Checkers APRIL 2007

CHECKERS
CHATTER
ATHLETIC CLUB
APRIL 2007
FEBRUARY CLOSED WITH THE CHILLY CHALLENGE
Overall Winner
Kevin Burke
5:18 pace
Russ Trippe
February 25th
329 Finishers
Temperatures were
in the 20’s.
Jack
Meegan
was proudly racing in his Belle
Watling singlet.
Dan Essler
is back in
great form
after some nagging injuries.
In case you’ve never run the Chilly Challenge, it is held on the last Sunday of February on arguably the sunniest and
warmest day of the year.
There was an interesting duel this year at the 28th Chilly Challenge. CHS hall of fame athlete, Mark Jay and his
daughter Sarah were matching each other’s slow downs (opposite a surge) until Sarah could not hold pace and Mark
broke away to take the last finisher spot. Congratulations to both Mark and Sarah for claiming the last male and
female spots.
There is a ton of community support for the race from the Buffalo Police Department to members of the Buffalo
News, whose former editor Bill Malley is remembered and honored with a Memorial award to the first CHS grad to
finish.
Don Seitz
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
THE UB OPEN TRACK & FIELD MEET.
SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2007
UB’S MAIN STADUIM, NORTH CAMPUS, AMHERST,
WE NEED A TOTAL OF 30 VOLUNTEERS
9:30 AM UNTIL 4:30PM.
TWO SHIFTS 9:30AM – 1:00PM OR 1:00PM – 4:30PM
IF YOU CAN WORK BOTH GREAT– IF NOT,
ANY HOURS WILL BE HELPFUL.
THIS WILL HELP CHECKERS DEFRAY THE COST OF
RENTING THE STADUIM FOR TRACK PRACTICE.
SIGN UP ON WEB-SITE OR CONTACT ROGER ROLL
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
CONGRATULATIONS goes
out to John Moore who
recently retired with 42
years service in the fan
industry.
We are so happy that
John will now have time to
Coach Checkers, publish
the newsletter, distribute
Checkers clothing, take attendance at track and
maybe even run for President some day.
When his duties are taken care of, he might be
able to get in a nice long run!
A job well done John!
“When being passed, particularly early in long races, I say, It’s a long race.
I’ll see you guys later.” BARBARA ANDERSON-TOMCHIN
Wanted! Runners for Reach the Beach!
September 14th is the Reach the Beach 200M Relay Race in New Hampshire. The race starts in the
White Mountains and ends at the Beach.
I am trying to get a 2nd Checkers Team (Masters Male) to signup.
Amy Fakterowitz already has signed up a Mixed Team.
Each team has 12 runners that run each 4 stages of 36 stages of the Race. The stages vary from 4 to 8 miles and
some are hard and some are easy.
For more details see : www.rtbrelay.com
There are only 200 teams allowed to enter.
The entire fee of the team is $960.- ($80/pp) !
The team is allowed to cancel by August 1st.
So far I have NO solid commitments. But I know you guys can step up the plate!
Thanks !
Herman van Leeuwen
800 Edgewater Drive
Amherst, NY 14228
Work : 549-5100 ext 237
Home : 200-0860
“It’s kind of a cheap version of Roger Bannister’s four minute mile”. ED WHITLOCK, WHO AT
THE AGE OF 69 AND AGAIN AT 72 BECAME THE OLDEST PERSON TO BREAK THE
THREE HOUR MARK FOR A MARATHON.
Volunteers needed at track
Track workouts began April 3 at UB. We are looking for a few volunteers to help sign people in, check
membership lists, and answer any questions people may have.
If you can help, please contact Julie Donnelly.
