The weather conditions were oppressive but RRR conquered the challenge and competed well at the NYRR Club Championships 5-mile race in Central Park last Saturday, Aug. 4. By the 8 a.m. men’s race time it was 80 degrees with 87 percent humidity and the mix of heat and stickiness made the race more of a survival test than a day for personal bests. Nonetheless, 33 hardy RRR club members braved the conditions and completed the rolling 5-mile jaunt. Leading the way for the men was Matthew Goldstein in a time of 32:57, followed by Logan Scott, our former Team RRR co-captain, in 33:43. Narcis Aron was our top Swifty Sixties finisher in 37:45. Pat Kutner Fiume paced the RRR women in a time of 48:53, followed closely by Barbara Paer in 48:55. Marie “Grandma” Killeen captured first place in the 75-79 age group with a time of 49:38, giving her an excellent age-graded performance of 79.92 percent. The women’s Swifty Sixties team placed sixth of seven teams and remain in fourth place in the 2012 standings among 12 teams. The Swifty men took eighth place out of 11 teams and stayed in eighth place for the year out of 19 teams. (Thanks to John and Ann Singer for the updated team standings and results.) We staked out our usual spot a couple hundred yards before the finish line and after the race enjoyed club-provided hero sandwiches, beverages and other food contributed by club members — thanks especially to Barbara and Andrew Paer for the delicious selection of fruit. This race is always ultra-competitive and RRR gave a representative showing on a very tough day for racing. Congratulations to all club members who took part in this championship event!
Note: This article corrects the original version, which omitted the results of Matthew Goldstein.
Photo credit: John Sidtis