The Staten Island Runner

3 Mile Fun Run

February 8, 2003

Tim Whalen and Barbara Byrne recorded victories in the weekly SIAC Run for Fun at snowy Clove Lakes Park. Whalen covered the three-mile course in 19:12, outlasting second place Jeff Benjamin (19:22) and Scott LaMorte (19:53). Frank Connelly (20:02) and David Panza (20:08) rounded out the top five overall.

Byrne won by less than a second over second place Christine Connelly, with both runners officially finishing in 23:08. Alma Ramos (27:12), Lisa Rigolini (29:01) and Marie Garone (42:57) rounded out the top five women.

You would think there would not be too many story lines associated with a race of only 19 official finishers, but there were some, to be sure. Luis Oyola showed up at the last minute dressed for a mid-July race and dropped out at the first turn due to frostbite concerns. He had been in contention for the lead at that point. The women's race was a barnburner with Barbara Byrne nosing out her young rival, Christine Connelly, by yes, a nose.

A Parks Department truck was looking to cross the bridge at the finish line, and perhaps turn onto our course (with runners still out there), but it rocked back and forth on the ice instead. And afterwards, Mark Vogt plucked a sled from his car, and introduced the latest set of USA luge teams down Cardiac Hill. One of his partners was first-time sledder (yes, I said first-time sledder) Alma Ramos, who was as thrilled as a five-year old afterwards. We were leery of joing Scott LaMorte on a ride down because he grabbed the sled, walked up the hill, and asked "What do I do with this thing?"