Special Edition: Stories from the Boston Marathon EMPIRE RUNNERS NEWSLETTER E June 2008 Volume XXXIII, Issue 6 www.empirerunners.org R Styskal & Taylor Run Away with the Carrots! In this Issue: 2008 Jackrabbit Derby at Spring Lake BY DM Peterson Prep Scene Roundup participation lacked in It was another gor- numbers was more Jackrabbit Results geous May morning at than made up for in Grand Prix Standings Spring Lake and the the intensity of the Boston Marathon 17th annual running of racing. the Jack Rabbit Derby. With the re- A small but enthusias- cent huge increases in tic Bunny Hop got participation at the things underway with Resolution Run and Justin Plott (10) fol- the Ilsanjo Classic, I lowed by Catherine was not quite sure Rauch (7) and a field what to expect. The that included Derby has traditionally McKenna Sell (7), seen small numbers Jackson Drawsky of albeit intense run- (6), Caden Drawsky ners, still I felt that I (5) and the youngest should be prepared runner of the day for an onslaught. Casa Grande running star Jacque Taylor Larkin Jennings (4) Since so many club knows this course better than anyone helping his dad with members had just run his pre-race warm-up. the Boston Marathon I raffle prizes and waited had the cream of the crop to see how many folks for race-day volunteers. would actually show up. Zack Sytskal (28, 17:23) Plus I knew I could count I joked that I had so won the race overall in a on Carl Triola and his many volunteers that if hard fought duel with club trusty band of Casa the turn-out proved only member Gregg Jennings Grande runners and par- average, every runner (38, 17:31) with fellow ents for course monitor- could have a personal member and cross-country ing. So, I simply bought valet. As it turned out aficionado Andy Howard extra water, snacks and and as usual, what the (47, 18:08, first Master) not Register Today! far behind. (Details Inside ) Student Grant Fund awards record number of grants in 2008 The Student Grant Fund Commit- $500 grant. However, thanks to pend on being the fastest runner tee is pleased to announce the some help from the club allocating or the student with the highest recipients of this year‟s grants. We some additional funds, in addition GPA but rather we are looking for had a record number of applicants to the two $500 first place awards, well rounded students that balance this year and every one is certainly we are able to award nine “Runner- athletics with academics. We are deserving of a grant. I only wish up” awards of $300.00 each. also looking for community in- that we had a budget that would The criteria for receiving volvement and leadership ability. allow us to give each one a full one of these grants does not de- [Continued on next page] June 2008 Empire Runners Club Newsletter 1 Jackrabbit (continued from front page): fall and Nathaniel Lee of Sonoma Valley High School who will be going to University of Norte Dame. For the second year in a row, the talented and The female “Runner-up” awards go to, Suzanne Howard of delightful Jacque Tay- Santa Rosa High School who will also attend UC Davis, lor (16, 17:58) made it Sarah McSweeney of Casa Grande High who moves onto look easy in winning Willamette University in Oregon, Katherine Shubert, the women‟s race and Healdsburg High will attend Rensselater Polytechnic Insti- placing third overall. tute in New York, Cassidy Reich of Healdsburg High will Jacque was followed attend San Marcos State University in San Diego, and by Val Sell (43, 21:07, Katherine Krassovsky from Rancho Cotate High will go to first Master) fresh from UC Irvine. a well run Boston Marathon less than two weeks previous. The male “Runner-up” awards go to, Vojta Ripa of Healds- Rounding out the top burg High who will attend SRJC next year, Gabe Arden of three for the women Analy High School will attend UC Santa Cruz, Tim Kenney was our own LT Lisa also of Analy High who will go to University of Portland, Titus-Isabeau (49, Oregon, and Bjorn Griepenburg from Petaluma High who 23:35, second Master). will attend UC Santa Barbara. In what was the story Please join us in offering our sincere congratulations and of the day the amazing best wishes to these outstanding student athletes as they Charles Hoagland begin their college careers. (80, 35:45) became the Eric “danger” Downing first octogenarian to ever run the Jack Rab- Also a sincere thanks to all members of the Empire Run- bit Derby and finished ahead of several other runners