– RIRR Meeting Minutes – January 13, 2014 Meeting called to order at 7:46 p.m.

Membership Report 2015: 200 (83F/117M) - Numbers may drop in Feb- ruary based on January non-renewals. 2014: 233 (98F/135F) 2013: 215 Treasurer’s Report 2015: $4.311 ($3,411 Bank + $900 PayPal) 2014: $5.400 2013: $6.000 Beat Santa 5K Follow-up -- Approximately $700 dollars profit. -- Planning to get word out earlier next year. th -- Positive feedback received. 25 ANNIVERSARY Grand Prix Report January 2015 -- Full schedule is on website. Volume 18 – Issue 1 -- You must be a member when you run a race to ______get credit for it.

Website – President's Pen – -- Heavy traffic in December - likely from Beat Santa I'm not even going to mention the weather and the 5K. impact it has had on the running community. Nope, -- 3,200 views and 743 visitors (up 25 percent). not going to even bring it up. GRRRRRRR! Banquet

The annual club banquet is just over a week away. -- Food/menu is set with three entries. Have you signed up yet? This event is truly one of a -- The cost of banquet for attendees is $25 each. kind and has something for just about everyone: -- Race raffle will include over 30 race entries. food and drink, awards for fast people, awards for -- The charity that will benefit from race raffle will committed people, awards for people who should be deciding at February meeting. probably be committed... There is a race raffle, -- The charity must be running-oriented non-profit; where each member who attends gets a chance to groups must submit request before next meeting. New Business win a free entry into a race. Now I don't race all that -- Narragansett Half Running Festival is at Stonehill much, but I can't think of many races at all that College in July; a possible pacing opportunity. have a registration fee under $25, so you can easily -- Members brainstormed options related to Red walk out of the banquet with a race entry that was Rooster Ramble. No decision needs to be made yet. more than your price of admission... nearly half of the 31 races are half marathons! We will have a Members in attendance: new inductee into the Hall of Fame and also be MaryAnne Donato Steve Donato 'catching up' with our Hall's current members, and Kate McGowan Mike Goodson last, but not least, the famous Yankee Swap! It's a Kevin Brennan Pat LaChance fantastic evening of fun and I'm looking forward to Patty Curran Eric Benevides seeing you there. Scott Caldwell Sandy Weinberg Bryan Ganley Thanks in advance to the folks who make it happen: Adjourned: 8:57 p.m. Steve and MaryAnne Donato handling the facility, Solange Morrissette and Lindsay Amherst gathering – Next Club Meeting – the awards, Lisa Meehan for the Hall of Fame effort, Tuesday, March 10, 7:30 p.m., Fratello’s and Eric Benevides for managing the Grand Prix. (formerly Sons of Italy/Spirito’s Restaurant), -- Kevin Brennan 99 Hicks Street, East Providence, R.I.

– New Members – Jay and Jill Litman, Barrington, R.I. Maggie McDonald, Portsmouth, R.I. Sean McKenna, Cranston, R.I. Kayla Oster, Lincoln, R.I. Michael Oster, Lincoln, R.I. Caroline Tamke, Bristol, R.I.

Hangover Classic 5M

Bristol, R.I. – January 1, 2015

The weather was seasonably cold with gusty winds from Narragansett Bay for the 30th annual Hango- The above picture is a piece of the scenery from the ver Classic. The course is a fast, flat tour through Hangover Classic’s course. Nice to see no snow any- frigid Colt State Park. where! The picture below is of Lindsay Amherst with a pink rose and one of the race’s traditional trophies! Recently crowned New England Male Runner of the Year (by Bob Fitzgerald and his staff at New England Runner Magazine) Matt Pelletier of West Green- wich blazed across the finish line in 26:21, capturing first place overall. North Kingstown resident Derek Jajoboski (27:18) cruised to a second place finish. Congratulations to the talented speedster Lindsay Amherst, RIRR/TNT, who seized first place overall female in 32:05.

A newcomer to the racing circuit, New Bedford resi- dent, Nathen Brito, 22, won his age group in 30:31. “I just started running,” he said. “I never ran in high school. Now I’m being sponsored to train for triath- lons.” His enthusiasm for the sport and competition was displayed in his broad grin as he showcased his Trevor Powers 36:16 7:16 9th 30-39 Mark DiFranco 36:37 7:20 9th 50-59 whimsical one-of-a-kind trophy. Mike Vallee 37:27 7:30 Race director Brian Beausoleil and East Bay Striders Michael Holtman 37:30 7:30 Running Club members organized the event. The John Santillo 39:48 7:58 $25 entry fee included a short sleeved T-shirt, and Dan Azevedo 40:17 8:04 the gals received a long-stemmed pink rose. The Sabina Gellrich 41:24 8:17 2nd 50-59 post-race party at the VFW Hall offered cold drinks, Kate McGowan 42:57 8:36 fruit and donuts. The proceeds benefit George E. Sam Burling 44:16 8:52 Bert Neales 44:22 8:53 Dion Memorial Scholarship Fund. Herb Armstrong 44:26 8:54 Local police provided traffic control. The timing and Joe Maruszczak 45:07 9:02 scoring was done by 3C Race Productions. Woody Wilson 45:57 9:12 Allyson Cole 46:27 9:18 2nd 18-under Happy New Year!! James Cole 46:28 9:18 2nd 18-under -- Martha Huston Janet Johnson 47:04 9:25 Lindsay Amherst 32:05 6:25 1st female! Martha Huston 48:03 9:37 Kevin Brennan 33:36 6:44 6th 40-49 Lynne Dolan 49:23 9:53 Webb McDonald 35:13 7:03 8th 30-39 Don Clukies 50:38 10:08 3rd 70-plus Brian Govednik 35:17 7:04 6th 20-29 Matt Polak 54:50 10:58 Susan McCourt 35:37 7:08 1st 40-49 Margaret McDonald 57:10 11:26 Ben Caplin 35:44 7:09 7th 20-29 237 runners 2 Eagle Brook Saloon 5K Scott Caldwell – Vice President 401-633-2539 [email protected] Norfolk, Mass. – January 1, 2015 Kate McGowan – Secretary Harry Carter 24:11.90 1st 70-plus [email protected] David Pember 24:33.11 2nd 70-plus Pat Kurzynski 32:18.37 1st 60-69 Christy Brennan – Treasurer 401-246-2237 Stan Kurzynski 33:51.06 [email protected] 140 finishers Christy Brennan – Clothing 401-246-2237 [email protected] “After the Party” 5K Eric Benevides – Newsletter 401-764-0831

Seekonk, Mass. – January 1, 2015 [email protected] Eric Benevides – Grand Prix 401-764-0831 Benjamin Dube 26:25.43 Bruce Dube 26:25.78 [email protected]

Jennifer Dube 26:26.63 -- Group Runs -- Bruce Thomas 35:14.36 158 finishers Monday Nights – Track Workouts: 4:30 p.m. -- Warm up at Smithfield High School’s track on Pleas- Cape Cod R.R. Winter Fun Run ant View Ave. 5 p.m. – intervals of 400-1,600 me-

Bourne, Mass. – January 4, 2015 ters totaling 2-3 miles at a pace that typically would

John Santillo 37:53 be a bit faster than your 5K. If you have any ques- David Pember 39:04 1st 70-plus tions, e-mail Milt at [email protected]. Woody Wilson 46:53 Wednesday Nights: Group runs in Johnston and Don Clukies 49:18 Greenville. Varying distances and paces for all begin 247 finishers at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome! If interested, call Ja- Resolution 5K Beach & Trail Race net and Kevin McCoy at 231-5262.

Narragansett, R.I. – January 11, 2015 Thursday Nights: The Fall/Winter Pub Run series is

Lindsay Amherst 19:52 6:25 1st female! informal five-mile fall and winter runs that run out John Santillo 25:22 8:11 of different pubs on Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. If Linda Bachand 6:46:52 you are interested in running one or more of these, Colburn Graves 54:38 17:37 2nd 80-plus check www.coolrunning.com for a listing, and re- 173 finishers member, bring flashlights and reflective gear!

Run for Your Lunch 5.5K -- 2015 Grand Prix schedule -- Middleboro, Mass. – January 18, 2015 - Jan. 1 Hangover Classic 5M, Bristol David Pember 26:39.9 7:48 1st 70-plus - Feb. 22 Hyannis Half (CANCELLED) Kate McGowan 28:24.4 8:18 2nd 30-39 - March Run the Reservoir 15K 106 finishers - April Officer Thomas Giunta 5K

- July Blessing of the Fleet 10M Arena Attack Half Marathon - August Common Fence Point 5M Hartford, Conn. – January 18, 2015 - September Finish for a Guinness 5K MaryAnne Donato 2:38:22.8 - October Warren’s Pet Partners 5K 54 finishers - November Colt State Park Half Marathon

(Editor’s Note: Race reports and pictures are ALWAYS - November Trot Off Your Turkey 5K welcomed and needed, so if you want to submit one - December Newport’s Christmas 10K to the next newsletter, or if your results are missing - Your best time from one of three Eastern Conn. from a race, send an e-mail to [email protected].) races (March 15’s Courthouse O’Putnam 5K, July’s Will’s Way 5K, October’s Run for the Penguins 5K) -- Club Officers -- - Your best time from one of two RIRR Hall of Fame Kevin Brennan – President 401-246-2237 races (April’s Smithfield YMCA/Monroe Allen 5K, [email protected] August’s Memorial 5K in Johnston) 3 Treasurer’s Report 2015: $5,458 ($3,174 bank, $1924 PayPal, $360 cash/checks. Anticipated expenses: awards, Grand Prix, banquet, Hall of Fame) 2014 $6,893 (includes banquet receipts to date) 2013 $4,473 Grand Prix Report -- Members discussed Grand Prix awards. To be re- addressed at March meeting. Website -- January: 1,868 page views, 491 visitors. -- Top pages: Home (845), Join (102), About (74), and Members List (73). Hall of Fame -- Report: Starting to recruit new committee mem- bers. February 2015 -- Members discussed nomination/decision process, Volume 18 – Issue 2 how other clubs do it; will revisit in March. ______Old Business – President's Pen – -- Banquet: Charity for raffle proceeds – dividing proceeds in two between two victims’ personal Well, it was another difficult month for outdoor charities that were nominated. running, highlighted by the cancellation of our long- -- Red Rooster Ramble: Members discussed; no ac- time club favorite race weekend in Hyannis. Kudos tion taken at this time. to the race director for doing it right... cancelled it New Business well in advance, made shirts available, and dis- -- Pace invitations: Members discussed time frames counted an entry for next year. After all, RDs can't for identifying pacers, targeting approximately two control the weather. months out from each race. March has got to see winter's grip loosen as the -- Cox Rhode Races, Providence (May), Independ- spring marathons don't much care about snowfall ence Half, Bristol (June), Jamestown Half (Septem- amounts. They will expose your fitness (or lack off), ber), Newport Full, then Half (October). despite what the almanac or your log say. We have -- Pace for full: 3:15 – 4:30; Pace for half: 1:30-2:30. some opportunities ahead, specifically the Cox Narragansett Beer Half, Stonehill College in Easton, Rhode Races in early May, where we will provide Mass. (July), Surftown Half, Westerly (September). pacers for the marathon and handle a water stop Members in attendance: and traffic control around Mile 12 – please consider Kate McGowan Matt Sherman lending your time and talents. Kevin Brennan Pat LaChance Lisa Meehan Eric Benevides Thanks again to the folks who help put the banquet Scott Caldwell Sandy Weinberg together, specifically Steve and MaryAnne Donato, John Santillo Don Clukies Christy Brennan, Solange Morrissette, and Lindsay Amherst! Adjourned: 8:45 p.m. -- Kevin Brennan – Next Club Meeting – – RIRR Meeting Minutes – Tuesday, April 14, 7:30 p.m., Fratello’s February 10, 2015 (formerly Sons of Italy/Spirito’s Restaurant), Meeting called to order at 7:46 p.m. 99 Hicks Street, East Providence, R.I.

Membership Report 2015: 159 (69F/90M) – New Members – 2014: 184 (78F/106M) Bruce Dube and family, Swansea, Mass. 2013: 187 Paul and Kelly Savickas and family, Riverside, R.I. Austin Marathon Hyannis Marathon

Austin, Texas – February 15, 2015 Hyannis, Mass. – February 22, 2015

The idea was born on a warm sunny September af- Despite the early cancellation of the weekend ternoon: “What about running a marathon?” The events in Hyannis, many members made the trip to next thing I knew, it was a chilly October evening the Cape to enjoy a few days away. The Cove at Yar- and we were looking at the “register now” button! mouth was a welcome respite to the cold winter weather. So began the 17-week journey to the starting line pre-dawn in mid-February in beautiful Austin, Texas After a nice dinner on Saturday night, there was a on a cloudy mid 60s day! While another winter bit of dancing (there's video that will someday see storm was raging in Rhode Island, we were looking the light of day, or YouTube). On Sunday morning, a at the first hill that rose from 0 to 350 feet over the few of us went out for a run in Yarmouth; the roads first 3.5 miles, which was the start of the marathon. were tricky – some snow cover, some large puddles. We both agreed after the race it was a good thing We saw periods of snow, rain, wind, and even a mi- that it was too dark to see the length of that first nute of sunshine. A lazy afternoon on Sunday led to hill. But once we conquered the hill, the course be- another shorter run on Monday morning over to came a 26.2-mile street party! The fine residents the JFK Memorial in Hyannis – no snow falling, but and visitors of Austin lined the entire course with plenty on the ground. encouraging shouts and signs that read “This is the worst parade I have ever seen”, “ Chafing the The Hyannis race director did right by runners when dream”, “Bloody nipples are sexy”, “Don’t be like he cancelled early and quickly offered rebates for the Seahawks, just run”, and my personal favorite next year; the race hotel set aside their two-week “Five months ago, this seemed like a good idea”! cancellation policy and refunded the club reserva- tion. It has me already looking forward to next year. The course was well-supported by volunteers with -- Kevin Brennan ample water stations and offers of medical support. The residents again contributed to the festive at- mosphere by offering everything from bananas and Oreo cookies to cups of M&Ms.

The most amazing part of the entire experience was knowing that our dear RIRR friends were at home on their computers tracking our progress on the athlete tracker. We can hardly (and accurately) ex- press our gratitude for the support of our fellow RIRRs who ran with us on cold snowy days, gave us tips on the course, and in general, provided amazing amounts of moral support.

I would strongly recommend Austin as a fantastic destination race; the city as a whole is an amazing running community. The race was well-supported, exciting and beautiful. All in all, despite the words This is the “puddle” that John Santillo made every- from people who struck fear in my heart about how one run through during a club run in Yarmouth! hard a marathon is, I found the entire experience to be phenomenal and incredibly rewarding! Thank Super 5K you, Austin, and look out, Boston (some day!) -- Solange Morrissette Narragansett, R.I. – February 1, 2015

Cordell Cudworth II 3:51:59.89 34th 50-59 Mark DiFranco 21:43 7:00 11th 50-59 Solange Morrissette 4:36:24.27 24th 50-59 Harry Carter 23:35 7:36 1st 70-plus 3,147 runners Mark Schwager 24:15 7:49 23rd 50-59 [email protected] Christy Brennan – Treasurer 401-246-2237 [email protected] Christy Brennan – Clothing 401-246-2237 [email protected] Eric Benevides – Newsletter 401-764-0831 [email protected] Eric Benevides – Grand Prix 401-764-0831 [email protected]

-- Group Runs --

Monday Nights – Track Workouts: 4:30 p.m. -- Warm up at Smithfield High School’s track on Pleas- ant View Ave. 5 p.m. – intervals of 400-1,600 me- ters totaling 2-3 miles at a pace that typically would be a bit faster than your 5K. If you have any ques- tions, e-mail Milt at [email protected]. Count Deb Magiera among the runners who gave this February’s Super 5K in Narragansett two thumbs up! Wednesday Nights: Group runs in Johnston and Greenville. Varying distances and paces for all begin David Pember 24:44 7:59 2nd 70-plus at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome! If interested, call Ja- Herb Armstrong 26:23 8:31 6th 60-69 net and Kevin McCoy at 231-5262. Joe Maruszczak 28:00 9:02 21st 40-49 Margaret McDonald 32:38 10:32 14th 30-39 Thursday Nights: The Fall/Winter Pub Run series is Bruce Thomas 34:48 11:14 33rd 50-59 informal five-mile fall and winter runs that run out Deb Magiera 42:12 13:37 14th 50-59 of different pubs on Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. Colburn Graves 47:59 15:29 6th 70-plus Check www.coolrunning.com for a listing, and re- 213 runners member, bring flashlights and reflective gear!

Belleville Pond 10K -- 2015 Grand Prix schedule -- North Kingstown, R.I. – February 7, 2015 - Jan. 1 Hangover Classic 5M, Bristol Trevor Powers 1:01:56 9:59 16th 30-39 - March 28 Run the Reservoir 15K 93 finishers - March 29 Officer Thomas Giunta 5K - July Blessing of the Fleet 10M Disney Princess Half Marathon - August Common Fence Point 5M

Orlando, Fla. – February 22, 2015 - September Finish for a Guinness 5K

Linda Bachand 3:29:39 16:00 - October Warren’s Pet Partners 5K 18,497 finishers - November Colt State Park Half Marathon - November Trot Off Your Turkey 5K Colchester Half Marathon - December Newport’s Christmas 10K

Colchester, Conn. – February 28, 2015 - Your best time from one of three half marathons

John Santillo 1:59:47.67 9:09 (April’s Blackstone Valley Half in Pawtucket, May’s 473 finishers Swamp Meadow Covered Bridges Half in Foster, and June’s Castle Awards Half in Seekonk, Mass.) -- Club Officers -- - Your best time from one of three Eastern Conn. Kevin Brennan – President 401-246-2237 races (March 15’s Courthouse O’Putnam 5K, July’s [email protected] Will’s Way 5K, October’s Run for the Penguins 5K) Scott Caldwell – Vice President 401-633-2539 - Your best time from one of two RIRR Hall of Fame [email protected] races (April’s Smithfield YMCA/Monroe Allen 5K, Kate McGowan – Secretary August’s Memorial 5K in Johnston)

3 Treasurer’s Report 2015 -- $5,007 total: $2,617 (PayPal), $2,390 (Citi- zens Bank). A/P: Grand Prix $600, Hall of Fame $400, banquet $1,900. Expect to settle out about $2,500 at end of March with no expected expenses and June renewals on the horizon. 2014 -- $7,500 prior to banquet expenses (likely about $4,000 once the banquet reconciles). 2013 -- $6,053 prior to banquet expenses. Grand Prix Report -- Added virtual half marathon to replace Hyannis Half Marathon. -- Members discussed amount for Grand Prix pay- outs; amounts to be put on website. Hall of Fame -- Jackets purchased for all members. March 2015 -- Published guidelines coming on website; mem- Volume 18 – Issue 3 bers discussed guidelines ______-- Intending to formalize committee, determine – President's Pen – guidelines, and put Hall of Fame criteria into bylaws the committee would develop, then bring to meet- I’m fairly confident that winter is over, so we – ing to vote. again under the leadership of Cee Vallee – will be Old Business sprucing up the club’s Adopt-a-Spot along the East -- Banquet’s raffle raised $380; send thank yous to Bay Bike Path in Warren. Nels Johnson has quite RD’s, donate money, possibly to Mark Fucarile ably corralled pacers to lead both the full and half Fund. marathons this weekend in Providence, and Cee is -- Raffle winners should look for an email from staffing a water stop in Barrington for the mara- Kevin Brennan with instructions on how to claim thon. prizes. On the horizon, we have some pacing opportunities -- Members discussed possible new venue for next for the half in Bristol, a brand new race through the year’s event. Food was good, but noisy and drinks home of the best Fourth of July celebration in the were more expensive in the banquet room. USA. We will have our annual club picnic in August. -- Banquet expenses: Facility/Food $1750; Awards And each Thursday, Brian and Jane Govednik are $815, Jackets $400, Grand Prix $600. providing the tried and true Red Rooster Ramble at -- Banquet revenue: Dinners $575 PayPal + $100 6:30 p.m. in Warren until September. cash. -- Hyannis race cancelled, room refunded, no ex- I'm thankful for these folks stepping up to engage pense to club. our membership, so let's put those shovels away for New Business good and get out and run with each other! -- Destination Races: Members discussed possible -- Kevin Brennan destination races for 2015 (Lisa: Craft Brew races in Plymouth, Utica Boilermaker; Clukies: Schenectady) – RIRR Meeting Minutes – -- New England Cup: Pat proposed a plaque alterna- March 10, 2015 tive for those who fill out their N.E. Cup. Meeting called to order at 7:48 p.m. -- Membership list: Members discussed getting a se-

Membership Report cure page on the website for a membership list. 2015: 170 -- Club Clothing: Members reported difficulty order- 2014: 193 ing club clothing from Caddens. Exploring new ven- 2013: 187 dor.

-- Website: Members discussed process for posting While running, I ran by a man dressed as Wonder on website. Woman and videoing himself as he yelled, “Run -- Volunteer opportunities: Swamp Meadow Half with me, the winner!" LOL! There were two unoffi- Marathon in Foster (John investigating) and Gansett cial beer stops, and a priest in full robe came out of Half at Stonehill College (Needs volunteers, 15 vol- a church with holy water, sprinkling it on us as we unteers could get money for the club). ran by. Everyone there wears camouflage – men,

Adjourned: 8:57pm women, and children! I ended up finishing in 2:14, which I normally would have been mad with, but Members in attendance: considering the winter we had, I thought it wasn’t Kate McGowan Rick DiLibero bad. MaryAnne Donato Steve Donato Kevin Brennan Christy Brennan Now back to the second thing I didn't accomplish Lisa Meehan Paul Savickas while I was there, the runners were notified three Pat LaChance Bryan Ganley days of so before the race that the dockers who un- John Santillo Don Clukies load ships on the West Coast were on strike. You say, “So what?” Guess what was on the ships, our – Next Club Meeting – medals! They were promising to mail them out by Tuesday, May 12, 7:30 p.m., Fratello’s the end of March. I am still waiting for my giant (formerly Sons of Italy/Spirito’s Restaurant), medal! All in all, a good route, spectators and race. 99 Hicks Street, East Providence, R.I. -- Nancy Gendreau 5K – New Members – Nancy Gendreau 28:32.2 9:12 3rd 50-59 918 runners Lori Carrigan – Warren, R.I. Shannon Plesh – Lincoln, R.I. HALF MARATHON Nancy Gendreau 2:14:22 10:15 Little Rock Half Marathon 7,635 runners

Little Rock, Arkansas – March 1, 2015 Courthouse O’Putnam 5K I thought signing up for this half marathon would Putnam, Conn. – March 15, 2015 accomplish two things: one, getting one of the larg- est medals in the nation, and two, getting out of the Kelly and I ran the Courthouse O'Putnam 5K Grand New England cold at the end of February. Prix race. The weather looked great when we left our house in R.I., but by the time we were in Put- Neither were accomplished. nam, it was colder and windier. On top of that, the I left snow filled Massachusetts on Friday, Feb. 27, course was very hilly, as compared to many of the to land in Little Rock, where there was no snow, but runs we normally do in Pawtucket, Providence, etc., it was cold (in the low 30s) and raining. The expo so it made for a tough time racing. was pretty good with a lot of vendors. It was held I came in fifth overall in 18:54, and won a nice glass in the Convention Center in the center of the city, beer stein for taking first in my age group (30-34). which mind you, is nothing like the size of Boston or Kelly was the third overall woman in 20:57. She won Providence, I thought any minute I would see peo- a glass beer pitcher with the race logo on it, along ple using horse-and-buggies there. with a $20 gift card to the Courthouse Bar in Put- Anyway, not having the chance to run as much as I nam. The race was well organized, had finisher's would have liked to this winter, I decided to sign up medals and great age group prizes (the beer steins), for the 5K on the Saturday, which was cold again, and was three deep for each 5-year age group. A but the sun was out. Much to my surprise, I came in race entry also got us a free corned beef sandwich 3rd in my age group. On Sunday, the day of the and a Harpoon IPA after the race! marathon and half marathon, it was a little warmer -- Paul Savickas maybe 40 and raining, but the rain actually kept me Paul Savickas 18:54 6:05 5th overall! going. There were a lot of spectators despite the Kelly Savickas 20:56 6:45 3rd female! weather and they were funny and supportive. Mark DiFranco 22:20 7:13 2nd 60-64 2 Allyson Cole 26:49 8:55 1st 9-under Paddy Kelly 5M Road Race James Cole 26:50 8:55 Brockton, Mass. – March 1, 2015 Solange Morrissette 27:50 9:16 5th 50-59 Cordell Cudworth II 32:04 10:40 David Pember 35:40 7:56 1st 70-plus 1,093 runners Woody Wilson 41:25 9:12 205 runners Manhattan Half Marathon Irish 5K Manhattan, N.Y. – March 15, 2015 Pawtucket, R.I. – March 7, 2015 On Saturday, March 14, I jumped in my car and once again headed south on 95 towards one of my Paul Savickas 18:32.9 5:58 6th overall! favorite places, New York. The Big Apple was host- Kelly Savickas 20:09.0 6:29 3rd female! ing the United Half Marathon expo at Skylight at Mark Schwager 23:48.0 7:39 3rd 50-59 Moynihan Station near Penn Station. The expo was Jorge Matesanz 25:22.8 8:09 2nd 60-69 716 runners the usual, with lots of vendors and photo ops.

