FROM THE CALIFORNIA IRONMAN in SAN DIEGO Congratulations to Glenn Speller (11:35:40), Ryan Forrestel (10:30:00), Rich Clark (12:29:48), Bill Seyler (13:30:11), and Bob Giardini (13:42:20). Ryan and Bob PR'd the Ironman Distance (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and full marathon). This was Glenn's first Ironman finish.

TRACK ATTENDANCE: Week 1 - 95; Week 2 - 113; Week 3 - 94; Week 4 - 111; Week 5 (very wet!) - 95. Go to "Coach" at the web site to compare these numbers to previous years.

President’s Corner by Diane Sardes

I sometimes forget the number of members we have who don’t run. You either cannot or you just don’t want to. We’re happy to have you because Checkers is a club of many interests. Although I myself focus most on running and racing, it is because that is where I am at this moment in time. Who knows where I will be later in life. I may still be a runner--I may not. It’s all dependent on what I am given. Not one of us knows what circumstances will turn our lives around for better or worse.

MOTHERS DAY RACE

GRAND ISLAND HALF MARATHON 2nd overall, Jim Dunlop 1M 30-34 1:12:4; 5th overall, Ryan Forrestel 1M 25-29 1:16:14; Bob Carroll 2M 40-44 1:16:5; Paul Noe 4M 40-44 1:18:46; Larry Krajewski 1M 45-49 1:19:01; Fran Emmerling 1M 50-54 1:24:17; Stephen Forrestel 2M 50-54 1:24:46; Peter Forrestel 3M 45-49 1:25:05; Thomas Donnelly 4M 45-49 1:29:25; Susan Munson 1F 40-44 1:30:24; Alan Reed 4M 35-39 1:31:26; Tom Appenheimer Sr 2M 55-59 1:33:15; Joanne McKinley-Molo dynia 2F 40-44 1:34:32; Murray Priest 3M 50-54 1:35:12; Amy Fakterowitz 3F 30-34 1:37:59; Patrick Dalton Jr 1M 15-19 1:41:31; Joseph Antkowiak 1M 65-69 1:41:35; Diane McGuire 2F 45-49 1:43:06; Anne Ayers 4F 40-44 1:48:35; Karen Wehn 1F 50-54 1:51:17; Jennifer Szafran 4F 25-29 2:00:55; Richard Sullivan 2M 70-74 2:01:49; Edye Radice 2F 60-64 2:13:50; Kathleen Manno 60-64 2:21:24; Fran Rowe 4F 60-64 2:26:59.0.

RUN WALK 'N ROLL, 5K —First women, Amy Fakterowitz (20:29); Sue Devlin 1st F40-49 (20:51); Jim Kozlowski 3rd M40-49 (22:57); Glenn Diamond 6th M40-49 (24:22); Mary Casey 1st F50-59 (27:43); Elizabeth Alt 2nd F50-59 (36:15); Shora Blumberg 1st F60+ (47:44).

While most of my friends were lying on various beaches down south for our two weeks off from teaching, I decided to spend my time in a much different, slightly more strenuous sort of way. I hiked 75 miles of the Appalachian trail with my boyfriend Jeff Tracy who is in the process of hiking the entire trail from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mt. Katahdin Maine (2,168 miles). Twenty-two years of running did not prepare me in the slightest for the physical challenge of this vacation. It will be a trip I will always remember. I met Jeff in Damascus, Virginia where we took a shuttle 75 miles north to Atkins, Virginia, and started our hike back to Damascus. (I learned that this is called a "flip flop" when someone who is hiking the trail in one direction does a section in the reverse direction). We walked anywhere from 8-15 miles each day with packs on our backs that contained our food, sleeping bag, and clothes. My pack weighed about 25 pounds at the start while Jeff's weighed over 40. We slept either in a tent or shelters that are all along the trail. I didn't get much sleep when in those shelters though. I had heard too many stories of mice scurrying about while hikers sleep. Those nights, I slept with one eye opened and my sleeping bag pulled over my head with Jeff laughing at me. The toughest part of the trip was overcoming being tired and hungry. At the end of the day I could barely move. With heavy hiking boots on my feet, the hot Virginia sun beating down, and miles of uphill, it was a mental challenge just to keep moving at times, but getting to see some of the sites that I did made every step worth it. We petted wild horses at the Grayson Highlands State Park, saw a B-1 bomber come barreling out from between 2 mountains without warning, watched a competitor get ready for his next leg of an adventure rac,e and saw some of the most beautiful scenery from Mt. Rogers which is Virginia's highest peak (5,729 feet). I met tons of interesting people from all walks of life, all with stories to tell. It also gave me a new-found appreciation for what Jeff and other hikers are accomplishing by setting out to hike the whole trail. My friends at work tease me that I don't know how to sit still, that I am too health,y and that I run too much, but they can tease all they want…anyone can lie on a beach for 2 weeks in the sun, but not everyone can do what I did. I would do it again in a second.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU by Paul Wandel

A. I worked with Mary Roll (RN) at Roswell and she introduced me to the club. That was 6 Yrs. ago. Since then, I regularly attend all Track workouts.

