Race report
21st Annual Central Park Biathlon
October 9th, 2005
by J-R Campion.
Despite the deluge of rain that fell in the 24 hours prior to the event, there was, none the less, 255 happy participants that took part in the 21st Annual Central Park Biathlon, the last biathlon of the season and thus closing the season with a very successful race.
Sunday morning found Central Park strewn with wet leaves, branches and twigs and various debris on a wet tarmac, along with a very fresh temperature and some periodic light rain. However, this did not stop the athletes taking part in what was a very impressive race, with notable efforts.
The first run split resulted with a fast 12min 27secs by Hans Parrado, closely followed in at 12mins 30secs by Juan Garlin and 12mins 34secs by Dave Sargent.
However, the ensuing bike split changed the field. Parrado, Garlin and Sergent were unable to keep to their advantage of a fast run time and lost time on the bike.
Despite a unmatched bike split of 32 minutes by Matthew Howard, it was George Schroeder, (4th in the first run split at 12mins 41secs), that came in first off the bike split with a time of 32mins 57secs. Following closely behind, Yaron Spitzer, (6th in the first run split at 13mins), had made up time on Schroeder on the bike split (32mins 45secs), narrowing Schroeders lead to seven seconds by the end of the two loops. Schroeder kept his seven second advantage on Spitzer, and finished with a fast 13mins 26second final run split, (a 2 second faster run split than Spitzer), and thus winning first overall place with a total overall time of 59mins 04seconds. Spitzer took the second overall placing with an overall time of 59mins 14seconds, and the third overall place was for Robert Neil, at 1hour 05seconds.
Just as a foot note, it was once again Parrado, who had the fastest second run split (12min 33sec).
A great performance by Claudia Kretschman won her first overall woman (1hour 7mins 50secs), followed by a impressive Connie Mc Seain (1hour 9min 2secs), and placing in third was Jennifer Young (1hour 9mins 58secs). Great job gals!
Having volunteered to marshal for this race instead of competing, (I am doing an Ironman distance triathlon in two weeks time), I had a lot of fun helping out. Volunteering and helping out Dan and his team at this race is hard work, but great fun, and you get to see different aspects of the race, and meet a lot of people. For me, from where I was marshalling, it was
fun to see a few couples (forgive if I am wrong!) that started and finished each split together. I could not help but notice a young couple in particular, numbers 16 and 17, who done just this and they seemed to be really enjoying themselves. Now that is what participating is about, having fun and enjoying the experience. Id like to award them the happy couple award for the day!
This race ends New York Triathlon's season, and I am sure that wed all like to thank once again Dan Honig and his team for organizing these races, not forgetting a big thanks to all the volunteers that help these events run smoothly all season long,. Many thanks to you all for participating, be safe and see you all again next year!
Dear NYT:
I would like to thank all of you at New York Triathlon for a great year of races.
My first ever NYT event was the 2004 Queens Biathlon, followed by the Gold Coast Duathlon, the Westchester Medical Center Biathlon and finally this Sunday's Central Park Biathlon. Sunday's race just about wrapped up my first year of participation in multi-sport events.
A runner through my 20's to early 30's, I had not been doing much of anything into my 40's. I started running again a couple of year's ago and did my first duathlon last year at Carl Hart (Oct. '03). I was hooked right away and was excited to finf your home page (www.nytri.org) and to see all the races NYT organizes.
Now with one full year of races behind me, I am looking forward to participating in even more NYT events next year, 2005.
Thanks again, enjoy the winter, and I will see you all in the spring.
Sincerely,
Francis Coiro, Age 48, Franklin Square, NY
Dear NYT:
I am writing on behalf of my son who is away at college.
Thanks for your willingness to send a plaque as my son could not wait around for the awards ceremony to find out that he won 3rd place in his age group.
This was Collins first biathlon and he had no expectation that he'd be an award recipient.
I think you've created a monster. He now wants to trade in his 30 year old bike for a new model in hopes in participating and doing even better next season.
You put on an excellent race! It was a beautiful setting!
Thanks again for helping Collin get his award.
Sincerely,
Mary Jane Rourke, Cornwall, NY