Sunday, March 15, 2015 was race day. The starting Celtic 5K line was in Central Park. Security was pretty tight as Worcester, Mass. – March 8, 2015 usual; we had to walk through metal detectors, and Mark Schwager 25:08.8 8:05 3rd 50-59 there were lots of police on hand. Runners from all 1,854 runners over the world started in waves. I was in Wave 2, starting about 7:45 a.m. It was a cool morning, but Ocean’s Run 12.5M & 5K not raining like it had downpoured the day before. South Kingstown, R.I. – March 8, 2015

The first six miles of the race were in Central Park. I 12.5M never realized just how hilly Central Park was, but I Ray Fasano 1:43:05 8:15 2nd 60-69 quickly found out. After going up and down the hills Bryan Ganley 2:15:57 10:53 for the first six miles you went out onto 7th Avenue, 389 finishers heading right for Times Square, about a mile in the 5K distance. There were tons of spectators lining 7th Mark DiFranco 19:06.24 6:09 1st 60-69 Avenue, and I remember thinking if I didn't feel like 188 finishers such crapola, this would be awesome, so I still tried to take it in, forcing my pace after all those hills, but Shamrock Shuffle 5K the rest of the route was flat for the most part. North Kingstown, R.I. – March 15, 2015

There was New York-style entertainment the whole Michael Holtman 21:55 7:04 3rd 30-39 way – spectators, bands, cheerleaders, the Statue of Mark Schwager 25:09 8:06 325 finishers Liberty, the Freedom Tower, etc. The finish line was in the financial district right next to Wall Street. All Run the Reservoir 15K in all, the race was very organized and awesome to North Scituate, R.I. – March 28, 2015 run down to the middle of Times Square. I improved my time by a couple of minutes, 2:12, but I’m hop- Paul Savickas 55:55 5th 30-39 ing to get back on track to my usual 2:00 soon, like Lindsay Amherst 57:17 1st female! John Lariviere 1:01:35 2nd 40-49 maybe now that the snow is melted! Mark DiFranco 1:07:33 1st 60-69 -- Nancy Gendreau Cordell Cudworth II 1:08:26 7th 50-59 Nancy Gendreau 2:12:34 Ray Fasano 1:09:35 3rd 60-69 Andrea Herrmann 2:46:55 Michael Vallee 1:10:58 9th 50-59 19,452 runners John Santillo 1:12:24 10th 50-59

Cee Vallee 1:14:52 1st 50-59 Stu’s 30K Lisa Meehan 1:16:33 2nd 50-59 Clinton, Mass. – March 1, 2015 Jill LItman 1:16:56 3rd 50-59

Harry Carter 2:59:05.4 9:36 2nd 70-plus Sabina Gellrich 1:20:18 4th 50-59 345 runners Kate McGowan 1:20:41 5th 30-39 3 Solange Morrissette 1:22:55 6th 50-59 Eric Benevides – Newsletter 401-764-0831 Joe Maruszczak 1:24:02 8th 40-49 [email protected] Bryan Ganley 1:25:46 Eric Benevides – Grand Prix 401-764-0831 Mike Goodson 1:33:13 7th 60-69 [email protected] Don Clukies 1:40:26 1st 70-plus 83 finishers -- Group Runs --

Monday Nights – Track Workouts: 4:30 p.m. -- Run the Reservoir 5K Warm up at Smithfield High School’s track on Pleas- North Scituate, R.I. – March 28, 2015 ant View Ave. 5 p.m. – intervals of 400-1,600 me- Robert Johnson 22:11 7:10 3rd 50-59 ters totaling 2-3 miles at a pace that typically would Eric Benevides 25:15 8:09 4th 40-49 be a bit faster than your 5K. If you have any ques- Harry Carter 27:02 8:44 1st 70-plus tions, e-mail Milt at [email protected]. Bozena Chmielewski 29:38 9:34 3rd 30-39 Pat Kurzynski 32:39 10:32 1st 60-69 Wednesday Nights: Group runs in Johnston and Thomas Morley 32:39 10:32 1st 60-69 Greenville. Varying distances and paces for all begin Stan Kurzynski 34:59 11:17 2nd 60-69 at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome! If interested, call Ja- Jay Litman 36:09 11:40 3rd 60-69 net and Kevin McCoy at 231-5262. Deb Magiera 42:05 13:35 5th 50-59 58 finishers Thursday Nights: The Red Rooster Ramble 5-Mile Weekly Road Race Series is back! The 17th annual Officer Thomas Giunta 5K series takes places every Thursday at 6:30 p.m.,

Fall River, Mass. – March 29, 2015 with signups at the Market Street Pub in Warren

Michael Holtman 21:11 6:50 7th 30-30 ahead of time. The entry fee is $10 per race, which Cordell Cudworth II 22:28 7:15 4th 50-59 includes pizza, salad and fruit post-race back at the John Santillo 23:08 7:28 6th 50-59 pub. Visit www.redroosterramble.org or call Brian Chris Dyson 23:17 7:31 Govednik at 297-9183 for more information. Dave Pember 23:56 7:43 2nd 70-plus Eric Benevides 24:01 7:45 -- 2015 Grand Prix schedule -- Lisa Meehan 24:41 7:58 2nd 50-59 - Jan. 1 Hangover Classic 5M, Bristol Solange Morrissette 25:11 8:07 4th 50-59 - March 28 Run the Reservoir 15K Chassity Tavares 26:30 8:33 9th 30-39 - March 29 Officer Thomas Giunta 5K Nancy Gendreau 26:36 8:35 7th 50-59 - July Blessing of the Fleet 10M Kate McGowan 28:20 9:08 - August Common Fence Point 5M Bozena Chmielewski 28:40 9:15 - September Finish for a Guinness 5K Sarah Prescott 29:01 9:22 - October Warren’s Pet Partners 5K Bruce Tavares 29:03 9:22 - November Colt State Park Half Marathon Don Clukies 30:27 9:49 4th 70-plus Bruce Thomas 32:49 10:35 - November Trot Off Your Turkey 5K Margaret McDonald 36:54 11:54 - December Newport’s Christmas 10K 841 finishers - Your best time from one of three half marathons (April’s Blackstone Valley Half in Pawtucket, May’s -- Club Officers -- Swamp Meadow Covered Bridges Half in Foster, Kevin Brennan – President 401-246-2237 and June’s Castle Awards Half in Seekonk, Mass.) [email protected] - Your best time from one of three Eastern Conn. Scott Caldwell – Vice President 401-633-2539 races (March 15’s Courthouse O’Putnam 5K, a race [email protected] TBA, and October’s Run for the Penguins 5K) Kate McGowan – Secretary - Your best time from one of two RIRR Hall of Fame [email protected] races (April’s Smithfield YMCA/Monroe Allen 5K, Christy Brennan – Treasurer 401-246-2237 August’s Memorial 5K in Johnston) [email protected] Christy Brennan – Clothing 401-246-2237 [email protected] www.rirr.org 4

– RIRR Meeting Minutes – April 14, 2015 Meeting called to order at 7:45 p.m.

Membership Report 2015: 182 (80 females, 102 males) 2014: 196 (81 females, 115 males) 2013: 208 (84 females, 124 males) Treasurer’s Report 2015 -- $3,873 (one a/p – Hall of Fame jacket #300); R.I. Org. license $400? 2014 -- $4,876 2013 -- $3,400 Website Report -- March was big month: 2,963 pages views and 687

visitors (4.31 views per visitor average) in March. April 2015 Old Business Volume 18 – Issue 4 -- Cox Marathon: Pacing spots were filled, coordi- ______nated by Nels. Cee Vallee coordinated water stop. -- RIRR tent at start/finish. Pat LaChance will keep – President's Pen – tent. New tent will cost about $100. The club will receive some public recognition for the -- Bristol Race: Independence Rhode Race will be efforts of its members who created and maintained last Sunday in June. Nels will coordinate pace lead- the club's Adopt-A-Spot along the East Bay Bike ers. Path in Warren at the Warren Town Council meet- -- Clambake: MaryAnne volunteering. Looking for a ing on Tuesday, June 9 at 7 p.m. It's certainly grati- co-chair. fying to hear a thanks from the community for the -- Clothing: Gob shop will take. We pay them set-up volunteerism put forth. Thank you to Cee Vallee for fee. Old/new logo available. Soon order clothes and coordinating this year's spruce-up of the spot. have new ones printed. New Business Thanks to Mike Amarello and 3C Race Productions, -- John mentioned volunteers for July half marathon who named the RIRR as one of its charities for the at Stonehill College (Narragansett Summer Running Swamp Meadow Half Marathon last month. Kudos Festival). Volunteer for the half and you can run the to Mark DiFranco for spearheading the RIRR volun- 10k/5k for free. A possible water stop volunteer op- teer effort there... portunity for the club. Props to Nels Johnson, Cee, and all the members -- Bylaw Amendment - Article XIII (Article relating to who pitched in at the water stop and pacing for the procedure for Boston lottery and race registration Cox Marathon in early May. More than three dozen for lottery winners. Prescribes time-frames for members gave their time and talents that day. when registration activities will take place post-lot- tery.) Yay 15, nay 0. The next organized efforts for the RIRR are a water Adjourned: 8:13 p.m. stop and pace leaders for the Independence Rhode Race in Bristol on June 28 – a Saturday early start. Members in attendance: This isn't your typical Bristol race spent mostly in Kate McGowan Rick DiLibero Colt State Park, but rather goes throughout much of MaryAnne Donato Eric Benevides historic downtown Bristol. Nels is again organizing Kevin Brennan Christy Brennan the pacers and MaryAnne Donato is leading the aid Lisa Meehan Kelly Savickas station effort. It's really gratifying and humbling to Pat LaChance Susan Rancourt see so much involvement from the membership – John Santillo Don Clukies hoping to keep up the momentum! Elizabeth Dolce Mike Goodson -- Kevin Brennan Sandy Weinberg

– Next Club Meeting – picked up mine, while I had my cousins to give to Tuesday, June 9, 7:30 p.m., Fratello’s Kara. Amongst all the green, we were unable to find (formerly Sons of Italy/Spirito’s Restaurant), each other before the race, so I ran as my cousin 99 Hicks Street, East Providence, R.I. and Kara ran as me.

Geoff Smith, a two-time Boston Marathon winner – New Members – and a newly inducted member of the "Devil Dogs", Corey Bramer – Middletown R.I. was joining in the fun and running this 5K. The coor- Diana Cohen – Columbia, Conn. dinators of the race did have to make some adjust- Elizabeth Dolce – North Providence, R.I. ments to the course just before the start for safety Julie Horowicz – North Kingstown, R.I. reasons; the course became an out and back vs. the Bill Maine – Carolina R.I. usual loop around the neighborhood. Bryan Quigley – Providence R.I. Kara, Justin, and I did manage to find each other at Great Stew Chase 15K the finish line where you could find lots of people in green, the band playing, and pizza and fruit for all. Lynn, Mass. – March 8, 2015 All finishers received a medal, and a great time was This is a race that I have missed for years due to had by all. other conflicts. So for $15, I signed up early this -- Nancy Gendreau year, only to find out that the race was postponed Harry Carter 23:03.9 1st 70-plus from Feb. 8 to March 8 due to weather conditions. Elizabeth Dolce 25:36.3 This race is in its 41st year and is well-organized and Nancy Gendreau 26:48.0 supported. Mostly run by locals and a younger Justin Lees 27:48.9 crowd, the course is a ramble, with lots of ups and Kara Lees 27:49.3 downs, that is run in residential neighborhoods and Paul Bazin 31:04.6 2nd 70-plus 2,049 runners some main streets. There is a long hill at mile 4-5, and that is where it loops back to make the course a Syracuse Half Marathon "lollipop" configuration. Syracuse, N.Y. – March 22, 2015

Post-race amenities are their "famous" stew, both The ride to Syracuse was not bad. Very little traffic, beef and vegetable. No shirts, donuts, or pizza. The and much of the trip was through hilly farm area bar at the K of C was open, but not too many takers with a river running along the side of the road. On for drinks. the way up, we had freezing rain and we didn’t get to do much sightseeing in the city. Andrea is always All in all, this was a one-and-done race for me as the a good travel companion, so I really did enjoy the stew was not remarkable, and a long drive for the trip. experience. Anyone wanting to get the 15K stretch in winter may enjoy it just to relieve cabin fever. The event is very popular in the area, drawing a -- Don Clukies field of 2,700-plus runners, probably because the Don Clukies 1:41:10 10:52 2nd 70-plus event is one of the best organized races. The race 173 runners was held at the ONCenter in downtown Syracuse. To start, parking in the garage next to the arena is St. Pat’s 5K free. Runners have ample space to warm up and

Providence, R.I. – March 21, 2015 stretch out inside the arena. The start and finish line

The St. Pat's 5K was held in Providence, and 2,049 were just outside the front doors of the arena, so runners and walkers showed up despite the snow runners only waited a few minutes for the start. falling, wet roads, and major potholes. I signed up Family members were welcome to wait inside the and my number was 1039. My cousin had signed up arena, and tracking was available. The atmosphere and her number was 76. She had been planning on was very friendly. After the race, runner could re- doing the three races that the St Pat's 5k was part turn to the arena where large breakfast buffet was of, but could not make this last one, so Kara Lees set up – yes, full breakfast – with plenty of fresh was going to run for her using her number. Kara dairy products from the local farms. 2 The course was rolling through the city and sur- Bryan Quigley 1:33:51.5 7:10 rounding residential neighborhoods, then back into Mike Proto 1:39:45.7 7:37 4th 50-59 downtown Syracuse. The course had a number of Cordell Cudworth II 1:42:19.7 7:48 8th 50-59 turns, but several long flat stretches. There were Robert Johnson 1:52:37.9 8:35 more than enough water stops and residents cheer- Eric Benevides 2:00:43.3 9:12 ing the field. The city plowed the snow off every Terrance Jackson 2:02:34.7 9:21 road the course traveled over, making the course Nancy Gendreau 2:03:26.1 9:25 7th 50-59 Elizabeth Dolce 2:04:11.1 9:28 conditions surprisingly dry. Solange Morrissette 2:04:23.8 9:29 9th 50-59 The race is known for being extremely cold, and it Bryan Ganley 2:05:31.8 9:34 lived up to its reputation. It was cold – about 12 de- Alan Gousie 2:10:33.5 9:57 grees at the start, with a high of about 16 degrees Bozena Chmielewski 2:13:07.9 10:09 for the day. It was a clear and bright sunny morning. Linda Dewing 2:16:16.7 10:24 1st 70-plus I had several layers on and I managed to stay com- Andrea Herrmann 2:33:52.0 11:44 511 runners fortable for most of the race.

Around Mile 10, the course ran near a city park ad- Strawberry Festival 10K Classic jacent to the water for about a mile. The open Temple Terrance, Fla. – March 21, 2015 stretch next to the water was the only place I recall Eric Benevides 55:23 8:55 2nd 45-49 really feeling the wind and cold. Around Mile 11, Bozena Chmielewski 1:02:46 10:06 3rd 35-39 the course started to turn back toward downtown 118 runners through small streets with local shops and across an open grate bridge with rushing river below. Run the Reservoir 15K

North Scituate, R.I. – March 28, 2015 It was worth the travel. The event was extremely Paul Savickas 55:55 5th 30-39 well done – with many perks for the runners. The Lindsay Amherst 57:17 1st female! course is varied with residential and downtown John Lariviere 1:01:35 2nd 40-49 streets. Put this race on your bucket list. It’s a per- Mark DiFranco 1:07:33 1st 60-69 fect kickoff to get back outside after a long winter. Cordell Cudworth II 1:08:26 7th 50-59 -- MaryAnne Donato Ray Fasano 1:09:35 3rd 60-69 MaryAnne Donato 2:49:20 Michael Vallee 1:10:58 9th 50-59 Andrea Herrmann 3:09:56 John Santillo 1:12:24 10th 50-59 2,773 runners Cee Vallee 1:14:52 1st 50-59

Lisa Meehan 1:16:33 2nd 50-59 Blackstone Valley Half Marathon Jill LItman 1:16:56 3rd 50-59 Pawtucket, R.I. – April 26, 2015 Sabina Gellrich 1:20:18 4th 50-59 It was a great morning for running. The weather is Kate McGowan 1:20:41 5th 30-39 finally turning. Many of the RIRR could be found Solange Morrissette 1:22:55 6th 50-59 running the Blackstone Valley Half Marathon at 8 Joe Maruszczak 1:24:02 8th 40-49 a.m. The course was very picturesque as promised Bryan Ganley 1:25:46 in the advertisements. It started and finished in Mike Goodson 1:33:13 7th 60-69 front of the Pawtucket City Hall. The first five miles Don Clukies 1:40:26 1st 70-plus did consist of rolling hills, but the rest of the course 83 finishers was pretty flat and many of the end miles were on Run the Reservoir 5K the bike path. They gave medals, your choice of t- North Scituate, R.I. – March 28, 2015 shirts, and pizza at the end … not too bad. Robert Johnson 22:11 7:10 3rd 50-59 There was also a 5K that you could get the same Eric Benevides 25:15 8:09 4th 40-49 amount of loot – medal, t-shirt, and pizza. My Harry Carter 27:02 8:44 1st 70-plus daughter, Andrea Moore (who’s not convinced to Bozena Chmielewski 29:38 9:34 3rd 30-39 be a RIRR yet) ran the 5K, finishing 30:54. Pat Kurzynski 32:39 10:32 1st 60-69 -- Nancy Gendreau Thomas Morley 32:39 10:32 1st 60-69 3 Stan Kurzynski 34:59 11:17 2nd 60-69 Bunny Hop 5K Jay Litman 36:09 11:40 3rd 60-69 Warwick, R.I. – April 11, 2015 Deb Magiera 42:05 13:35 5th 50-59 58 finishers Mark Schwager 23:22.7 7:31 2nd 50-59 Lisa Meehan 23:59.6 7:43 1st 50-59 Officer Thomas Giunta 5K Allyson Cole 24:54.6 8:00 1st 10-under

Fall River, Mass. – March 29, 2015 Joe Maruszczak 27:37.8 8:53

Michael Holtman 21:11 6:50 7th 30-30 148 finishers

Cordell Cudworth II 22:28 7:15 4th 50-59 Doyle’s 5M John Santillo 23:08 7:28 6th 50-59 Jamaica Plains, Mass. – April 12, 2015 Chris Dyson 23:17 7:31 Dave Pember 23:56 7:43 2nd 70-plus David Pember 39:40 7:56 2nd 70-plus Eric Benevides 24:01 7:45 1,282 finishers Lisa Meehan 24:41 7:58 2nd 50-59 Solange Morrissette 25:11 8:07 4th 50-59 Run with C.A.R.E. 5K

Chassity Tavares 26:30 8:33 9th 30-39 New Bedford, Mass. – April 12, 2015

Nancy Gendreau 26:36 8:35 7th 50-59 Sam Burling 26:02 8:23 7th 30-39 Kate McGowan 28:20 9:08 332 finishers Bozena Chmielewski 28:40 9:15 Sarah Prescott 29:01 9:22 Run for Hope 5K Bruce Tavares 29:03 9:22 Hope, R.I. – April 12, 2015 Don Clukies 30:27 9:49 4th 70-plus Deb Magiera 42:50 13:49 3rd 50-59 Bruce Thomas 32:49 10:35 77 finishers Margaret McDonald 36:54 11:54 841 finishers Quonset Point Half Marathon

Jamestown Bridge 10K North Kingstown, R.I. – April 12, 2015

North Kingstown, R.I. – April 4, 2015 Lindsay Amherst 1:26:46.5 6:38 1st female!