M
NEW
M
B
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S
Life
Life
Life
Life
Life
Life
Life
Course
Life
Life
Life
Course
Life
Life
Life
Life
Life
Course
Richard Deren
Toi Buscaglia
Tom Sommerville
Blair Webster
Eileen Lawrence
Diane Salverson
Rick Schoellkopf
Gregory Desmone
Sarah Klein
Nick Zuroski
Kim Chmielewicz
Kim Chmielewicz
Kim Chmielewicz
Kim Chmielewicz
Kim Chmielewicz
Carolyn Corgel
Carolyn Gorczynski
Eric Cornavaca
Tom Droz
Jim Figler
Linda Gerbec
Linda Gerbec
Linda Gerbec
Peter Hogan
Peter Hogan
Gene McDonough
Daniel Morris II
Fran Rowe
Philip Payne
Art Warlow
Michael Bobseine
Susan Parker
Natalie Luczkowski
Edward Wardrop
Paul Weppler
Christopher Connelly
Margaret Griffin
Linda Christen
Sharon Daniels
Deb Morrison
Matthew Phillips
Otto Reinhardt
Bob Ryan
Linda Sacco
Diane Tokarczyk
Greg Webber
2:39:38/2:39:06 Around the Bay 30K
1:53:36/1:53:11 Tim Horton's Chilly Half Marathon
39:30/39:13 Shamrock Run 8K
23:53 Polar Bear 5K
1:31:03 Lockport Y-10
2:22:17/2:21:50 Around the Bay 30K
2:13:52/2:12:43 Around the Bay 30K
53:41/53:01 Shamrock Run 8K
1:10:39/1:10:22 Gasparilla Distance Classic - 15K
19:44 Bengal 5K Run & Fun Walk 5K
44:48/44:34 Shamrock Run 8K
27:23 Canisius Chilly Challenge 5K
27:50 Dash for the Dome 5K
0:01:09 RIT Winter Track Meet 400m
0:00:08 RIT Winter Track Meet 55m
3:43:51/3:40:39 Phoenix Rock & Roll Marathon
41:21 New Years Day 5 miler, Erie
1:04:59 Tucson Sun Run 10K
s
’
R
P
CONDOLENCES
Our deepest sympathy to Bruce Pitman and his family on the death of their son, Eric Scott. He was only 14 years
old and he died suddenly February 27th .
Our deepest sympathy also goes out to Bridget Niland and Patty McManus on the recent passing of both of their
Father’s.
GETTING TO KNOW YOU by Paul Wandel
Checkers Interview with Edna Hyer
PART ONE
BIO:
Age Group:
Checkers member:
Residence:
Professional:
Personal:
Interests:
70-74
4 years, Running 29 years
South Wales, New York
Client Associate with Merrill Lynch (25 yrs)
Married with 4 children and 5.75 grandchildren
Writing
Pace Group :
41
This month, we will get to know one of our senior members. At age 73, Edna Hyer is an active participant in
the local racing circuit and the New York Empire State and Senior Games. Edna has the distinction of having
recorded the greatest number of road races (of anyone) in Don Mitchell’s WNY Run Time Database.
Both a mother and grandmother, Edna has an affinity for healthy living. Back in the late 1970s, she was motivated to make lifestyle changes. “The original reason I started was weight control. I lost approximately 50 lbs at the start.” That was coupled with an association with WNY running great, Jennifer Colgrove- Martin. (Note: Jennifer was a competitor in 4 US Olympic Marathon Trials) Edna’s daughter and Jennifer were cross country teammates at Iroquois High School, and then eventually roommates at Alleghany
College. “My daughter and her high school friends were trying to convince school officials to
give girls a chance to compete in CC and met a lot of resistance. So as they tried to break into
running, I decided to follow them.” With a determined spirit and a measure of courage, Edna got
started. “I bought my first running shoes, confiscated an old pair of my son’s running shorts
and gradually built my distance up to a mile.”
Edna’s racing career commenced with the Bonnie Bell 10K road race in downtown Buffalo (1977). She entered
as a mother daughter team, but her daughter had pulled out. Unaware of how far 10K was, she quickly realized that it was 6.2 miles but decided to give it a try. “I’m not sure of the route we took, but I’ll always
remember the pickets along one street bearing signs like, “Women belong in the kitchen and
not on the street” and “Your children need you at home.” I finally stumbled across the finish
line. They handed each of us a card to sign, showing our finishing position. I was so weak I
could barely sign my name. So began my racing life.” Edna had become an active runner.
Most significant in helping Edna establish herself as a runner, were the network of friends that she began to
develop. They included Gloria Brown and Loretta Sheehan, both being nationally ranked. “Gloria inspired
me to start at the 1987 Empire State Games. I often competed against Gloria in track meets.”
