February 2003 Newsletter

AR/WR 1600 Relay: All in the Family!

The Finger Lakes Runners Club masters women -- Suzanne Myette, Lorrie Marnell, Shirley Woodford and Gillian Sharp - set a new pending AR and WR masters 4 x 1,600-meter relay record of 23:10.07 (FAT Timing) at the Holiday Classic meet at Hobart College.

The old record, set 21 years ago on Dec. 12, 1981, was held by FLRC pioneers Barb Booker, Nan Blakely, Sally Rusby and Margret Betz.

Rusby traveled to the meet today to give good luck (they already had the skill) to our fast foursome.

The very tough GVH masters women's team finished in 2nd, with 23:15.45; and the very enthusiastic FLRC "B" squad of Sherri Stager, Diane Sherrer, Sue Aigen and Marie Fitzsimmons was third in 27:14.54. (Thanks gals!)

As expected the race was dramatic, inspirational and came down to the final lap. Suzanne Myette led off the relay with an attack from the front strategy. As each lap passed, Myette cranked out a faster pace and widened the gap, finishing her 1,600 in 5:30. Suzanne's solo charge set the psychological tone of the competition -- no sitting back and waiting; have courage and take command of your own destiny.

Myette passed off to our gritty prez Lorrie Marnell, who had the task of holding off GVH No. 2 runner, Carolyn Smith Hanna, the F50 AR holder in the 400 and nationally No. 2 in the mile and 800. Marnell dug deep, keeping GVH's wheels spinning and crossed the timing zone in 6:15 -- a stunning feat given a year of injuries and broken bones. You go girl!

Although Carolyn did not catch Lorrie, she had narrowed the gap, and the race became tighter -- the plot thickens.

Marnell passed off to fellow long-distance specialist -- long tall Shirley Woodford, who does speed work between telephone poles on the snow covered rural roads of Burdett. Shirley went head to head with another tall GVH mystery woman, who remained in front of Shirley for most of the 8 laps. Shirley never allowed the gap to become so wide that hope was lost. In fact the two women were within touching distance lap after lap. SW finished in a stellar 6:03, with the final handoff to Gillian, who was warned not to try and close the whole gap in the first lap. She took the advice, but we knew she would.

Nail-biting and suspense heightened while Sharp methodically chopped off the distance -- one lap at a time -- that separated her from GVH No. 4 -- a very tough Sue Munson wearing game face. Nearing the final bell lap, Gillian pulled up directly behind Munson. Would Gill wait and pounce or would she pass now and surge? Gill passed aggressively right away -- swoooosssh! -- and never looked back, leaving Munson long gone to respond with another kick. Gill finished in a 5:21!!!!! Wow!

FLRC sliced almost 2 minutes from the existing record, thanks to the gritty, never-say-die- we-mean-business-you're-not-taking-our- record-without-a-fight individual team members from FLRC. Yes, the same women who are the 8K XC Nat. Masters Champs. Hugs, tears, cheers, relief and pride swelled from everyone there. It was an honor to be in the race. And we appreciate the GVH masters women for their super performances.

Many thanks to the FLRC/HNoon guys and the Huddle family who came early to cheer us on, time us and celebrate the victory. We appreciate your support.

-- Diane Sherrer