Mark DiFranco 48:28 7:48 1st 60-69 James Kavanaugh 1:40:20.8 7:40 Elizabeth Dolce 55:39 8:58 Terrance Jackson 1:45:03.7 8:02 Herb Armstrong 56:51 9:09 5th 60-69 Solange Morrissette 1:59:36.3 9:08 6th 50-59 315 finishers Eric Benevides 2:01:26.3 9:17 Nancy Gendreau 2:02:13.5 9:20 LCEF Spring Fling 4.8M Karyn Gallivan 2:08:20.0 9:48

Little Compton, R.I. – April 4, 2015 Bryan Ganley 2:09:42.3 9:55

Sam Booth 36:23 7:35 3rd 20-39 Michelle Colicci 2:11:44.3 10:04 Woody Wilson 43:55 9:09 2nd 60-69 Bozena Chmielewski 2:19:14.3 10:38 Kate McGowan 44:50 9:20 6th 20-39 Martha Huston 2:19:38.2 10:40 64 finishers Linda Bachand 2:33:14.1 11:42 MaryAnne Donato 2:35:18.7 11:52 Frank Nealon Boston Tune-Up 15K Andrea Herrmann 2:42:26.9 12:25

Upton, Mass. – April 4, 2015 233 finishers

Eric Benevides 1:24:37 9:05 Moving to the Music 5K Joe Maruszczak 1:30:55 9:45 Tiverton, R.I. – April 18, 2015 Don Clukies 1:41:26 10:53 5th 70-plus 320 finishers Webb McDonald 19:45 6:23 3rd overall! Sam Booth 21:21 6:54 3th 50-59 Fierce Five Road Race Stan Kurzynski 32:43 10:33 4th 60-69

Lincoln, R.I. – April 4, 2015 Pat Kurzynski 32:49 10:35 2nd 60-69

Bryan Ganley 25:19 5th 50-59 Shelli Costa 38:08 12:18 Tom Morley 29:17 3rd 60-69 154 finishers Bruce Thomas 30:27 200 finishers www.rirr.org 4 Raynham Knights of Columbus 5M Michelle Colicci 29:40 9:34 3rd 30-39 Rick DiLibero 31:36 10:12 Raynham, Mass. – April 19, 2015 Chuck Hyson 42:35 13:44 3rd 70-plus David Pember 39:36 1st 70-plus Denise DiFranco 43:49 14:08 1st 60-69 Woody Wilson 43:34 78 finishers Kenny Johnson 52:38 Stan Kurzynski 54:38 -- Club Officers -- Pat Kurzynski 55:04 Kevin Brennan – President 401-246-2237 153 finishers [email protected] Scott Caldwell – Vice President 401-633-2539 BK’s Tavern 5K [email protected] Fall River, Mass. – April 19, 2015 Kate McGowan – Secretary John Santillo 23:45.2 7:38 2nd 50-59 [email protected] Pat LaChance 24:38.0 7:55 1st 50-59 Christy Brennan – Treasurer 401-246-2237 Kate McGowan 26:40.3 8:35 1st 30-39 [email protected] Nancy Gendreau 26:43.2 8:36 4th 50-59 Christy Brennan – Clothing 401-246-2237 Kara Lees 29:06.3 9:22 5th 30-39 [email protected] Don Clukies 29:16.0 9:25 1st 70-plus Eric Benevides – Newsletter 401-764-0831 75 finishers [email protected] Boston Marathon Eric Benevides – Grand Prix 401-764-0831 [email protected] Boston, Mass. – April 20, 2015

Lindsay Amherst 3:10:17 -- Group Runs -- Kevin Brennan 3:26:40 Erin Grigsby 3:28:36 Monday Nights – Track Workouts: 4:30 p.m. -- Mike Vallee 3:34:07 Warm up at Smithfield High School’s track on Pleas- Graham Powers 3:45:51 ant View Ave. 5 p.m. – intervals of 400-1,600 me- Dan Azevedo 3:53:47 ters totaling 2-3 miles at a pace that typically would Robert Johnson 4:15:07 be a bit faster than your 5K. If you have any ques- Lisa Meehan 4:31:45 tions, e-mail Milt at [email protected]. Kelly Powers 4:51:02 26,598 finishers Wednesday Nights: Group runs in Johnston and Greenville. Varying distances and paces for all begin F. Monroe Allen Memorial 5K at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome! If interested, call Ja- net and Kevin McCoy at 231-5262. Smithfield, R.I. – April 25, 2015

Paul Savickas 18:53 6:05 2nd overall! Thursday Nights: The Red Rooster Ramble 5-Mile Chris Shardlow 20:24 6:35 2nd 30-39 Weekly Road Race Series is back! The 17th annual Kelly Savickas 20:32 6:37 1st female! series takes places every Thursday at 6:30 p.m., Mark DiFranco 22:02 7:06 1st 60-69 with signups at the Market Street Pub in Warren Cordell Cudworth II 22:26 7:14 3rd 50-59 ahead of time. The entry fee is $10 per race, which Ray Fasano 22:44 7:20 2nd 60-69 includes pizza, salad and fruit post-race back at the Eric Benevides 23:52 7:42 4th 40-49 pub. Visit www.redroosterramble.org or call Brian Fred Mason Jr. 24:14 7:49 4th 50-59 Govednik at 297-9183 for more information. Harry Carter 24:42 7:58 1st 70-plus

Sabina Gellrich 25:14 8:08 1st 50-59 Sam Burling 26:12 8:27 6th 30-39 -- Upcoming Grand Prix races -- Kate McGowan 26:36 8:35 2nd 30-39 - June Castle Awards Half Marathon Jorge Matesanz 26:36 8:35 4th 60-69 - July Blessing of the Fleet 10M Joe Maruszczak 26:40 8:36 5th 40-49 - August The Memorial 5K, Johnson Solange Morrissette 27:00 8:43 2nd 50-59 - August Common Fence Point 5M Poyee Oster 28:18 9:08 5th 50-59 - September Finish for a Guinness 5K Martha Huston 28:26 9:10 6th 50-59 - October Warren’s Pet Partners 5K 5 – RIRR Meeting Minutes – May 12, 2015 Meeting called to order at 7:51 p.m.

Membership Report 2015: 189 2014: 199 (82 females, 117 males) 2013: 221 (90 females, 131 males) Treasurer’s Report 2015 -- $3,088 with some AP. 2014 -- $4,226 2013 -- $3,683 Grand Prix Report -- Will’s Way 5K in Plainfield, Conn. is cancelled. A Connecticut 5K (preferably in the fall) to replace this

race will be announced at the next meeting. May 2015 -- Members discussed policy for wearing RIRR gear Volume 18 – Issue 5 at Grand Prix races. ______Website Report -- April had 2,659 page views (649 visitors). Most – President's Pen – traffic is on the home page. The club will receive some public recognition for the Old Business efforts of its members who created and maintained -- Cox Marathon: Pacing went well. Most came in on the club's Adopt-A-Spot along the East Bay Bike time. Eric B. received recognition from parent of Path in Warren at the Warren Town Council meet- teen runner in his pace group. At the water stop, we ing on Tuesday, June 9 at 7 p.m. It's certainly grati- did have an issue with a misdirected runner. fying to hear a thanks from the community for the New Business volunteerism put forth. Thank you to Cee Vallee for -- Boston Lottery: Members discussed Boston Lot- coordinating this year's spruce-up of the spot. tery procedures. -- Cox follow-up for next year: Possible sign at Cox Thanks to Mike Amarello and 3C Race Productions, to show it is the RIRR at the water stop. Other ideas who named the RIRR as one of its charities for the – need more shirts and flags, pacer flags at transi- Swamp Meadow Half Marathon last month. Kudos tion site, arrow, caution tape to manage spectators, to Mark DiFranco for spearheading the RIRR volun- possible detour, two cops, and road cones. teer effort there... -- Gansett Beer Festival at Stonehill College (Narra- Props to Nels Johnson, Cee, and all the members gansett Summer Running Festival): Weekend of July who pitched in at the water stop and pacing for the 11-12. RIRR can have a VIP tent, will need 15-20 vol- Cox Marathon in early May. More than three dozen unteers for half marathon. members gave their time and talents that day. -- Cookout: MaryAnne Donato is co-organizing the clambake. The next organized efforts for the RIRR are a water -- Tent: Additional tent to be purchased. stop and pace leaders for the Independence Rhode -- Upcoming pacing organizers: Race in Bristol on June 28 – a Saturday early start. Bristol Independence Half in June – Nels Johnson This isn't your typical Bristol race spent mostly in Surftown Half in September – Sam Burling Colt State Park, but rather goes throughout much of Jamestown Half in September – Solange Morrissette historic downtown Bristol. Nels is again organizing Eident’s Ocean State in October (full/half) – TBA the pacers and MaryAnne Donato is leading the aid Adjourned: 9:09 p.m. station effort. It's really gratifying and humbling to see so much involvement from the membership – Members in attendance: hoping to keep up the momentum! Kate McGowan James O’Reilly -- Kevin Brennan Kevin Brennan Christy Brennan

Pat LaChance Dan Azevedo John Santillo Don Clukies Bryan Ganley Mike Goodson Sandy Weinberg

– Next Club Meeting – Tuesday, July 14, 7:30 p.m., Fratello’s (formerly Sons of Italy/Spirito’s Restaurant), 99 Hicks Street, East Providence, R.I.

– New Members – Terrance Jackson & Family – Providence, R.I. Jessica Silva – West Warwick, R.I.

Cox Rhode Races

Providence, R.I. – May 3, 2015

I wanted to write just a short recap of the RIRR pac- ing for the Cox Rhode Races Marathon and Half

Marathon. This was the most extensive pacing com- Dan Azevedo leads the 4:00 marathon pace group. mitment we’ve ever undertaken, providing pacers for both of the event distances.

The half marathon went nearly perfectly, with our pacers finishing anywhere from 2 seconds to 2 minutes ahead of the goal times, and we had some nice size groups. Brian Quigley, Nels Johnson, Solange Morrissette, and Shannon Plesh led the half groups from 1:45 to 2:30.

In the marathon, Kevin Brennan and John LaRiviere led the 3:30 group, Cord Cudworth and Stephanie Wheeler paced the 3:45 group, and Sean Miller and Dan Azevedo ran the 4:00 group, all finishing just ahead of the goal time.

Elizabeth Dolce and Eric Benevides led the 4:15 group, and this one got a little interesting when a Robert Johnson encourages a runner to finish her young runner was really struggling and close to col- half marathon in under two hours (1:59:06). lapsing near the end. Eric chose to stay with her, “Our family has had some challenges the last few and here is the direct quote from the girl’s father af- years and running has helped my daughter through ter the race: those times. With your help, Eve's first marathon

“It's difficult for me to express how grateful I am to and the support she received will become a cher- the gentleman who paced Sunday’s race at 4:15. ished memory for what I hope will be a long and The group fell back with the exception of my 15- amazing life. Thank you so much for being there and year-old daughter Eve, who was running her first encouraging her.” marathon. Near the end, her pace started dropping Kudos to Eric for making the right call, great story. and he stayed with her. With his support, she was able to finish at 4:17. At the end, she was dehy- Janet Johnson and Bryan Ganley paced the final drated and exhausted, so my focus was on her and I group in 4:30, finishing right on time in spite of a don't think I properly thanked him. If you could pass missed hand off. Bryan had the presence of mind to this note to him, I would appreciate it. run the looped section of the course backwards to 2 know of at least four new members we have for this effort; there may well be more we don’t know about as well. I would ask that as many people as possible keep Oct. 11 open for the Ocean State Rhode Races; we hope to be providing two race support again that day and we’ve been asked to even add a couple of slower times, so we may need upwards of 20 pacers for this high profile event! -- Robert Johnson HALF MARATHON Mike Proto 1:37:54 7:28 Brian Quigley 1:44:10 7:57 Nels Johnson 1:59:05 9:05 Mark Schwager 2:00:14 9:11 Nancy Gendreau 2:01:34 9:17 Herb Armstrong 2:01:49 9:19 3rd 60-69 Solange Morrissette 2:11:58 10:04

Shannon Plesh 2:27:31 11:16 Erin Grigsby and Mike Vallee did another superb job! Linda Bachand 2:27:59 11:18 Andrea Herrmann 2:28:04 11:18 1,559 runners

MARATHON LaRiviere/Brennan 3:13:29 Cudworth/Grigsby 3:44:14 Mike Vallee 3:44:46 Fisher/Azevedo 3:59:06 Dolce/Benevides 4:18:34 J. Johnson/Ganley 4:29:00 1,108 runners

Rainbow 5K

Richmond, R.I. – May 9, 2015

This race was loaded with fun activities, such as face painting, a fire truck for kids, horse-drawn wagon rides, pizza and burritos, homemade desserts, do- nuts and coffee, fruit, and live music! There were

also lots of prizes for runners and walker, as each

Elizabeth Dolce (left) and Shannon Plesh (center) participant received a plant (various herbs) and a made dynamic debuts as RIRR pacers! medal. There were also various gifts offered as part of a sizable raffle. Janet Johnson and Bryan Ganley paced the final group in 4:30, finishing right on time in spite of a The race route is a fairly flat course that winds missed hand off. Bryan had the presence of mind to through the back roads of Richmond past horse sta- run the looped section of the course backwards to bles, turf farms, and finally returning back to John find Janet, and Janet did her longest run in over a and Cindy's Harvest Acres Farm. year to keep the group together until they met up There were 529 participants, with a fairly good with Bryan. A great job by both to overcome the un- expected challenge. blend of runner and walkers. My wife Kristen, daughter Brooke, and Brooke’s friend Ella chose to All in all, a great day, thanks to all who paced, as walk the route. My daughter Allyson and I went for well as Cee Vallee and the water stop volunteers. I the gold in our age groups. There was no gold in our 3 case, but we were rewarded with another medal Some lady came out with a hose just before mile 8, and more plants for taking first place in our age which by the way, is where you get to have another groups. sip of water. From there it was sun and flat terrain – Thank God! – and another kind resident hosed us I highly encourage runners and walkers to check out down at about 10.5 miles. this race next year. Hope you enjoy the food and The last water stop was just before 11, and again, it festivities as much as my family did! was out of Gatorade. Miles 11 to 13.1 were along -- James Cole the water and very pretty; water stops would have James Cole 20:23 6:34 1st 40-49 been awesome! Maybe next year … I always won- Allyson Cole 24:41 7:57 1st 19-under der what people are thinking when they plan a long Elizabeth Dolce 26:45 8:37 distance race with no fluids. I would recommend Fred Zuleger III 37:22 12:02 1st 70-over this one, as long as they increase the water stops 529 runners dramatically. Needless to say, I was very disap- pointed with my time. Horsebeck Beach Half Marathon -- Nancy Gendreau Westport, Mass. – May 10, 2015 Mike Proto 1:40:14 7:39 2nd 50-59 I was so excited when I saw Horseneck Beach was Chris Dyson 1:56:38 8:54 doing a half marathon. I have spent many a day at Dan Azevedo 2:00:23 9:11 9th 50-59 that beach and now I could run in the area. Andrew Beeber 2:09:30 9:53 Bryan Ganley 2:10:26 9:58 It seemed like it was going to be a great day for a Nancy Gendreau 2:15:49 10:22 10th 50-59 run – 70s to 80s inland and cooler at the coast was MaryAnne Donato 2:59:43 13:43 the forecast. I got to Horseneck and all was going 243 runners well. The shirts were really nice – royal blue v-neck tech shirts and white lettering, and the numbers Bedford Rotary 12K were the same with some yellow in them. Bedford, N.H. – May 16, 2015

We lined up at the entrance to Horseneck Beach I ran the 41st annual Bedford Rotary 12K for the and off we went at 9 a.m. Water stops were sup- first time this past weekend. I had been reading posed to be every 2.5 miles, a stretch for any half about this race for years and finally got the chance marathon. We proceeded pretty tight along the side to do it. It is held in Bedford, N.H., which is about a of Route 88, taking a right onto Drift Road. At about two-hour drive. The race is held at the high school 2.5 miles, there was a man sitting at a card table tip- and getting there was real easy. ping over what appeared to be a jug of water. I Race day registration was $30 with the option to thought it was some nice resident giving out his buy a shirt. I like this option because I can decide if own water, only to find out as I started the rolling the shirt is worth it. It was a nice tech shirt and hills in the blazing heat that that was the water stop worth purchasing. Registration was a breeze and I and there would not be another until 5.5 miles. It had time to walk around and admire the school. The was hot, hills and no H2O – the perfect storm. school was fairly new and impressive. The audito- I was already walking by mile 5, which is unheard of rium seats 812 and looked like a fancy cinema. for me. As we got to 5.5 miles, you had to go off the Looks a lot better than some of the schools around course to get water. There was no Gatorade left. It here! appeared they had small empty bottles of Gatorade you get from Stop and Shop on 10-for-$10 sales. By The race itself started in the school parking lot and finished across the street in a public field. The the looks of things, they didn't even buy 10 of them. course was rolling with no significant hills. There They did have nice slices of oranges and bananas, were many turns through a fairly quiet area of Bed- but I was so dehydrated that I could only think of ford. The course was well managed with many wa- guzzling water down. ter stops. It was a cool day and all these stops were- Off I went, walking and running when I could, and n't necessary, but if it were hot, it would have been meeting many other runners in the same boat. a good thing to have.

4 I felt good at the finish, as the scenic course kept Mother’s Day 10M your mind off the fact that you were running 7.5 North KIngstown, R.I. – May 10, 2015 miles. The post-race was good, with free Sam Ad- Martha Huston 1:40:34 10:04 2nd 50-59 ams beer and a cookout with burgers, pasta, and Michelle Colicci 1:41:07 10:07 fresh Italian bread. The beer was a new addition to Linda Bachand 1:52:20 11:14 the race. They were able to have it since they 58 runners moved across the street and off school property. Smart move! This made a good race even better Run Through History 5K and well worth checking out in 2016. Cranston, R.I. – May 16, 2015

-- John Santillo st John Santillo 59:17 7:57 Lindsay Amherst 19:07 6:10 1 female! 201 runners 142 finishers

Back to the 80s 5K R.I. State Police “Foot Pursuit” 5K North Scituate, R.I. – May 17, 2015 Narragansett, R.I. – April 26, 2015

Chris Dyson 23:38.30 7:37 Roger Gosciminski 25:00.3 8:02 Martha Huston 27:23.44 8:49 6th 50-59 416 finishers

Fred Zuleger III 41:37.37 13:24 2nd 70-plus Peyton’s Place 5K 725 runners Jamestown, R.I. – May 17, 2015

Run MS Rhode Race 5K Martha Huston 28:11 9:05 2nd 50-59

Bristol, R.I. – May 3, 2015 255 finishers

Sam Booth 20:45 6:42 2nd 30-39 Berkley Athletic Association 5K 66 runners Berkley, Mass. – May 17, 2015

Narrow River 10K Eric Benevides 23:10 7:28 5th 40-49 Woody Wilson 27:28 8:51 3rd 60-69 Narragansett, R.I. – May 9, 2015 124 finishers Mike Goodson 1:00:59 9:50 3rd 60-69 Stan Kurzynski 1:08:15 11:00 Baldi River Run Pat Kurzynski 1:09:45 11:15 2nd 60-69 Haverhill, Mass. – May 24, 2015 99 runners David Pember 39:57 8:00 2nd 70-plus Food Truck 5K 246 finishers

Warren, R.I. – May 9, 2015 Boston’s Run to Remember Sam Booth 20:48 6:43 6th 30-39 Boston, Mass. – May 24, 2015 Brooke Merriam 23:51 7:42 3rd 40-49 199 runners HALF MARATHON Mike Proto 1:37:40 7:27 Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge Nancy Gendreau 2:01:29 9:16

Foster, R.I. – May 10, 2015 Elizabeth Dolce 2:07:14 9:43 Jean Rainwater 2:13:52 10:13 HALF MARATHON 6,688 finishers Mike Proto 1:43:20.6 7:52.9 1st 50-59 Bryan Ganley 2:04:22.0 9:29.2 6th 50-59 5M Corey Bramer 2:12:16.4 10:05.3 7th 30-39 Fred Zuleger III 1:02:51 12:35 70 finishers 2,750 finishers

5K Woodstock 10K Robert Johnson 21:57.8 7:04 1st 50-59 Nancy Gendreau 25:52.4 8:19 1st 50-59 Woodstock, Conn. – May 25, 2015

James O’Reilly 33:55.3 10:55 1st 60-69 John Santillo 50:22.14 8:07 36 finishers Eric Benevides 53:37.62 8:38 5 Michelle Colicci 59:21.57 9:34 9th 30-39 -- 2015 Grand Prix schedule -- Bozena Chmielewski 1:01:59.43 9:59 1. Hangover Classic 5M, Jan. 1, Bristol, RI Stan Kurzynski 1:09:58.74 11:16 2. Run the Reservoir 15K, March 28, N. Scituate, RI Pat Kurzynski 1:10:37.96 11:23 4th 60-69 199 finishers 3. Officer Thomas Giunta 5K, March 29, Fall River, Mass. 4. Spring Half Marathon (Best time out of 3 races) -- Club Officers -- Blackstone Valley Half Marathon, April 26, Pawtucket, RI Kevin Brennan – President 401-246-2237 Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge Half, May 10, Foster, RI [email protected] Castle Awards Half Marathon, June 7, Seekonk, MA Scott Caldwell – Vice President 401-633-2539 5. RIRR Hall of Fame 5K (Best time out of 2 races) [email protected] F. Monroe Allen Memorial 5K, April 25, Smithfield, RI Kate McGowan – Secretary The Memorial (Jerry Musco) 5K, Aug. 9, Johnston, RI [email protected] Christy Brennan – Treasurer 401-246-2237 6. Blessing of the Fleet 10M, July 24, Narragansett, RI [email protected] 7. Common Fence Pt. 5M, Aug. 16, Portsmouth, RI Christy Brennan – Clothing 401-246-2237 8. Finish for a Guinness 5K, Sept. 6, Warren, RI [email protected] 9. Eastern Connecticut 5K (Best time out of 4 races) Eric Benevides – Newsletter 401-764-0831 Courthouse O'Putnam 5K, March 15, Putnam, CT [email protected] CT Women of Hope's Ann Miller 5K, Sept. 27, Putnam, CT Eric Benevides – Grand Prix 401-764-0831 Abolish Breast Cancer 5K, Oct. 3, Pomfret, CT [email protected] Run for the Penguins 5K, Oct. 17, Mystic, CT -- Group Runs -- 10. Pet Partners 5K, Oct. 25, Warren, RI 11. Colt State Park Half Marathon, Nov. 8, Bristol, RI Monday Nights – Track Workouts: 4:30 p.m. -- Warm up at Smithfield High School’s track on Pleas- 12. Trot Off Your Turkey 5K, Nov. 29, Barrington, RI ant View Ave. 5 p.m. – intervals of 400-1,600 me- 13. Christmas 10K, TBA in December, Newport, RI ters totaling 2-3 miles at a pace that typically would be a bit faster than your 5K. If you have any ques- tions, e-mail Milt at [email protected]. 2015 Grand Prix standings (As of June 10, 2015; x-age-graded tiebreaker) Wednesday Nights: Group runs in Johnston and MEN Greenville. Varying distances and paces for all begin 1. Cordell Cudworth II (2 points) at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome! If interested, call Ja- 2. Mark DiFranco (5 points)-x net and Kevin McCoy at 231-5262. 3. Paul Savickas (5 points) 4. John Santillo (9 points) Thursday Nights: The Red Rooster Ramble 5-Mile 5. Eric Benevides (10 points) Weekly Road Race Series is back! The 17th annual 6. Joe Maruszczak (13 points) series takes places every Thursday at 6:30 p.m., with signups at the Market Street Pub in Warren WOMEN ahead of time. The entry fee is $10 per race, which 1. Solange Morrissette (2 points) includes pizza, salad and fruit post-race back at the 2. Sabina Gellrich (4 points) pub. Visit www.redroosterramble.org or call Brian 3. Lindsay Amherst (7 points)-x Govednik at 297-9183 for more information. 4. Kate McGowan (7 points) 5. Kelly Savickas (10 points) 6. Lisa Meehan (12 points)

6

the Blessing of the Fleet 10M. -- Will's Way in Plainfield, Conn., which was sched- uled for July, is no longer. So there will be three chances this fall to run a Connecticut 5K and have it count toward the Grand Prix stats. All three races are close to the R.I. border, and again, you only need to run one Connecticut race. -- Sunday, Sept. 27 -- Ann Miller 5k, Putnam, CT; see www.ctrunforhope.org for more info -- Saturday, Oct. 3 -- Abolish Breast Cancer 5K, Pom- fret, CT; see www.abc5kct.com for more info -- Saturday, Oct. 17 -- Mystic Aquarium's Run for the Penguins 5K; see www.mysticaquarium.org for more info Website Report -- May had 2,019 page views, 396 visitors; down June 2015 30% from April. Volume 18 – Issue 6 Old Business ______-- Pacers for the Independence Bristol Half Mara- – President's Pen – thon were selected; water stop volunteers are needed. Members discussed how to get more vol- Heading into some busy times for RIRR... upcoming unteers pacing events litter the post-summer months... club -- The club picnic is scheduled for August following picnic in August... and how about a club trip to Fen- the Common Fence Point 5-Miler. way Park in late September for Runners Night with New Business the Red Sox? Details are coming soon, so keep an -- Plenty of Pacing/Volunteering news… eye on the website and that weekly email.  Newport Marathon has been moved to Narragan- Thanks to our volunteers spearheading our various sett on Oct. 11… looking for big club participation. initiatives – many hands make light work.  Lots of pacing in the fall for Surftown, Jamestown, And finally, Aprylle Gilbert will be passing through and Narragansett (half and full) Rhode Island on her to Provincetown, finishing her  Requests received to support a couple local run- journey across the USA... hoping we will have 6-10 ning efforts… members willing to run a few miles with Aprylle as A group of ex-college runners are celebrating a she traverses R.I. bachelor party weekend by running across R.I. (de- -- Kevin Brennan tails to follow – tentative date Saturday, Aug. 15)

Aprylle Gilbert has a fundraising run from Califor- – RIRR Meeting Minutes – nia to Provincetown all along U.S. Route 6 (details June 8, 2015 to follow, estimated time-frame is late September, Meeting called to order at 7:38 p.m. Foster to East Providence). The website for more in- Membership Report formation is http://route6tour.com/happenings/on- 2015: 189 the-run-with-aprylle-gilbert 2014: 201 (84 females, 117 males) Falmouth Track Club invite to compete in Cape 2013: 223 (91 females, 132 males) Cod Invitational Relay Cup on Sunday, Oct. 25. RIRR Treasurer’s Report subsidize member team entries? www.capecodmar- 2015 -- $3,398: ($2,410 Citizens, $188 PayPal, 825 athon.com undeposited); 1 A/P, $400 non-profit reg. fee Race the State has a 5-leg relay (4-person team) 2014 -- $4880: no A/P, A/R = June renewals on Aug. 9 http://race-the-state.com/ RIRR subsidize 2013 -- $3,864. An ultramarathon in August will be at Colt State Grand Prix Report Park, they may need volunteers -- Right now is the A’’-Star break”. The next race is -- Non-profit status: MaryAnne gave an update on non-profit status: 503C – Social Club: “No more than 35 percent of revenue can come from things other than dues.” -- Picnic planning: A possible use of a food truck, in- stead of cooking. Members in support. Alternate menu.