With the competition becoming more intensive between them, she decided to attempt the field events. “I
bought a discus, practiced and then qualified for the ESG. I also throw the javelin,
but discus is my favorite event.” She has competed in all track event distances from 100M to 1500M. Additionally, Edna
holds the NYS 70 age group record for the discus throw and javelin (2005). She is currently registered for the NY Senior
Games in Cortland on June 1 and plans to compete in track and discus/ javelin field events.
Transitioning competitive distances from 100M to 42.2KM is something that not many runners accomplish.
Edna’s marathon career (9 completions) commenced in 1981 with the Skylon Marathon, establishing a PB of
4:17, the following year. “I wasn’t going to run the ’82 Skylon, because I had run
the Presque Isle Marathon six weeks earlier in 90 plus degree heat.” Her persistence paid off with a great performance, but is quick to note, “I don’t have marathon feet!” Edna adds, “I race to meet people. I feel better after I run, but during a race, its work!”
PART TWO to be continued in the next newsletter………...
Members of Checkers recently participated in the
Empire State Winter Games, held in Lake Placid,
NY during the weekend of February 24-25. Mike
Rogers, along with Adam and Tom Niziol competed
in snow shoe racing. If you have never run in snow
shoes, Adam Niziol described the sport as a lot of
fun and at the same time invigorating. Together
with his dad Tom and Mike Rogers, the three participated in several races including the 100m, 200m
and 400m sprints as well as the 1500m. In addition, Mike and Adam ran the rigorous 5k cross
country snow shoe race on the challenging Olympic
Biathlon Course at Mt.Van Hovenburg. Mike
Rogers won several medals in the Masters Division
and Tom Niziol also won a medal. Adam placed in
the top 5 in his age group for the 1500m. All agreed that the medals were nice, but the chance
to participate in the Winter Empire State Games and enjoy the Adirondack Mountains at this
time of the year was well worth the effort!
Tom Niziol
AY S
A LW
ES
DAT
Y
F
V ER I
SOCIAL/EVENTS CALENDAR
Please check
out our
detailed race
Information
on the
Checkers
website.
Membership
Dues
All members need to
pay their dues no
later than April 1st.
If you are current,
your membership
label should read
2008.
If you did not pay
your dues by
4/01/07 or at the
1st track practice,
you will not be
receiving the next
newsletter.
Thank you for
supporting Checkers.
4/3/07
4/7/07
4/7/07
4/15/07
4/21/07
4/21/07
4/21/07
4/28/07
4/29/07
5/4/07
5/5/07
5/5/07
5/5/07
5/9/07
5/11/07
5/12/07
5/12/07
5/12/07
5/13/07
5/18/07
5/19/07
5/19/07
5/27/07
6:00 PM
9:30 AM
10:00 AM
12:00 PM
9:30 AM
10:30 AM
11:00 AM
11:00 AM
8:00 AM
6:30 PM
9:30 AM
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
6:30 PM
6:30 PM
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
9:00 AM
6:30 PM
10:00 AM
10:30 AM
7:00 AM
First Track Practice of 2007
Bunny Hop 5k
Run Against Hunger 5k
Shoes for Shelter 5k
Anew Run 5k
Envirun 5k
Young Life 5k - Jamestown
FAMA 5k & Fun Walk
BPAC 6-Hour Distance Classic
NCCC Spring Stampede 5k
Louis J. Billitier Memorial 5k & Walk
GBTC Half Marathon
Terri Krieger Memorial 5k
Kenmore Mercy Foundation 5k & Walk
Lisa's Legacy 5k & Walk
Allegany Adventure - 6k, 9k, 16k & 22k - Salamanca
Invitrogen 5k******** POSTPONED!!!!
Miles for Smiles 5k & Walk
Marcena Lozano Memorial Scholarship 4m & 1m Fun Run
Crouse Challenge 5k
Apple Blossom 5k
Chris Griswold 5k
Nissan Buffalo Marathon, Half Marathon + Relay
“The most important part of a player’s body is above his shoulders.
