frequently and trains with local runners.

Beth DeCiantis, 38, of Rochester, who once qualified for the U.S. Olympic marathon trials, placed a distant second in 1:30:35, and Ithaca's Anne Ruminski, 19, was third in 1:33:11.

Because a masters runner won the women's race outright and received the overall award, the next masters moved up to take the ages 40-over award. Audrey Balander, 44, of Cortland claimed that honor in 1:34:59.

Skunk tales...

National class -- Just three runners posted times worthy of USA Track & Field national age group rankings. They were Woodford, Ngan and 55-year-old Tom Dutton of Livonia, who finished the 10K in 38:23.

Three dimpled chads -- When asked how to improve the race, three items came up for a vote: serve coffee at the start; add a 70-plus age division award category; add Clydesdale (weight class) award categories. All three are under consideration for 2002.

It takes a village to raise a race -- The Ithaca United Track Club manned a water station; volunteers from the Finger Lakes Runners Club -- the race sponsor -- turned out in full force; local triathlete Laurie Cuomo hopped on her bike and served as official "pace car" and "straggler checker;" police made sure the course was safe and traffic under control; area residents showed patience while their roads were filled with runners.

Kilts & things -- The Scottish Blue Harriers were out in full force, recruiting teammates. Hard to miss, everyone runs in honorary plaid skirts and blue paint on their faces.

Get well soon -- John Ives of Newfield is undergoing cancer surgery this week, but the long time runner of road races, trail ultras, and marathons was on the starting line and finished the 10K in 53:23.

Ironwoman: Race director Yvette de Boer managed a loaves and fishes thing. She fed 426 runners -- plus family and friends, on two small Wegman's 20th anniversary cakes, plus bagels and fruit. Plus, de Boer produced one of most successful Skunks of all time. The experience, no doubt, will toughen her up for the Lake Placid Ironman she's doing in July.

"I think the race went really well. The weather cooperated nicely -- at least no snow or rain, and we had a great turnout and some fast times -- particularly in the half marathon, " said de Boer, a teacher in the Ithaca City School District. "Things went smoothly, thanks to an incredible army of dedicated volunteers. Lots of thanks to all of them."

-- Diane Sherrer