Adjourned: 8:40 p.m.

Members in attendance: Kate McGowan James O’Reilly Mike Goodson Scott Caldwell Pat LaChance Dan Azevedo John Santillo Don Clukies MaryAnne Donato Steve Donato Rick DiLibero Paul Savickas

– Next Club Meeting – Tuesday, Aug. 11, 7:30 p.m., Fratello’s (formerly Sons of Italy/Spirito’s Restaurant),

99 Hicks Street, East Providence, R.I. MaryAnne did a superb job in her debut as a pacer – New Members – for the 3-hour group at the Mystic Half Marathon.

Kerrie Beeber – Portsmouth, R.I. the early hours. Then we looped into a residential Lisa Schultz – Central Falls, R.I. area and up a larger hill (mile 9 on the way back), which was part of the out-and-back portion of the Mystic Half Marathon course. There were two well-staffed water stops on

Mystic, Conn. – May 31, 2015 either side of the road, serving runners in either di- This was the inaugural year for the Mystic Half Mar- rection. Following the hill down, the course winds athon, which was run by the same organization be- through a residential area and loops around back hind the Hartford Marathon and Surftown Half in toward the hill. Once up the hill, it was a nice Misquamicut. The race sold out early, so when the downhill toward the finish, which was set up inside opportunity to pace was posted, I volunteered for the aquarium parking area, so the last quarter mile the 3-hour group. was completely traffic free and flat.

The race was staged at the Mystic Aquarium with It was a pleasant course, and some parts were more plenty of race-day parking. The race was well orga- scenic than others. Overall, a nice course, with am- nized, with the runner’s village set up in the parking ple amounts of shade and only a few hills. The sup- area. There was NO race day bib pickup, which was port along the course was excellent and the route a bit inconvenient. However, pacers were permitted was easy to follow. At the finish, there was plenty of to pick up their shirts and signs on race day. food tents, with chowder, chocolate milk, granola bars, energy drinks, etc. Also, there are several The race started promptly at 7 a.m. on the main nearby restaurants and dinners. road in front of the aquarium. It was near ideal con- ditions for the race. The race follows the course of As far as the pacing – it was my first time and it’s the Tarzan Brown 5-Miler held in fall in Mystic. The not as easy as it seems. Andrea paced the 3-hour early miles of the race ran through the town area group along with me, and somewhere around the and along the harbor. The course turned inland to- halfway point, we divided into two groups. This dif- wards shaded back roads with a few small hills ficult part of pacing a 3-hour group are the walk- along the way. It was open to traffic in most areas, breaks. It’s difficult to gauge how much walking but there were only a few cars on the road due to your group can do and still meet the finish goal. I 2 did enjoy the experience of pacing, but I do plan to run the race next year.

If you’re interested in running this race, sign up early because this will definitely sell out again next year. -- MaryAnne Donato MaryAnne Donato 2:55:59 Andrea Herrmann 3:00:11 1,045 finishers

NH-VT Covered Bridge Half

Colebrook, N.H. – June 20, 2015

If you’re looking for a race in the country, this is it! Just 10 miles from the Canadian border lies the town of Colebrook, New Hampshire. It’s not much of a town – it’s actually more of a village on the val- ley floor just north of the Twin Mountain’s area.

It was about a 6-hour ride from Bristol, R.I. to Cole- brook, N.H. In the White Mountains, we passed sev- eral state and national park entrances and parking areas for the trails. We stopped at one of the trail heads and walked up to a stream flowing off the mountain. The water was so cold we could feel the MaryAnne poses for a picture with her race medal change in temperature just standing next to the and the ‘green’ of New Hampshire in the background. stream. The trails were well shaded this time of the year. Some of the trail areas offer overnight camp- to the Connecticut River, providing runs with great ing, but advanced reservations are required. views and a cool breeze. For the first six miles, we ran out Route 102, across the Vermont border and Its budget friendly adventure, the race registration back, for about five miles before turning to cross fee was just $35 for the half. It’s the offseason for the Columbia Covered Bridge. Along the way, we the local motels. A number of rooms were available were greeted by cows who ran down the hill to the for less than $100 a night. We stayed at the Cole- fence to see why we were running. The fields were brook Country Club. The room was clean and com- filled with wild flowers of bright yellow and purple. fortable, but we thought we woke up in the 1960s. For breakfast, we visited a local shop specializing in Once across the covered bridge, the race turned up delicious homemade muffins and bought a few for a steep hill onto Route 3, which was hilly and hot the ride home. with vehicle traffic – this was my least favorite part of the race. The race start was 10:30 a.m., so by the On race day morning, there was a low fog hanging time I reached Route 3, it was really starting to heat over the valley and the air temp was just 38 de- up. There was almost no shade on Route 3, and the grees. The race start time was 10:30 a.m., so the fog road pitched sharply to the sides, making for an un- was gone and it warmed up quickly. There was a comfortable surface. small, well organized group of volunteers at the start area. We received nice green tech shirts in- Finally, we turned off Route 3 and headed back into cluded in the registration fee. There were ample town to the finish. At the finish, there was plenty of shirts, so you could exchange sizes at the end of the cold drinks, refreshments, and a food truck. Fortu- race if needed. nately, there were several tents for shade for run- ners to escape the afternoon heat. The race ran along nearly traffic-free Route 102 to- ward the Vermont border. Route 102 runs parallel I would recommend this race. However, depending 3 on the weather, it can become quite hot in the lat- Corrib Pub Classic 5K ter miles. I would consider doing the race again if it West Roxbury, Mass. – June 7, 2015 had an earlier start time – I think 10:30 a.m. is just David Pember 24:23 7:52 1st 70-plus too late for a summer race. The trip to the Great 2,207 finishers Northwoods was worth it. Steve and I talked about a fall trip to the area to do some hiking, though I PFC Kyle J. Coutu Memorial 5K suspect he is more interested in the muffin shop. Pawtucket, R.I. – June 7, 2015 -- MaryAnne Donato MaryAnne Donato 2:45:33 Kelly Savickas 20:02 6:28 1st female! 529 finishers Eric Benevides 23:11 7:29 4th 40-49 Bozena Chmielewski 28:47 9:17 7th 30-39 Chieftain Challenge Bruce Thomas 33:05 10:40 9th 50-59

Foster, R.I. – May 30, 2015 Chuck Hyson 41:21 13:20 2nd 70-plus 236 finishers Mark DiFranco 25:28 8:13 4th 50-plus 172 finishers Hollis Fast 5K

Hollis, N.H. – June 11, 2015 Northmen Challenge 5K

North Smithfield, R.I. – May 30, 2015 Harry Carter 22:46.7 7:21 1st 75-plus

Eric Benevides 23:27 7:34 3rd 40-49 1,500 finishers Bozena Chmielewski 29:32 9:32 6th 30-39 221 finishers Coo Coo 5K

Portsmouth, R.I. – June 12, 2015 Middleboro YMCA Road Races Mike Holtman 23:14.6 7:29.9 2nd overall! Middleboro, Mass. – June 6, 2015 Nels Johnson 23:29.9 7:34.8 3rd overall!

10K Mike Vallee 24:10.7 7:48.0 2nd 50-59 John Santillo 48:41 7:52 6th 50-59 Cordell Cudworth II 24:21.3 7:51.4 3rd 50-59 48 finishers Eric Benevides 24:30.0 7:54.2 1st 40-49

5K Mark DiFranco 25:11.9 8:07.7 1st 60-69 Woody Wilson 27:02 8:28 1st 60-69 Dan Azevedo 25:34.5 8:15.0 80 finishers John Santillo 27:04.8 8:44.1 Cee Vallee 27:16.1 8:47.8 1st female! Katie DeCubellis 5K Graham Powers 29:41.1 9:34.5

Narragansett, R.I. – June 7, 2015 Janet Johnson 31:49.8 10:16.1 2nd female! Solange Morrissette 31:50.7 10:16.4 3rd female! Joe Maruszczak 26:36 8:35 Rick DiLibero 33:39.5 10:51.5 231 finishers Kelly Powers 36:50.8 11:53.2 3rd 30-39 Castle Awards Half Marathon Don Clukies 37:47.8 12:11.5 1st 70-plus 20 finishers Seekonk, Mass. – June 7, 2015

Paul Savickas 1:23:20.40 2nd overall! Gaspee Days 5K Lindsay Amherst 1:31:47.87 1st female! Cranston, R.I. – June 13, 2015 Terrance Jackson 1:35:26.01 2nd 40-49 Mike Proto 1:43:07.87 2nd 50-59 Webb McDonald 20:08.8 6:30 Cordell Cudworth 1:43:23.43 3rd 60-69 Mark Schwager 24:01.3 7:45 Corey Bramer 1:56:49.16 David Pember 24:28.7 7:54 1st 70-plus Sabina Gellrich 1:59:57.59 3rd 50-59 Joe Maruszczak 27:56.4 9:01 Solange Morrissette 2:08:49.63 6th 50-59 Margaret McDonald 41:14.9 13:19 Bryan Ganley 2:09:08.34 6th 60-69 Paul Bazin 33:43.9 10:53 4th 70-plus Michelle Colicci 2:09:21.43 Courtney Crooks 35:16.5 11:23 Andrea Herrmann 2:26:02.19 Fred Zuleger III 38:09.1 12:19 MaryAnne Donato 2:49:09.00 James O’Reilly 38:45.4 12:31 127 finishers 199 finishers 4 Shamrock Financial Charity 5K Rocky Point 5K

Rumford, R.I. – June 13, 2015 Warwick, R.I. – June 27, 2015

Paul Savickas 18:05 5:50 3rd overall! Mark DiFranco 22:07.4 7:08 1st 60-69 Kelly Savickas 19:14 6:12 1st female! Fred Zuleger III 37:52.8 12:12 1st 70-plus 73 finishers James O’Reilly 38:24.0 12:22 486 finishers Day of Portugal 5K

New Bedford, Mass. – June 14, 2015 Bristol Independence Day Half

David Pember 24:17 7:50 1st 70-plus Bristol, R.I. – June 28, 2015

Woody Wilson 26:32 8:34 Sam Booth 1:41:03 7:43 Kara Lees 29:49 9:37 Mike Proto 1:43:38 7:55 6th 50-59 Stan Kurzynski 33:17 10:44 Kevin Brennan 1:44:08 7:57 Pat Kurzynski 33:22 10:46 1st 60-69 Sam Burling 1:52:17 8:34 Kenny Johnson 33:38 10:51 Cee Vallee 1:52:38 8:36 1st 50-59 350 finishers Carlos Aguiar 1:57:49 9:00 Sean Fisher 1:59:32 9:07 Mount Washington Road Race Nancy Gendreau 2:03:31 9:26 Gorham, N.H. – June 20, 2015 Janet Johnson 2:12:10 10:05

James Cole 1:45:24 13:52 Corey Bramer 2:13:34 10:12 Pat Meenan 2:03:05 16:12 Robert Johnson 2:14:45 10:17 Mike Goodson 2:19:33 18:22 Linda Dewing 2:22:13 10:51 1st 70-plus 1,052 finishers Bryan Ganley 2:29:42 11:26 Don Clukies 2:44:21 12:33 3rd 70-plus Fairhaven Father’s Day 10K Andrea Herrmann 3:05:40 14:10

Fairhaven, Mass. – June 21, 2015 462 finishers

John Santillo 51:58.5 8:23 Nancy Gendreau 56:30.0 9:07 Worcester Running Festival Half

Woody Wilson 1:01:02.4 9:51 Worcester, Mass. – June 28, 2015

Pat Kurzynski 1:10:08.2 11:19 2nd 60-69 Elizabeth Dolce 2:07:28.4 Stan Kurzynski 1:10:14.4 11:20 293 finishers 356 finishers -- Club Officers -- Dennis M. Lynch Memorial 5K Kevin Brennan – President 401-246-2237 Pawtucket, R.I. – June 21, 2015 [email protected] Paul Savickas 18:27 5:57 1st overall! Scott Caldwell – Vice President 401-633-2539 Patrick Brennan 19:43 6:22 3rd overall! [email protected] Kelly Savickas 20:25 6:35 1st female! Kate McGowan – Secretary 89 finishers [email protected] B.A.A. 10K Christy Brennan – Treasurer 401-246-2237 [email protected] Boston, Mass. – June 21, 2015 Christy Brennan – Clothing 401-246-2237 Harry Carter 50:11 2nd 70-plus [email protected] Jessica Silva 1:01:37 Eric Benevides – Newsletter 401-764-0831 5,960 finishers [email protected] Colt State Park 5K Eric Benevides – Grand Prix 401-764-0831 [email protected] Bristol, R.I. – June 24, 2015

Sam Booth 20:44.5 6:40 1st 30-39 -- Group Runs -- Mike Proto 21:57.8 7:04 1st 50-59 Roger Gosciminski 24:54.4 8:01 Monday Nights – Track Workouts: 4:30 p.m. -- 84 finishers Warm up at Smithfield High School’s track on Pleas- 5 ant View Ave. 5 p.m. – intervals of 400-1,600 me- -- 2015 Grand Prix schedule -- ters totaling 2-3 miles at a pace that typically would 1. Hangover Classic 5M, Jan. 1, Bristol, RI be a bit faster than your 5K. If you have any ques- 2. Run the Reservoir 15K, March 28, N. Scituate, RI tions, e-mail Milt at [email protected]. 3. Officer Thomas Giunta 5K, March 29, Fall River, Mass. Wednesday Nights: Group runs in Johnston and 4. Spring Half Marathon (Best time out of 3 races) Greenville. Varying distances and paces for all begin Blackstone Valley Half Marathon, April 26, Pawtucket, RI at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome! If interested, call Ja- Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge Half, May 10, Foster, RI net and Kevin McCoy at 231-5262. Castle Awards Half Marathon, June 7, Seekonk, MA

Thursday Nights: The Red Rooster Ramble 5-Mile 5. RIRR Hall of Fame 5K (Best time out of 2 races) Weekly Road Race Series is back! The 17th annual F. Monroe Allen Memorial 5K, April 25, Smithfield, RI series takes places every Thursday at 6:30 p.m., The Memorial (Jerry Musco) 5K, Aug. 9, Johnston, RI with signups at the Market Street Pub in Warren 6. Blessing of the Fleet 10M, July 24, Narragansett, RI ahead of time. The entry fee is $10 per race, which 7. Common Fence Pt. 5M, Aug. 16, Portsmouth, RI includes pizza, salad and fruit post-race back at the 8. Finish for a Guinness 5K, Sept. 6, Warren, RI pub. Visit www.redroosterramble.org or call Brian 9. Eastern Connecticut 5K (Best time out of 4 races) Govednik at 297-9183 for more information. Courthouse O'Putnam 5K, March 15, Putnam, CT

CT Women of Hope's Ann Miller 5K, Sept. 27, Putnam, CT

Abolish Breast Cancer 5K, Oct. 3, Pomfret, CT

Run for the Penguins 5K, Oct. 17, Mystic, CT 10. Pet Partners 5K, Oct. 25, Warren, RI 11. Colt State Park Half Marathon, Nov. 8, Bristol, RI 12. Trot Off Your Turkey 5K, Nov. 29, Barrington, RI 13. Christmas 10K, TBA in December, Newport, RI

2015 Grand Prix standings (As of June 10, 2015; x-age-graded tiebreaker) MEN 1. Cordell Cudworth II (2 points) 2. Mark DiFranco (5 points)-x 3. Paul Savickas (5 points) 4. John Santillo (9 points) 5. Eric Benevides (10 points)

6. Joe Maruszczak (13 points)

WOMEN

1. Solange Morrissette (2 points) 2. Sabina Gellrich (4 points) 3. Lindsay Amherst (7 points)-x 4. Kate McGowan (7 points) 5. Kelly Savickas (10 points)

6. Lisa Meehan (12 points)

– RIRR Meeting Minutes – July 14, 2015 Meeting called to order at 7:39 p.m.

Membership Report 2015 -- 193 (87F, 106M) 2014 -- 206 (86F, 120M) 2013 -- 224 (92F, 132M) Treasurer’s Report 2015 -- $3,748 ($3,542 Citizens, $181 PayPal, $25 undeposited); 1 A/P $400 non-profit reg. fee; 2 A/R (unk $) 2014 -- $5,010 2013 -- $3,800 Grand Prix Report -- There will be three chances this fall to run a Con- July 2015 necticut 5K and have it count toward the Grand Prix Volume 18 – Issue 7 stats. All three races are close to the state line, and ______runners only need to run one Connecticut race.

-- Sunday, Sept. 27 -- Ann Miller 5k, Putnam, CT; see – President's Pen – www.ctrunforhope.org for more info The nights have cooled and the days are shortening -- Saturday, Oct. 3 -- Abolish Breast Cancer 5K, Pom- before our eyes. Soon, the leaves will be falling and fret, CT; see www.abc5kct.com for more info we will be in the heart of marathon season. We -- Saturday, Oct. 17 -- Mystic Aquarium's Run for the have seen races come and go... we recall $5 5K en- Penguins 5K; see www.mysticaquarium.org for try fees and when Mount Washington was only $20. more info There were no color runs, or Rock ‘n’ Roll events... Website Report overnight relays hadn't been thought of yet. There -- June: 1,632 page views, 455 visitors; down 5% was no Red Rooster Ramble, and certainly no Beat from May Santa 5K. Old Business

But there as the Ocean State Marathon. An oldie, -- Club Picnic in August, following Common Fence but goodie is making its way back. The Ocean State Point 5 Miler. Rhode Race will be resurrected in just a month and - BBQ the RIRR will be there waiting. We won't be saying, - $12 members, $18 non-members "Where have you been?" We will say, "Here we go, - Chicken and ribs stick with me," and "Water? Gatorade? Gel?" - Hot dogs and Hamburgers will be no charge - Members will bring desserts The race needs our help, folks, and there isn't a bet- - We will need to bring beverages and take out ter place or event for a Rhode Island Road Runner trash to lend their help to than the Ocean State Rhode - Wristbands to keep track of food orders Race. We need pacers and we need water stop vol- Pacing unteers. -- Jamestown: Solange coordinating -- Surftown: Sam Burling coordinating There's an upcoming club trip to see the Red Sox on -- Solange and Sam will determine and communi- Sept. 24... $30 gets you a ticket to the game and cate process for pacer selection round trip transportation... sit back and don't worry New Business about traffic or parking... maybe Big Papi will hit his -- Narragansett Running Festival: Follow up from 500th that night? See the club website for tickets. Narragansett Running Festival volunteering Keep calm and marathon... -- Sandwich Boards: Pat brought Sandwich board -- Kevin Brennan advertisements, for use at water stops to publicize the RIRR. -- Pacing/Volunteering: Members discussed limita- tions on pacing/volunteer opportunities -- RIRR Singlets: Jim has researched obtaining club singlets through East Bay. Sample was passed around. Members discussed logistics involving sin- glets (vendor, design, cost, possible club subsidy, distribution, storage) -- Blue One Challenge: Sept. 12, a 7-mile beach run in Westport, Club Discount, Dan McCarthy (NB Half) is race director -- Tony Zablocki, a former RIRR president who had started the club’s Grand Prix, died earlier in July of leukemia. The Devil Dogs’ Richard Mello (left), MaryAnne Adjourned: 9:04 p.m. Donato (center), and Greg Allen (right) braved the

heat at this year’s Ashworth Awards Kids’ Day 5K! Members in attendance: Kevin Brennan Scott Caldwell The race course and general organization remains Kate McGowan James O’Reilly unchanged, and getting there from Rhode Island of- Pat LaChance Lisa Meehan fers a variety of routes to counter areas of con- John Santillo Don Clukies gested traffic. For those unfamiliar, the race meets MaryAnne Donato Steve Donato at a local school, which provides restroom facilities Kelly Savickas Paul Savickas and organizational space to competitors and staff Sabina Gellrich Bryan Ganley prior to the beginning of the races. Local police and Nick Pereira residents also assist runners with traffic control and sprinklers, respectively. There is also a water stop – Next Club Meeting – midway through the 5K. The route runners follow Tuesday, Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m., Fratello’s remains the same generally flat and partially shaded (formerly Sons of Italy/Spirito’s Restaurant), course, which sees little traffic or obstruction for a 99 Hicks Street, East Providence, R.I. majority of the race. Children’s races are still run around the immediate vicinity of the 5K finish and – New Members – awards ceremony, only this year being moved to Meredith Phillips, Norfolk, Va. follow the 5K.

