The Staten Island Runner


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Staten Island Athletic Club's
3 Mile Fun Run

June 30, 2001

Who’s Afraid of Pepper Martin?

With the Pepper Martin Race only four days away and a humid 85-degree haze drifting over the course, today would separate the fearful from the fearless, and perhaps the sane from the insane. Based on last week’s race we already know which category Luis Oyola falls into (fearless, I know what you were thinking). However, despite staying on the course, thanks to the new “traffic signs”, Oyola couldn’t catch the young pair of Eugene Saladis (17:23) and Tim Mahoney (17:42). Saladis owns a 17:03 fun run for 2001, but today was his first win of the year. Gail Marino took the women’s race in 21:24, with all of the competitors falling into that first category (sane, that is) well aware that Wednesday’s race test our stores of carbs, sodium and brain cells.

Saladis and Mahoney stole a page from Oyola’s book by bolting to the lead right from the gun (OK we don’t really have a gun, or even a horn for that matter). At the halfway point Saladis set the pace with Mahoney and Oyola chasing. Aborn Etchison was close enough to take notice of, but nobody would challenge Saladis to the finish. Oyola made a run at Mahoney up the last hill, but must have stopped to read the traffic signs at the top (next week we’ll write them in Spanish), and couldn’t close the gap. Mahoney took second in a strong 17:42, with Oyola right behind in 17:46, all great times given the heavy and hot air. Aborn Etchison, who is enjoying a great year and seems to be getting even better, took fourth in 18:10. David Michaels, began his journey back to the form that had him running 17:30’s last year, with an 18:35 in fifth place. Scott LaMorte, in a rare display of self-control before a Triple Crown race eased in with an 18:50 in sixth place. Dave Panza, who I know fears Pepper Martin but didn’t show it today, completed a fast tempo run in 19:09 for seventh. Mike Cusick, who, rumor has it, will bring that darned Princeton team to Pepper Martin again (there’s another year that I won’t win the individual title) took eight in 19:30. The rest of the men didn’t bother to break 20:00, so there’s nothing interesting to write about such sane people.

The women made it clear which is the more sane sex as the top three, all Triple Crown contenders, played it safe. Gail Marino took the win in 21:24 with Celeste Thompson (22:00) and Alma Ramos (22:39) following close behind. Kathy Roppolo-O’Hara (29:37) added a hyphen and dropped a minute since last week’s race, and Lisa Rigolini (30:52), who will experience Pepper Martin for the first time (beware, beware), rounded out the top five.

Don’t forget, the five race Fun Run Hall of Fame Series will continue next Saturday, July 7 (the Saturday after Pepper Martin, for those who survive) with race number two. Trophies will be awarded to the top 25 men and women in the series (average of best 4 times). The current standings are represented by the June 9 Fun Run Championship order of finish, since it was the first race of the series. Don’t forget to wear a t-shirt from the era (1991 to 1995) for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Urban Athletics. That means you can get those $195 running shoes for only $170, and perhaps wear them out before you pay them off. Actually, it’s a good store with a knowledgeable staff. SIAC members also get a 10% discount at the store (drops those shoes to an almost free $153).

Results

Place	Name			Sex	Time	Pace	
1	Eugene Saladis		M	0:17:23	0:05:48
2	Tim Mahoney		M	0:17:42	0:05:54
3	Luis Oyola		M	0:17:46	0:05:55
4	Aborn Etchison		M	0:18:10	0:06:03
5	David Michaels		M	0:18:35	0:06:12
6	Scott LaMorte		M	0:18:50	0:06:17
7	Dave Panza		M	0:19:09	0:06:23
8	Mike Cusick		M	0:19:30	0:06:30
9	Chris Fekete		M	0:21:04	0:07:01
10	Michael Buckhart	M	0:21:19	0:07:06
11	Gail Marino		F	0:21:24	0:07:08
12	Celeste Thompson	F	0:22:00	0:07:20
13	Alma Ramos		F	0:22:39	0:07:33
14	Andy Burek		M	0:23:30	0:07:50
15	Fred Rigolini		M	0:25:29	0:08:30
16	Steve Lauria		M	0:25:30	0:08:30
17	Elliot Fox		M	0:26:11	0:08:44
18	Richard Ruberto		M	0:27:03	0:09:01
19	Kathy Ropollo-O'Hara	F	0:29:37	0:09:52
20	Lisa Rigolini		F	0:30:52	0:10:17
21	Joe Kearns		M	0:30:52	0:10:17