TY COBB
California Dreamin’
Has walking and running under gray winter skies left you searching for a more inspiring fitness outlet? Look no further than Roswell Park’s Team Cure California
Challenges! It’s the perfect way to get into shape while raising funds for lifesaving
programs. All participants receive customized fitness training for the event of their
choice: the San Diego Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon on June 3, 2007 or the San Francisco
Marathon, Half Marathon or 5k on July 29, 2007.
Walk or run – no experience is required! Challenge yourself in honor of a loved one,
or take on the experience as a cancer survivor. Unite with thousands of people from
across the country to share memories of a lifetime. Plus, you’ll receive complimentary
airfare, hotel, meals and more for meeting the minimum Team Cure fundraising goal.
Call 716-845-8788 or visit www.TeamCure.com today to learn about other events in
Buffalo, Lake Tahoe, Orlando and more!
Hello to the 2007 Shamrock Race!
Checkers Members and their
apparel were seen everywhere!
ATTENTION ALL
CHECKERS MEMBERS
This is your club’s race and we wish
more of you can participate this year.
The Mile is the only race of the season
that we hold.
Our race is very unique.
Anyone can run a mile
It’s fun.
You do not have to be fast to run a mile.
All we ask is that you participate
and in turn it will help
The Kevin Guest House.
Additional Checkers members enjoying The Shamrock Race
The Bengal Run was held on a rainy Saturday morning March 24th at
Buffalo State College. Temperatures were around 42 degrees.
There were 63 finishers from Checkers and 551 total for the race.
Matt Stegner
Budd Bailey
Running
columnist
Ted Paget
Welcome to track
It was a perfect
night to workout.
Check our
Web page for more
track photos.
April Birthdays
H
a
P
P
y
B
I
r
t
h
d
a
y
t
o
A
L
L
Philip Halpen
Amy Gambon-Dennis
Kevin Burke
Sean Kavanagh
John Moore
Margaret Giardini
Josh Penfold
Caroline Phillips
Jennifer Klier
Jim Schaffstall
Patrick Donnelly
Peter Forrestel
April Maziarz
Amy Fakterowitz
Kathy Klemenich
Nancy Battaglia
David Melohusky
Scott Perrapato
Mark Rich
Todd Lemmiksoo
Gary Raby Sr
Blair Webster
Sarah Klein
Jacob Klimchuck
John Russo
Carol Schuster
Helen E. Botti
Sara Cole
Katie Adams
Tim Oehmler
Edna E. Hyer
Jeff D'Angelo
Ken Gonyea
Salvatore La Mastra
Prudence Meads
John Radzikowski
May Birthdays
4/3
4/5
4/7
4/7
4/7
4/8
4/9
4/11
4/12
4/12
4/14
4/14
4/14
4/15
4/15
4/17
4/17
4/17
4/17
4/18
4/19
4/19
4/20
4/21
4/21
4/21
4/22
4/23
4/24
4/24
4/27
4/28
4/28
4/29
4/30
4/30
Cindy Stankiewicz
Tamara Baer
Fred Luongo
Cindy Demske
Diane Salverson
Roger Roll
Judy Thompson
Kristin Leiby
Alison Donnelly
Kevin Meadows
Ralph Zimmermann
Ellen Ode
Eileen Lawrence
Sharon Linstedt
Mark Hermanson
Garry Soehner
Colleen McCoy
Alan Baer
Peter Hogan
Jim Kozlowski
Nancy Sheehan
Theresa Palmieri
Patrick O'Connor
Catherine Haight
Bob Kolodziej
John Bauman
Christopher Harris
James Prentiss
Richard Deren
Eryn Yates
Anne Reif
Thomas Appenheimer
Susan Bergman
Jeffrey B. Harvey
Fritz Van Leaven
David Lee Klimchuck
5/2
5/3
5/3
5/4
5/4
5/5
5/5
5/11
5/12
5/12
5/12
5/13
5/13
5/13
5/14
5/15
5/16
5/17
5/17
5/17
5/17
5/20
5/21
5/22
5/22
5/25
5/25
5/26
5/27
5/27
5/28
5/30
5/30
5/30
5/30
5/31
“If you have a bad run, don’t obsess about it.