All finishers still receive their trophies (this year’s Ashworth Awards Kids’ Day 5K fire-hydrant medal was red) from volunteers as they

North Attleboro, Mass. – July 12, 2015 finish. Teams of two (or three if high school stu- A recurring announcement from the race director dents) are allowed to compete for additional that temperatures were 90 degrees in the shade awards and group recognition. Tech-shirts are dis- turned out to be the only downside to this year’s tributed prior to the race, and paired with finisher’s Ashworth Awards 5k. A change in race time to 8:45 trophies, and a diversity of refreshments after the a.m. (previously held at 9:30) was a welcome ad- race, maintain the Ashworth Awards as one of the justment for a race annually held in the middle of best races for runners who expect more than timing the summer. and signs indicating direction for their money. This year’s race did see a raise in entry fee from $15 to Another change to this year’s race was the order: $20, but this is hardly noteworthy considering the 5K runners preceded the kids’ races, so runners plethora of trophies, shirts, and food provided found themselves waiting for the awards ceremony, hasn’t diminished in quantity or quality. which wasn’t a significant drawback as it typically follows the conclusion of all races, so racers weren’t Many runners found themselves staggered at the forced to wait any longer than they had in previous finish as a result of the inescapable heat resonating years for awards. from the street surface, but this quickly wore off. 2 The overall number of runners still seems managea- Pat Kurzynski 53:00.0 11:03 bly diverse, with both serious and casual racers Shelli Costa 1:02:42.0 13:04 making the total group, but the race doesn’t feel 415 finishers crowded, ironically, despite the reasonable entry fee, easy course, and liberal giveaways to partici- Narragansett Bay Half Marathon pants. East Providence, R.I. – July 19, 2015

-- Gregory Allen Mike Proto 1:40:43.7 7:41 7th 50-59 Roger Gosciminski 23:38 7:37 7th 30-39 Terrance Jackson 1:49:34.1 8:21 Gregory Allen 25:21 8:11 Nick Pereira 1:59:01.9 9:05 Woody Wilson 26:15 8:28 4th 60-69 Bryan Ganley 2:15:43.3 10:21 MaryAnne Donato 31:59 10:19 5th 50-59 Joe Maruszczak 2:18:11.9 10:32 223 finishers Nancy Gendreau 2:18:46.2 10:35 Alan Gousie 2:26:32.8 11:11 Harvard Pilgrim “Finish at the 50” Elizabeth Dolce 2:39:46.1 12:11

Foxboro, Mass. – July 3, 2015 Karyn Gallivan 2:51:37.3 13:05

10K Andrea Herrmann 3:11:23.6 14:36 Eric Benevides 50:19 8:06 920 finishers Nancy Gendreau 59:13 9:32 Bozena Chmielewski 1:01:24 9:53 Blessing of the Fleet 10M

Andrea Herrmann 1:10:52 11:25 Narragansett, R.I. – July 24, 2015

1,356 finishers Joshua Curtis 59:36 5:58 1st 40-49

5K John LaRiviere 1:03:29 6:21 4th 40-49 Roger Gosciminski 25:42 8:17 Webb McDonald 1:09:56 7:00 3,500 finishers Trevor Powers 1:12:02 7:12 Cordell Cudworth II 1:18:30 7:51 Glocester Fourth of July Races Matt Sherman 1:23:11 8:19

Glocester, R.I. – July 4, 2015 Mark Schwager 1:23:22 8:20 Sam Burling 1:23:29 8:21 5.5 MILES Fred Mason Jr. 1:25:20 8:32 Mark DiFranco 40:22.6 1st 60-69 Allyson Cole 1:28:55 8:54 1st 10-under Eric Benevides 46:05.2 James Cole 1:28:55 8:54 Stan Kurzynski 59:36.9 3rd 60-69 Augusto Rojas 1:29:01 8:54 Pat Kurzynski 59:47.9 1st 60-69 Kate McGowan 1:32:47 9:17 138 finishers Solange Morrissette 1:35:57 9:36 1.75 MILES Martha Huston 1:41:13 10:07 James Reilly 23:16 4th 60-69 Joe Maruszczak 1:41:19 10:08 101 finishers Mike Goodson 1:41:36 10:10 Linda Dewing 1:46:42 10:40 1st 70-plus Greg Billington Memorial 5K Jessica Silva 1:49:10 10:55

Somerset, Mass. – July 4, 2015 Pat Kurzynski 1:56:56 11:42 10th 60-69

Woody Wilson 26:27 8:32 5th 60-69 Stan Kurzynski 1:56:56 11:42 Nancy Gendreau 27:01 8:43 1st 50-59 Linda Bachand 1:59:51 11:59 130 finishers 2,385 finishers

Little Compton 4.8M Run to Home Base 9K

Boston, Mass. – July 25, 2015 Little Compton, R.I. – July 11, 2015

Sam Booth 30:59.0 6:27 4th 20-39 Sam Burling 1:16:33 13:42 Harry Carter 37:35.0 7:50 1st 70-79 1,452 finishers

Erin Grigsby 37:58.0 7:55 Fishermen’s Tribute Fund 5K Don Clukies 45:45.0 9:32 3rd 70-79 Dennis Branham 47:53.0 9:59 1st 80-plus New Bedford, Mass. – July 26, 2015

Stan Kurzynski 52:48.0 11:00 Paul Savickas 18:35.3 5:59 4th 20-39 3 Mike Proto 21:19.1 6:51 3rd 50-59 5. RIRR Hall of Fame 5K (Best time out of 2 races) Kate McGowan 26:52.1 8:38 5th 20-39 F. Monroe Allen Memorial 5K, April 25, Smithfield, RI Woody Wilson 27:38.6 8:53 5th 60-69 The Memorial (Jerry Musco) 5K, Aug. 9, Johnston, RI 176 finishers 6. Blessing of the Fleet 10M, July 24, Narragansett, RI -- Club Officers -- 7. Common Fence Pt. 5M, Aug. 16, Portsmouth, RI Kevin Brennan – President 401-246-2237 8. Finish for a Guinness 5K, Sept. 6, Warren, RI [email protected] 9. Eastern Connecticut 5K (Best time out of 4 races) Scott Caldwell – Vice President 401-633-2539 Courthouse O'Putnam 5K, March 15, Putnam, CT [email protected] CT Women of Hope's Ann Miller 5K, Sept. 27, Putnam, CT Kate McGowan – Secretary [email protected] Abolish Breast Cancer 5K, Oct. 3, Pomfret, CT Christy Brennan – Treasurer 401-246-2237 Run for the Penguins 5K, Oct. 17, Mystic, CT [email protected] 10. Pet Partners 5K, Oct. 25, Warren, RI Christy Brennan – Clothing 401-246-2237 11. Colt State Park Half Marathon, Nov. 8, Bristol, RI [email protected] 12. Trot Off Your Turkey 5K, Nov. 29, Barrington, RI Eric Benevides – Newsletter 401-764-0831 13. Christmas 10K, TBA in December, Newport, RI [email protected] Eric Benevides – Grand Prix 401-764-0831 [email protected] 2015 Grand Prix standings (As of Aug. 30, 2015; x-age-graded tiebreaker) -- Group Runs -- MEN

Monday Nights – Track Workouts: 4:30 p.m. -- 1. Cordell Cudworth II (2 points) Warm up at Smithfield High School’s track on Pleas- 2. Paul Savickas (4 points) ant View Ave. 5 p.m. – intervals of 400-1,600 me- 3. John Santillo (7 points)-x ters totaling 2-3 miles at a pace that typically would 4. Mark DiFranco (7 points) be a bit faster than your 5K. If you have any ques- 5. Eric Benevides (12 points) tions, e-mail Milt at [email protected]. 6. Joe Maruszczak (13 points)

Wednesday Nights: Group runs in Johnston and WOMEN Greenville. Varying distances and paces for all begin 1. Solange Morrissette (2 points) at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome! If interested, call Ja- 2. Kate McGowan (4 points) net and Kevin McCoy at 231-5262. 3. Sabina Gellrich (6 points) 4. Lindsay Amherst (8 points) Thursday Nights: The Red Rooster Ramble 5-Mile 5. Allyson Cole (11 points)-x Weekly Road Race Series is back! The 17th annual 6. Nancy Gendreau (11 points) series takes places every Thursday at 6:30 p.m., with signups at the Market Street Pub in Warren ahead of time. The entry fee is $10 per race, which includes pizza, salad and fruit post-race back at the pub. Visit www.redroosterramble.org or call Brian Govednik at 297-9183 for more information.

-- 2015 Grand Prix schedule -- 1. Hangover Classic 5M, Jan. 1, Bristol, RI 2. Run the Reservoir 15K, March 28, N. Scituate, RI 3. Officer Thomas Giunta 5K, March 29, Fall River, Mass. 4. Spring Half Marathon (Best time out of 3 races) Blackstone Valley Half Marathon, April 26, Pawtucket, RI Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge Half, May 10, Foster, RI Castle Awards Half Marathon, June 7, Seekonk, MA

4

-- There will be three chances this fall to run a Con- necticut 5K and have it count toward the Grand Prix stats. All three races are close to the state line, and runners only need to run one Connecticut race. -- Sunday, Sept. 27 -- Ann Miller 5k, Putnam, CT; see www.ctrunforhope.org for more info -- Saturday, Oct. 3 -- Abolish Breast Cancer 5K, Pom- fret, CT; see www.abc5kct.com for more info -- Saturday, Oct. 17 -- Mystic Aquarium's Run for the Penguins 5K; see www.mysticaquarium.org for more info Website Report -- July: 1,836 page views, 447 visitors; up 10% from June Old Business -- Aprylle Gilbert: Fundraising run from California to August 2015 Provincetown, all along U.S. Route 6 (details to fol- Volume 18 – Issue 8 low, estimated timeframe late August, Foster to E. ______Providence). Website is http://route6tour.com/hap- – President's Pen – penings/on-the-run-with-aprylle-gilbert. -- Clothing: The club is in the process of ordering ini- Summer went out with some heat, but the heat is tial bulk of singlets; once received, will have logo’d on club’s needs in September and October and into and then made available for sale. Estimated delivery the holiday season.... pacing at Surftown, Jame- TBD, hopefully by next meeting. stown, Narragansett, and Seekonk will require lots East Bay is the vendor. Singlets will be stored at of volunteers, plus water stop help in Narragansett Pat’s. Singlets are $5 for current members, free for – please consider lending your expertise. And we new ones. will hold our second evening installment of Beat Pacing Santa in early December – details are being flushed -- Surftown and Jamestown Halfs are all set, except out now. And looking further ahead, all board posi- for 1:30 for Surftown. tions are up for election in early 2016. It would help -- The club is also pacing Narragansett, Black Goose. the club a great deal to get some fresh voices and Kevin is coordinating Narragansett and Black Goose faces out in front. Many hands make light work! (pacing and water stop); Nels Johnson is coordinat- -- Kevin Brennan ing Black Goose pacing. – RIRR Meeting Minutes – New Business -- Picnic update from MaryAnne: 36 signed up, plus August 11, 2015 22HH. We will have veggie burgers. Meeting called to order at 7:37 p.m. Adjourned: 8:01 p.m. Membership Report 2015 -- 195 (88F, 107M) Members in attendance: 2014 -- 189 (80F, 109M) Kevin Brennan Christy Brennan 2013 -- 214 (89F, 125M) Kate McGowan James O’Reilly Treasurer’s Report Pat LaChance Lisa Meehan 2015 -- $3,981 ($3,129 Citizens, $352 PayPal, $350 John Santillo Don Clukies undeposited); 1 A/P $400 non-profit reg. fee; 2 A/R Rick DiLibero Mike Goodson (unk $) Sandy Weinberg Eric Benevides 2014 -- $4,667 2013 -- $3,900 – Next Club Meeting – Grand Prix Report Tuesday, Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m., Fratello’s -- Next two races: August’s Common Fence Point (formerly Sons of Italy/Spirito’s Restaurant), 5M and September’s Finish for a Guinness 5K. 99 Hicks Street, East Providence, R.I. Cross Country in the Park

Bristol, R.I. – June, July, and August, 2015

Colt State Park offers bike paths, a public beach, a sports complex, and an old-fashioned working farm museum adjacent. But what many out-of-town visi- tors may be unaware of are Colt State Park’s walk- ing trails hidden in the woods on the farthest end of the park. Here in the wooded area of the park, each year, runners meet once a week for an ongoing 5K series during the summer.

The series began this year with its annual kickoff 5K held on June 24. For $20, runners received cotton t- shirts and a bag of assorted items, and were invited to win more items in a raffle following the race. Runners organize at the headquarters of the park, a large barn in the park’s central area. The kickoff race is more formal than the series that follows, and it draws substantially more runners; typically the cross country series brings together about 30+ run- ners, usually depending on the weather.

Following the initial race held at the end of June, A nice picture taken by Charlie Breagy of RIRR Hall of the series continues following the same course, be- Famer Chuck Hyson, who turned 80 on July 8 and ginning the first Wednesday following the Fourth of made his debut in his new age group with a grand re- July, lasting until the Wednesday before Labor Day. turn to the Bobby Doyle 5-Miler in Narragansett! The race director requests a $5 donation for partici- pation in the entire series, and the races, while ex- Bobby Doyle 5M

Narragansett, R.I. – August 9, 2015 tremely casual following the kickoff, are timed and draw a wide diversity of runners from many age I had run all or almost all of these races since they groups. began when they were run in the evening. This was my first time for the early Sunday morning and dif- The route through the woods is not an obstacle ferent course. It was also my first race as an 80- course, but it contains a frequency of roots, stones, year-old and it wasn’t very pretty. There were 603 and several hills which will prove a hindrance to finishers and I was the 660th with a net time of most fit runners, at least on their second loop. The 1:10:52 for a 14:10 pace. However, I was the oldest nature of the paths in the woods may also provide runner, which makes me feel fortunate to be able first-time participants with difficulty finding their to still run and participate in races. way if they lose sight of runners ahead, although this is typically not an issue as the course is marked. The course is much different than the old one, with many more turns. It is very well marked with a cou- The course will likely add a minute or two to a par- ple water stops that were very well manned. We ticular runner’s average 5K time, and the race will caught a break from the hot humid weather, and it prove a daunting challenge to those seeking a per- was relatively cool with some wind making for good sonal-best time. However, the dynamic nature of running. In the old days, I knew more of the run- this road and off-road course allows for a unique ners, but I only recognized a few RIRRs, such as opportunity to train and prepare for future races. Freddy Z. and Don Clukies. The heat and humidity of the summer add to the difficulty of the course, but also provide utility to When we first moved to R.I., we manned a water those runners seeking to develop and condition for stop in Newport, one of the seven years that Bobby races at the end of the summer or in the fall. Doyle won the Newport Marathon. He was my in- -- Gregory Allen spiration to race and run a couple marathons. This 2 is a very well-organized race, and the Bobby Doyle I was concerned about the elevation; however, I foundation contributes money to many charities. had run a couple of miles for the three previous -- Chuck Hyson days while in Aspen, over 8,000 feet. I guess I did Mark Schwager 39:35 some acclimating. I found out afterwards that this Don Clukies 47:51 race is actually one in a series of four downhill half Linda Dewing 48:38 2nd 70-plus marathons open in that area. If anyone gets an op- Linda Smith 1:01:14 portunity to run a completely downhill half mara- Fred Zuleger III 1:05:12 thon, I highly recommend it. Chuck Hyson 1:10:52 -- Mark DiFranco 663 finishers Mark DiFranco 1:47:39 1st 60-69 133 finishers

Common Fence Point 5M

Portsmouth, R.I. – August 16, 2015

Most of the RIRRs joined up to run the Common Fence Point 5-miler. The race started promptly at 10 a.m. The sun was already shining brightly and the temperature had to be pretty close to 90, if not 90 already. The route is picturesque, with some small inclines along the way, until just before Mile 4, when you hit a noteworthy climb. The water stops Here’s one of the scenic pictures Mark DiFranco took were awesome and manned by the most cheerful during the Basalt Half Marathon in Colorado. volunteers. Thank God for the kind residents who

came out to hose the runners down because the Basalt Half Marathon heat was steaming us. The end was just beyond the Basalt, Colorado – August 15, 2015 start line. At the finish – waiting, volunteering, and While visiting friends in Aspen, Colorado, I did what cheering everyone on – were more RIRRs, Pat I usually do when traveling and looked for a race to LaChance, Mike and Cee Vallee, and I for one was run. There was a 10k in Leadville, but it was out and never so glad to see them! I think everyone was back downhill, then uphill, at 10,000 feet, and I did glad to see the finish line on that day. not feel I was up for that. Following the race was beer, pizza, donuts, muffins, But I found a half marathon just a half hour away in bananas, and let’s not forget the famous raffle. Basalt. I had not run over eight miles since an injury There was no shortage of raffle prizes – some lucky four months earlier; however, this race was all enough to win three or more – we won’t mention downhill. It started at 7,657 feet and followed the names – ERIC. Thanks to John Santillo and his family Frying Pan River on Frying Pan Road, down to 6,607 for all their hard work and dedication to this race. It feet in the town of Basalt. I figured, ‘What the hell. is a nice get-together for everyone. I'll take it easy.’” If all that food was not enough, the RIRR’s annual We met at the finish and they bus us up to the start cookout followed. There was food and more food. line, which was a fairly long ride up the mountain This year, we changed it up from a clambake and road in a school bus. The weather was perfect – lobster to ribs, chicken, beans, hamburgers, hot sunny, dry, about 50 degrees – and the route was dogs, potato salad, and desserts, and that all tasted absolutely gorgeous. We just ran along the river the too good. The company is always the best and get- entire way through the mountains. There was no ting time to spend with the RIRR and catch up. De- uphill at all. I stopped about a dozen times along spite the heat – and I am not complaining after the the way to take pictures, but it did not seem to af- winter we had – it was a great time for all! fect my time: I had a 1:47:39, which I was very -- Nancy Gendreau happy with. It was good enough for me to win my age group, although it was basically a small local (Editor’s Note: I only won two raffle prizes. TWO! race. The big winner this year wasn’t me, or Mike Proto 3 Penn. I was looking for a marathon in late summer or early fall to try to get a marathon time under my BQ time by at least two minutes. Rather than wait- ing until the last minute (Allentown, Penn. on Sept. 12th), I opted for this mid-August stroll.

The race is organized by a running a group called RunBucks – for Bucks County, Penn. where they are located. The race was created a couple years ago, specifically to provide a venue for people to qualify for Boston before registration opens and closes. Those that have good memories will recall that Bos-

ton didn't used to sell out in days; as a matter of Poyee Oster, Pat LaChance, and Nancy Gendreau – all fact, you used to be able to qualify and register as no strangers to winning their 50-59 age groups – pose close as two months before the race. Not anymore. for a picture with Nancy’s first-place medal. Now you need to qualify before registration opens,

primarily because it closes so quickly, and further, believe it or not, but Roger Gosciminski! Roger won your BQ itself has not been good enough to gain en- three or four prizes! Let’s not forget that! A standing try into the race. Two years ago, you had to be ovation – I mean, a standing boo! – to you, Roger!)

about a minute under your qualifying time, and this Joshua Curtis 29:46 2nd overall! past year, you needed to be about 100 seconds Paul Savickas 31:30 6th overall! faster. We won't know how much under you will Webb McDonald 32:18 7th overall! need to be until about Sept. 20 this year. So with a Sam Booth 36:13 6th 30-39 goal of about 3:20 in mind, I trained through the, Mike Proto 36:45 1st 50-59 summer, and we made our way down to Princeton Robert Johnson 36:55 2nd 50-59 N.J. on Saturday. The 200-mile trip took about six Brian Govednik 38:30 hours because of some major traffic delays in CT. Roger Gosciminski 39:49 Eric Benevides 41:52 We stayed at a Doubletree and went to the number John Santillo 43:26 pickup on Saturday evening. They hold a 15K the Dan Azevedo 44:21 night before and market it as a good race for your David Pember 45:20 2nd 70-plus family members to run for those running the mara- Sam Burling 45:32 thon. The race is held in a state park there that runs Nancy Gendreau 45:43 1st 50-59 alongside the Delaware River which separates N.J. Mike Holtman 45:58 and PA. Number pickup was simple and quick. Joe Maruszczak 47:28 Trevor Powers 49:13 On race morning, we made our way there, arriving Don Clukies 49:20 3rd 70-plus about 15 minutes before the 7:15 a.m. start. About Janet Johnson 49:54 5th 40-49 220 people were registered and put in waves of Poyee Oster 50:05 4th 50-59 about 50 each, starting 30 seconds apart. The race Mike Goodson 50:30 essentially goes out 6.5 miles on a towpath, turns Matt Polak 56:52 around and goes back to the start, and then does Stan Kurzynski 57:33 the same thing again. The day was bright sunshine, Pat Kurzynski 58:03 4th 60-69 not overly hot, but very humid. The towpath was Thomas Morley 1:00:01 well packed, and not very dusty. Course support 137 finishers was water and red Gatorade roughly every couple Chasing the Unicorn Marathon miles.

Washington Crossing, Penn. – August 16, 2015 After the first couple miles, there was not very

On Aug. 16th (yes, the day of the Common Fence much passing of other runners, as the waves were Point 5-Miler and RIRR club picnic), I ran the Chas- determined by estimated finish times, so you ing the Unicorn Marathon in Washington Crossing, started the race with folks running at your ability. 4 J & J Kelley Ocean Beach 11.6M

New London, Conn. – August 1, 2015

Cordell Cudworth II 1:36:56 8:21 John Santillo 1:44:12 8:59 Harry Carter 1:49:03 9:24 3rd 70-79 Solange Morrissette 2:10:12 11:13 Alan Gousie 2:10:29 11:15 Don Clukies 2:12:12 11:24 498 finishers

Run 4 Kerri

Wakefield, R.I. – August 2, 2015

John LaRiviere 24:40 3rd 40-49 Kevin’s reward for running in the Chasing the Unicorn Webb McDonald 26:20 Marathon in Pennsylvania was a pretty cool medal! Mark DiFranco 28:55 1st 60-69 Mark Schwager 31:53 The areas of the course that were shaded – maybe Fred Mason 32:17 65% – were nice, but when you ran in the sun, it John Santillo 33:17 was hot. Towards the turnaround point, the tow- Stan Kurzynski 44:39 path was pretty narrow and with runners coming at Pat Kurzynski 44:40 6th 60-69 you, everyone needed to stay to their own side, James O’Reilly 51:18 which they did. 519 finishers

I ran very well until the second turnaround before running out of gas, and I spent a long time complet- Swimsuit Classic 5K ing the last six miles. I took inventory at the halfway Wakefield, Mass. – August 2, 2015 point, and while it wasn’t clear that the wheels David Pember 25:22.5 8:09 2nd 70-79 were going to come off, it was definitely in the 167 finishers realm of possibilities. So when the cramps came on at Mile 20, I readily acquiesced and ended up walk- Watuppa 10K ing most of the last six miles. Oddly, i didnt get Fall River, Mass. – August 2, 2015 passed by all that many people. Meredith Phillips 1:06:42 10:45 8th 30-39

Out of 220 people who started, 190 finished, and 105 finishers less than a third of those BQ'ed. So I would say Mother Nature came in first. Get Steppin’ 5K

Fall River, Mass. – August 8, 2015 All in all, I liked the race and would do it again. It Kate McGowan 26:18.8 8:28 4th female! was simple and well conducted; the people running 44 finishers were friendly, but focused... everyone there had run a marathon previously and had the same goal, Cumberlandfest 5K so it was comforting to be among like-minded mar- Cumberland, R.I. – August 8, 2015 athoners. Runners were supportive of each other throughout the run. Post-race, which we didn’t stay Eric Benevides 24:03 3rd 40-49 for, was a cookout. We hopped right back in the van 86 finishers and headed out just a few minutes after finishing Brew Run 5.2M and spent another six-plus hours making our way Brewster, Mass. – August 8, 2015 home. Kudos to the RunBucks organization and the Chasing the Unicorn Marathon. Five bananas, Fred. Joshua Curtis 30:45 5:55 1st 40-49 -- Kevin Brennan 1,473 finishers Kevin Brennan 3:59:37 11th 45-49 190 finishers www.rirr.org

5 The Memorial 5K Battle of Stonington 5K

Johnston, R.I. – August 9, 2015 Stonington, Conn. – August 18, 2015

Mike Proto 21:06 6:48 1st 50-59 Charlie Breagy 25:25 8:12 Mark DiFranco 21:53 7:03 1st 60-69 212 finishers Cordell Cudworth II 22:28 7:14 3rd 50-59 John Santillo 24:41 7:57 Napper Tandy’s Flyer 4M

Eric Benevides 24:44 7:58 Norwood, Mass. – August 20, 2015

Joe Maruszczak 25:48 8:19 John Santillo 33:00 8:15 Solange Morrissette 26:40 8:35 David Pember 34:29 8:38 5th 70-plus Woody Wilson 27:59 9:01 350 finishers Nicole Perreault 28:02 9:02 Bozena Chmielewski 29:46 9:35 5K to Protect the Bay

Pat Kurzynski 33:02 10:38 Prudence Island, R.I. – August 22, 2015 Stan Kurzynski 33:03 10:39 Mark DiFranco 23:11 1st 60-69 Denise DiFranco 39:19 12:40 Roger Gosciminski 24:00 3rd 30-39 105 finishers Thomas Morley 34:08 5th 60-69 Anchor Down Ultra Denise DiFranco 42:24 2nd 60-69 60 finishers Bristol, R.I. – August 15, 2015

