Running and Walking Friends
Are you looking to help out the running community? Have you always wondered how does a running event happen? Would you like to join a group of fascinating and brilliant people in putting on a running event? Well, as Meat Loaf said, “two out of three ain’t bad.”
The Mountain Goat Race Committee is looking for people who would be interested in joining them in putting on the 2008 Dunn Tire Mountain Goat Run. As with any growing event, we have a variety of areas that could use some good people. The time commitment is only one meeting per month and members of the committee receive a special piece of Mountain Goat gear created each year.
If you have an interest, . The next committee meeting is Tuesday March 4 at 6 PM.
Tipp Hill Shamrock Run this week
The 3rd annual Tipp Hill Shamrock Run is on Saturday and organizers are expecting another great turnout. The 4 mile Run takes you through many of the historic landmarks of Tipperary Hill, including the Green on Top traffic light.
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Parking will again be available in the upper lots of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. Entrance to the Zoo is from Wilbur Ave. Limited parking will be available inside Burnet Park until 10am (entrance at Avery Ave). All park roads will be closed at 10 AM. Runners in the past have found it very convenient to park at one of the neighborhood taverns and then make the short warm-up hike to the start line at Burnet Park.
Fleet Feet Sports is rewarding 100 people who completed both the Chilly-Chili Run and the Tipp Hill Shamrock Run. The first 100 people who completed both races and come into Fleet Feet Sports starting at 2PM on Saturday will receive a special Fleet Feet Sports Winter Race Series tech shirt by Asics.
If you registered for the Winter Race Series Asics prize raffle at Chilly-Chili, make sure to stop by and register again at the Fleet Feet Sports Table at the Shamrock Run on Saturday. Those who register at both races will have their names go into a drawing for Asics running outfits and running shoes.
Play it Forward to collect shoes at Tipp Hill Packet Pick Up
Play it Forward is the project of the Johnston Group at Smith Barney in Syracuse. In 2007, Play it Forward collected over 1,000 pairs of used running and athletic shoes that were donated to P.E.A.C.E, a local non-profit company that provides these shoes to people who can need them here in Onondaga County.
In 2008, Play it Forward will again be in the community collecting used shoes, with the first stop being the Tipp Hill Shamrock Run this weekend.
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Some of the shoes collected in 2007 |
Scott Johnston and P.E.A.C.E representative |
Participants can donate shoes at the packet pick up on Friday at Nibsy’s Pub, 201 Ulster Street (the base of Tipp Hill) from 4:30 PM- 9:00 PM and again at the Ice Rink at Burnet Park on Race Day between 8:30 AM- 10:00 AM.
Those donating shoes are asked to only donate shoes that could be worn by someone else. Meaning they might not have enough cushioning for running, but perfectly fine for regular wear. Shoes should not have tears, holes, be extremely dirty or odorous.
Running Tip of the Week
Many runners like to soak their legs in cold water after workouts, but the benefits of such immersions have been uncertain. New research carried out in Australia and New Zealand reveals that frigid plunges (of the legs, not necessarily the whole body) can actually restore leg-muscle strength and power more quickly, compared with other recovery methods.
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Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center |
For the first time, the Dunn Tire Mountain Goat Run Expo will be held at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center in 2008. It will take place on Saturday, May 3 from 9 am until 4 pm. In addition to being able to pick up their race packets a day early, the Expo provides Mountain Goat participants with the opportunity to visit booths featuring Mountain Goat sponsors, sporting goods vendors and local non-profit organizations. Over 1,000 participants, friends and family will attend the Expo this year.
The change in venue means we have a lot more space available than ever before. If you are part of a business or non-profit organization and are interested in having a booth at the Expo, contact Matt Werder at 446-1444 to find out about the details.
High School Running Scene by Abby Lee
The State Meet, High School runners work hard all season long to make it there. Some of us unfortunately do not get to go on that far. Nonetheless, making it to the State Qualifier Meet is an accomplishment in itself. From State Qualifiers, the best of the best continue on for another week of training until March 8th rolls around.
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Michael Acchione
member of the Solvay 4x4 team |
Not only do the athletes need to bring their A-Game, but the officials as well. Step off the track during a race? Disqualified. Cut in before you reach the orange cones? Disqualified. Pass the baton outside of the passing zone? Yep, you guessed it. The yellow hat is waved in the air. That dreaded motion makes your stomach sink. The worst and most preventable disqualification is jewelry. Metal clips in your hair? Bracelet on your wrist? Consider yourself done.
Make sure however, that you have spikes in your racing flats. You see, we are allowed to wear sharp spikes in our shoes, yet we cannot wear a hemp bracelet or earrings during a race. What’s the deal? The Solvay Boys 4x400 team won their relay, yet they were disqualified for jewelry worn by their sophomore anchor leg. The rest of the team were all seniors; Michael Acchione, Songtha Cosby, and Greg Manning. They earned every right to run at the State Meet; especially since it is their last year of High School Indoor Track… yet their running ability was no match for the yellow hats of the officials.
Senior AJ Corcoran of Westhill says, “Not being able to wear jewelry is ridiculous. It does not make any difference if the kid next to me has studs. It won’t affect my race or his.” So clearly, regardless of whether or not jewelry is worn, it does not affect the talent out on the track. Solvay’s 4x400 relay team is a testament to this.
I would love to see Solvay represent Section III next Saturday. But the world isn’t perfect, so I shall remain jewelry-less, with spikes in my flats, as I continue training and racing in the upcoming outdoor track season. Good luck to all of those competing at the State Meet!
If you have information that you think others want to know about, please e-mail us here
Open 10-7 M-F,
10-6 Saturday and
12-5 on Sunday
 WWW http://www.fleetfeetsyracuse.com |