THE BUFFALO MILE RETURNS TO THE ERIE BASIN MARINA So here is what happened. When Race Director Tony Garrow sought a permit to use the Marina for the 2001 race, he was told that it was no longer being used for races. Apparently there were complaints made last year to the County Executive by boaters who were inconvenienced by our race. Tony then applied to the City, in January, for a permit to use Lincoln Parkway for the 2001 Buffalo Mile. He made similar application to the Buffalo Police Department, and he secured the appropriate insurance.

SMILE WHEN YOU CROSS THE FINISH LINE This year’s Buffalo Mile is being taped by Adelphia for broadcast on Monday, June 11th on Adelphia Crossroads (6:30).

YOUNG RUNNERS WANTED!!! We have three awards categories this year for our young and up-and-coming runners—15-19, 10-14, and 9 and under. They will all be run in one heat, but awards will be made in each age-group. Start your trophy collection early. Make sure that mom and dad sign you up!

REGISTRATION This year’s registration will be on-going, 8:00am - 11:45am. Sign up for each heat closes upon start of previous heat.

COME EARLY—STAY LATE Our good friends at the Kevin Guest House will be providing coffee and breakfast goodies in the morning, and then the folks at Bob and John’s, Pepsi, Flying Bison and Troyer Farms will keep us snacking through the rest of the day.

• Any one interested in the Youth Classic, Bob Carroll & Becky Heuer have information and applications at practice on Tuesdays or e-mail race director David Reinhardt david_reinhardt@hotmail.com . The meet is for sub-bantam, 8 years and younger till 17 or 18 years old. Entries need to be in by June 19th. Do not wait.
• Junior Olympics entries needs to be in by June 23rd no exceptions. If you or a family member is interested, please call Jane Edwards @ 839-2928 or Joanie Hayes @ 839-1757. They are in charge of entries for individuals and relays. Entries will also be at practice on Tuesdays or call Jane or Joanie.
• Empire States Games Trials is a great event for everybody. It is a good track meet to get a qualifying time for the Masters Empire Games. All High schools kids should come out and run.

The Juneteenth race will be held June 3, at the William/Emslie, YMCA (corner of William and Emslie Sts. in the city of Buffalo). Fun run, 9:00 A.M., 5K and 2 Mi. fitness walk at 9:30 A.M. Sibatu is handling traffic control and he needs volunteers. Those who can help should call him 892 - 6353 or SKhahaifa@aol.com

FROM NEWFANE HIGH SCHOOL Coach Henri Kursten tells us that our four Checkers members continue to do well in high school track. Bob Neidlinger who has run his personal best in the 1600 and 3200 at the Wilson Invitational, place first in both events. He turned in a time of 4:36 (1600m) and 10:12 (3200m). Other personal bests from, Josh Shocknesse has run a 2:16 in the 800m, Brandan "Monk" Molisani has gone 5:03 in the 1600 and 10:26 in the 3200m, and eighth grader Timmy Martin has gone 5:07 in the 1600m. So far Bob and Monk have qualified for the sectional meet in Jamestown.

Karen Reardon—PR'd in 26:45 in the Nancy Price 5K. Carol Heiligenthaler PR’d at the Woman's Race on Mother's Day....24:28. Daryl Clarke PR by 3 min. in the Pittsburg Marathon 2:46:29, and took 1st in age group. Kathleen Walter placed first in her age group at the Margaritaville 5K in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

COMMITTEES Thank you to Donna Carr, Tom Donnelly, Marcy Sheehan, Patty McManus, Tracy McGoin, and David Szafran for volunteering/agreeing to serve on the Checkers Events Committee. Please contact any member of the committee with your suggestions for fun runs (Marcy), out-of-town races (David), parties and happy hours, and other events.

AT IT AGAIN—Tom Proctor won the SUNYAC 10000 meter championship at Fredonia. A few hours later, placed 4th in the 5000 in 15:45. I then ran a school record, 32:16 at the NYSCTC (Collegiate Track Conference) championships, placing 4th.