6-HOUR ULTRA Latino Public Radio 5K

Mike Vallee 30.75M, 5:51:53.06, 7th overall! Providence, R.I. – August 22, 2015 Jonathan O’Hara 26.65M, 5:54:43.96, 5th 40-59 Fred Zuleger III 34:47 11:12 1st 70-plus Cee Vallee 22.55M, 5:16:04.00 101 finishers MaryAnne Donato 22.55M, 5:52:25.62 43 finishers Black Bear Half Marathon

12-HOUR ULTRA Waterville Valley, N.H. – August 23, 2015

Shannon Plesh 43.05M, 11:34:44.46, 3rd female! Diana Cohen 2:00:44.9 9:12.9 5th 30-39 18 finishers 134 finishers

East Bay Half Marathon Butterfly 5K

East Providence, R.I. – August 16, 2015 North Attleboro, Mass. – August 23, 2015

Terrance Jackson 1:42:16.5 7:49 Woody Wilson 27:22.1 8:50 6th 60-69 Corey Bramer 2:13:47.6 10:12 659 finishers Linda Dewing 2:30:00.2 11:27 1st 70-plus Alan Gousie 3:05:50.2 14:12 Marathon Sports Memphis Soul 5K

286 finishers Somerville, Mass. – August 23, 2015

David Pember 26:06 8:24 1st 70-plus Falmouth Road Race 443 finishers Falmouth, Mass. – August 16, 2015

Lisa Meehan 1:04:13 9:11 Fort Taber 5K

Elizabeth Dolce 1:15:19 10:46 New Bedford, Mass. – August 29, 2015

10,691 finishers Webb McDonald 19:22 6:14 2nd 30-39 Bruce Thomas 34:34 11:08 (Editor’s Note: A very special thank you to those Margaret McDonald 41:08 13:15 who submitted race reports and photos, as well as 170 finishers results from out-of-state races! Race reports and pictures are ALWAYS welcomed, encouraged, and Kent Hospital NK5K

needed, so if you want to submit one to the next North Kingstown, R.I. – September 5, 2015

newsletter, or if your results are missing from a Elizabeth Dolce 26:04 8:24 race, please send an e-mail to [email protected] so Bruce Thomas 33:04 10:39 we can publish them!) 324 finishers 6 Solange Morrissette 27:34.1 8:53 Sara Prescott 28:46.5 9:16 Rick DiLibero 29:19.8 9:27 Don Clukies 29:42.9 9:34 4th 70-plus Bozena Chmielewski 29:56.2 9:39 Cate Holtman 30:25.3 9:48 Matt Polak 32:15.3 10:23 Jay Litman 36:17.4 11:41 Barry Couto 38:13.0 12:19 James O’Reilly 38:56.1 12:32 Kelly Powers 55:31.7 17:53 Sharon Couto 1:24:49.2 27:19

659 finishers This band of Devil Dogs posed for a picture with race director Jeff Plympton after the Wrentham Wroad Acushnet Road Race Wrace, which had one of its biggest turnouts in the Acushnet, Mass. – September 7, 2015 race’s long history. Plympton was a relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox in 1991. John Santillo 33:18 8:02 Eric Benevides 34:20 8:17 Wrentham Wroad Wrace 5K Justin Lees 49:04 11:50

Wrentham, Mass. – September 5, 2015 Kara Lees 49:05 11:51 226 finishers Roger Gosciminski 22:40 7:19 8th 30-39 Eric Benevides 23:16 7:30 9th 40-49 West Warwick Labor Day 5K Kate McGowan 25:32 8:14 8th 30-39 West Warwick, R.I. – September 7, 2015 Bryan Ganley 27:44 8:57 Thomas Morley 32:40 10:32 8th 60-69 Martha Huston 28:48 9:17 1st 50-59 176 finishers Pat Kurzynski 33:46 10:54 1st 60-69 Stan Kurzynski 34:09 11:01 7th 60-69 Finish for a Guinness 5K Paul Bazin 36:11 11:40 1st 70-plus

Warren, R.I. – September 6, 2015 Deb Magiera 46:33 15:01 5th 50-59 179 finishers Paul Savickas 18:34.6 5:59 2nd 30-39 Trevor Powers 20:19.0 6:33 5th 30-39 Walpole Labor Day 10K Sam Booth 20:21.6 6:34 6th 30-39 Walpole, Mass. – September 7, 2015 Mike Proto 20:44.5 6:41 4th 50-59 Brian Govednik 21:51.6 7:03 Mike Proto 45:03 7:15 3rd 50-59 Mark DiFranco 21:56.4 7:04 2nd 60-69 98 finishers Sam Burling 23:22.8 7:32 (Editor’s Note: A very speedy recovery to longtime Cee Vallee 23:35.2 7:36 3rd 50-59 Chris Dyson 24:11.4 7:48 RIRR member Julian Angelone, who had a very bad Allyson Cole 24:19.6 7:50 2nd 18-under bike accident late last month in Florida. According James Cole 24:19.8 7:50 to club member David Colinan, Julian “hit a drain, Sabina Gellrich 24:20.4 7:51 4th 50-59 broke his skull and several other bones... lucky to be John Santillo 24:22.9 7:51 alive.”) Eric Benevides 24:26.2 7:52 Carlos Aguiar 25:39.9 8:16 -- Club Officers -- Elizabeth Dolce 25:42.9 8:17 Kevin Brennan – President 401-246-2237 David Pember 25:50.6 8:20 2nd 70-plus [email protected] Joseph Maruszczak 26:10.0 8:26 Scott Caldwell – Vice President 401-633-2539 Graham Powers 26:19.7 8:29 [email protected] Woody Wilson 26:49.4 8:38 7th 60-69 Kate McGowan – Secretary Bruce Dube 27:05.4 8:44 [email protected] Jennifer Dube 27:05.4 8:44 Christy Brennan – Treasurer 401-246-2237 Benjamin Dube 27:07.0 8:44 [email protected] 7

Christy Brennan – Clothing 401-246-2237 [email protected] 2015 Grand Prix standings Eric Benevides – Newsletter 401-764-0831 (As of Sept. 17, 2015; x-age-graded tiebreaker) [email protected] MEN Eric Benevides – Grand Prix 401-764-0831 1. Paul Savickas (2 points) [email protected] 2. Cordell Cudworth II (4 points) 3. John Santillo (7 points)-x -- Group Runs -- 4. Mark DiFranco (7 points) Monday Nights – Track Workouts: 4:30 p.m. -- 5. Eric Benevides (13 points)-x Warm up at Smithfield High School’s track on Pleas- 6. Mike Proto (13 points) ant View Ave. 5 p.m. – intervals of 400-1,600 me- 7. Joe Maruszczak (14 points) ters totaling 2-3 miles at a pace that typically would WOMEN be a bit faster than your 5K. If you have any ques- 1. Solange Morrissette (2 points) tions, e-mail Milt at [email protected]. 2. Sabina Gellrich (4 points) Wednesday Nights: Group runs in Johnston and 3. Kate McGowan (6 points) Greenville. Varying distances and paces for all begin 4. Allyson Cole (8 points) at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome! If interested, call Ja- 5. Lindsay Amherst (10 points) net and Kevin McCoy at 231-5262. 6. Bozena Chmielewski (13 points)-x 7. Nancy Gendreau (13 points) Thursday Nights: The Red Rooster Ramble 5-Mile Weekly Road Race Series is back! The 17th annual 2015 Grand Prix schedule series takes places every Thursday at 6:30 p.m., (Five races left; must run in seven to qualify) with signups at the Market Street Pub in Warren --- ahead of time. The entry fee is $10 per race, which Eastern Connecticut 5K includes pizza, salad and fruit post-race back at the (Best time out of four Connecticut races) pub. Visit www.redroosterramble.org or call Brian --- Courthouse O'Putnam 5K Govednik at 297-9183 for more information. Took place on March 15, Putnam, CT --- CT Women of Hope's Ann Miller 5K Sept. 27, Elks Lodge, Edmond St., Putnam, CT --- Abolish Breast Cancer 5K Oct. 3, Pomfret Recreational Park, Pomfret, CT --- Run for the Penguins 5K Oct. 17, Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT --- Great Pumpkin Pet Partners 5K (Oct. 25, Pete Sepe Pavilion, Warren, R.I.) ---

Colt State Park Half Marathon

(Nov. 8, Colt State Park, Bristol, R.I.)

---

Trot Off Your Turkey 5K

(Nov. 29, St. Luke’s School, Barrington, R.I.)

---

Christmas 10K

(December, Rogers H.S., Newport, R.I.)

8

have not yet been removed, expected number to be more like 180 once non-renewals are gone. 2014 -- 190 (81F, 109M) 2013 -- 215 (89F, 126M) Treasurer’s Report 2015 -- $2,910 ($1,406 Citizens, $762 PayPal, $742 undeposited); A/P $400 non-profit registration fee; expenses ($1,200 picnic expense; $500 Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays ticket pre-purchase). 2014 -- $3,281 2013 -- $4,256 Grand Prix Report -- One more chance to run a race to meet the East- ern Connecticut 5K requirement. Saturday, Oct. 17 - - Mystic Aquarium's Run for the Penguins 5K; see www.mysticaquarium.org for more info September 2015 -- Four Grand Prix races left after Run for the Pen- Volume 18 – Issue 9 guins. Next one is Great Pumpkin 5K Road Race & ______Dog Walk on Sunday, Oct. 25 in Warren, R.I. – President's Pen – Website Report -- August: 1,761 page views, 436 visitors; down 5% Hard to believe its Fall already. We have just a few from July. events left for the year... two are service to others Discussion in our running community – the Ocean State Rhode -- Cookout had higher subsidy than intended; cost Races and Black Goose Marathon & Half Marathon. attributed to higher-than-expected hamburgers/hot Pacing and aid stations... there was a time when we dogs expense. Members discussed ways to mitigate were new to running, inexperienced, and maybe a in the future; possibly charging for hamburgers/hot little lost. These opportunities enable us to help dogs or reconfiguring cookouts, possibly two sepa- other runners who may just need that kind word or rate events. show of support. You may not need it so much now, --- Members also discussed fundraising, club is 501C but you did at some point. Social non-profit.

The third one is the Beat Santa 5k, our club race. Old Business The purpose of this event is fundraising fun. Our Pacing/water stops for Narragansett, Black Goose. dues alone don't support our expenses, so we need -- Members discussed pacing’s best practices, bene- to supplement and this is a fun one. We are target- fits of pacing to club, how to identify and prioritize ing Saturday, Dec. 5, late afternoon, and expect to pacing opportunities. be in Common Fence Point again. We will need help -- Pacers and water stop volunteers still needed for in a few different areas: race setup (the tunnel of Narragansett. lights), registration, facility setup, facility cleanup, Singlets and gift donations for Santa… oh, and if you know of -- Rhode Runner in Providence will print them. a food vendor looking for an IN with a social running -- New members will get one for free. Current mem- club, we can use a food sponsor. The call for sign up bers will be offered singlets at a discounted price help will be coming out soon – please lend a hand. for limited time. -- Kevin Brennan New Business Preliminary talks/brainstorming for Beat Santa – RIRR Meeting Minutes – -- Tentative date is Dec. 5 at 4:30/5 p.m. (to finish at September 8, 2015 sunset); members to check for conflicts. Meeting called to order at 7:40 p.m. -- Members discussed light tunnel, giveaways, pre- sents, insurance, Portsmouth Police Department. Membership Report 2015 -- 195 (88F, 107M) – Non-renewals from June Adjourned: 9:10 p.m.

Members in attendance: Kevin Brennan Christy Brennan Kate McGowan James O’Reilly Pat LaChance Bryan Ganley John Santillo Don Clukies MaryAnne Donato

– Next Club Meeting – Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m., Fratello’s (formerly Sons of Italy/Spirito’s Restaurant), 99 Hicks Street, East Providence, R.I.

Capt. Gerald F. DeConto 5K

Sandwich, Mass. – September 27, 2015

Sunday morning was a nice ride to Sandwich (no traffic) to visit my brother and his family. My family All in the family: Nancy Gendreau poses for a picture and friends agreed to run the 14th annual Captain in front of Bobby Byrne’s Pub with her brother, Chris, Gerald F. DeConto 5K. This race, in support of a and nephew, Kyle, after their 5K on the Cape. scholarship fund in the Captain's name, was started by his family after he was killed at the Pentagon in There were 259 finishers total. My brother, Chris, the 9/11 attacks. and nephew, Kyle Gendreau, are seen in the picture with me. Kyle finished in 19:40, 10th overall, while Captain DeConto, who grew up on Cape Cod, where Chris was 33:36. I have been training on some hills most people still refer to him simply as Jerry, was a in Fall River for a half marathon next weekend, so I dedicated Naval officer who was respected and ad- was happy with my pace of 8:08, finishing in 25:14. mired by those he served for, those he served with, and those who served for him. At the time of the I recommend this race and route to anyone who terrorist attack on the Pentagon, Jerry was in charge happens to be in the area each year. of the Navy Command Center and in direct commu- -- Nancy Gendreau nication with the Secretary of the Navy, coordinat- Nancy Gendreau 25:14 8:08 ing the Navy’s response to the attacks on the World 259 finishers

Trade Center. Jerry was a high-spirited, caring per- son who truly loved life, his friends, and his family. Bayahibe 10K

Bayahibe, Dominican Rep. – September 27, 2015 He enjoyed many activities, one of which was run- ning, and he enjoyed them most when they were It was a nice day for a run. Alarm at 4:30 a.m. Quick shared with family and friends. It is his family’s hope breakfast, short drive to arrive at the start a little that through the scholarship fund, Jerry will con- before 6 a.m. The race was to start at 7 a.m. The tinue to influence the lives of young people, and his sun was just starting to come up. Relaxed atmos- memory and the ideals he believed in will live on. phere because number, chip, tee shirt, etc. was picked up the day before – mandatory. The temper- The 5K started at 9 a.m. at the Stop & Shop on ature was a cool 77F with no breeze. Well orga- Route 6A and went through some nice neighbor- nized. Music and exercises at the start line prior to hoods and around the Sandwich Marina, with scenic race. Announcements, credit to the sponsors, etc. views, before ending back at the Stop & Shop. The went on and on as usual. At 7:15 a.m., the an- Sandwich High football team was on hand to volun- nouncer calmly started a verbal countdown – “4, 3, teer, giving directions and manning the water stop. 2, 1, GO!” There was the usual fruit, bars and water offered at the end, as well as a raffle and a scholarship given The first 1K was on an access road along the beach away by the family. – dirt, potholes and fist-sized stones. Trying to navi-

2 gate this in the crowd, along with the rising sun Irish Music Festival 5K shining in your eyes, was not easy. After 1K, we con- Pawtucket, R.I. – September 12, 2015 tinued on a paved road. Lots of police to stop traffic Linda Dewing 29:45 9:35 1st 70-plus at intersections until the last runner had passed. Fred Zuleger III 37:45 12:10 1st 70-plus The 2nd K was all uphill. After that, it was up and 271 finishers down. Water in bags and bottles was plentiful, with Powerade at one stop. Crackerbarrel 5K

The last 2K was on a path to the beach, two lanes, Wrentham, Mass. – September 12, 2015 one hard, the other in soft beach sand and a lot of Roger Gosciminski 22:39 7:18 5th 30-39 stony stretches. The biggest obstacle was the horse Harry Carter 24:00 7:45 3rd 70-plus poops. It was really a trail run – rocks, holes, pud- David Pember 25:21 8:11 4th 70-plus dles of water, and mud. I managed to fall down, but Kate McGowan 25:23 8:11 5th 30-39 was promptly picked up and put on my feet by a fel- Pat Kurzynski 32:18 10:25 2nd 60-69 low runner. After a short stretch through the vil- Stan Kurzynski 33:13 10:43 lage, the finish was in sight. Another runner encour- 184 finishers aged me to finish strong and ran with me. Thank you. Timing was by chip and results were available Westport Half Marathon 5K immediately on a large monitor and a small printout Westport, Mass. – September 13, 2015 giving all the numbers – gun time, chip time, splits Mike Proto 1:40:51 7:42 and more. Refreshments were plentiful – fruit, Michael Holtman 1:44:12 7:57 cookies, pastries, etc. Prizes went three deep – 1- Sam Booth 1:45:18 8:03 17, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50-99. Everybody got a Dan Azevedo 2:07:18 9:43 finisher’s medal. Maggie Azar 2:15:18 10:20 -- Fred Tanner Jim Azar 2:15:18 10:20 Fred Tanner 1:03:54.1 6:23 Stacie Paquette 2:16:49 10:27 456 finishers 322 finishers

Providence Firefighters 5K Perspectives 5K

Providence, R.I. – September 11, 2015 Warwick, R.I. – September 13, 2015

Mike Proto 21:17 6:52 2nd 50-59 Mark DiFranco 22:04.52 1st 60-69 Al Campbell 33:16 10:44 1st 70-plus Paul Bazin 32:31.88 1st 70-plus 77 finishers 105 finishers

Bird-In-Hand 5K Harvest Wine 3.5M Run

Bird-In-Hand, Penn. – September 11, 2015 Middletown, R.I. – September 13, 2015

Eric Benevides 24:20.23 7:51 Don Clukies 36:10 10:20 1st 70-plus Bozena Chmielewski 31:03.23 10:01 337 finishers 772 finishers Dartmouth YMCA 5K Bird-In-Hand Half Marathon North Dartmouth, Mass. – September 19, 2015

Bird-In-Hand, Penn. – September 12, 2015 Woody Wilson 27:43 8:55 2nd 60-69 Eric Benevides 2:07:24.41 9:44 37 finishers Bozena Chmielewski 2:30:17.12 11:28 1,496 finishers Dartmouth YMCA 10K

North Dartmouth, Mass. – September 19, 2015 Race, Walk, Roll for Parkinson’s 5K Lindsay Amherst 42:38 6:53 2nd overall! Warwick, R.I. – September 12, 2015 Eric Benevides 51:55 8:23 1st 40-49

Lisa Meehan 24:48 8:00 3rd 50-59 Bozena Chmielewski 1:03:07 10:11 1st 30-39 121 finishers 18 finishers 3 Jamestown Half Marathon Ann Miller 5K

Jamestown, R.I. – September 19, 2015 Putnam, Conn. – September 27, 2015

Terrance Jackson 1:42:42 7:50 9th 40-49 Sam Burling 22:15.1 7:10 5th overall! Mike Proto 1:43:27 7:54 7th 50-59 Pat Kurzynski 31:30.6 10:09 2nd 60-69 x-Webb McDonald 1:43:45 7:55 Stan Kurzynski 32:33.5 10:29 4th 60-69 Sam Burling 1:52:59 8:37 67 finishers Mark Schwager 1:53:56 8:42 x-Brian Quigley 1:56:28 8:53 Step Out for Hospice 5M

Michelle Colicci 2:02:17 9:20 Woburn, Mass. – September 27, 2015

Jean Rainwater 2:10:12 9:56 3rd 60-69 David Pember 42:00 8:24 2nd 70-plus x-Solange Morrissette 2:14:21 10:15 100 finishers Corey Bramer 2:16:34 10:25 Meredith Phillips 2:17:24 10:29 Women's Center of R.I. 5K x-Elizabeth Dolce 2:23:04 10:55 East Providence, R.I. – October 3, 2015 x-Don Clukies 2:42:22 12:24 2nd 70-plus x-pacers Michelle Colicci 25:58.85 2nd female! 599 finishers 98 finishers

CVS Health Downtown 5K East Bay 5K

Providence, R.I. – September 20, 2015 Bristol, R.I. – October 3, 2015

Sandy Jackson 28:02 9:01 Mike Proto 22:10.66 7:08.2 2nd 50-59 Linda Dewing 29:56 9:37 1st 70-plus 35 finishers Paul Bazin 32:59 10:36 5th 70-plus Al Campbell 33:38 10:49 Little Red School House 5K

Carol Tamke 35:19 11:21 Cumberland, R.I. – October 4, 2015

Courtney Crooks 40:01 12:52 Lindsay Amherst 16:53 5:27 1st female! Fred Zuleger III 40:30 13:01 Jack Howley 31:50 10:16 5th 50-59 2,947 finishers 129 finishers

Mansfield Rotary 5K Alyssa Correira 5K

Mansfield, Mass. – September 20, 2015 North Dighton, Mass. – October 4, 2015

Mike Proto 21:27 6:55 2nd overall! Mike Proto 1:25.48 1st overall! 20 finishers 42 finishers

Larry Olsen 10K Bernie’s Run 5K

Hopedale, Mass. – September 26, 2015 Dedham, Mass. – October 4, 2015

Eric Benevides 52:32 8:27 7th 40-49 John Santillo 22:34 7:32 Kate McGowan 55:51 8:59 2nd 30-39 David Pember 23:46 7:56 4th 70-plus 107 finishers 486 finishers

Steven Latimer 5K Smuttynose Rockfest Half

Providence, R.I. – September 26, 2015 Hampton Beach, N.H. – October 4, 2015

Paul Bazin 33:25 10:47 1st 70-plus Jessica Silva 2:42:25.5 12:24 104 finishers 4,369 finishers

"In Step With Autism" 5K Maine Marathon

Bristol, R.I. – September 27, 2015 Portland, Maine – October 4, 2015

Mike Proto 20:55.79 1st 50-59 Shannon Plesh 5:45:50 13:12 80 finishers 850 finishers

4 (Editor’s Note: A very special thank you to those who submitted race reports and photos, as well as 2015 Grand Prix standings results from out-of-state races! Race reports and (As of Oct 18, 2015; x-age-graded tiebreaker) pictures are ALWAYS welcomed, encouraged, and MEN

needed, so if you want to submit one to the next 1. Paul Savickas (2 points)

newsletter, or if your results are missing from a 2. Cordell Cudworth II (4 points) race, please send an e-mail to [email protected] so 3. John Santillo (6 points)

we can publish them!) 4. Mark DiFranco (8 points) 5. Sam Burling (10 points) -- Club Officers -- 6. Joe Maruszczak (14 points)-x Kevin Brennan – President 401-246-2237 7. Eric Benevides (14 points) [email protected]

Scott Caldwell – Vice President 401-633-2539 WOMEN [email protected] 1. Solange Morrissette (2 points) Kate McGowan – Secretary 2. Sabina Gellrich (4 points) [email protected] 3. Kate McGowan (6 points) Christy Brennan – Treasurer 401-246-2237 4. Allyson Cole (8 points) [email protected] 5. Pat Kurzynski (10 points)

Christy Brennan – Clothing 401-246-2237 6. Lindsay Amherst (13 points)-x [email protected] 7. Bozena Chmielewski (13 points) Eric Benevides – Newsletter 401-764-0831 [email protected] 2015 Grand Prix schedule Eric Benevides – Grand Prix 401-764-0831 (Four races left, must run seven to qualify.) [email protected] --- Great Pumpkin Pet Partners 5K -- Group Runs -- (Oct. 25, Pete Sepe Pavilion, Warren, R.I.)

Monday Nights – Track Workouts: 4:30 p.m. -- --- Colt State Park Half Marathon Warm up at Smithfield High School’s track on Pleas- (Nov. 8, Colt State Park, Bristol, R.I.) ant View Ave. 5 p.m. – intervals of 400-1,600 me- --- ters totaling 2-3 miles at a pace that typically would Trot Off Your Turkey 5K be a bit faster than your 5K. If you have any ques- (Nov. 29, St. Luke’s School, Barrington, R.I.) tions, e-mail Milt at [email protected]. --- Christmas 10K Wednesday Nights: Group runs in Johnston and (Dec. 13, Rogers High School, Newport, R.I.) Greenville. Varying distances and paces for all begin at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome! If interested, call Ja- net and Kevin McCoy at 231-5262. Thursday Nights: The Red Rooster Ramble 5-Mile Fall Road Race Pub Series is back! The series takes places every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at bars and tav- erns throughout southeastern New England. Visit www.coolrunning.com for the weekly schedule.

