Staten Island Athletic Club's
3 Mile Fun Run
December 30, 2000
The theme for this week's fun run was, "the show must go on", or should that be, "the SNOW must go on." Despite seven inches of heavy snow at the start of the race, which turned into eight inches by the finish, four diehard runners overcame the blizzard conditions to keep the Saturday tradition alive. This proves that nothing can stop the determination and perseverance of the Staten Island Running Community. Unfortunately, it also proves that there are at least four very insane individuals roaming the Island who would greatly benefit by a visit to the nearest psychiatrist; five if you count myself for showing up to time the event just 24 hours after surgery.
John Wowk, wearing studded running shoes, showed the benefit of being prepared for the conditions and won the race in 25:46, an incredible time considering the course was not plowed and each stride was twice as hard as normal. Perhaps equally impressive was last week's winner Dave Panza, who ran the entire race wearing snow boots, yet still managed to stay within 5 seconds of Wowk at the halfway point, only yielding in the later stages of the race to finish second in 26:20. Panza noted that this could have been his hardest race of the year and given the course conditions none of the other runners would disagree with him.
Keith Gill, who recently returned from a trip to Florida, shook off the culture shock and finished third in 29:51. Alex Liberatore plowed across the finish line in 31:40 to close out fourth place. Even more evidence of the true grit of these runners is that each ran the second 1.5 miles faster than the first 1.5 miles. Perhaps they were concerned about being buried alive if they stayed out on the course too long.
Don't forget about the SIAC sober up run this Monday, January 1, 2001 at 10am over this same fun run course. The weather is guaranteed to be much better and a bottle of Champagne will go to the male and female winners. Bring your hangover, but be ready to run.
FINAL RESULTS
1. John Wowk - 25:46
2. Dave Panza - 26:20
3. Keith Gill - 29:51
4. Alex Liberatore - 31:40