You’re always going to have days when your legs feel dead.”
HEATHER HANSCOM, 2004 U.S. WOMEN’S OLYMPIC TEAM
Checkers Kids Column
by Dana Hogan
An interview with Allison Barkowiak
Allison is a granddaughter of one of Checkers more prominent
Members, Tom Appenheimer. Although I did not talk to her in
person, she was a pleasure to talk to and I think she will prove
to be a rising star in the Checkers community.
Q: How old are you?
A: I am fifteen years old
Q: How long have you been running?
A: Oh, wow, it seems like forever! I’ve been running for about 3 years.
Q: Who has been your greatest inspiration, as a runner?
A: My grandpa has been really important to me. He provides me with lots of running tips and encourages
me. Even if I didn’t do so well in a race, he is always cheering me on and telling me that I did a great
job.
Q: What is your favorite inspirational quote; running or otherwise?
A: “Have patience and endure” - Shakespeare
Q: What was one of your most memorable or special running moments?
A: Well, one time that comes to mind is when my grandpa and I had just finished our longest run
together ever ( 8 miles) and I was extremely happy that I was able to do it!
Q: What are your goals?
A: I really want to keep running when I get to college, and after that, I hope to just stick with it for
the rest of my life!
Thanks Allison!
President’s Corner Continued from back page
Speaking of volunteers, you will notice this word a lot in the newsletter, web site and in announcements at track practice. We
have a great history of volunteering for all Checkers and non-Checkers events through out WNY. You will also notice that the University at Buffalo is mentioned frequently along with the word volunteering. Checkers and UB have a long-standing relationship that
goes back years. We rent their track in the spring and in return pay off our rental bill by volunteering at UB Athletic events. One
such event is later this month, the UB Open Track & Field Meet, Saturday April 21. By volunteering at this event you the member
can help defray the cost of track rental, see some top collage track performances up close, and most importantly keep me in good
standing with the UB coaching staff.
As you can see there is always something going on in the local running community, especially as a member of Checkers
A.C. In each newsletter, I will mention a few tidbits on club procedures and activities that will hopefully keep the new members informed and the wise veterans up to date with information that makes being a Checkers member a wonderful experience.
Welcome to Checkers
Roger
President’s Corner
by Roger Roll
Welcome to Checkers
I feel like the official greeter from Wal-Mart or the
front desk clerk at a hotel when I say Welcome to Checkers and enjoy your stay. For new members, my name is
Roger Roll and I have just been elected to another twoyear term as president of this great running club. If you
have the time to read our club newsletter, Checkers Chatter, you will find my presidents column stashed away on
the back page. Our newsletter comes out monthly during
the running season and bi-monthly during the wintertime. It can be found on the Checkers web site or delivered to your door by the postal service; your choice.
I would like to start my first article of my new term
by thanking club member Jeanne Chiarmonte for her
years of service as a Checkers board member and by welcoming Jim Schaffstall back to the board. The Checkers
board consists of ten elected members and a treasurer
who is appointed by the board. Each member serves a
two-year term with half the board running for election
each year. I hope that during the next couple of months
you will have the opportunity to meet board members,
who are always there to serve you and answer any questions that may arise.
Checkers Athletic Club
c/o 303 Norwalk Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14216
See Checkers web page at:
www.checkersac.org
If you are new member or a club veteran, there is a good chance you joined
Checkers for the weekly track workouts
provided to you on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and not for the opportunity to
read my column. We start Tuesday night
track workouts in April at the University at Buffalo from
6:00pm until 8:00pm, and then in June we move to Crosby
field in Kenmore after the high school season ends. In
addition, we meet Wednesday nights at Orchard Park’s
track for workouts. Workouts in both locations will end in
the later weeks of October.
As time moves on, the racing season will seem to
explode in WNY, a long with other numerous club activities. A good source of information on the WNY running
scene can be found in our newsletter and especially on the
Checkers web site; with race results, workouts, club activities, and member contact information. This and more can
be found on the web site, which we constantly keep updated thanks to our wonderful web technicians who volunteer daily.
Continued on inside page…………….