5

2013 -- 216 (89F, 127M) Treasurer’s Report Upcoming expenses to cut treasury in half. 2015 -- $2,961 ($1,024 PP, $1,582 Citizens, and $355 cash) 2014 -- $3,171 2013 -- $2,685 Grand Prix Report -- Three-fourths of the season is done. Solange and Cordell are in the lead as of the October meeting. Website Report -- September: 1,947 page views, 501 visitors; un- changed from August, down 20% by year. Old Business -- Jamestown Pacing – (weather was foggy), outside reviews of pacers were fine, but some pacers had October 2015 concerns. Volume 18 – Issue 10 -- Surftown Pacing – went well. ______New Business – President's Pen – -- Black Goose Pacing – Nels coordinating, seem to be all set. And down the stretch they come! 2015 is heading -- Awards Banquet – planning new location. into its final month... we have the club race, the -- Hyannis Marathon/Half Marathon – please reply Beat Santa 5K on Dec. 5, and we sure can use the to email regarding Hyannis. support of all members to help make it a success... -- Officers – terms are up in February 2016. run the race, volunteer to help, or bring a gift to do- Beat Santa nate to Santa for distribution. -- Members decided to move forward with Beat With 2016 fast approaching, we will look to sched- Santa 2015, possibly in new location in Portsmouth. ule our annual awards banquet in mid-February... Funds raised amount varies depending on sponsor specifics still being finalized, but we are targeting availability and registrations (weather dependent) Saturday, Feb. 20 in East Providence... Hyannis -- Members discussed logistics, including venue op- weekend is Feb. 27-28 and we intend to have a club tions, parking, course, volunteers, police, lumines- room at the race hotel.... stay tuned for that as well. cent giveaways, registration prices. -- Volunteer assignments: Timing – MaryAnne; Gifts And also in February, the terms for all club officers – Pat; Food – Kevin; Volunteer Coordinator/Regis- expire. The club is in great financial shape, member- tration – Christy, Pat, Kate; Light Tunnel – Bryan; ship numbers are strong, and participation is steady Mrs. Santa – Pat; Course – John; Donations – Paul.

– but can always grow! It's a great time for some as- Adjourned: 9:21 p.m. piring club members to hop in the front seat and take the wheel. It's been a very rewarding six years Members in attendance: for me. I'm grateful for all the support I've received Kevin Brennan Christy Brennan through these years and anxious to provide that Kate McGowan Scott Caldwell same support to the next administration. Pat LaChance Mike Goodson -- Kevin Brennan John Santillo Don Clukies Eric Benevides Paul Savickas – RIRR Meeting Minutes – Bryan Ganley October 14, 2015 Meeting called to order at 7:35 p.m. – Next Club Meeting –

Membership Report Tuesday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m., Fratello’s 2015 -- 171 (76F, 95M) (formerly Sons of Italy/Spirito’s Restaurant), 2014 -- 189 (80F, 109M) 99 Hicks Street, East Providence, R.I. the gun time to the actual start line, so the start was not too congested. The full and half marathon- ers started together and split at about mile 11. For the full marathon, the course can be challenging near the St. John’s Bridge area.

The half course is flat, with the exception of one fairly steep hill at mile 3 and small hill at mile 12. The half course is an out and back. The course had its highlights, including passing under the Welcome Gate of China Town at mile 2. The race proceeded along the waterfront and under near the Freemont Bridge. The views of the waterfront and city skyline were impressive. There were numerous groups en- tertaining the runners throughout the course.

One portion of the course I wasn’t impressed with was miles 7-11. This was the out-and-back turna-

Scenes from Portland, Oregon: MaryAnne shows off round portion of the course. It ran through an in- her finisher’s tech shirt from the Portland Half Mara- dustrial area with numerous railroad tracks crossing thon in front of the city’s infamous Voodoo Dough- the road. However, it was completely flat with a nut shop, and proudly poses for a picture with her view of the mountains in distance. At mile 11, the finisher’s medal with her sister, Rolanne Stafford. marathons split off and the half course turned back

into the downtown area along the River Walk. At Portland Half Marathon the finish, we were given our race shirts and med-

Portland, Oregon – October 4, 2015 als.

The Portland Half Marathon/Portland Marathon is The Rock ‘n’ Roll race runs in May and the Portland one of the largest races I have participated in. The Half in October each year. If you’re considering reg- race was well organized, from packet pick-up to get- istering for the Portland Half, the registration closes ting to the starting line. The registration costs and in January. The race full marathon usually sells out hotels are a bit pricy. There is easy transportation too. Fun city to visit. on the train line, so shop for a hotel just outside the -- MaryAnne Donato downtown area. Sign up for the flight alerts for MaryAnne Donato 2:50:49 Alaska Airlines – I was able to fly round trip for less 2,145 finishers than $300.

Portland is filled with interesting small restaurants, Race to Save the Mill

Grafton, N.H. – October 10, 2015 coffee houses, and colorful nightlife. The Alphabet district area of the city is filled with small shops and I ran this race on a cold fall day and loved it. It is a shady trees. The Pearl neighborhood nearby is a small race in Grafton, N.H. that is organized by a re- converted industrial area with old warehouses con- cent college graduate, his mother, and grand- verted into restaurants and housing. The city was mother. The organizer coordinated this event with a easy to navigate, although the parking was challeng- little reunion of his freshman year dorm, so most of ing in some areas. We made a side trip to Mount the runners were those friends, plus a few locals. Hood and visited the Timberline Lodge just an hour The purpose of the race is to benefit East Grafton's outside the city. historic 1823 carding mill.

I did manage to fit the race in between site seeing This was the fourth annual race with two course op- and eating. The race started at 7 a.m. sharp. Each tions, 5 mile and 5k. Race numbers were written corral was lined up on a side street that was parallel with a Sharpie marker on bits of cloth. I chose the 5- to the starting line. It was about 10 minutes from mile route which was hilly and beautiful, and ran 2

Solange Morrissette and Cordell Cudworth had a blast at the 40th annual Marine Corps Marathon. The RIRR was well represented at “The People’s Mar- athon” and had six runners cross the finish line.

over varied terrain, including paved and unpaved of dizzying! It took me 16 minutes to get from roads, as well as the unpaved Northern Rail Trail. where I was in the corrals to the starting line; it did We passed a barn that had a sign reading “Elevation not take long to suffer the cruelty of passing the 26- 1,132 feet” so I guess we did some climbing. mile mark less than a quarter of a mile into the race and seeing the “hill” at the finish that I had heard so At the end of the race, there were different kinds of much about off to the left. Okay, forget that, time homemade hot soups, breads, and desserts. We all to think, bring it on! posed for our picture in front of the mill, which you can see, still needs a lot of work. My actual run was 26.73 miles, by virtue of the fact -- Sabina Gellrich that one had to weave in and out of the crowds; the water stops were well-manned all along the route, Marine Corps Marathon but it was strange to have to run across a sea of

Arlington, Va. – October 25, 2015 cups on the ground at each one. More than that, it

Anyone who knows me knows that I am rarely at a was amazing to be handed water by the sweet smil- loss for words, but describing the Marine Corps ing Marines, their words of encouragement were so Marathon is a perfect example. It is difficult to ex- appreciated. It was wonderful to have the chance to press how moving, and yes, life-changing the expe- thank so many for their service! rience of the entire event was. Forget the 4 a.m. wake-ups to run, forget the sore legs and draining Two parts of the course really are what I considered hills of training; all of it was well worth the chance life-changing: the “Blue Mile” from miles 12-13, the to be a part of “The People’s Marathon”. course was lined with photos of fallen soldiers, so many so young, and their families holding American The day began with a line for the shuttle bus at 6 flags, having dry eyes was not an option; the second a.m. that would have made Michael Eisner smile, was at mile 19.5, passing the Holocaust Museum yet thankfully went fast, and was followed by a 2- and realizing how lucky I was to be there running, hour wait in the security line, complete with a little healthy and alive. Not only was it impressive to be drizzle and a lot of camaraderie amongst strangers. able to take in the monuments and our Capitol Once through, it was the rush to the porta-potty Building along the way, but the sheer number of line and the impressive line of UPS trucks that people screaming and cheering the runners on was served as bag drops; the check in was quick and enough to take your breath away. very organized. The “hill” at the end was soon forgotten when I Now comes the start of the awe-inspiring events. crossed the line, got high-fived by a Marine, then Picture a starting line with well over 23,000 excited got my medal by a young smiling Marine in front of runners, American flags flying everywhere, and the Iwo Jima statue. The walk to the runners village planes swooping overhead – this was nothing short was long and crowded, but well worth it when the 3 reward was ice cold watermelon and yummy ice MARATHON cream! Robert Johnson/Kevin Brennan 3:31:02 Joy Will/Cordell Cudworth II 3:41:26 I said “one and done” after marathon number one Sam Burling/Sean Fisher 3:59:47 and declared “two and through” before race day at Eric Benevides/John Santillo 4:15:11 MCM, but the quality of this race, from the expo, to Solange Morrissette/Christy Brennan 4:30:27 the swag, to the gorgeous course and more than 159 finishers generous support, has me tempted to do this again. I recommend it to anyone, but don’t look for a PR or Ronald McDonald House 5K

BQ; there are too many other runners and too Providence, R.I. – October 11, 2015 much to take in, so just ENJOY it! Congrats to Jessica Michelle Colicci 26:39.47 Silva, this was her first, and Cordell Cudworth, both Jean Rainwater 27:09.73 of whom I had the joy of sharing the journey with! Bozena Chmielewski 29:14.46 -- Solange Morrissette Frances Branham 43:16.74 Cordell Cudworth II 3:53:52 305 finishers Joe Maruszczak 4:56:54 Solange Morrissette 5:08:21 Bobby Bell 5K Jessica Silva 5:18:26 Haverhill, Mass. – October 11, 2015 Linda Bachand 6:28:13 Courtney Crooks 7:27:40 David Pember 41:18 8:16 31,117 finishers 185 finishers

Gloria Gemma Flames of Hope 5K B.A.A. Half Marathon

Providence, R.I. – October 4, 2015 Boston, Mass. – October 11, 2015

Paul Savickas 18:26.7 5:56 3rd overall! Nancy Gendreau 57:47 9:18 Kelly Savickas 22:10.9 7:08 2nd 30-39 Elizabeth Dolce 1:00:56 9:49 Terrance Jackson 23:37.2 7:36 4,299 finishers 2,748 finishers

Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women B.J. Voss Memorial 5K Boston, Mass. – October 12, 2015 Somerset, Mass. – October 10, 2015 Jessica Silva 2:34:26 Bruce Tavares 28:18 9:07 6,380 finishers Nancy Gendreau 28:21 9:08 3rd 50-59 184 finishers Run for the Penguins 5K

Mystic, Conn. – October 17, 2015 Run for the Pumpkins 5K

Westerly, R.I. – October 10, 2015 Cordell Cudworth II 22:49 7:21 2nd 50-59 Solange Morrissette 28:11 9:05 3rd 50-59 James Cole 27:29 8:52 6th 40-49 250 finishers Allyson Cole 28:50 9:18 6th 1-13

111 finishers 10K & 5K By the Bay

Warwick, R.I. – October 17, 2015 Ocean State Rhode Races

Narragansett, R.I. – October 11, 2015 10K

HALF MARATHON Kate McGowan 54:40 8:49 7th 20-39 Terrence Jackson 1:37:26 7:26 5th 40-49 Dennis Branham 1:01:41 9:57 1st 70-plus 51 finishers Mike Proto 1:43:31 7:54 5th 50-59 Corey Bramer 2:01:51 9:18 5K Rick DiLibero 2:22:30 10:53 Roger Gosciminski 23:48 7:41 2nd 20-39 Bryan Ganley 2:24:27 11:02 Paul Bazin 32:47 10:35 1st 70-plus Don Clukies 2:32:07 11:37 3rd 70-plus Fred Zuleger III 38:25 12:24 2nd 70-plus 305 finishers 60 finishers

4 Freaky 5K Great Pumpkin Pet Partners 5K

East Providence, R.I. – October 18, 2015 Warren, R.I. – October 25, 2015

Paul Savickas 18:22 5:55 1st finisher! Paul Savickas 18:45 6:03 2nd overall! Lindsay Amherst 19:20 6:14 2nd female! Lindsay Amherst 19:24 6:16 1st female! Kelly Savickas 22:31 7:16 3rd 19-39 Mark DiFranco 21:41 7:00 1st 60-69 Pat Kurzynski 31:14 10:05 1st 60-plus James Cole 22:01 7:07 3rd 40-49 185 finishers Kelly Savickas 22:20 7:12 1st 30-39 Roger Gosciminski 23:13 7:30 3rd 30-39 Fall River Half Marathon & 5K Eric Benevides 23:26 7:34 1st costume

Fall River, Mass. – October 18, 2015 John Santillo 23:32 7:36 3rd 50-59 Allyson Cole 23:36 7:37 1st 18-under HALF MARATHON Chris Dyson 24:17 7:50 5th 40-49 Eric Benevides 1:58:06.2 9:01 3rd 40-49 Sam Burling 24:54 8:02 1st with dog MaryAnne Donato 2:29:33.7 11:25 4th 50-59 Sabina Gellrich 25:06 8:06 2nd 50-59 66 finishers Kate McGowan 25:43 8:18 2nd 30-39 5K Michelle Colicci 26:44 8:38 3rd 30-39 Robert Johnson 21:46.6 7:00 2nd overall! Woody Wilson 27:37 8:55 2nd 60-69 Nancy Gendreau 26:39.2 8:34 3rd female! Don Clukies 27:54 9:00 2nd 70-plus 16 finishers Bozena Chmielewski 30:02 9:42 3rd costume Tom Morley 31:33 10:11 3rd 60-69 Victoria Sousa 5K 86 finishers

Bristol, R.I. – October 18, 2015

Elizabeth Dolce 25:24 8:11 3rd 30-39 Scary Dash 5K

238 finishers Seekonk, Mass. – October 25, 2015

Michelle Colicci 26:04.75 3rd female! Brain Injury Association 5K Cynthia Tanzi 52:32.76 1st 60-69

Warwick, R.I. – October 18, 2015 50 finishers

Fred Zuleger III 36:59 11:54 1st 70-plus 66 finishers Run for Greenlock 5K

Rehoboth, Mass. – October 25, 2015

Healthy Body and Mind 10K & 5K Ben Caplin 21:50 7:03 2nd 20-29

Foxboro, Mass. – October 24, 2015 Scott Caldwell 25:25 8:12 3rd 50-59

10K Kelly Powers 29:40 9:34 5th 30-39 Eric Benevides 51:34.69 8th 40-49 Christy Brennan 29:40 9:34 1st 40-49 Woody Wilson 1:00:56.25 4th 60-69 63 finishers Bozena Chmielewski 1:02:16.78 108 finishers Monster Dash 5K

Providence, R.I. – October 25, 2015 5K Mike Proto 22:03.45 1st 50-59 Bert Neales 26:32.3 8:32 89 finishers Jay Litman 34:36.4 11:08 855 finishers Hot on ’Yer Heels 5k

Cranston, R.I. – October 25, 2015 (Editor’s Note: A very special thank you to those Paul Bazin 44:50 14:27 1st 70-plus who submitted race reports and photos, as well as 218 finishers results from out-of-state races! Race reports and pictures are ALWAYS welcomed, encouraged, and Gansett Half Marathon needed, so if you want to submit one to the next Narragansett, R.I. – October 25, 2015 newsletter, or if your results are missing from a

Corey Bramer 2:04:31.3 9:31 race, please send an e-mail to [email protected] so 583 finishers we can publish them!) 5 Website Report -- October: 1,883 page views, 616 visitors. Old Business Beat Santa -- Volunteers needed. -- Same food as last year, Fatigatti's. -- Seaconnet Sports Club. -- Donation from Lindsay/Bob J. -- Ask people to bring desserts/gifts. Gifts most im- portant. Should be $5 or more. -- Course changing due to new venue. Tunnel to be near the finish. -- Parking to be investigated. -- Shirts - Christy/Kate/Pat to discuss. Singlets -- From Rhode Runner, Nike brand, will have R.I. November 2015 state logo and web address. Volume 18 – Issue 11 -- To be ordered on website, pick size. ______-- For a limited time will be available to members at – President's Pen – $10. -- New members will get free with sign up. Wow, another year closes out. Some victories, some Hyannis Marathon/Half Marathon injuries ... and runners keep running. I remain grate- -- Scheduled for Feb 28. We will get club room. ful to the group of folks who carry so much of the New Business load of the club's operation. From Grand Prix to Grand Prix Ambassadors awards to membership tracking to billing to func- -- Would go to Grand Prix races with RIRR flags, tions to community service to the newsletter to the cooler with beer/water; provide way for members carrying out of the club race. You've heard all the to gather. names before – they carried the baton again this Boston Marathon waivers year. In 2016, will you take that baton and run with -- No word yet from BAA. This is the week when we it? I hope so. typically hear from them. Merry Christmas, happy holidays to you and yours. IRS update -- Kevin Brennan -- Club waiting for confirmation that we are 501C4

organization. Expecting to hear in three months. – RIRR Meeting Minutes – -- MaryAnne researching implications of this status November 10, 2015 Awards Meeting called to order at 7:41 p.m. -- Hall of Fame, send nominees to Lisa Meehan. -- Need volunteer to assemble stats. Membership Report Banquet 2015 -- 171 (76F, 95M) -- MaryAnne to own. Rent upstairs at Sons of Italy; 2014 -- 195 (82F, 113M) get caterer. 2013 -- 219 (82F, 127M) Adjourned: 8:20 p.m. Treasurer’s Report 2015 -- $3,196 (includes $1,883 Citizens Bank, $25 Members in attendance: cash, $1,288 PayPal) Eric Benevides Kevin Brennan 2014 -- $3,171 MaryAnne Donato Don Clukies 2013 -- $3,065 (includes $1k Beat Santa sponsor- John Santillo Nick Pereira ship) Lisa Meehan Rick DiLibero Grand Prix Report Sabina Gellrich Christy Brennan -- Leaders: Paul Savickas and Solange Morrissette. Pat LaChance Kate McGowan -- Members discussed changes to award structure. Mike Goodson – Next Club Meeting – was a spirited crowd with lots of spectators. A beau- Tuesday, Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m., Fratello’s tiful, warm November day really made it very pleas- (formerly Sons of Italy/Spirito’s Restaurant), ant. Refreshments were ample: PB&J, cookies, ba- 99 Hicks Street, East Providence, R.I. nanas, M&Ms, chips, soda, Gatorade, etc. A nice medal was earned by the finishers. I also observed Run for All Ages some "did not finish-ers" and wondered how one knows when it just isn't their day. There were a few Wakefield, Mass. – November 1, 2015 who dropped out, sadly. This was the 13th running for the New England 65- Plus Club. You must be 65 or older and the lifetime All in all, it was a wonderful learning experience. I membership is $35. The club has flag races in each have earned a free entry into a future race, so I of the N.E. states and an annual banquet held in hope that I can aim for a half marathon in 2016 ... September each year. The RIRR has several mem- lofty goal, yet I want to try! bers in the club and one of their objectives is to en- -- Deb Magiera courage race directors to recognize and make awards available to age categories beyond the 60s. Their website is ne65plus.org. Florence Dagata and Fred Zuleger are past presidents. The current presi- dent is 71-year-old Jan Holmquist, who ran in 22:51. She also holds four world records since turning 70. Impressive stuff.

The race is run around Lake Quannapowitt and the course is totally flat. It is truly inspirational to see older folks still competing in races, and this year, there were two over 90. Amenities include nice t- shirts and the normal after-race food and drink. Milt Schumacher is a board member and didn’t run, but volunteered. -- Chuck Hyson Harry Carter 24:02 1st 75-79 Rich Rudert 26:14 Dennis Branham 29:05 1st 85-89 Francis Branham 42:14 1st 80-plus Chuck Hyson 42:39 327 finishers

C & O Canal Towpath Marathon

Washington, D.C. – November 8, 2015

I did something cool, volunteer for the second an- Somewhere inside that Notre Dame football helmet nual C & O Canal Towpath Marathon and Half Mara- is Nancy Gendreau, fresh off running the Shamrock thon. The race was entirely in Washington, D.C., Series 5K in Boston! which meant the runners went back and forth sev- Shamrock Series 5K eral times to make the distance, due to the race di- Boston, Mass. – November 21, 2015 rector being a "purist" and not wanting to cross into Virginia or Maryland MD ... something about saying Notre Dame University was doing a takeover week- one completed a marathon in D.C. for those who try end in Boston. The Irish were hosting a home game for every state! That was interesting to me. in none other than Fenway Park. Their opponent was Boston College. While the game was at 7:30 There were about 50 marathoners and 100 half p.m., the day started off with a 5K. The route was marathoners. I had the important task of recording pretty much an out and back, starting and ending at the times when the director shouted them out. It the Common and down Commonwealth Avenue 2

HALF MARATHON Terrance Jackson 1:37:17.3 8th 40-49 Mike Proto 1:51:50.5 7th 50-59 Jill Litman 1:52:25.3 PR, 2nd 50-59 Michelle Colicci 1:59:07.0 Corey Bramer 2:02:15.2 Kate McGowan 2:04:51.7 Eric Benevides 2:06:14.5 Bozena Chmielewski 2:17:15.3 Bryan Ganley 2:21:22.9 Meredith Phillips 2:25:35.4 Mike Goodson 2:26:43.3 233 finishers

5K

Nancy Gendreau shows off her medal in front of the Terrance Jackson 1:37:17.3 8th 40-49 finish line after completing the Shamrock Series 5K. Mike Proto 1:51:50.5 7th 50-59 Jill Litman 1:52:25.3 2nd 50-59 and back. There were approximately 1,200 runners Michelle Colicci 1:59:07.0 and most appeared to be from South Bend. The Corey Bramer 2:02:15.2 race was started off with a prayer from Father Willis Kate McGowan 2:04:51.7 of Holy Cross, followed by the seniors from the Eric Benevides 2:06:14.5 Notre Dame Marching Band. They gave nice tech Bozena Chmielewski 2:17:15.3 shirts and medals. After the race, you could try on a Bryan Ganley 2:21:22.9 Fighting Irish helmet designed especially for this Meredith Phillips 2:25:35.4 game. The event was fun. The weather was crisp, Mike Goodson 2:26:43.3 but good for running. I didn't see the usual slew of 233 finishers Bostonians out cheering. Maybe it had something to do with their Notre Dame rivals … YIKES! New York Marathon

-- Nancy Gendreau New York, N.Y. – November 1, 2015

John Cassese 4:42:26 Performance Physical Therapy 5K Mark Schwager 4:45:21

East Providence, R.I. – October 31, 2015 Alan Gousie 5:05:32

Michelle Colicci 25:47 8:19 6th 30-39 Linda Bachand 5:28:27 Dennis Branham 28:59 9:21 2nd 70-plus 49,693 finishers Bruce Thomas 34:06 11:00 Paul Bazin 37:10 11:59 3rd 70-plus Air Line Trail Ghost Half Marathon

Frances Branham 43:34 14:03 1st 70-plus Hebron to E. Hampton, Conn. – November 7, 2015

