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Runners usually lose when racing for roads
By JOE SHAFRAN
We’ve seen it coming for a few years. It seems that our local roads can no longer accommodate both vehicle and runner/biker traffic on what were once quiet bucolic Sunday mornings. It’s one or the other game and I would say vehicle traffic is winning this one.
Next year, I’m sure that the Annapolis Striders, if they want to continue the annual Metric Marathon at Harwood, will have to make some changes. That race, with a couple hundred people registered, was canceled just days before the event earlier this month when a permit could not be had for use of two state highways. The State cited safety concerns and were to meet with race officials to explain.
Back in the spring, the directors of the recent Father’s Day Ten mile run at Severna Park were all set to make last minute route changes because County officials were reluctant to provide traffic protection. The County relented this time and the race went off as planned, but next year could be a different story.
And with 1500 participants in a seemingly very successful Annapolis Triathlon last month, it is thought that there will have to be some changes for the second year. There was a game this year of runners and bikers versus vehicle traffic for the right-of-way on city, county and state roads, and it's anybody's guess who will win that one.
Some runners from this area say they saw this permit issue coming, recalling that not too long ago the annual Bachman Valley runs at Westminster had to be rerouted onto unpaved roads and farm land, to keep runners off public roads.
Ron Bowman, in his recent Striders Stuff newsletter talks about a race director’s seminar this weekend in Washington D.C. that interestingly includes a breakout session on police participation.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Doug Ellmore is promoting a cross country run at Harwood in southern Anne Arundel county in the future that is to use just a few hundred yards of Route 2 (Solomons Island Rd.) Most of the track is on private property.
But with all that dire news, think of the officials at Westfield Annapolis (the Mall) having the luxury of a Sunday morning run on their own property with no permits or police protection needed. Westfield is putting on a 5 K race, November 4, to help celebrate the opening of the expanded mall. The route is an easy one. Twice around the Mall on what they call Ring Road. Ron Bowman and Ken Mierke are helping direct this one.
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Race of the month… This is a race that is directed by a prolific runner who has run out of space on her den wall to hang all her winner plaques. And this director tells me she has competent volunteers and will run her own race . This is the first annual Run/Walk For Your Life 5K Saturday morning Nov. 10th at Bay Meadow Park at Glen Burnie. There will be live music, by the official Annapolis Triathlon Band. T-3 and for those who need to stretch before and after the race , there will be a climbing wall. It’s all for charity and the press release states that your columnist will be there to offer running advice. Oh, yes, the director is Sheryl Kline, 40 ish, of Arnold who was the first female across the finish line at the Key School race this past weekend in Annapolis and will do three more races before her own. For more info, call Kline direct at 410.424.4938.
Tip of the week... Even though you have registered for a race, call ahead or check the internet to make sure the race is still on. A couple weeks ago a major race was canceled at the last minute because of a permit issue and it may be something that will happen more often in the weeks ahead.
Runner of the week. Kip Bitok of Kenya, who experts say could have won the Baltimore marathon and its purse of several thousands of dollars earlier this month, but instead, agreed to pace a fellow countryman who finished second in the marathon in two hours and 13 minutes and collected $8,000. The pacer drops out after about an hour.
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And if, as I did , you ever wondered what ever happened to the Walsers, a father and son running team from Lusby who in the past have never missed a weekend race in this area but haven’t been seen lately. I am pleased to report they both are burning up the tracks in St. Mary’s county and it must be bringing good fortune to the senior. As the younger Walser got into his teens we saw him continuously beating his father, but the change of scenery must have brought good fortune to “the old man”. Word from St. Mary’s County is that David, 49, is reported to have beaten “the boy”, David Jr., 27, in a recent 5k by 7 seconds.
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Race Results
John Wall Mile
July 21, 2007
Broadneck High Track
1. Matt Fortin, 23, 4:36. 2. Andrew Madison, 19, 4:37. 3. Matt Gelety, 18, 4:40. 4. Christian Smooth, 16, 4:41. 5. Kyle Caudle ,42, 4:43. 6 . Noah Wood, 24, 4:53. 7. Rob Tisch, 35, 4:55. 8. Chris Harte Moynihan, 17, 4:56. 9. Jim Anderson, 47, 4:58. 10. Nathan Bickell 16, 5:02.
Victims’s Fund Run
5K Sept. 27, Severna Park (320 entered) Judith Feldt. Director …
Overall Winners.
Male
1. D. Berardi , 16:42. 2. R. Burrows , 17:19. 3. L. Diaz , 17:36.
Female
1. S. Kline, 19:22. 2 M. Hall 19:45. 3. V. Cox , 19:48
Running Calendar
Sun. Oct. 28, , 8 A.M at Iwo Jima memorial. Washington D.C. and environs.
The Marine Marathon. Registration closed but see the web site for spectator locations.
There have been route changes but not because of permit issues.
Sun. Oct. 28, West Annapolis
9 A.M. Annual Halloween 5K Run and Fun Run for the kids
108 Forbes St., Prizes for the best costumes.
Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center. For info call 443.688.5011
Sat. Nov. 3rd. Pasadena, Downs Park
5 mile run, fun run and tot trot starting at 8:05.
For Annapolis Strider members, this is the 7th leg of the 2007 Club Championship Series.
Go to www.annapolisstriders.org or call 410.266.0561
Sun. Nov. 4, Annapolis
9 A.M. Westfield Annapolis (the Mall)
5K run til you shop. Twice around the mall outside.
Register at www.active.com, number 1491546, or sign up at the Mall at 8 A M race day.
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If you have a suggestion for the runner of the week,
please e-mail me with a contact number.
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