in the ners Club for supporting these grants through your dues process. I heard that 80 was the new 70 and I suppose this and other contributions that make this program possible. If is the proof. you would more information about this program or you would like to make a donation please contact us. ( See con- tact information on back page of newsletter or on our web- In other notables there were eleven runners age 21 or un- site ) der including the top male teenager Tim Garcia (18, 18:23) and the very young 13-year old Kevin Poterake who ran the fantastic time of 18:36. Student Grant Fund Committee Co-Chairmen Bob Finlay and Alec Isabeau Every year someone either adds their name to the Jack Rabbit Derby All Time Top Finishers list or improves their time or standing. 2008 was no exception as in addition to Charles Hoagland‟s amazing feat, Brendon Hutchinson rd (64, 21:02) improved on his 60-69 age-group 3 all time The Empire Runners Club performance by shaving off fourteen seconds from his 2006 effort. Not to be out-done Leslie Howell (60, 38:55) added HALL OF FAME her name to the women‟s 60-69 age-group 2nd all time per- The Inaugural Class of 2008 formance. Until recent years Leslie‟s name had been a Darryl Beardall fixture on the 50-59 age group. Welcome back! Mort Gray Carl Jackson Learn more about the Hall of Fame, Grant Fund (continued from front page): its members, and how to nominate a club member for the Hall of Fame This years applicants again meet those requirement and by visiting the club website, more. These outstanding student athletes are truly ambas- www.empirerunners.org sadors for our sport and an asset to our community. The first place awards for 2008 are going to Sarah Sump- ter of Healdsburg High who be attending UC Davis in the June 2008 Empire Runners Club Newsletter 2 Empire Runners April 2008 Upcoming Events: Jack Rabbit Derby (May 4th) – Digger says that this Club Meeting is a great opportunity to compare your times with the [Pending approval at the May 22, 2008 club meeting] high schoolers to see how slow you really are. Human Race – takes place on May 10th. Filling in for President Bob Finlay, Vice President Dave Spring Has Sprung (5/17/08) – takes place in Mid- DeSelle ([email protected]) called the April dletown 2008 meeting of the Empire Runners to order at 7:35pm Marin Memorial Day Races (5/26/08) – Digger said on April 24th, 2008. that it‟s previously known as the Pacific Sun Bob Shor reported that the Viking Classic at Mont- Secretary's Report: gomery high School is this Saturday (April 26th) and Secretary Nate Koch ([email protected]) read the there is an open 2 mile race at 8:30am and the All City March minutes which were approved as read. Meet at Santa Rosa High School on May 2nd. Treasurer's Report: Committee Reports Brush Creek Cleanup – “We cleaned up,” says Treasurer John Harmon ([email protected]) Doc. Doc also reported that next year we will cleanup a reported on the club's finances. Starting balance “reach” of creek (or is it crick?) on the west side of $31,070.65 Ending balance $30,662.40. Student Grant town. Fund $2,040 with a projected $2400 by time of dispersal. John suggested that the club put in some money to Digger reported that Events with Sole offered to make the number a nice round $2,500. donate several Wine Country Marathon entries to be- come a sponsor, which was rejected. Events with Sole John Harmon also noted that the Loop de Loop net- did donate money which put them at the Backer Level ted a profit for which Doc ([email protected]) of sponsorship. apologized and promised that the next Doc and Mojo Production would right this tragic wrong. Unfinished Business: John also reported that a clothing budget would be And quick and not very informative update was given presented and a proposal would be made at the next on the donation to Annadel State Park since no one meaning. The budget, if adopted, would then be re- present knew what was going on. It will be reported on ported on quarterly. next month. Special Report New Business: Davey Jones, race director for the Fitch Mountain Foot- Jerry Lyman asked what those present thought of ac- race, thanked the club for all of their help in years past cepting requests for donations to charitable organiza- and would appreciate further help and suggestions for tions as long as it was running related. There were no improving the race. A new race website is being created; complaints, so Jerry will continue to approve them.