USATF FALL CLUB NATIONALS-ROCHESTER, NY 11/19/2005

By John O'Hearn

The Northwest was once again well represented at the Fall Nationals, as Club Northwest and The Seattle Running Company sent several teams to compete. Over 900 runners from 60 clubs attended the event that was held at Genesee Park in Rochester, NY, a picturesque riverside setting.

The Genesee Valley Harriers hosted the meet, complete with music during the races and a superb, spectator-friendly course. Hearing Commander Cody’s “Hot Rod Lincoln” during the start of the women’s masters race certainly got everyone’s motor running.

Club Northwest’s Masters women continued their winning ways by taking their second National title in two years. They were led by Regina Joyce’s second place medal finish in the 45-49 age group, behind perennial speedster Carmen Ayala-Troncoso of Texas who was clocked in 21:44 over the 6K course. When Regina was asked about the race she said, “It was exciting to help Club Northwest defend it’s national title, and to hear the announcer say during the race that Karen Steen and I were in 3^rd and 4^th place and our teammates in 7^th and 8^th. It gave me a charge knowing the team was up there.” Karen Steen went on to win the 40-44 age group medal and finished 3^rd overall in a field of 63 runners.

The depth of the field in the Men’s master’s 10K race was one of the best in several years, with 240 runners toeing the line at the start. This race ended up being the most exciting one of the day. Seven runners battled throughout the loop course, with Pate Magill of Team Runners High out-leaning local Genesee Valley runner Scott Bagley at the tape to take individual honors, 1984 Olympic Marathoner John Tuttle finished close behind in 3^rd place. Both Club Northwest and Seattle Running Company sent incomplete teams. John O’Hearn was the top local finisher in 27^th place, with Mark Billet getting a 3^rd place medal in the 50-54 age group.

In the Men’s Open 10K race, the overall winner was Matt Tegenkamp in 29:47, with Max King from Club XO in Eugene finishing in 3^rd place in 30:01. For the second straight year the Hanson’s Brooks team took the team title, some 300+ runners competed in the event. Seattle Running Company ran strong in 12^th place, paced by Chris Charles in 39^th place overall. The CNW open men improved upon last year with a 16^th place finish in a highly competitive field, and were led by Will Dobbie in 85th place. Former area runner Angelo Baca, now of Sports Warrior TC in Albuquerque, finished in 71^st place. Ben Mangrum from Tacoma, now competing for Team XO finished in 95^th overall.

Elizabeth Woodworth of Wisconsin Runner led 200+ runners through the Open women’s 6K race in 20:29. For the second year in a row, the Southern California contingent of See Jane Run took the team title. Club Northwest had an impressive 6^th place finish, led by former Farm Team runner Sarna Becker in 28^th place overall. Seattle Running Company finished in the 12^th spot, led by Gwen Greiner in 39^th place.

After the races the Harriers put on a great feed with the usual assortment of sports drinks and bagels, as well as hot soup and a cold keg of Labatt’s Blue beer. Seattle Running Company’s Chris Charles clocked the fastest time of the day as he raced from the finish line to the beer and had one in his hand inside of 40 seconds of completing the race.

The big worry of the week was the weather and the course conditions, since Upstate NY can be cold and snowy in late November. Thursday and Friday brought some light snow, and temperatures in the low 30s, but by race time on Saturday, it was close to 50 degrees and sunny. The course was in super condition, with a few muddy spots, but the rolling hills on the front loop of the course were dry and footing was optimal.

The Club Northwest group was in full stride Saturday night at the party with dancing by the renowned party band “The Skycoasters”. A few of the Seattle Running Company runners also stayed over and enjoyed the festivities. While in the Rochester area, several members of the team enjoyed side trips to Lake Ontario and Niagara Falls. While making a stop near where the Erie Canal was started in 1817, the owner of Wally’s Deli mistakenly identified our CNW group as a hockey team-from Upstate NY. We thought he may have been a little “oiled up” given our lack of stature-but with everyone wearing multiple layers due to the cold perhaps we appeared more imposing!

Competing at a National cross-country event is a unique opportunity. Ed Eyestone summed it up when he said, “The start of a Cross Country event is like riding a horse in the middle of a buffalo stampede. It’s a thrill if you keep up but one slip and you’re nothing but hoof prints.” Fortunately, for our group the footing was good and the course reasonably dry this year.

Men’s Open

Seattle Running Co Club Northwest

39 Chris Charles 31:17 85 Will Dobbie 32:16

83 Greg Crowther 32:14 122 Steve Dekoker 32:48

111 Ben Haber 32:42 129 Colin Fishwick 32:52

124 James Gallagher 32:49 136 TJ Garlatz 32:58

172 Ben Sauvage 33:33 149 Brett Winegar 33:12

190 Glen Weissman 33:49 160 Hans Otten 33:25

214 Mark Davies 34:29 217 Arlin Bauman 34:33