Bill Rowan, 1944-2003
William P. Rowan of Boston, a NEW member who
tirelessly devoted time and effort to club
activities for many years, died January 30 at age
58.
"I met Bill over ten years ago while we were
volunteering together at the Massachusetts
Special Olympics,” Justin Kuo recalls.
“Bill became interested in walking and
joined NEW. Since 1993, Bill had volunteered at
nearly every NEW event in the Boston area
including the Tufts 10K, Chase Corporate
Challenge, Shamrock 5K and Special Olympics. He
was always one volunteer you could call and know
that he would be willing and able to lend a hand.
Bill was the volunteer responsible for securing
sponsors for our National One and Two Hour
Championship. Several years ago, Bill became a
USA Track and Field official and could be seen
officiating at track and field, cross country and
road races in the Boston area. I most recently
saw Bill at MIT in January, where we worked
together at an indoor track and field meet."
Bill leaves four sisters, a brother and two
nieces.
Long-awaited spring
After a seemingly endless winter played havoc
with our lives and our racewalking (with two feet
of snow even forcing a cancellation of our
traditional Presidents’ Day race in
Brockton), we eagerly look to the warmer days and
clearer pavement beneath our feet.
One more indoor competition remains on our
calendar — the National Masters Track and
field 3K Championships on Sunday, March 30, at
the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston. Those who have
yet to sign up should contact the New England
Track and field office at 617-566-7600 or obtain
an application form at www.usatfne.org
Several lap counters and a card runner are
needed for the racewalks, and any apprentice
judges would be welcome. Help is also needed in
the long, triple, and high jumps. If you can lend
a hand, please contact the New England Track and
field office at 617-566-7600.
After that, we move outdoors.
Year Five of the popular 5-kilometer races at
Danehy Park in Cambridge, MA, begins on Sunday,
April 13. The races are judged but no one is
disqualified; the judges offer encouragement and
useful advice. Further details are in our race
calendar.
Our first outdoor Grand Prix event, the
Clamdigger 5-miler, will be held at 10:45 a.m. on
Sunday, April 27, in Westerly, RI. A race form is
included in this issue. For further information,
contact Joe Light at 401-596-3173.
Race results
US Track & Field Indoor
Championships — March 1-2, Reggie Lewis
Center, Boston. Capacity crowds turned out to
watch this prestigious national meet. In the
racewalks, local favorite Joanne Dow of
Manchester, NH, delighted to be competing in
front of family and friends instead of in some
far-off locale, successfully defended her
women’s 3K title.
| Women’s 3K |
| 1 |
Joanne Dow |
13:07.68 |
| 2 |
Michelle Rohl |
13:21.19 |
| 3 |
Sam Cohen |
13:50.85 |
| 4 |
Jolene Moore |
13:51.14 |
| 5 |
Maria Michta |
14:17.12 |
| Men’s 5K |
| 1 |
Tim Seaman |
19:21.56 |
| 2 |
John Nunn |
19:26.43 |
| 3 |
Curt Clausen |
20:38.34 |
| 4 |
Dave McGovern |
21:58.61 |
| 5 |
Matt Boyles |
21:59.05 |
| 6 |
Jim Robinson |
22:39.28 |
| -- |
Adam Staier |
DQ |
3K Racewalk, New England Indoor Track and
Field Championships - Harvard University,
Cambridge MA., Feb. 23. Lots of good
performances. Winner Collier has been racewalking
for only six months. Gutsche’s time would
have placed her in the national 3K if she
hadn’t been planning to be in Antarctica on
race day. Keating overcame the disadvantage of
never knowing his splits (the clock wasn’t
working and his middle-aged eyes had difficulty
focusing on his young-person watch) to come up
with a stellar time.
| Men |
| 1. |
Patrick Collier, 32 |
13:37 |
| 2. |
Bob Keating, 55 |
14:29 |
| 3. |
Joe Light, 55 |
16:07 |
| 4. |
Mark Dennett, 17 |
16:15 |
| 5. |
Bill Harriman, 55 |
16:18 |
| 6. |
Tom Knatt, 62 |
17:44 |
| 7. |
Charlie Mansbach, 58 |
18:15 |
Women |
| 1. |
Marcia Gutsche, 41 |
14:08 |
| 2. |
Maryanne Torrellas, 44 |
15:05 |
| 3. |
Jasmine Brooks, 17 |
16:02 |
| 4. |
Holly Wenninger, 38 |
17:38 |
| 5. |
Joanne Harriman, 60 |
19:32 |
| 6. |
Jessica Smith, 15 |
19:33 |
| 7. |
Pat Godfrey, 56 |
20:32 |
13th Annual Connecticut Racewalkers Mall
3K — Feb. 15, Milford, CT. A strong
turnout as usual for an event unique in the
world.
