2001 CPTC Awards Banquet

2001 Central Park Track Club award nominees

OUR PEOPLE

PHOTO: Manny Caneva said, "You must take a picture of me and my buddy Jerry Macari." Jerry was kind enough to haul a big load of team singlets in case anyone wanted to buy some. We all know that his Urban Athletics store in the Winter Garden downtown was closed after September 11th (note: everybody at the store was safe). He will likely start another store somewhere uptown next year.

PHOTO: Mindy Solkin received the 2001 American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) "Community Service Award" for her service to runners and sports medicine professionals in New York City. The award was presented at the ACSM Awards Banquet at the Pierre Hotel earlier this evening, which gave her enough time to show up at our banquet.

PHOTO: Awards will be given tonight, but unfortunately not everyone will get one (of course, we could do that but it will take several days). In this photo, all the award nominees gathered together for a collective applause and recognition.

PHOTO: Of course, all organizations like to portray themselves as being a model of harmony and accord. Unfortunately, it is never like that in real life. For those who arrived on the club much later than the founding days 29 years ago, Frank Handelman explained how David and Lynn Blackstone ran the whole club from their apartment in the early days. They were also assisted by Jack Brennan. That much was not in dispute, except for the circumstances under which Frank and Jack met.

According to Frank, "One day, I was sitting in the NYU cafeteria minding my own business when this little guy came up to me and said, 'I hear you think you can run!' It turns out that this guy was a University of Scranton (where?) runner. Next day, I ran with him around the reservoir and realized that he can actually run. The rest is history, for Jack Brennan went on to run a 2:20 (note: hurricane-force wind-assisted) marathon to qualify for the US Olympic Trials."

According to Jack, "I saw someone in the NYU cafeteria wearing a sweater with a big P. So I asked him, 'What does the P stand for?' and he said, 'University of Pittsburgh'. I knew then that he was a slow runner. Next day, I ran with him around the reservoir and realized that he was not as slow as I imagined. Anyway, to cut a very long story short, we both set goals to run sub-2:30 marathons. Now of course, almost thirty years later, I am still waiting for Frank to do that ..."

FOOD

The theme of the food was the flavors of Spain, according to authentic recipes supplied by Ramon Bermo. The food was prepared by volunteers under the direction of Kim Mannen. Where did they do the cooking? In Noel Comess' kitchen. When our volunteers saw his kitchen, their jaws fell because it was bigger than the apartments that most of them live in! Suffice to say that none of this would have been possible without Noel, who said later that evening: "Although I have not done any running at all today, I feel like as if I had just done a twenty-mile hard run."

IN THE KITCHEN ...

PHOTO: This is Señor Tortilla Ramon Bermo in charge of the proceedings.
PHOTO: Kim Mannen shows us how she suffered for her craft, while Audrey Kingsley toils away.
PHOTO: All work and no play makes dull chefs --- Ramon Bermo, Alan Ruben, Audrey Kingsley and Kim Mannen --- NOT!
PHOTO: Who let this chef out? This chef wears a hospital band on his right wrist!

... FAST FORWARD TO THE BANQUET ...

PHOTO: This is the food on the plate of Stacy Creamer. It is unfortunately that Scott Willett was not here tonight, otherwise you would seen the art of holding two fully loaded plates on one hand.
PHOTO: Tyronne Culpepper munching down the food. On his right, Bernadette Wehr had just ducked underneath the table to avoid her photo being taken ...
PHOTO: This is a photo of our New Jersey-based teammate Jan Farnung-Krause. The greater significance of this picture is that Bernadette Wehr can be seen ...

PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS

Here is team president Alan Ruben's opening remarks:

First of all, I would like to specifically thank several people for their extra-special help in putting on tonight's event. Firstly, Noel Comess, Kim Mannen and Ramon Bermo for the excellent food, James Siegel for arranging all the drinks, utensils and decorations and Harry Nasse and Erik Goetze for producing all these wonderful awards - of which we shall be seeing more of very very soon. Plus I would also like to thank all the other people who helped to put on this event, plus of course all of you who are here with us tonight.

It really is indicative of our club how we are able to pull together peoples' varying talents for an event such as this. This year in particular, after the events of September 11th, we have seen how the strength of this club was able to shine through. This at a time when I know that many people, including our coach Tony, found it difficult to refocus on what some people would call the 'meaningless' sport of running.

As if the Sept 11th events weren't difficult enough for the team, last month we heard about the death of one of our former members Victor Diaz, on American Airlines Flight 587 to the Dominion Republic. He was much loved by many members of our team and he will be sorely missed.

However, what is so remarkable about this team is its’ resolve. And this was clearly shown in our club's results in this years' New York City Marathon, an emotional highlight to the year, which not only involved the more than 70 runners we had in the race, but also the countless more orange jackets dotted around the five boroughs (well four anyway) supporting our team every step of the way. Tony will have more to say on the individual achievements in that race during his awards presentation (which is coming soon I promise).

