An Athens Olympian, Two Age group world record holders and a group of some of the best runners in NYC came out to give some tremendous performances. The overall men's winner has run 27' for the 10k, and ran in the Athens Olympic 10,000m finals last year. Our female winner is a perennial race winner on the local scene, from the national team of Ethiopia. Both athletes collected $500 cash. The age graded award of $500 in merchandise from Urban Athletics went to a women who is the world record holder for women age 70+ in the marathon.

It was a very cold crisp day and the Christo Gates exhibition brought many more tourists to Central Park that we would have ordinarily had. The Reservoir was packed with groups of tourists who had no idea that the Reservoir was even a running trail making the running much more difficult. All runners had to navigate passing the groups on the narrow path and most competitors agreed the time passage was a good ten seconds lost per lap.

The day started with Chubby, Karen (who wanted to watch for ten minutes) and I, at ten o'clock. Chubby made Karen the Finish Line Grand Marshall, and the trooper she stayed out for all five hours. I was the Chief Timer, and Chubby the head-on finishing line photographer, and back-up timing.

I really, really was impressed with the twenty runners who came and ran. It is tough to do, and it was inspiring to see the efforts.

Men	Women
John Henwood (32) 7:26	Alemtsehay Misganaw (22) 8:34
John Roberts (25) 7:53	Ann Kuglar (36) 9:11
Matt Dipretore (27) 8:00	Stacy Creamer (45) 9:53
Ian Forsyth (31) 8:16	Sharon Walker (36) 10:06
Rachid Tbani (40) 8:18	Kate Young (13) 11:49
Diego Vanegas (29) 8:18	Ginette Bedard (71) 12:13
Diego Vanegas (29) 8:21	Judith Tripp (58) 12:27
Randall White (49) 8:35	Erika Yamazaki (7) 15:13
Antonio Martinez (40) 8:41	-- --
Amador Ybanez (48) 9:27
Sid Howard (65) 10:05
Steve Walker (35) 10:06	-- --
Patrick Walsh (37) 10:41	-- --

The first runner, who ran with her husband, was Sharon Walker - she has the honor of knowing she's the first ever finisher. Then Diego Vanegas, Antonio Martinez, and Amador Ybanez, came by. The latter gave a very commendable performnce considering he has been injured for the past half year and not racing - in fact he did not come to run, just could not resist. Antonio set the mark for the masters men, and Diego, unsatisfied with his time, rested up and ran again three seconds faster.

Our next racer, A French lady, had already run 14-miles that morning as part of her training run. She told us, "If I had not ran I'd have been bored, I had to go." How was she feeling in the legs a couple of hours later? Well this 71-year old woman zoomed to a 12:13! Monsieur Mileage who passed by maybe to run himself saw his country and muttered "Mon dieu" before disappearing as fast as he came. Ginette Bedard won the $500 merchandise for the overall best age graded result - well done!

Frank Handelman, one of the CPTC top performers dropped by and was itching to run, but was saving his legs for another competition - he'll be there next time. Matt DiPretore of the Running Company was the next to run. Matt professes to be a few pounds over weight, but still put in a fab time. Next up was a woman who wins age group awards weekly, Judith Tripp of the NY Flyers, Judith had ran that morning on the Gates run, dropped by and knocked out a solid time. It was very nice that a number of people took the time out to drop by and say hello, one of them a great guy who has transformed the NYRR, Peter Ciaccia, we wish him a speedy recovery from the Knee Op. He is a four seasons reservoir man.

We knew this man was going to run well - he went through the first 800, weaving to the left and right, to avoid the unsuspecting groups in 2:15. He crossed the line, after passing the mile in 4:40, in 7:26 hardly breathing - New Zealand's John Henwood.

Our youngest competitor, Erika Yamazaki, came next - she had the most impressive sprint down the homestretch of the day - a fantastic run for a seven year old. The Running Company's second runner of the day was in fact our best male age graded result after John, Randall White of New Jersey. He ran as though he had fire in his legs to an outstanding 8:35 - remarkable.

Urban Athletics own Ann then took to the Rez - Ann's been injured for the past few months, but she decided to give it a whirl, and posted the best women's time so far. Followed by one of the promising young junior's, Kate Young, who stromed round in 11:49, but was a little disappointed as she'd planned to go faster - next time!

This man came out of running retirement for the race - a legend on the local running scene, Rachid Tbani. Rachid was on his way to cater a wedding but thought he'd give it a shot, "Anyone can run 1.6-miles right?" He recorded an excellent time.

Just when we thought the men's result was decided along came Ian Forsyth of Warren Street. Ian recounted "Perhaps I set off a little too fast..." He was only a couple of seconds behind John's split at the halfway, and only about ten secs back at the mile split. Despite fading in the final third Ian exemplified what this event was about - Pure racing.

Alem Kahsay promised us that he friend was going to run well, and we knew she would - Alemtsehay 'the business' Misganaw gets things done. She absolutely flew off the starting line like a rocket through the galaxy - her time of 8:34 would not be bested, and she became the queen. The honors for us continued as we were graced with the Gentleman of NYC racing, the esteemed Sid Howard, World Champion and Record holder in some many things in the 60+ category that we have not space to list his roll. Sid gave a text book performance, and ran like a man half and half again his age would have been proud of. Passer-bys coming to the park to search for the Orange Flags applauded widly as he flew down the homestretch.

Speaking of Orange, one of our NYC hero's came next. She is the competitor's competitor - I have never seen her back down to any challenge, race, or quest. She always gives more than the best, and is no stranger to the winners' podium. I am talking about the great Stace-the-Ace, Stacy Creamer. Stacy had a goal of Sub-10, she blew the lid off that barrier, and was another athlete that left the group of passer-bys gawping in her wake. Check out the picture Karen took on the homepage).

Next up was one of the most promising young runners in NYC, he is currently clicking off fast miles at the Armory and mixing it up with some fine road running. On the Cinders he had a goal like Stacy, a fast time. John Roberts, who has impressed since the first time I saw him run, blew round - only seven secs off CR pace at the 800, under five at the mile, to record the second fastest time of the day, 7:53. Last up, arriving in his street clothes, like a true New Yorker, was Pat Walsh. Pat blew round, and knowing that he is far from his best shape, gave another of those efforts that I simply just really admired - he knew he was not running at his best, yet he came out and ran his heart out for ten minutes. That was what the event was about. The five hours simply flew by, and the race staff (now freezing) did their running - back to the store, to pay up!

This race was brought to you by Urban Athletics, Tanser.Org, and Mizuno.