All’s well that ends well. That could have been the motto for the
2007 Mid-Hudson Road Runner’s Club Miles of Hope Breast Cancer
Foundation Family Fun Run. Race director Lori Decker and the race
committee had planned a course that kept mostly to the Arlington High
School grounds. It was the ideal course for minimum traffic control on a
Saturday with no school activities… at least when we first planned the
race.
However, a couple of weeks before the race, we learned there would be a 15-school track meet at the high school at the very same time… so much for minimum traffic control. This is an example of why race directors do not sleep at night. So, what to do?
Larry Knapp and I met with AHS Athletic Director Dave Goddard and Coach Steve Arnett. They were very helpful and even offered to temporarily suspend the track events as we ran around the campus, but we wanted to set up a course that did not disrupt the events. Besides, what if someone forgot to tell the javelin throwers? Dave and Steve then suggested alternative routes on the campus. We chose a course that stayed away from the javelin and shot putters, yet ran past the track.
After all that concern, who would have thought the highlight of the race to many of our runners would be the high school track athletes cheering as our racers twice ran past the track? Many of our “old folk” runners mentioned getting psyched by the cheers of the “young folk”. Our “traffic”-control volunteers by the track were able to direct our runners and also enjoy events such as the high jump and the sprints.
Perhaps the youthful cheers spurred on our racers to better times. The overall winner was Mike Slinskey of Wappingers Falls, NY in 16:05. Gregg Barber of Wappingers Falls, NY came in 2nd place overall in 18:00. The 3rd-place male finisher was Arthur Boyko of Poughkeepsie, NY in 19:24.
Marisa Hanson of Pleasant Valley, NY was the 1st-place woman and 3rd-overall in 18:39. Connie Seigh of Pleasant Valley, NY was the 2nd-place woman and 4th-overall in 19:15. The 3rd-place female finisher was Christine Anyetei-Vogs of Poughkeepsie, NY in 20:14.
In the ½-mile kids race, Cedric Donnie, of Poughkeepsie, NY, age 7,
was the first male in 3:28. Abigail Boyko of Poughkeepsie, NY, age 10,
was the first female in 3:38.
Befitting a race to raise money for breast cancer, 76 of the 125 5K finishers were women, including Laura Grigull, this year’s race honoree. At the awards ceremony, race director Lori Decker presented a plaque to Laura.
Fellow breast cancer survivor Lynne Kopac gave the following speech: “Today, I am thrilled that Miles of Hope is honoring Laura Grigull, who not only is a 21-year breast cancer survivor but a dear friend. Laura has given back so much to the running community as co-director of the Mad Dash for many years, volunteering in races, and of course, running in races…in spite of a “few” aches and pains. Laura, you and Al will definitely be missed when you move to Florida later this year. Twenty-one years…that’s double digits…decades of fighting this insidious disease. Laura, you give us all hope and inspiration. Let’s all celebrate life!”
Laura then gave a poignant acceptance speech. Laura said that, for a
long time, she did not know why she was chosen to live when so many else
had died from breast cancer. She said she was encouraged by
organizations such as the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, an
organization that helps women with breast cancer in the 8 counties of
the Mid-Hudson valley.
Laura then gave a personal story. She said she was married because of cancer. Her husband Al’s first wife June died of breast and bone cancer. When June was dying, she told Al that he should get to know Laura better. Al and Laura were married in 2000.
Honoring Laura to me was the highlight of the 2007 race. All the race course tribulations and other pre-race glitches were overcome, leading to a great race day and an even greater and well-deserved tribute to Laura.