The ORC Grand Prix: A Plan for the Year
The Onteora Runners Club Grand Prix has been a staple of local running for more than 20 years.
The series is comprised of 10 local races in which participants score points in overall and age-group categories. The races range in distances from one mile to a half marathon. The series tests your ability to run over various terrain: roads, cross country, trail and the track. Typically, the series begins in early April and ends in December.
The Grand Prix is a good way to organize your running for the year and become a versatile runner. It can help you guard against “specialization” and the resultant risk of injury. To qualify for an award, you need to do a minimum of five races. To join in on the challenge and the fun, all you have to do is join the club.
The series always contains three club races. The Dirty Sneaker 5k on April 5, the Woodstock Races 15k on May 26 and the Bernie Stahl Mile is slated for June 17. The remaining seven races are chosen from a list submitted to the club’s Board of Directors. Inclusion in the Grand Prix can help increase the registration for an event. If interested in your race being considered, contact club president, Diana Karron at dkarron@yahoo.com or any board member.
The 2019 ORC Grand Prix had a record turnout of 125 participants with 51 award winners and eight “survivors.” A survivor is someone who completes all 10 races.
The top three overall male winners were Adam Beach (80 points), Ryan Kleitz (73 points) and Travis Greaves (52 points). The top three overall female winners were Gabriela Olivera (80 points), Jacque Schiffer (70 points) and Kori Frantz (40 points).
Male age-group winners were Chace Snyder (under 20), Keith Kortright (20-29), Caleb Carr (30-39), Scott Hayes (4049), Donald Thurston (5059), and Steve Schallenkamp (60-69). Female agegroup winners were Amari Broadhead (20-29), Kathleen Laux (30-39), Carolyn Nelson (40-49), Abby Thurston (50-59), Pat Johnson (60-69) and Kathleen Balthazar (70+). The eight survivors were Karen Bryant, Caleb Carr, AJ Hadigan, Diana Karron, Ryan Kleitz, Gabriela Olivera, Kasi Ploennigs and Jacque Schiffer.
Speaking of the Onteora Runners Club, it held elections for a new Board of Directors on Dec. 3. The new officers are: Diana Karron, president; Mike Hertle, vice president; Jim Williams, treasurer; and continuing as secretary, Steve Sansola. New board members are Max Gruner, AJ Hadigan and Beth Veasey. Continuing board members are Pat Lopiano and Phil Canion.
A big thank you to retiring board members Deb Domack, Doug Freese,
Tim Gottstine and Theresa Carney-Baker. For more information about the club, visit www.onteorarunners. org and the club Facebook page.
RACE PREVIEW
On Jan. 12, the MidHudson Road Runners Club will sponsor the Recover from the Holidays Run at Norrie State Park in Staatsburg. The event is officially a 50k race that involves 10 loops of a 5k course. However, the majority of participants run less than 50k. You can show up and run as many or as few loops as you desire. Only the runners completing all 10 loops are officially timed. This set up is a “win win.” Runners can show up and make it their long run of the week.
Everyone will have running company. It helps the 50k participants because there is always someone out on the loop with them and the 5k loops means you are always near the aid station and bathroom. This event is organized by Pete Colaizzo and Charlie Sprauer and is free to everyone. Make sure to bring your own water and gels to put at the start/finish area for easy access. After finishing your desired number of loops, stand by the bonfire to cheer on others. For more info: www.mhrrc.com.
KINGSTON CLASSIC TRAINING PROGRAM
The Kiwanis Kingston Classic 5k/10k and 1.5 miler will be on April 26. In conjunction with the Keegan’s Army Run Club, there will be a free open-to-all training program starting on Sunday, Feb. 2, and lasting for 12 weeks. Every Sunday, meet at Keegan’s at 10:15 a.m. for running 10k or at 11 a.m. for running 5k. The runs can easily be modified for individuals just starting a running/walking program. The program will be led by myself and other area runners. For more information on this program, see kiwaniskingstonclassic.com.
TRAINING TIP
Besides building up your cardiovascular system and aerobic engine by getting in your miles, be sure to be mindful of improving your core and balance. I suspect many injuries emanate from weaknesses in these areas. Way back in 1968, my high school coach told us to “run tall.” This has become the essence of “chi running.” In order to run tall, land on your midfoot and stay relaxed; you need core strength and stability.
A great place to start with core strength is by doing planks. Planks strengthen your back, chest, shoulders, neck and abs. Planking can improve core definition and performance, decrease risk of injury to your back, improve posture and improve overall balance and flexibility. I would use the internet to access a few videos on basic planks so you are using proper form. Start out modest and advance to more complex planking when your body tells you its ready. Next column, we will tackle balance drills.
The USATF National Club Cross Country Championships were held on Dec. 14 at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. Over 2,000 runners representing clubs from around the country participated.
Three local athletes ran in the Masters (over 40) races. In the women’s 6k race, Marisa Sutera Strange came in 15th (23:54) overall and first for women in the 55-59 year old age group. On the very soft and muddy course she averaged 6:25 pace for the 3.7 miles. Recently, Strange ran a 5:27 mile, which broke the American
record for women her age. That time equated out to be over 99 percent age graded. Kevin Dollard, competing in the men’s 60-plus race was 39th overall of the 247 runners. His time of 32:26 was a 6:34 pace for the 8k (5 mile) run. Mike Slinskey, running in the 10k race, was 70th among men 5059. His time of 41:05 was a 6:37 pace. Congratulations to all three for putting themselves on the line against the best age group runners in the country.
Enjoy New Years and don’t forget the first Breakfast Run for 2020 will be on Saturday, Jan. 4, from Dietz Stadium. The second Breakfast Run, “The River Road Ramble” is on Jan. 11 in Port Ewen. It is one of my favorites and is not to be missed. Circle your calendar now and all details can be found in the Freeman’s calendar of running events.
Calendar, results
Race directors, please submit information for the race calendar to sports@ freemanonline.com. Information should be in the form of a concise email with important details highlighted and included in the body of the email. No race flyer PDFs.
Race results should be submitted directly to me at ssrun54@aol.com.
Steve Schallenkamp has been active in area running circles since 1966 as runner, race director, volunteer and coach. He is a member of the Onteora Runners Club and president of the Shawangunk Runners Club.