CPTC HALL OF FAME
Allan Kirik

COMEBACK OF THE YEAR
Rae Baymiller, Tyrona Heath, John Kerner, Frank Morton

MEN’S ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Andrew Bonventre, Geoff Decker, Peter Derby, Nabie Fofanah, Scott Kallgren, Brian Mongeon

WOMEN’S ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Jen Busse, Loretta Kilmer, Elizabeth Mayeda, Sara Vergote

MEN’S MOST IMPROVED PERFORMER
Jay Barry, George Bullis, Andrew Hogue, Roman Kats-Kagan, Joe Kennedy, Doug Labar, Noah Lansner, Hal Lieberman, Kimihiko Oishi, Joshua Rayman, Steven Rosenbaum, Cary Segall, Scott Stamp

WOMEN’S MOST IMPROVED PERFORMER
Resie Caffrey, Emily Dusen, Sharon Ekstrom, Margot Sheehan, Zoe Swenson

MEN’S MULTI SPORTS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Biff Capune, Nathanael Horne, Sascha Kreideweis, Allen Piket

WOMEN’S MULTI SPORTS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Jeannine Bardo, Stacy Creamer

MEN’S MASTERS SPRINTS
Val Barnwell, Shaun Dietz, Randy Frey, Darnell Gatling, Gladstone Jones

MEN’S MASTERS MIDDLE DISTANCE
Neil Fitzgerald, Anselm LeBourne, Armando Oliveira, Chris Potter

MEN’S MASTERS SHORT ROADS
Alex Bruskin, David Dorsey, Birger Ohlsson, Tom Phillips, Mike Trunkes

MEN’S MASTERS LONG ROADS
Peter Allen, Stuart Calderwood, Yasuhiro Makoshi, Steve Monte, Michael Rennock, Alan Ruben, Jeff Wilson

WOMEN’S MASTERS TRACK
Lisa Daley, Sylvie Kimché, Andrea Ostrowski, Mary Rosado

WOMEN’S MASTERS SHORT ROADS
Yumi Ogita, Sue Pearsall, Susan Richardson, Catherine Stone

WOMEN’S MASTERS LONG ROADS
Deborah Barchat, Jan Farnung-Krause, Susan Strazza, Jill Vollweiler

CPTC AWARDS
C  Sue Pearsall
P  Tom Phillips
T  Mike Trunkes
C  Lauren Esposito

CROSS COUNTRY AWARD
Scott Kallgren

MEN’S OPEN SPRINTS
Adrian Crichlow, Kobie Fuller, Patrick Horne, Shomari Taylor

MEN’S OPEN MIDDLE DISTANCE
Damion Drummond, Brian Gertzen, Sam Mackenzie, John Roberts, Will Seidel, Jeff Williams

MEN’S FIELD
Rawle DeLisle, Karl Hawke, John Langhauser

MEN’S OPEN SHORT ROADS
Michael Basen, Carl Dambkowski, Sean Fortune, Jason Ostenson, Quentin Reeve, Dan Seidel

MEN’S OPEN LONG ROADS
Eric Boucher,  Jake Cooper, Thom Little, Russ Pfeffer

WOMEN’S OPEN SPRINTS
Natilee Dawkins, Jewel Moore, Jodyann Raymond, Crystal Winter

WOMEN’S OPEN MIDDLE DISTANCE
Caryn Gehrke & Natalie Gingerich, Kate Cushing, Melissa Sherman

WOMEN’S FIELD
Lauren Primerano, Kateema Riettie

WOMEN’S OPEN SHORT ROADS
Sarah Alaei, Katrina Bruckschwaiger, Aileen Conlon, Kate Irvin, Maria Pavkovitch

WOMEN’S OPEN LONG ROADS
Katie Casto, Andrea Costella, Lauren Esposito, Lauren Gustafson, Felice Kelly, Allison Lind

PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Lauren Gustafson

MOST VALUABLE PERFORMER
Aileen Conlon

Nike Central Park Track Club – Award Nominees

CPTC HALL OF FAME
Allan Kirik

COMEBACK OF THE YEAR
Rae Baymiller, Tyrona Heath, John Kerner, Frank Morton

MEN’S ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Andrew Bonventre, Geoff Decker, Peter Derby, Nabie Fofanah, Scott Kallgren, Brian Mongeon

WOMEN’S ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Jen Busse, Loretta Kilmer, Elizabeth Mayeda, Sara Vergote

MEN’S MOST IMPROVED PERFORMER
Jay Barry, George Bullis, Andrew Hogue, Roman Kats-Kagan, Joe Kennedy, Doug Labar, Noah Lansner, Hal Lieberman, Kimihiko Oishi, Joshua Rayman, Steven Rosenbaum, Cary Segall, Scott Stamp

