Jack Brennan Memorial Run

Jack Brennan

On February 17, 2002, Jack Brennan, founder of the Central Park Track Club, passed away due to a sudden illness.  One week later, on February 24, his friends and family gathered for a memorial run.  The run was held in the Rockefeller Estates, where Jack would run with his many friends.  Although Jack was often identified as 'Central Park Jack' (in order to distinguish from Jack Brennan of the Taconic Road Runners Club), he lived in Westchester county and his running mates included runners from the Taconic Road Runners, Greater New York, Westchester Track Club, Warren Street, New York Harriers, Moving Comfort New York and other clubs.  In fact, given that Jack would stop to talk to anyone anywhere anytime, it was hard to say how many people he does not know.

The assembly point for the run was the parking lot of Sleepy Hollow High School.  

  • Photo 01:  Parking lot scene.  On the far left with the back pack is Alan Ruben, current president of the Central Park Track Club and torchbearer of the legacy of Jack Brennan.  On the right, Michelle Santomassino who was a Westchester resident before moving down to New York City, and therefore has many local friends.

  • Photo 02:  The neon orange of the Central Park Track Club mixed with the fluorescent light yellow-green of the Greater New York Running Team.  In the center, it is Greater New York coach Bob Glover (with blue cap) speaking with Stuart Calderwood.

  • Photo 03:  Standing in center stage in the orange-red jacket is Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Jack.

  • Photo 04:  Before starting off, it was time for a group photo.  Of course, group portraits are always difficult to arrange.  So this is a practice shot.

  • Photo 05:  This is the actual group portrait.  So it was that on this cold, sunny morning, the friends and family of Jack Brennan came together to run in honor of his memory in the place where he often ran.  We could have attempted to identify the names of all those present, but on this day only one name matters and that was the reason why these people came.

  • Photo 06:  This is the insurance shot, just in case.  And now it is off to the races.

For this large number of people, it might have been difficult to coordinate the run, especially since many of the people are Manhattanites going into 'the sticks' for the first time ever.  Fortunately, local resident Bob Glover, who was a regular running partner of Jack Brennan, took charge and planned the 'fool-proof' route, explained the context of the route in Jack's life and led the group to visit Jack's resting place too.

For the runners, the Brennan family had sent this invitation: "The Brennan family really appreciates all your support and would be honored if you would end your run this Sunday (see next item) at our home and join us for some beer etc. Please don't forget to send us any memories or pictures of Jack for inclusion in an album for the children (keep it clean)."  The following pictures were taken at the Brennan home after the run.

We leave you with these words from Alan Ruben:

We came to Sleepy Hollow
We came to run with Jack
We ran to his resting place
We ran past his resting place
 
We came to train for Boston
That same old Boston
We came for the echoes
Of fast days long ago
 
We ran in the memory of Jack
We ran in his footsteps
Runners old, runners new
That cold bright sunny day
 
We ran to remember Jack
We will always remember Jack
  Walrus Internet