Running: It helps burn off the crazy . . .

The whole half
The first NYRR half marathon of 2020 kicked off on Sunday, the day after our first real January snow. It wasn't exactly Snowpacolypse this time, and the sun made a welcome appearance in time for the race. In the men's race, Jeffrey Tente placed first for the team in 1:31:50 (7:01 pace), followed by Veteran superstar Tim Decker in 1:37:45 (7:28 pace and twenty-fifth in the 50-54 age group). Dave Kleckner and Jon Riecke also represented for the Flyer Veteran Men, placing third and fourth for the team in 1:41:22 (7:44 pace) and 1:41:35 (7:45 pace). Leonardo Souza finished fifth for the Flyer men in 1:42:34 (7:50 pace).

In the women's race, Marcy Withington and Frieda Edelmann placed first and second for the team, third and fourth Flyers overall, and first in the 50-54 age group and seventh in the 45-49 age group in 1:37:53 (7:28 pace) and 1:40:15 (7:39 pace). Laura Sackler captured third for the team and tenth in the 45-49 age group in 1:41:57 (7:47 pace). Arlyn Apollo placed fourth for the Flyer women and twelfth in the 45-49 age group in 1:42:55 (7:51 pace), amd Manasi Agrawal brought it home for the team in 1:45:57 (8:05 pace).

There were plenty of other age group honors to go around, too: Ami Thakkar (fourth in the women's 50-54 age group); Denise Iannizzotto (fifth in the wome's 55-59 age group); Brad Goz (ninth in the men's 65-69 age group); Yumi Morishige (seventh in the women's 50-54 age group); Howard Tanz (third in the men's 70-75 age group); Vice President Elaine Rosen (seventh in the women's 60-64 age group); Debora McDuffie-Saat (ninth in the women's 60-64 age group); Barbara Paer (sixth i nthe women's 65-69 age group); Barbara Fratta (fourth in the women's 70-74 age group); and Karen Kenney (ninth in the women's 70-74 age group).

Make mine iced
It was an unseasonably warm Sunday for a race based around cocoa, but the NYCRUNS Cocoa Classic 4-Miler drew a handful of Flyers who channeled their inner snowstorms for the race. Adolfo Ferrando was the first Flyer to cross the finish line and fifth in the men's 40-49 age group, finishing in 26:58 (6:45 pace). Lisa Konorty finished second for the team and third in the women's 50-59 age group in 33:04 (8:16 pac), followed by in 33:54 (8:29 pace and fifth in the men's 60-69 age group). Teresa Palomero and Scott Martin finished in 35:52 (8:58 pace and eleventh in the women's 40-49 age gorup) and 37:52 (9:28 pace and sixteenth in the men's 50-59 age group), followed by in 39:00 (9:45 pace and fourth in the women's 60-69 age group), Andrewe Paer in 40:42 (10:11 pace and twelfth in the men's 60-69 age group), and Jodie Fischer in 43:59 (11:00 pace and sixteenth in the women's 50-59 age group).

Go, go, go for Joe
Saturday's dampness didn't dissuade the Flyers from turning out for the second race of 2020, the Joe Kleinerman 10K. Jeffrey Tente led the Flyers through the course, placing first for the team in 41:18 (6:39 pace). Tomohiro Inoue crossed the line in second place for the team in 42:13 (6:48 pace). Jose Perez Nessi and John LeBreton came in third and fourth for the Flyers in 43:40 (7:02 pace) and 43:45 (7:03 pace), and Adam Morgenlender placed fifth in 43:55 (7:04 pace).

Denise Iannizzotto set the pace for the Flyer women, placing first for the team and second in the 55-59 age group in 45:46 (7:22 pace). Arlyn Apollo came in second for the team and fifth in the 45-49 age group in 46:43 (7:32 pace). Kristel Mckanna captured third for the Flyers and seventh in the 45-49 age group in 47:39 (7:41 pace), followed by Spencer Hoffman in 47:47 (7:42 pace). Mary Beth Ezra closed off the top five scoring positions with a fifth place team finish and eleventh in the 45-49 age group in 48:19 (7:47 pace).

Resolved
A group of 33 Flyers started 2020 on the right foot at the Midnight Run 4-Miler. Tim Decker led the charge, capturing first for the team and first in the men's 50-54 age group in 24:51 (6:13 pace). Brad Goz placed second for the team and first in the 65-69 age group in 30:10 (7:33 pace). Jorge Giraldo and Ryan Owen took third and fourth for the Flyer men in 30:33 (7:39 pace and thirteenth in the 50-54 age group) and 39:31 (9:53 pace), and John LeBreton finished fifth for the team in 39:47 (9:57 pace).

In the women's race, Elizabeth Huggins placed first for the Flyer women in 37:09 (9:18 pace), followed by Jennifer Episcopo in 39:05 (9:47 pace) and Jamie Kelleher in 39:49 (9:58 pace). Jennifer Pyun and Lori Reiss captured fourth and fifth for the Flyer women in 40:48 (10:18 pace) and 40:49 (10:19 pace).

Start as you mean to go on
With no races this past weekend other than my own personal race to the Christmas tree on Wednesday morning, it's time to take a look at how the 2020 Flyer calendar will unfold. First and foremost, there are only sixteen spots left for Winter/Spring MTP. If you have a spring marathon in the works or if you just want to get in really good racing shape, this program might be for you! The program begins on Sunday, January 05.

I wanna rock and roll all night
It's also time to get your party shoes out of the closet for two upcoming events: First, join us in honoring Fran Breslauer and Heather Tolford, who are up for major NYRR awards at NYRR Club Night on Thursday, January 30. The Flyers are buying two tables, and as of now there are nine seats left for the party.

The following weekend, the not-to-be-missed Flyers Annual Awards Gala and Dance Party takes place at Rosie O'Grady's in midtown. This year, you can dress up in your glamorous best if you prefer, but since the theme is Rock and Roll, you can also bust out the leather pants and Aqua Net. Either way, it's going to be a great night of dinner, dancing, honoring our top athletes and active, energetic club members, and a look back on the year that was. Early pricing of $85 for members and $90 for guests is in effect until January 15.