WOMEN’S MOST IMPROVED PERFORMER
Resie Caffrey, Emily Dusen, Sharon Ekstrom, Margot Sheehan, Zoe Swenson

MEN’S MULTI SPORTS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Biff Capune, Nathanael Horne, Sascha Kreideweis, Allen Piket

WOMEN’S MULTI SPORTS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Jeannine Bardo, Stacy Creamer

MEN’S MASTERS SPRINTS
Val Barnwell, Shaun Dietz, Randy Frey, Darnell Gatling, Gladstone Jones

MEN’S MASTERS MIDDLE DISTANCE
Neil Fitzgerald, Anselm LeBourne, Armando Oliveira, Chris Potter

MEN’S MASTERS SHORT ROADS
Alex Bruskin, David Dorsey, Birger Ohlsson, Tom Phillips, Mike Trunkes

MEN’S MASTERS LONG ROADS
Peter Allen, Stuart Calderwood, Yasuhiro Makoshi, Steve Monte, Michael Rennock, Alan Ruben, Jeff Wilson

WOMEN’S MASTERS TRACK
Lisa Daley, Sylvie Kimché, Andrea Ostrowski, Mary Rosado

WOMEN’S MASTERS SHORT ROADS
Yumi Ogita, Sue Pearsall, Susan Richardson, Catherine Stone

WOMEN’S MASTERS LONG ROADS
Deborah Barchat, Jan Farnung-Krause, Susan Strazza, Jill Vollweiler

CPTC AWARDS
Consistency
Participation
Tenacity
Competitiveness

CROSS COUNTRY AWARD

MEN’S OPEN SPRINTS
Adrian Crichlow, Kobie Fuller, Patrick Horne, Shomari Taylor

MEN’S OPEN MIDDLE DISTANCE
Damion Drummond, Brian Gertzen, Sam Mackenzie, John Roberts, Will Seidel, Jeff Williams

MEN’S FIELD
Rawle DeLisle, Karl Hawke, John Langhauser

MEN’S OPEN SHORT ROADS
Michael Basen, Carl Dambkowski, Sean Fortune, Jason Ostenson, Quentin Reeve, Dan Seidel

MEN’S OPEN LONG ROADS
Eric Boucher,  Jake Cooper, Thom Little, Russ Pfeffer

WOMEN’S OPEN SPRINTS
Natilee Dawkins, Jewel Moore, Jodyann Raymond, Crystal Winter

WOMEN’S OPEN MIDDLE DISTANCE
Caryn Gehrke, Natalie Gingerich, Kate Cushing, Melissa Sherman

WOMEN’S FIELD
Lauren Primerano, Kateema Riettie

WOMEN’S OPEN SHORT ROADS
Sarah Alaei, Katrina Bruckschwaiger, Aileen Conlon, Kate Irvin, Maria Pavkovitch

WOMEN’S OPEN LONG ROADS
Katie Casto, Andrea Costella, Lauren Esposito, Lauren Gustafson, Felice Kelly, Allison Lind

PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

MOST VALUABLE PERFORMER

Men’s 10k:
Carl Dambkowski
Peter Derby
Sean Fortune
Brian Gertzen
Scott Kallgren
Armando Oliveira
John Roberts

Women’s 6k:
Aileen Conlon
Emily Dusen
Lauren Esposito
Natalie Gingerich
Lauren Gustafson
Katharine Irvin
Zoe Swenson

Masters 6k:
Sue Pearsall
Jill Vollweiler
Devon Martin

Ticket can be purchased at http://www.centralparktc.org/awardsdinner/

Her response: “Less talk, faster times.”

What is your favorite part about coaching?
Watching someone run a PR.

What is your favorite part about being a part of the club?
Romance is included in the dues.

What is your coaching philosophy?
Run faster than you did in college.

What was your favorite workout as a runner?
4 x 200m @ 800m pace
30 seconds rest
2 sets

Now as a coach?
2 x 200m @ mile pace
1 x mile @ 5k pace
2 x 200m @ mile pace
200 jog recovery
2-3 sets

Would the club buy me a giant orange maple leaf mascot costume to wear to races?
Absolutely.  We actually looked into this and it’s $4000 for a giant orange maple leaf hand-made by Andrea Haver in Nebraska.  Now, all I need is a “Mascot Donor” to cover the cost.

Where can you get the best nachos in NYC?
Park Slope Ale House

How do you deal with the work/running balance issues of your runners, and the fact that sometimes their jobs get in the way of training?
I usually have to write them other workouts.  Workouts have to be adapted if you don’t get sleep or you’re stressed.

What is the most important quality in a runner that you look for?
Competitive streak.

Anything else to add?
I’m a women of few words! actions baby!

