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FLRC Newsletter - May 2003 |
| 2nd Annual Seamus Bisogni Memorial St. Patty's Day 4 M | |
This was the race declared "best race ever" by a beaming Seamus Bisogni, cup of beer in one hand, chocolate donut in the other, after its inaugural running last year.
It has been a long winter. Temps were predicted to be in the 50s. They serve free beer. Great donuts. All for 8 bucks. This year, the race is the first in a "Saint's Series" organized around Southern Tier area churches.
The 2nd annual field was just under 400 runners. The race also features a fire and police dept competition, won this year by the Cortland FD. Repeating the ritual established by SB last year, Terry, Jason and I jogged the course first on our way to a 12 mile day. The usual TCRC notables loomed at the start, including Gary Fancher (second overall), Bob Pulz (10th), and Ron Hulslander.
The course starts at St. Patrick’s on Leroy St, crosses the river on Main St., and thereafter largely follows the Chris Thater course. The first mile is downhill, the second two mostly uphill, and the last mile downhill back to the front steps of St. Pat's.
At the start Tim was up front close to Pulz and Fancher; Jeff's first mile was 5:29, mine 5:39, and Terry 5:45. I felt moderately lousy going into the race because of heavy mileage this week, but the first mile time was encouraging, because my experience last year was that marathon training worked to my advantage over the next two uphill miles. At about a mile and a half I caught Eric Maki, who won the Hudson Mohawk Marathon two weeks ago in 2:58, besting a stalwart field of 60 runners in heavy rain and dropping temperatures. My two mile split was 11:29. Around two miles I settled behind a small pack made up of Ron, Jeff J., and a young'un named Jeff Felice. I passed them at about two and three quarters, but Jeff J. (Brooklyn 1/2 marathon last week) came with me. Three mile split was 17:33.
Heading back toward Leroy St. Jeff surged several times and passed me at least once. I tried to hold him off in the last half mile, but he dropped me with authority near the conspicuous twin package stores about three blocks from the church. Another wussy finish, still, the effort resulted in a 5:44 last mile and a 23:17 finish, 45 seconds faster than last year. Tim (third master) was in sight but 15 seconds ahead. Jeff claimed the $10 prize for age group winner.
Gill Sharpe was second woman and first master, but needs to find more studs for the Ithaca FD team. Suzy Myette had no mercy on the 15 year old running closest to her, to finish third woman and second master. Jim Miner finished the entire course in his back brace, trophy of his recent vertebrae shattering X Games accident.
Back in the St. Patty's gym, Terry, Jason, Jeff and I raised a cup (or beer; Jeff did not produce the noxious-looking oaty brew he drank last year) to the memory of Seamus before setting out on the prescribed four mile cooldown, which we completed at 9 minute pace. Maybe I had two beers before we started. Terry started to complain that it didn't feel so good after three miles, so maybe he had two too.
Other notable moments: chocolate donuts with chocolate frosting...those cheesy light blue uniform jackets worn by the Binghamton PD (auxiliary?), look like a cross between Car 54 Where Are You and the Maytag Man.
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