The highlight of the running year for me was the Hood to Coast relay where Tom Phillips ably organized a Master's team comprising of 12 people running 190 miles in 19 hours at sub-6 minute pace to place 2nd masters team and 13th overall. There is nothing more exciting in what can often be a solitary sport, than the camaraderie of an epic team race such as this. Next September our club is planning on organizing two teams in the similar Reach the Beach relay in New Hampshire. Start lobbying Tom Phillips now for what will surely be another memorable adventure.

Finally, I would like to thank our former president, John Kenney for his three years of selfless service to our club. Today our club is stronger, larger and more talented than I can ever remember and it is in large part due to John Kenney, and also Roland Soong, our webmaster, plus our wonderful coaches Tony Ruiz, Devon Sargent and Brian Denman; whom it is now my pleasure to hand over to, in order to begin the awards presentation...

TRIATHLON AWARDS

In spite of what you have been led to believe, Centralparktc.org does not stand only for the Central Park Track Club. We happen to share our facilities with the organization known as the Central Park Triathlon Club, with whom we share many members. Why else would this year's gala event be titled 'CPTC Awards Banquet,' instead of the 'Central Park Track Club Awards Banquet'?

Since our triathlon coach (who?) was not present, these awards were presented by Tony Ruiz, who said, "Look, I joke about my lack of knowledge about triathlons (editor's note: typical speech: "You know ... you swim, you bike, you run ... ah, running is good ...") when I review the results every week. But I actually know a bit more than I make out, and I think that triathletes are good people ..."

FEMALE TRIATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Shelley Farmer: Ready and willing to travel all over the globe for triathlons --- Drummondville, Quebec for the Canadian National Age Group Championships; Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and St. Joseph, Missouri for the U.S. National Age Group Championships; Edmonton, Alberta for the World National Age Group Championships, ...

Other nominees: Stefani Jackenthal (winner of the Survival of the Shawangunks and the open division of the New York City Triathlon) and Stephanie Gould (concentrating on running this year, and seen here smiling at the Blackwater-Eagleman Half Ironman).

MALE TRIATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Olivier Baillet: Having gone over to the 'dark side' for not more than two years, he finished second at the legendary Survival of the Shawangunks and qualified and finished the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii to wrap up an amazing season.

Other nominees: Ross Galitsky ("I was never fast, and now I am getting old ... blah blah blah ... blah blah blah ..." but fast enough to get to Ironman Hawaii) and Matt Newman (globe-trotting Ironman triathlete)

PHOTO: Our two triathletes of the year: Olivier Baillet and Shelley Farmer. Apart from being teammates on the Central Park Track/Triathlon Club, we understand that they knew each other before joining us because they were on the same swimming team.

TRACK & FIELD AWARDS

The first two awards for the middle-distance runners were given out by Devon Sargent.

BEST MIDDLE DISTANCE: Erik Goetze: "... astonished teammates by setting a PR after eating burritos bought from a convenience store on the way to a Boston meet ..."

Other nominees: Isaya Okwiya ("Okay, where did he get the idea to run a marathon?") and Devon Sargent ("Question: what would she give to run PR times again?" Answer: You'll find out next year)

BEST TRACK COMEBACK: Kim Mannen: It was in 1983 that high schooler Kim last ran middle-distance track, and she joined the Central Park Track Club as a marathoner. After being observed in a few track sessions, she was subjected to intense lobbying because she was OBVIOUSLY a speedster. She started her second track career this year with 2:33 in 800m, and brought it down to 2:24.

Other nominee: Sonja Ellmann (now the young owner of our team's fastest 1500m time of 4:47.6, as well as the longest legs).

The other track & field awards were given out by Brian Denman.

MOST VERSATILE: Alston Brown. Other nominee: Jim Aneshansley

BEST IN TRACK: Sid Howard. Other nominee: Rae Baymiller

BEST IN FIELD: Skipper Clark. Other nominee: Craig Plummer

BEST SPRINTER: Rich Hamner. Other nominee: Sue Krogstad-Hill

ROAD AWARDS

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Josh Feldman. Unfortunately, Josh was not here today, because he "would rather be in Minneapolis." Other nominees: David Bosch, Bill Haskins, Amy Sheeran

MOST IMPROVED PERFORMER Lauren Eckhart A novice track runner brings her 1500m time to 4:56 in Madison Square Garden after just 4 races in her life, thus qualifying her as the most knowledgeable person about track shoewear in her household (and this is no small matter!). Other nominees: Etsuko Kizawa, James Siegel

COMEBACKER OF THE YEAR Kevin Arlyck After a promising start several years ago, he vanished for a couple of years due to injury. Given up for lost, he returned and continued to improve from race to race (note: Just so he doesn't get too big in the head, we point that as good as his XC 15K last Sunday was, he was still buried by 46-year-old Tom Phillips). The choice may have also been influenced by the fact that he comes from the same borough (Brooklyn) as the judge. Other nominees: Larry King, Tom Phillips

