Say Cheeeeeze: Updated

Kudos to our webmaster, Krishna Kumbhar, for his latest addition to the site. Visit the "Photo Gallery" and knock yourself out with PPTC photos going back several years, and including the latest taken by Ralph Yozzo at this year's Turkey Trot.

Krishna asks that you send any photos you wish to share to photos@pptc.org However, if you have a lot to send, it's requested that you send a CD to the club address rather than overwhelm the system. Those pictures can take a while to download.

Turkey Trot Huge Success

All the preparations of the last 6 months yielded a hugely succesful Turkey Trot 5M on Thanksgiving Day. On a bright and sunny 60 degree day, 1,200 runners started their holiday celebration with a 5 mile romp through the loops of Prospect Park. Over 50 PPTC volunteers and another 25 students from Bishop Ford High School pitched in on race day to stage this annual Prospect Park tradition.
Registration, and preregistration pick up was handled smoothly, split callers and water stops performed well,and electronic chip timing allowed for quick posting of results. Although we ran out of water and medals at the finish due to the unexpected turnout, most runners were understanding and still thanked us for a great race.
Profits from this race allows us to subsidize the membership events we support throughout the year, such as the coached speed sessions, Harry's Handicap, marathon support activities,awards, the picnic, and website and newsletter services. We also make a donation to the Bishop Ford H.S. track teams, and the Prospect Park Alliance for support of our efforts.
PPTC congratulates the organizing committe of Veronica Antoine, Luis Figueroa, Tom Meany, Anne Perzeszty and Gil Torres plus the countless members who donated their time and effort to this resounding success. Without such widespread volunteer participation none of this would have been possible.

See Tom Run, See Tom Bike, See Tom Run

No, it wasn't Deja Vu all over again. It was Tom Byrnes triumphantly wrapping up his season with a first place age group win in the Prospect Park Duathlon last Sunday. Tom ran a 5K, biked 4 loops, and ran another 5K. Turning on the jets, he caught the second place finisher with a half mile to go, and took home the medal.
This was Tom's second duathlon this year, and along with 3 tris, a half marathon, and the Cherry Tree 10 miler, it marks a very positive comeback season.
Since being diagnosed w/ skin cancer 7 years ago, and undergoing the ravages of chemotherapy, Tom has steadily worked himself back into shape with single minded resolve. His tenacity and triumph in the midst of a life threatening crisis has set a truly inspirational example for us all.
Feel free to copy this in "The Inside Loop", Tom. You've earned it.

Post Marathon Wrap Up

33 PPTC marathoners finished the ING NYC Marathon on Sunday.
They were led by Denise Frazier (3:25+) and Frank DeLeo (3:29+). Making their marathon debuts also were Helen Dole in a promising 3:31+, Amy Duquette in 4:27+, and Gilant Phillips in an epic effort (6:44+)where the time didn't tell the whole tale of the determination and discipline that went into getting her ready to complete the distance.
The post race reception, as usual, was bursting with comraderie as we greeted our runners w/ food, and a place to unwind and exchange stories.
Andrew Davenport headed home to Lauren's chocolate waffles. Veteran runner and ex-president Michael Rieman declared it his last marathon, and bemoaned forgetting sweat pants to wear home. Veronica Antoine will run 2 more to reach 15 overall. Michael Ring finished his 15th, and is weighing if it will be his last. Frank DeLeo pushed hard in the last half to finish under 3:30. Sandy Ferrari ignored the pain from a callous at mile 17. Amy changed her running bra in the midst of a crowd without taking off her shirt or exposing any part of her anatomy. Frank Canzannella shared a childhood regret that his birthday was on Sept. 1st, and he never got to celebrate it in school. And missed by his absence was Al Prawda who unfortunately fell while dancing to the drums in Harlem and broke his wrist, but finished nonetheless.

The December issue of the newsletter will contain extensive coverage of the marathon, and we want you to be part of it. If you ran New York, Chicago, Philadelphia or any others, Around the Park wants to hear your fall marathon stories. Drop an e-mail to Brad Skillman (our copy editor) at brooklynbridgerunner@yahoo.com and vent, praise, discuss what happened. What was the one thing that you didnʼt expect? What was the point on the course that you realized your race goal was won/lost -- and why? What unique thing from this yearʼs race did you learn? Let us know by Dec. 1 so we can print your comments in next monthʼs issue.
Congratulations to our runners,and thanks to Al Goldstein, Anne Perzeszty, Julio Zavala, Cecil Burgin, Diana Ortiz and all others who volunteered their time to organize the Last 10 Miles, marathon bus, and reception for us.