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Although we would like to say that this intra-team event is an annual event, our records are somewhat spotty. For example, we know for sure that it took place last year but that someone ran away with the carefully recorded team rosters and split times. In any case, we must say that our rapid growth over the past year has meant that this one was an event to remember. On this occasion, we assembled nine teams of 5-persons each, running 200m-400m-800m-1200m-1600m. The coaches (well, actually just Tony Ruiz and Brian Denman while Devon Sargent stood aside and said, "I'm so glad that they're organizing this!") appointed captains (Isaya Okwiya, Erik Goetze, Craig Chilton, Kevin Arlyck, Melissa Tidwell, Tom Phillips, Armando Oliveira, Hugh Watson and Steve Paddock) to make sure that each team has at least one of the top runners, and then the captains dipped into the hat and pulled out four names at random. Each team then determine on who runs which legs on their own. In other words, this was organized chaos, because random chance has brought together people who may not know each other and who have to figure out who can run what ...
After the allotted five minutes for committee time, the teams were lined up by the track side according to their positions. With imagination, the teams were named "A", "B", "C", "D", "E", "F", "G", "H" and "I". So the five people nearest to us is on Team "A" and so on down the line.
As good as Jeff Wilson is, there was no way that he could have captured the split times for all nine teams. Therefore, we have developed the strategem of self-service. For each team, the last runner (for the mile) will capture the splits for the first two runners (200m and 400m). By that time, the 200m runner will have enough time to recover and take over the timing duties. In the picture below, Tom Phillips and Craig Plummer are trying to figure out how to work the watches ... Sonja Ellmann has decided to watch the proceedings tonight because she has stopped track running (that is, until her next race).
The relay was scheduled to start at 7 pm. You didn't think we would start on time, did you? Well, it was after 8pm that we got to the starting line. Of course, at this time we can inform you that it was pre-planned since the track is pretty much ours after 8pm. Since there were nine teams in six lanes, the staggered California start had runners doubled up. Unfortunately, our coach is not licensed to carry a gun for starting the race so the runners had to listen to his voice ...
After the first 200m lap, the leader was Melissa Tidwell, handing off to Sue Pearsall. Of all the exchanges, this one is the most problematic because all the runners arrive about the same time. This year, we are glad to report that there were no injuries.
Our indoor season is effectively over, having just completed the USATF National Masters Indoor Championships two days ago. In a couple of weeks' time, we will be running down at the East River Park track, with the river view and the starry night. So this is one last chance to run in the cavernous Armory. During this indoor season, the Armory has been especially kind to us --- our relay teams set two World records and four American records in this friendly, first-class facility.
This meet is about the opportunity to run with or against people you would never expect to otherwise. It is also about cheering your teammates to their best.
And then for Audrey Kingsley, it was also an opportunity to set a personal best at 800m. This is her first ever timed 800m race (apart from those match races against David Pullman during workouts).
The Armory was built for a different purpose during another era. When converted to an indoor track facility, it is remarkable for the height of the ceiling which is not seen elsewhere. In this case, this height has been used to highlight the American flag. This is a photo that you will see repeatedly on this website.
And even while you are not running, you are having a good time (see Hugh Watson and Kim Mannen). Schools have field trips, companies have picnics and the Central Park Track Club has its relay.
As for the race itself, it would have been difficult to handicap due to the random nature of the selection process. So the team that is leading at one point may drop back after an exchange and vice versa. The key moment of the race occurred when Isaya Okwiya caught up to Tom Phillips in the final mile leg, whereupon he sat and waited until the last 400m before surging ahead. About this Okwiya person, George Wisniewski once asked Tony Ruiz, "Now ... how about this Japanese miler on the team ... ?"
The following photo is that of the winning team, who insisted on doing a victory lap no less. So we will have to indulge their sense of invinciblity. This picture is obviously for memories only, because next year the people will be scattered, in more ways that one.
Here are the full results
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