Preparation is one of the trademarks of a CPTC runner. It takes the form of workouts, long runs, weight lifting, and having a race plan.
How did your race plan play out?

Russell Pfeffer: The race went well, I felt I was in complete control of my running.

Katie Casto: The race went well for the first 20 miles, but then I faded hard. And the last 6 were a struggle. I feel way off pace, and couldn’t get it back.

Thom Little: It couldn’t have gone any better. I ran the 1st 3 miles much smarter than last year. The 6:21 split on the uphill mile 1 was crucial to my success. I ran a 5:42 on mile 1 last year and it really set me up for going out to fast and falling apart in the later miles. I was with a pack of guys on 4th avenue that not only shielded me from the wind, but also allowed me to mentally rest and not have to think about my pace.

In a race that lasts hours, 26.2 miles miles can disappear quickly if you’re feeling strong or seem to take forever if you are struggling. A lot can happen.
What was your most memorable moment?

Russell: The most memorable moment for me was running past the wall of orange feeling phenomenal.  It has been a long time since that has happened for me.  It is really incredible how much support is out there during the race.

Katie: My favorite part was running with the girls! Felice, Andrea, and I ran together through mile 10. We absorbed the marathon, the race, the crowds, the day. And then Andrea and I continued to work together through mile 20. It was great to run with the girls and work together.

Thom: I would say coming up the hill on 5th avenue around mile 22 and still feeling strong.All the core and upper body strength training I added to my regimen this year really paid off then.

Some people subscribe to the maxim: work hard, party hard. But whatever you believe, accomplishing a goal long in progress deserves congratulations and celebration.
Did you go to the cptc afterparty?

Russell: Yes, my party dragged on until late at night.

Katie: I did attend the CPTC after party!  And got to celebrate with everyone, and feel good that it was over.

Thom: I was told I attended. I think I also went to the NIKE party later.

With the celebrating over, there is always tomorrow and the next race to train for.
What are your training and racing plans going forward?

Russell: Not completely sure, I plan on taking some time off  and easing back into running.

Katie: Now, I am going to take the week off and rest. Then, I’ll take it easy and build base miles. I don’t think I’ll start racing until the new year. I would like to take a look at the Spring calendar and pick some key races. Since I have been running back to back marathon seasons, I plan to focus on shorter races, half marathon and below for the Spring.

Thom: I now intend to focus on 100M and 200Ms for the spring season. Shaun and I have a gameplan moving forward.

While only one person can put their toe on the starting line, there is always someone or someones supporting and encouraging them.
Who has been your biggest supporter while you trained?

Russell: There so much support that it is hard to choose.  I would say that Kate has been great throughout this “short” training cycle.  She says “the marathon is harder for her  to watch than it is for me to run.” You never know how the race will play out and it I can imagine it is very nerve wracking.  You consume yourself with all the training and then you have 1 chance to make it happen.  There are a ton of factors (inside and outside your control) that can go wrong and ruin a race.

Katie: My biggest supporter is my Dad. He always makes me feel special, no matter what the outcome is. Without him on the sidelines cheering me on, the marathon would not be the same.

Thom: Tony first and foremost,  he is always there for us.
Also, various teammates who ran with me on weekends in the park as well as checked in on me via email to see how training was going. All the little things really help keep your “eyes on the prize” and keep your focus on your goal.

Congrats to every CPTC member that raced this past weekend!

What is your favorite borough and why?

Thom Little: Brooklyn, by far.

Russell Pfeffer: Manhattan of course. Come out of the 59th Street bridge you really get a sense that there are thousands of people watching you and yelling.

Andrea Costella: I haven’t run NYC before, but I have to imagine that running through Manhattan, especially through the park towards the end, will be pretty exciting.

Katie Casto: My favorite borough is Brooklyn. 4th Ave provides a flat straight stretch where you can find your pace and get in a groove. Also, I have a slight bias now that I live in Park Slope.

Brad Weiss: Favorite borough is Manhattan.

What is your favorite part of the course?

Thom: The crowds on Lafayette st in Brooklyn are amazing. It is rather cavernous and they are so loud, the energy goes right to your legs.

Katie: The best stretch on the course would have to be 1st Ave. Coming off of the Queensboro Bridge, and hearing the noise of the crowds is unlike anything else you will ever experience. You certainly get an adrenaline rush, and have to make sure not to pick up the pace too much.

Russell: The last .2 separates the “men from the boys” You have to decide if you are going to gut it out or kick in. A lot of best times slip away right in front of your eyes by Tavern on the Green

Do you like the course?

Russell: I think the course is very challenging, however if you run the race right and set it up to be stronger in the later part you can have a lot of success

Brad: Really like the course. Very challenging with a few dozen turns and 5 bridges. Least favorite part of the course is on 5th Ave bet 110 and the low 90’s before you enter the park. The course is not designed for world record performances and can really suck you on 1st Ave if you’re not careful as it did Meb in his 1st NYC Marathon.

