Holiday runs continue with Reindeer Ramble

Now that Thanksgiving is out of the way, the rush towards the Christmas season is in full throttle and with that comes a variety of holiday-themed races.

Now that Thanksgiving is out of the way, the rush towards the Christmas season is in full throttle and with that comes a variety of holiday-themed races.

In this area, no holiday race is more anticipated yearly than the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County Reindeer Ramble 5k, scheduled for next Sunday.

The race features a very challenging course, an opportunity to dress in holiday costume, and all the fun and frivolity associated with familyoriented event.

This is the 33rd year that the YMCA is offering the race, one of its fundraisers for the Strong Kids Scholarship Fund that helps less fortunate youngsters to attend camps and activities at the agency.

The race starts promptly at 1 p.m., with the start and finish right outside the Y’s entrance.

Race-day registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and entry fees are a very modest $15 for adults and $10 for students.

If you are a member of the Onteora Runners Club, not only do you receive a $1 admission discount, but the race is the finale of the club’s Grand Prix Series with points on the line for determining overall and age-group winners.

One of the reasons that runners of all ages and abilities stream to the race each year is to be part of a Santa-pede, a group of five to seven runners connected together in competition by rope, garland, bungy or whatever you choose to use to keep the group secured.

Santa-pedes never go slower than the fastest runner or faster than the slowest runner in the group, making for an exciting jaunt from start to finish.

Those runners are expected to don their holiday apparel, with prizes not only for the fastest Santa-pede, but also for the best costumed group.

If you need more information about the Ramble, contact Eleni Dedovich at the Y by calling (845) 338-3810, extension 107, or emailing to her at ededovich@ymcaulster.org.

Adam Beach and Renee Darmstadt were the men’s and women’s winners at last Sunday’s annual Fair St. 5k.

The race, hosted by the Fair St. Reformed Church, is a fast and flat route through uptown Kingston and age-group winners find themselves with some delectable baked goods as prizes.

Beach zipped to the finish in 18:37, just ahead of runner-up William Reichman in 18:51.

Zury Oate got up for third in 19:32 and Chad Duffy was fourth in 19:37.

Darmstadt, meanwhile, placed fifth overall in 21:12.

Sixth place went to Steve Schindler in 21:37, Chris Roser was seventh in 21:42 and women’s runner-up Ali Mitchell was eighth overall in 21:52.

Jack Celuch ran 22:01 for ninth, and in 10th place, it was Robert Costa in 22:03.

Grace Beach placed third for the ladies in 22:42, Jacque Schiffer was fourth in 22:59, fifth went to Sue Klein in 23:47 and in sixth, it was Carol Dewar in 24:18.

Some of the other top finishers included Terry Newman (22:48), Bryan LaRoche (22:52), Gary Myers (23:13), Joe Baganz (23:27), Steve Schallenkamp (23:32), Sarah Snider (24:33), Nicole Reber (24:56), Rich Van Kleeck (25:14), Bill Pape (25:33) and Michael LaRoche (26:16).

LOCALS FARE WELL AT PHILLY MARATHON

A significant contingent of local runners headed to the City of Brotherly Love last Sunday to partake in the Philadelphia Marathon.

Doug Needham and Rachel Meyer recorded the top finishes of the group, Needham covering the 26.2 miles in 3:26:27, while Meyer ran a time of 3:27:58.

David Roberts finished in 3:36:15 and David Shepler was next at 3:39:00.

Sarah Hack was the last of the group to break four hours, finishing in 3:55:01.

Jenn Gardner was next in 4:13:18, then it was Mary Roosa crossing the line 4:36:42 and Danielle Brown ran 4:42:38.

Jennifer Braun had a solid time of 4:46:09, Theresa Baker ran 4:52:40 and ORC pres Deb Domack was right there at 4:52:42.

Cyndy BorzumatoCobb cracked the fivehour barrier in 4:57:23, as did Denis McGee in 4:59:40.

Tim Herron completed the local effort, finishing in 6:04:43.

Please send all race results and information to 79 Hurley Ave., Kingston, N.Y., 12401; fax to (845) 331-3557; or email to runerichrun@ gmail.com. Follow Eric Houghtaling on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ runerichrun