| Women |
| Maryanne . Torrellas (44) |
15:11 |
| Marie Michta (16) |
15:24 |
| Loretta Shuellein (25) |
15:42 |
| Dana Vered (14) |
16:18 |
| Allison Shonowski (12) |
17:05 |
| Ann Percival (44) |
17:32 |
| Indiana Rapoll (17) |
17:40 |
| Ginger Armstrong (40) |
19:27 |
| Kara Steele (12) |
20:21 |
| Ora Kurland (46) |
20:36 |
| Janice Watkins (51) |
20:37 |
| Julia Latora (18) |
21:05 |
| Flo Dagata (76) |
25:24 |
| Men |
| Zach Pollinger (16) |
13:47 |
| Theron Kissinger (32) |
13:51 |
| Peter Noble (38) |
15:38 |
| Joe Light (55) |
16:01 |
| Dave Baldwin (60) |
16:17 |
| Andy Cable (37) |
16:29 |
| Billy Wides (15) |
16:33 |
| Bob Barrett (69) |
16:34 |
| Larry Titus (53) |
17:22 |
| Seth Kaminsky (62) |
17:38 |
| Jerry Patrick (63) |
18:10 |
| Rob Watkins (54) |
19:09 |
| Michael Cotto (11) |
19:46 |
| Benno Stein (65) |
21:10 |
| Michael Gannon (38) |
23:29 |
| Luke Torrellas (8) |
25:03 |
| Rich Huie (67) |
DQ |
Greater Boston Track Club Invitational
— Harvard University track, Jan. 19. Men
and women raced together in a big and deep
field.
| Men |
| 1 |
Adam Staier |
Mansfield U. |
12:35.54 |
| 2 |
Zachary Pollinger |
NJ Striders |
12:42.06 |
| 3 |
Patrick Collier |
Athletics East |
14:43.53 |
| 4 |
Mark Dennett |
Maine Racewalkers |
15:48.96 |
| 5 |
Rich Correll |
Mansfield U |
15:49.69 |
| 6 |
Steve Shaster |
Mansfield U |
16:56.52 |
| 7 |
Adam Keir |
Mansfield U |
17:08.35 |
| 8 |
Billy Wider |
Unattached |
17:13.05 |
| 9 |
Tom Knatt |
NE Walkers |
17:17.41 |
| - |
Joe Light |
NE Walkers |
DQ |
| Women |
| 1 |
Michelle Rohl |
Moving Comfort |
12:57.72 |
| 2 |
Joanne Dow |
adidas |
12:58.84 |
| 3 |
Maryanne Torrellas |
Conn. RW |
14:47.35 |
| 4 |
Jasmine Brooks |
Maine RW |
15:12.25 |
| 5 |
Laura Feller |
Unattached |
15:59.73 |
| 6 |
Lauren Olievieri |
Mansfield U |
16:00.81 |
| 7 |
Carly Lochala |
Maine RW |
16:16.78 |
| 8 |
Sarah MacIntyre |
Mansfield U |
16:47.50 |
| 9 |
Holly Wenninger |
CSU |
17:46.76 |
| 10 |
Ann Percival |
Connecticut RW |
17:52.17 |
| 11 |
Kate Dickinson |
Maine RW |
18:17.37 |
| 12 |
Ginger Armstrong |
Conn RW |
20:11.19 |
| - |
Sheri Stager |
Mansfield U |
DQ |
1 mile, USATF-NE Masters Indoor Track &
Field Championships - Brown University,
Providence, Jan 12.
| Women |
| Holly Wenniger |
9:26 |
| Patricia Godfrey |
10:42:10 |
| Iziar Garcia |
10:42:46 |
| Men |
| Rich McElvery |
7:53 |
| Brian Savilonis |
8:02 |
| Joe Light |
8:17 |
| Charlie Mansbach |
9:32 |
| Spencer Parrish |
10:55 |
| Bill McCann |
10:56 |
| Bob Beaudet |
11:16 |
You be the judge
Following our 3K race on Feb. 23, about a
dozen of us gathered in a corridor off the
Harvard track for a judging clinic conducted by
Maryanne Torrellas, Ken Mattsson and Tom Knatt.