Andrea: I’ve never run New York before – or any marathon for that matter – so ask me again after the race and I’ll definitely let you know my opinion.

Katie: It is a tough course, but I have personally only run tough courses thus far. Boston and San Francisco also both have hilly terrain.

How would you change it?

Russell: I would start it earlier. I don’t see the benefit in starting the race at 10 AM (although it is 9:40 for some this year).

Thom: An escalator up the Queensboro bridge

Andrea: Make it shorter.

Katie: I don’t think I would change the course at all. It gives you a sense of all the city, and the boroughs that make NYC special.

How does it compare to other courses you have run?

Russell: I think it is the most challenging I have run. Although I am only comparing it to Chicago and Boston. I hear Big Sur is hard and you run a lot on your own.

Thom: It is more challenging than some others, but it is my home turf and that counts for something.

Kate: It is a tough course, but I have personally only run tough courses thus far. Boston and San Francisco also both have hilly terrain.

Do you like the music along the course?

Thom: mostly

Andrea: I think I will, yes!

Katie: I do enjoy the music along the course. It especially helps in areas where there are less people. But, overall the crowds are the best motivators!

Brad: The music is pretty good and definitely memorable on Bedford Ave in Brooklyn. You can hardly hear yourself think. There’s something so indescribable about running the NYC Marathon. It’s kind of like getting a standing ovation on Broadway for 26.2 miles. An absolutely amazing experience..

Russell: I did not even know there was music….

And from Peter Allen…

Peter Allen: I look forward to running on the balls of my feet up First Ave after running 15 miles but know the elation will turn 180 degrees into somnolence at mile 20 in the Bronx. Sometimes I picture my old coach George Wisniewski at the 20th mile marker where he always yelled interesting advice to me.

We would like to thank all the teammate who answered our questions and wish all CPTC members running on sunday the best of luck!

Alan Ruben
Alan just recently stepped down as the Club’s president but has been a member for 18 years now. He has run in the last 21 NYC marathons, posting his best time of 2:32:17 in 1993. His last marathon was Boston this past spring where he ran a 2:47:37. When asked about his training Alan answered, “[I attend ] Tuesday/Thursday night workouts with Tony, long run or race at the weekend. [My mileage is] about 60 miles per week.” We also asked who was their favorite celebrity, “Lance Armstrong – I get extra kudos from my non-running acquaintances by beating him.”

Kate Casto
Katie is a brand new club member, having joined the club just 6 months ago. This will be her second NYC Marathon. She ran last year’s race in 3:08. She knocked 10 minutes off that time this past spring in Boston.  We asked Katie what she does to prepare for 26.2 miles, “Summer base and shorter races, then 12wk buildup to the marathon with some higher mileage, long runs, and workouts.” Who was her favorite/least favorite celebrity runner? “Hmm, don’t think I have one…but was quite annoyed last year that every time I talked to someone about running in NYC last year I would get a comment back about Katie Holmes running in it as well.”

Susan Strazza
We last talked to Susan before Grete’s Great Gallop Half Marathon where she ran 1:29:54. Susan has been a club member since 2003. She has run 15 marathons, and this will be her 9^th consecutive NYC marathon. Susan has been working her way back from injury, “[I] recovered from a stress fracture in my right heel bone (Jan 2008) and was sidelined Jan-April.  [I] started running again in May.  With the marathon in mind as my goal I started back by rebuilding my base and general running fitness; then starting in July focused on “marathon training”, more miles, longer long runs, Tuesday track and Thursday road workouts.  Based on Grete’s results the workouts and effort have paid off as I seem to be back (maybe even a little stronger) to where I was a year ago.” When asked about celebrities, Susan made a very good point, “[My favorite celebrities are] the ones you don’t hear anything about.  I give those ‘celebrities’ extra kudos for running the marathon for the experience (like pretty much the rest of the 35,000+ runners do) and not the publicity.”

Thom Little
While Thom hasn’t run as many NYC marathons as Susan or Alan, his times (and NYT article) speak for themselves. This will be his 5^th NYC marathon, 4^th in a row. He joined CPTC just after the 2005 marathon and the next year ran a 2:25:55 which placed him 34^th overall. In this year’s past NYC marathon Thom ran a 2:32:49. And while everyone we talked to (including Thom) cited “lots of miles and Tony’s workouts” as the basis of their training, Thom has been supplementing all his hard work with “a diet rich in hops & barley.” Thom’s favorite running celebrity isn’t an actor, a musician, or cancer survivor, it is himself. “He is more of a local running celeb, but he is my favorite nonetheless.” Maybe our last poll should have included Thom Little as a choice.