MEN'S OPEN - SHORT DISTANCE Rob Zand. Other nominees: Erik Goetze, Isaya Okwiya

MEN'S OPEN - LONG DISTANCE Toby Tanser. A legendary year was divided into two equally legendary halves. First half, he had fourteen individual road wins, which was absolutely unprecedented. Second half, he had all sorts of physical injuries and ailments, but continued to run and place in all team races. We have recommended that he read this book about Kenyan runners who usually take three months off completely away from any running, but we don't know if he believes that book author ... Other nominees: Richie Borrero, Craig Chilton

WOMEN'S OPEN - SHORT DISTANCE Stephanie Gould. When she got up to receive her award, the audience requested her to flex her biceps. Other nominees: Shelley Farmer, Margaret Schotte

WOMEN'S OPEN - LONG DISTANCE Shula Sarner. Coach's edict: "Please get the women's team to a sub-three-hour average next time!" Other nominees: Margaret Angell, Audrey Kingsley

MEN'S MASTERS - SHORT DISTANCE Peter Allen Other nominees: Alston Brown, Sid Howard

MEN'S MASTERS - LONG DISTANCE Alan Ruben Leader of the master team that 3-peated the club championship this year. Other nominees: Stuart Calderwood, Noel Comess

WOMEN'S MASTERS - SHORT DISTANCE Stacy Creamer Definition of the meaning of orange. Other nominees: Sylvie Kimché, Mary V. Rosado, Carol Tyler

WOMEN'S MASTERS - LONG DISTANCE Alayne Adams Consummate team leader and mom ("Yes, I can definitely think of better things to do than run a half marathon on Mother's Day, but here I am for the team ..."). 2:51:12 at age 40 in the Philadelphia Marathon. Other nominees: Irene Jackson-Schon, Yumi Ogita

MOST VALUABLE PERFORMER AWARD The winner Margaret Angell was chosen from amongst those who were nominated in all the categories. For our team, she is the recruitment officer who brought all those fast Ivy League women onto the team. At the London Marathon, she broke the 3 hour barrier. At the New York City Marathon, her time of 2:51:50 was the fourth fastest in club history at the time (after Candace Strobach, Yumi Ogita and Rae Baymiller). She has since been pushed back to fifth place, having received a "No" to the question "Will I ever run faster than Alayne Adams?" temporarily. At age 24, time may be on her side (but don't count on it). Margaret's greatest legacy might be something else completely --- she left a job with Time-Warner Interactive in order to work to raise funds for building sports facilities in schools, whence the next generation of athletes will come from ...

HALL OF FAME

In the previous history of the Central Park Track Club, there were five inductees in our hall of fame: Sid Howard, Fritz Müller, Candace Strobach, Ed Gonera and Cliff Pauling. Tonight, our sixth inductee was George Wisniewski.

Here is Alan Ruben's introduction speech:

In 1997, for our 25th anniversary where we instigated the Central Park Track Club Hall of Fame awards. That year we inducted Sid Howard, Candy Strobach, Ed Gonera, Cliff Pauling and the legendary Fritz Mueller. There have been no more inductees since then, but tonight I am honored to be able to announce one more name to be added to this hallowed list. A name which many people will feel is way overdue, but we're just happy that he is here with us today as vibrant and as well as ever.

He was our coach for 17 years, a feat which probably no-one, not even our current coach Tony, can quite comprehend. He started our twice-a-week structured workouts on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He is solely responsible for picking the Daniel Webster statue as our Thursday night meeting point - now and forever (apart from Thanksgiving that is).

Running for us in those early years he was always a prominent feature of our high-scoring New York City marathon team, placing in the top three for us several times and PR'ing with a 2:23.

As a coach he once placed our women an unprecedented 1-2-3-4-5 in the club championships race, and he once placed 5 men an average of 25 minutes in a 5-mile race (of whom only a youthful Tony Ruiz actually failed to break the 25 minute barrier).

In more recent times (i.e. times which I can remember) he coached our Men's team to victory in the 100th running of the Boston Marathon in 1996; but the highlight of his coaching career came the following when he was finally able to coach a team to victory at the Penn Relays - the Men's 4x400 Masters relay consisting of Errol Lee, Jesse Norman, Tom Hartshorne and Ed Gonerra won the gold in 3 minutes 30 seconds. (If you have a spare few hours he will tell you about all those near misses both as an runner and as a coach.)

It now gives me great pleasure to present the Hall of Fame award to a man who has done more for this team than I could begin to say, my wonderful friend - George Wisniewski!…

READERS' LETTERS CORNER

From John Prather: "Did I win any awards tonight?"
Answer: "Are you a triathlete?"

From Paul Stuart-Smith: "I'm so sorry that I couldn't come."
Answer: "Just win, baby." Quiz: Whom did George Wisniewski use this phrase on?
Fact: Paul Stuart-Smith, 1st place in the Regent Park 10K, London on December 2nd, 2001