All three are certified USATF officials, and as
anyone who regularly attends sanctioned races
knows, judges are not only indispensable but are
also in short supply.
The session was geared to increasing those
ranks. It focused on the official definition of
racewalking …
A progression of steps so taken that the
walker makes contact with the ground so that no
visible (to the human eye) loss of contact
occurs. The advancing leg shall be straightened
(i.e., not bent at the knee) from the moment of
first contact with the ground until the leg is in
the vertical upright position.
… and on the challenges of enforcing
that definition. Sometimes, it may mean just
showing the paddle:
Competitors must be cautioned by any judge
when, by their mode of progression, they are in
danger of ceasing to comply with the definition
of race walking; but they are not entitled to a
second caution from the same judge for the same
offense.
Other times, it may mean issuing a red card.
And a judge does not have to give a competitor a
caution before giving a warning.
Competitors shall be given a proposal for
disqualification (warning) when, by their mode of
progression, they fail to comply with rule 150.2
by exhibiting visible loss of contact or a bent
knee during any part of the competition.
Doing the job right takes concentration,
attention to detail, and practice. To attain
certification as a racewalking judge, one must
take an open-book test on the entire USA Track
& Field rulebook. Making the leap from
informal, unofficial Danehy Park-style judge to
official USATF judge means a not-insignificant
commitment of time and effort. But, as longtime
competitor and recently certified official Chris
Anderson noted at our clinic, it is also a way of
giving something back to our sport.
For further information on becoming an
official, contact the New England track and field
office at 617-566-7600 or e-mail at office@usatfne.org.
World-class clinic
Dave McGovern, racewalking coach, author,
international competitor and many-time national
champion, will conduct a clinic in Boston area
for walkers of all abilities May 2-4, reports
Heidi Dusker. The cost is $125, which includes a
welcome dinner Friday evening at Heidi’s
home in Medford, MA. The track and classroom
sessions will be held either in the Medford or
Cambridge area. Heidi is making the arrangements
now and will notify all participants once plans
are firm.
The clinic will include training on the track
for technique and speed, filming of every
participant, lectures, and use of heart monitors,
which Dave provides.
“I have attended two of these
clinics,” reports Heidi, “and so
highly recommend them that I offered to sponsor
one in Boston. Dave hasn't been here since 1998
(when I first met him) and I can tell you that
the price is absolutely worth it. He is a world
class athlete and a wonderful coach and lecturer
-- not to mention a nice guy. I have watched him
work with beginners and athletes and he is great
with both. Also, once you take his clinic, he
will function as your coach. No kidding -- I have
never sent him an e-mail that he didn't respond
to. If you are interested in attending, e-mail me
directly for an application. If there are any
other questions that I can answer, let me know as
well. I hope to see you in May!” Duskeyhduskey@mountauburnclub.com
Going the distance, 2003
By Maureen Danahy
Well, I'm training again for the Boston
Marathon. Actually, I have been training since
October. This year not only do I have the great
support of Rick but also my son Ralph, who has
been great about doing my long workouts on
Saturdays with me. We've been doing a steady 3
1/2 - 4 hours for the past month.
It's been great going on my long workouts with
him. He's educating me on all different kinds of
subjects. You're probably wondering how I
ever talked him into these walks. Well, this year
I'm doing the Marathon in memory of a young girl
named Marisa Shea. Marisa was the
twenty-one-year-old daughter of my son's
principal, Barbara Shea. Marisa died of diabetes
last year. I'm not sure what is more
challenging, the training or the fund-raising But
you know how I like a challenge. The challenge
continues....
On March 2, Ralph did his first 30K (Stu's 30K
Clinton, Mass.) I must say I was very proud of
him. For training purposes he jogged along beside
me while I stayed in racewalking form. We started
out great and strong and our pace was good for
the first 13 miles. Then somewhere around mile 14
Ralph started to get really cold and the rain
just wouldn't stop coming down. At mile 16 Ralph
was sure that someone had measured the course
wrong. However we persevered and even though his
sense of humor was stretched we finished in
decent time. Once again Rick came to the rescue,
replacing wet clothes and hats at different mile
markers. At one point my hands were so wet and
cold they actually hurt. However, Rick soon
showed up with a dry pair. The only problem was
nothing stayed dry very long. I don't think I can
remember ever being so wet and uncomfortable for
such a long period of time. The good news is that
we finished, my son is still talking to me and we
were planning for another long workout the next
Saturday.