274 finishers Mark DiFranco 1:43:58.72 5th 60-plus

306 finishers Black Goose Marathon

Seekonk, Mass. – November 1, 2015 Run for Open Space 5K

MARATHON Portsmouth, R.I. – November 7, 2015 *-Kevin Brennan/Trevor Powers 3:31:06.2 Roger Gosciminski 23:10 7:28 7th 30-39 *-Robert Johnson/Stephanie Wheeler 3:45:31.4 Kate McGowan 26:33 8:34 6th 30-39 Michael Vallee 3:55:59.1 Don Clukies 27:28 8:51 1st 70-plus *-Mark DiFranco/Sam Burling 4:03:36.6 266 finishers Pat LaChance 4:05:52.5 *-Sean Fisher/John Santillo 4:16:17.3 Stephen Marra 5K *-Christy Brennan/Elizabeth Dolce 4:31:04.1 East Greenwich, R.I. – November 8, 2015 Carlos Aguiar 5:05:50.1 *-pacers Eric Benevides 22:53.6 7:23 139 finishers Bozena Chmielewski 28:22.5 9:08 3 Linda Smith 33:07.7 10:40 Paul Bazin 33:36.70 1st 70-plus Paul Bazin 34:11.1 11:01 2nd 70-plus Fred Zuleger III 33:37.37 2nd 70-plus Fred Zuleger III 37:09.9 11:58 3rd 70-plus 114 finishers 263 finishers Mews Tavern Gear ‘n’ Beer 6.9K

Veterans Day 5K Wakefield, R.I. – November 22, 2015

Cranston, R.I. – November 11, 2015 John Lariviere 27:40 6:27 5th 40-49

Eric Benevides 23:05 7:27 3rd 40-49 Michael Holtman 31:01 7:14 David Pember 25:33 8:15 1st 70-plus Ben Caplin 31:03 7:15 Bozena Chmielewski 28:45 9:16 2nd 30-39 Terrance Jackson 31:22 7:19 99 finishers Bruce Dube 31:47 7:25 Bill Maine 32:54 7:41 CAMY 5K Jennifer Dube 33:20 7:47

Walpole, Mass. – November 14, 2015 Chris Dyson 34:37 8:05

Eric Benevides 23:51 7:42 3rd 40-49 Mark Schwager 34:44 8:06 Nicole Perreault 27:46 8:57 Scott Caldwell 36:05 8:25 698 finishers David Pember 36:23 8:29 1st 70-plus Bert Neales 37:47 8:49 Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Joseph Maruszczak 39:09 9:08 Rick Dilibero 40:18 9:24 Las Vegas, Nev. – November 15, 2015 Don Clukies 41:24 9:40 3rd 70-plus Linda Bachand 2:29:22 Sara Prescott 46:34 10:52 38,167 finishers 1,503 finishers

Taunton YMCA Turkey Trot 5M Whitin Five Mile Race Taunton, Mass. – November 15, 2015 Whitinsville, Mass. – November 26, 2015 John Santillo 38:38 7:44 6th 50-59 Harry Carter 38:50.3 7:46 1st 70-plus Kate McGowan 41:46 8:22 1st 30-39 David Pember 41:09.5 8:14 2nd 70-plus Woody Wilson 47:59 9:36 Alan Gousie 44:34.7 8:55 Stan Kurzynski 54:57 11:00 716 finishers Pat Kurzynski 54:59 11:00 4th 60-69 Jack Howley 1:03:08 12:38 Newport Pie Run 5K MaryAnne Donato 1:03:10 12:38 Middletown, R.I. – November 26, 2015 Fred Zuleger III 1:08:54 13:47 6th 70-plus 176 finishers Webb McDonald 33:33 6:42 7th 30-34 Trevor Powers 35:20 7:04 Li’l Rhody Runaround 8M John Santillo 39:00 7:48

Charlestown, R.I. – November 15, 2015 Sam Burling 39:16 7:51 Mark Schwager 39:25 7:53 Brian Quigley 1:02:54 7:52 8th 20-29 Cee Vallee 39:43 7:56 Mark Schwager 1:12:34 9:04 Kate McGowan 42:07 8:25 Allyson Cole 1:12:57 9:07 1st 10-19 Michael Vallee 49:33 9:54 James Cole 1:12:57 9:07 1,121 finishers Elizabeth Dolce 1:16:40 9:35

Don Clukies 1:28:01 11:00 4th 70-plus Newman YMCA Road Races 242 finishers Seekonk, Mass. – November 26, 2015

East Providence Turkey Trot 5K 10K

East Providence, R.I. – November 21, 2015 Elizabeth Dolce 54:46.49 104 finishers Paul Savickas 18:26.27 3rd overall! Bruce Tavares 27:44.56 7th 50-59 5K Pat Kurzynski 32:37.58 2nd 60-69 Bruce Thomas 35:50.74 Stan Kurzynski 33:16.67 8th 60-69 246 finishers 4

(Editor’s Note: A very special thank you to those who submitted race reports and photos, as well as 2015 Grand Prix standings results from out-of-state races! Race reports and (Final standings; x-age-graded tiebreaker) pictures are ALWAYS welcomed, encouraged, and MEN needed, so if you want to submit one to the next 1. Mark DiFranco (3 points)-x

newsletter, or if your results are missing from a 2. Paul Savickas (3 points) race, please send an e-mail to [email protected] so 3. Cordell Cudworth II (6 points)

we can publish them!) 4. John Santillo (9 points)

5. Eric Benevides (13 points)-x -- Club Officers -- 6. Sam Burling (13 points) Kevin Brennan – President 401-246-2237 7. Don Clukies (14 points) [email protected] Scott Caldwell – Vice President 401-633-2539 WOMEN [email protected] 1. Sabina Gellrich (2 points) Kate McGowan – Secretary 2. Allyson Cole (3 points) [email protected] 3. Solange Morrissette (7 points)-x Christy Brennan – Treasurer 401-246-2237 4. Kate McGowan (7 points) [email protected] 5. Bozena Chmielewski (10 points) Christy Brennan – Clothing 401-246-2237 [email protected] 2016 Grand Prix schedule Eric Benevides – Newsletter 401-764-0831 It all begins at the Hangover Classic! [email protected] (Friday, Jan. 1, Bristol, R.I.) Eric Benevides – Grand Prix 401-764-0831 [email protected]

-- Group Runs --

Monday Nights – Track Workouts: 4:30 p.m. -- Warm up at Smithfield High School’s track on Pleas- ant View Ave. 5 p.m. – intervals of 400-1,600 me- ters totaling 2-3 miles at a pace that typically would be a bit faster than your 5K. If you have any ques- tions, e-mail Milt at [email protected].

Wednesday Nights: Group runs in Johnston and

Greenville. Varying distances and paces for all begin at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome! If interested, call Ja- net and Kevin McCoy at 231-5262.

Thursday Nights: The Red Rooster Ramble 5-Mile Fall Road Race Pub Series is back! The series takes places every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at bars and tav- erns throughout southeastern New England. Visit www.coolrunning.com for the weekly schedule.

5 2013 -- $2,120 Grand Prix Report -- This year’s Grand Prix champions (who clinched their titles with one race, the Christmas 10K in New- port, left on the schedule) are Mark DiFranco and Sabina Gellrich. -- The 2016 Grand Prix schedule has been released (and can be found on the last page of this newslet- ter). Runners must run in seven of the 13 races in order to qualify for the season-ending prizes. -- In terms of the 2016 Black Goose and Hyannis Marathons, you can run the marathon (in place of the half marathon) and it will count in the Grand Prix series. For the age-graded score, calculate the time by cutting the marathon time in half (neither race gives half marathon splits), and for the points December 2015 for placing, it will automatically be 15 points. Volume 18 – Issue 12 -- The schedule is subject to change with weather, ______cancellations, etc. – President's Pen – -- There will be a new prize structure for only the top three men and top three women ($100, $50, A 2016 greetings to RIRRs! The upcoming year looks and $25). The fourth and fifth places will no longer great and starts off with a bang. The Grand Prix is be awarded. already underway and our annual awards banquet Website Report will be Saturday, Feb. 6 at Davenport's in East Provi- -- November: 2,450 page views, 801 visitors; a 25% dence, beginning at 6:30 p.m. You can sign up on increase over last month (Beat Santa registrations). our website. We will recognize our 2015 award win- ners, have our annual race entry raffle (over 30 en- Old Business tries so far), and end the night with our legendary -- Beat Santa: There was an approximate net profit Yankee Swap. Thanks to the Donatos for handling of $500. Ninety runners participated. The food was the logistics and Solange Morrissette for handling kindly donated by Fatigati’s. There was a sponsor, the awards data collection and acquisition. MaryAnne's employer. -- Singlets: Updating website the week of Dec. 14 to The club room is also booked for Hyannis on Feb. 28 take orders, 10-14 days online at special price ($10 and it looks like we will be pacing marathons in April per person); after that, you pay retail price ($25). and May. We can always use extra help! Hope to -- Hyannis Marathon/Half: Scheduled for Feb. 28. see you at the banquet! The club room has been booked. Also, a block of -- Kevin Brennan rooms at The Cove is available at a discounted rate. You don’t have to get two nights. – RIRR Meeting Minutes – New Business December 8, 2015 -- January Renewals: Dues renewal will be emailed Meeting called to order at 7:46 p.m. out this week. Approximately 130 members are up

Membership Report -- Banquet: Will be held Saturday, Feb. 6 at Daven- 2015 -- 172 (95M, 77F) Note: Does not include new port’s in East Providence. family membership (signed up week of Dec. 6). -- Meeting Minutes: Will be posted on website by 2014 -- 197 (83F, 114M) Tuesday of following week. 2013 -- 222 (93F, 129M) -- Destination race: Members discussed planning a Treasurer’s Report destination race 2015 -- $3,300 (1257 Citizens, 2043 paypal) - in- -- Other races: Members discussed the possibility of cludes most of Beat Santa taking on other races 2014 -- $4,000 -- Pacing: Members discussed pacing opportunities.

Boston Marathon Lottery (Note: Top two names received waivers. Winners must meet qualifications and pay promptly.) 1. Cordell Cudworth** 2. Eric Benevides** 3. Trevor Powers 4. Mary Anne Donato 5. Nancy Gendreau 6. Solange Morrissette 7. Nancy Gendreau 8. Kate McGowan 9. Trevor Powers 10. Trevor Powers 11. Christy Brennan 12. Solange Morrisette 13. Trevor Powers 14. Mary Anne Donato 15. Kate McGowan 16. Christy Brennan 17. Christy Brennan

18. Eric Benevides Fred Tanner enjoys a cold bottle of water (and a Adjourned: 8:36 p.m. gorgeous day in the Dominican Republic) after a job Members in attendance: well done in the 10K portion of the Casa de Campo Eric Benevides Kevin Brennan Corre por Hogar del Nino! MaryAnne Donato Don Clukies ners got a finisher’s medal. Trophies and cash were Brian Govednik Brian Govednik Jr. three deep to ages 50 and over. Paul Savickas Keira Savickas Solange Morrissette Sandy Weinberg The starts were staggered, so the bulk of runners in Lisa Meehan Matt Sherman each race finished about the same time. There were Pat LaChance Kate McGowan no K markers and no splits, and the clock was run- ning on marathon time. Flat course. No traffic. – Next Club Meeting – Many speed bumps, up to three steps to cross. Wa- Tuesday, Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m., Fratello’s ter and Gatorade were plentiful on a well-marked (formerly Sons of Italy/Spirito’s Restaurant), course for the different races. At one point, runners 99 Hicks Street, East Providence, R.I. crossed a field of wet grass, and another point, ran on a road under construction with mud puddles. Corre por Hogar del Niño The food after the race were apples and hot dogs, La Romana, Dominican Republic – Nov. 29, 2015 and there were no results (other than the ones of It was a good day for a run. Totally overcast, cool, the winners after the race), but they were on the in- intermittent drizzle. This was a four-race event: 5K, ternet by the time we got home. I got fifth place in 10K, 21K, 42K, and it was a fundraiser for the local the over 50 group – 1:05:10. orphanage. I ran the 10K. Casa de Campo is one of -- Fred Tanner the most prestigious resorts in the country. Very big. The 42K was totally within the compound. En- (Editor’s Note: A very special thank you to those tering the race reminded me of getting a secret who submitted race reports and photos, especially clearance in the Air Force. Many forms with signa- the out-of-state ones. They are ALWAYS welcomed, tures, copies of government issued ID, and more. encouraged, and needed, so if you want to submit There was a $40 entry fee, $11 for spectators! Eve- one to the next newsletter, please send an e-mail to rybody got a t-shirt, cap, and canvas bag. All run- [email protected] so we can publish them!) 2 Laughlin/Bullhead Half Marathon

Laughlin, Nevada – December 5, 2015

I needed an excuse to go to Las Vegas and I found one. I came across a brand new half marathon in Laughlin, Nevada, about 90 minutes south of Las Vegas, that peaked my interest. We rented a car and drove down on the Friday before the race. We stayed at the host hotel, the Colorado Belle, for a mere $35 a night, and it was directly across the street from the start line. We went to packet pickup, where we met the passionate race director, Bozena and Eric show off their race medals, no, not Mark Villalovos. You could just feel his enthusiasm in a boiler room, but in Pints Brewery & Sports Bar, and passion for this event. He was so happy to have which is in Colorado Belle and overlooks the scenic us come all the way from Rhode Island and we felt Colorado River. The picture below is what the front very welcomed. of the Colorado Belle Casino looks like.

Since the start line was right across the street, we slept in as long as possible, and then moseyed on out there. The desert can get really cold and windy and that morning was no exception. There were close to 500 people at the start, mostly half mara- thoners and about 150 for the 5K. I noticed one run- ner dressed from head to toe as a Vegas showgirl. I was curious as to how well her outfit would hold up with these windy conditions, especially the pink feathers! that this was uphill? There was no wind here, just The sun was out and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky the sun and you’re surrounded by hills and cactus. as we started running on the main drag, where all Oh there was another pink feather. I stopped the casinos are located for about a quarter of a fighting the loose sand and walked for a bit as it was mile. I hadn’t reviewed the elevation chart as I en- just too energy consuming. I just lived in the mo- joy just being in the moment and dealing with what- ment and loved every minute of it. There is nothing ever the course throws at me. As soon as we took like running in the desert, surrounded by all its the left off the main drag, I knew I was in for a chal- beauty and silence. I call it my desert therapy. lenge. We were just running up and up, a 352-foot ascent, but with headwinds of 35 miles per hour at After getting to the turnaround on the trail, the least! It was the kind of wind that made it hard to downhill was much more enjoyable. We got off the breath and caused your eyes to tear up. “When is trail and back on the road towards ... what?! Yes, this hill going to end?” I thought to myself as a pink ANOTHER hill! This one was shorter, but very steep, feather flew by me… as we were running up towards Davis Dam on Lake Mohave, which crosses into Arizona. We continue Finally, at the top, with a bunch of brave volunteers across the dam, where a volunteer yells, “Welcome passing out water and chasing empty cups into the to the great state of Arizona!” You literally do cross desert. From here, the downhill was a refreshing re- into Arizona and a different time zone. We run out- ward. We ran for about a mile and a half straight and-back into Arizona for about two miles, crossing down. I just remembered the wind and then my hat back into Nevada and back downhill. On my way got ripped off as I chased it down the road. After I down, I see a few more pink feathers… got my hat back, the trail part of the race started. It’s not compact trail like we have in New England, Mile 10, I take a left heading towards the Colorado it’s desert sand. Loose and rocky, and you have to River, where I caught up to the showgirl. She no- be careful or you’ll roll your ankle. Oh, did I mention tices me and says “Hey!” Her name was Crystal, she 3 Trot Off Your Turkey 5K

Barrington, R.I. – November 28, 2015

James Cole 20:57 6:45 Mark DiFranco 21:23 6:54 1st 60-69 Ben Caplin 21:43 7:00 Robert Johnson 21:52 7:03 6th 50-59 Michael Vallee 22:23 7:13 Sam Burling 23:10 7:28

Allyson Cole 23:31 7:35 The picture above is an aerial view of Davis Dam and Cee Vallee 23:42 7:38 1st 50-59 Lake Mohave. On the left is Nevada (and the hill run- John Santillo 23:52 7:42 ners had to climb to get to the dam), and on the right Chris Dyson 23:56 7:43 is Arizona. The picture below is the bridge runners Eric Benevides 24:27 7:53 had to take with a mile left in the half marathon. Dan Azevedo 24:33 7:55

David Pember 25:09 8:06 1st 70-79 Woody Wilson 26:17 8:28 Joseph Maruszczak 26:20 8:29 Nancy Gendreau 26:40 8:36 Cate Holtman 27:07 8:45 Don Clukies 27:10 8:45 4th 70-79 Jean Rainwater 27:45 8:57 2nd 60-69 Janet Johnson 27:59 9:01 Bryan Ganley 28:06 9:04 Bozena Chmielewski 29:03 9:22

Lynne Dolan 29:42 9:35 was born and raised in Las Vegas, and her mother Jorge Matesanz 30:19 9:46 made her costume with a glue gun. We ran for the Sara Prescott 30:53 9:57 last few miles, chatting about other races and how Pat Kurzynski 31:44 10:14 impressed I was that her costume held together MaryAnne Donato 32:40 10:32 through all that wind! The wind had taken a toll on Paul Bazin 32:41 10:32 5th 70-79 her, so she fell back a bit. I told her good luck and Stan Kurzynski 33:05 10:40 I’d see her at the finish, as I ran out to the main Jay Litman 34:58 11:16 road, where all the casinos were in sight. Some po- Deryl Pace 36:14 11:41 lice officers cheered me on as I dashed for the fin- Deb Magiera 50:17 16:13 552 finishers ish. I received my medal, met Eric at the finish, and grabbed some coffee. Tough Ten Mile Turkey Trot

This race was very challenging, but that’s what Marlboro, Mass. – November 29, 2015 makes it fun. You can always look back and say, Kate McGowan 1:32:52 “Wow, I did that!” The medal was very nice, orange 107 finishers and white colors, depicting the Davis Dam. With about two hours left before we had to check out, Marathon Sports Frosty 5K we went back to the room, took showers, and Mansfield, Mass. – December 6, 2015 headed to Pints Brewery & Sports Bar inside the ca- David Pember 24:23 7:51 1st 70-plus sino for some food and free pints. Apparently, there 167 finishers was an after party which we missed, but maybe next year … If you’re looking for a race-cation in the Thompson Speedway Half

Vegas area in December, don’t miss this one!! Thompson, Conn. – December 6, 2015

-- Bozena Chmielewski Cordell Cudworth II 1:51:13 8:29 Eric Benevides 2:05:09 9:34 Carlos Aguiar 2:07:29 9:43 Bozena Chmielewski 2:26:42 11:12 8th 35-39 MaryAnne Donato 2:33:20 11:43 379 finishers 156 finishers 4 Amica Downtown Jingle 5K Solange Morrissette 1:00:30 9:45 Bryan Ganley 1:00:34 9:46 Providence, R.I. – December 6, 2015 Bozena Chmielewski 1:00:43 9:48 John Cassese 25:58.8 8:21 Martha Huston 1:01:37 9:56 Joe Maruszczak 26:19.4 8:28 Poyee Oster 1:01:58 10:00 Bert Neales 26:59.1 8:41 Ann Walsh 1:03:12 10:12 Alan Gousie 27:46.5 8:56 Mike Goodson 1:03:52 10:18 James O’Reilly 35:19.3 11:21 Stan Kurzynski 1:09:19 11:11 1,234 finishers Pat Kurzynski 1:09:22 11:11

Linda Smith 1:07:21 12:29 New Bedford Santa Run Jay Litman 1:07:49 12:33 New Bedford, Mass. – December 12, 2015 Woody Wilson 1:09:23 12:48 Cordell Cudworth II 23:35.1 7:35 4th 50-59 385 finishers Don Clukies 27:14.9 8:45 1st 70-plus Solange Morrissette 27:23.8 8:48 7th 50-59 Old Mountain 5K Trail Race

Nancy Gendreau 27:43.9 8:55 Wakefield, R.I. – December 19, 2015

Kara Lees 32:29.9 10:27 Mark Schwager 29:48 6th 50-59 921 finishers 110 finishers

Frosty Half Marathon Nooseneck 18K

Raynham, Mass. – December 13, 2015 West Greenwich, R.I. – December 26, 2015

MaryAnne Donato 2:25:17 11:05 Joshua Curtis 1:11:10 6:22 411 finishers Lindsay Amherst 1:18:15 7:00 John LaRiviere 1:21:01 7:15 Christmas 10K Mark DiFranco 1:33:19 8:21 Newport, R.I. – December 13, 2015 Cordell Cudworth II 1:35:53 8:34

John LaRiviere 41:09 6:38 6th 40-49 John Santillo 1:38:54 8:51 Webb McDonald 41:20 6:40 Pat LaChance 1:40:24 8:59 Mark DiFranco 45:00 7:15 3rd 60-69 Don Clukies 2:13:11 11:54 Matt Greene 45:06 7:16 101 finishers Bruce Dube 46:02 7:25 Michael Vallee 46:04 7:26 -- New Members -- Cordell Cudworth II 47:30 7:40 Christine Borowy and family – Tiverton, R.I. Cee Vallee 49:12 7:56 Mark and Kara Magiera – Coventry, R.I. Chris Dyson 49:17 7:57 Mark Schwager 49:20 7:57 -- Club Officers -- Jennifer Dube 49:22 7:58 5th 40-49 Kevin Brennan – President 401-246-2237 Harry Carter 49:25 7:58 1st 70-plus [email protected] Jill Litman 49:46 8:02 Scott Caldwell – Vice President 401-633-2539 John Santillo 50:17 8:07 [email protected] Sam Burling 50:42 8:11 Kate McGowan – Secretary Allyson Cole 50:48 8:12 1st 18-under [email protected] James Cole 50:51 8:12 Christy Brennan – Treasurer 401-246-2237 Eric Benevides 50:54 8:13 [email protected] Scott Borowy 54:04 8:43 Christine Borowy 54:18 8:45 Christy Brennan – Clothing 401-246-2237 Michelle Colicci 55:12 8:54 [email protected] Kate McGowan 55:47 9:00 Eric Benevides – Newsletter 401-764-0831 Nancy Gendreau 55:50 9:00 [email protected] Ann Noyes 57:11 9:13 Eric Benevides – Grand Prix 401-764-0831 Don Clukies 57:48 9:19 [email protected] Julie Horwicz 58:51 9:30 Pat LaChance – Webmaster Linda Dewing 1:00:00 9:41 1st 70-plus [email protected] 5 -- Group Runs --

Thursday Nights: The Winter/Spring 5-Mile Pub Run Series is underway and takes places every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at bars and taverns throughout south- eastern New England. Here’s a look at the remain- ing dates (and the RIRR runner in charge of the run).

JANUARY 28th Brutopia, Cranston, RI -- Rick FEBRUARY 4th Mission Burger, Newport, RI – Trevor 11th Providence Coal Fired Pizza, North Kings- town, RI -- Rick 18th Aidan’s, Bristol, RI – Brian Govednik 25th Newport Storm, Newport RI – Graham MARCH 3rd Pizza J, Providence, RI – Graham 10th Cee & Mike Vallee’s house in Bristol, RI 17th McBlarney’s, Warren, RI – Deryl Pace 24th Beachcomber, Island Park, Portsmouth, RI – Mike Holtman 31st Little Bear, Tiverton, RI – John Santillo

2015 Grand Prix standings (Final standings; x-age-graded tiebreaker)

MEN 1. Mark DiFranco (3 points)-x 2. Paul Savickas (3 points) 3. Cordell Cudworth II (6 points) 4. John Santillo (9 points) 5. Eric Benevides (13 points)-x 6. Sam Burling (13 points) 7. Don Clukies (14 points)

WOMEN 1. Sabina Gellrich (2 points) 2. Allyson Cole (3 points) 3. Solange Morrissette (7 points)-x 4. Kate McGowan (7 points) 5. Bozena Chmielewski (10 points)

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