The challenge continues...
2003 race calendar
As always, our list of racewalking events is
not engraved in stone. Some races are added
during the season, others are changed or
canceled. It's always best to verify time,
date and location with the race director before
setting out.
March
30 — USA Masters Indoor Nationals, Reggie
Lewis Track & Athletic Center, Boston. New
England track and field office, 617-566-7600.
April
13 — 5K, Danehy Park, Cambridge,
MA, 9:30 a.m. Contact Bill Harriman at
978-640-9676 (bely, RI.
Joe Light, 401-596-3173.
May
11 — 5K, Danehy Park, Cambridge,
MA, 9:30 a.m. See April listing.
17? — Possible Cambridge Sports
Union 10K. Stay tuned.
31 — New England 20K, Ninigret
Park, Charlestown, RI
June
8 — 5K, Danehy Park, Cambridge,
MA, 9:30 a.m. See April listing.
14 — 3K, NE outdoor track and
field championships, MIT track, Cambridge.
July
4 — Dedham 5-miler, Dedham, MA.
An unjudged walking division as part of the
town’s holiday road race.
13 — 5K, Danehy Park, Cambridge,
MA, 9:30 a.m. See April listing.
? 3K, Bay State Games.
? Easter Masters 5K championship,
Springfield College, MA.
August
10 — 5K, Danehy Park, Cambridge,
MA, 9:30 a.m. See April listing.
September
14 — 5K, Danehy Park, Cambridge,
MA, 9:30 a.m. See April listing.
28 — Ollie Road Race Classic 5-miler,
Fleet Boston Pavilion, 290 Northern Avenue,
Boston, 10 a.m. 617-268-1619. Organizers of this
traditional running race have agreed to add a
racewalking division this year, Justin Kuo
reports.
Phone any time
For up-to-the-minute information on race
schedules, clinics and other events, call the New
England Walkers hotline at: 781-433-7142
Racewalking down memory lane
Font of racewalking lore Steve Vaitones offers
these gems from his files:
With the indoor season upon us, here is an
announcement from championships past. I believe
it is from 1893; the photocopy doesn't have the
year or the newspaper. "Athletes should remember
that the entries for the athletic championships,
to be held in the South Armory, Irvington Street,
on March 11, will close tomorrow. Entries should
be made to Francis Green, Institute of
Technology. The entrance fee is $1. All athletes,
whether members of clubs or not, may enter. The
events are as follows: 75 yard run, 600 yard run,
1000 yard run, one mile run, one mile walk, pole
vault, running high jump, and 70 yard high hurdle
race. There will also be a halgh jump, and 70 yard high hurdle
race. There will also be a half mile run in heavy
marching order, open to all the military
organizations of New England. The track is the
second biggest (indoor) in New England and
measures almost nine laps to the mile. Athletes
should not delay in sending entries. There will
be first, second, and third prizes in each
event."
Above that: "The Barge Rowers. What has become
of the New England Amateur Barge Racing
Association?" and an article on the topic. Below
that: "Billiards at the BAA There will be a four
handed billiard match game at the B.A.A. tonight,
with Professors Eames and Kendrick conceding 100
points in 250 game to Messrs. Dwight and
Hooper".
It certainly was a different era in sports The
first Harvard-Yale Dual meet was held on May 16,
1891 at Holmes Field (in Boston?), and that meet
included the Mile Walk. It was won by R.S.Hale of
Harvard, class of '91 in 7 minutes 14 2/5
seconds; older results listings only reported the
winning time.
In the 1892 meet at Yale, A.L.Endicott and
C.R.Bardeen, both of Harvard, tied for first in
7m 41 3/5s. (Apparently the practice of listing
everyone by their first two initials was the way
to go back then). Then in 1893, A.L.Endicott was
the repeat winner in 7m 5s. I don't think the
last walker to represent Harvard, Adam Saravay in
the 1980's, got down to 7:05 on the banked,
synthetic surfaced Harvard indoor track. Also for
comparison, the winning mile run times were in
all in the 4:35-4:37 range.
All three meets also included a 2 mile bicycle
race, with the fastest winning time of the three
years being 5 m 48 2/5s. That seems like really
motoring given the dirt or cinder tracks of the
era.
The New England Walkers
Send material to:
Charlie Mansbach
25 Larkspur Road
Newton, MA 02468
E-mail address: mansba@globe.com
For membership information, contact
Justin
Kuo at 617-731-9889