Navarra Profile

Race Results Weekly reminds us all of the recent profile in the New York Times on Navarra as well. The link isn't working on the RunnersWeb site, but should work here.

Victor Navarra Passes Away

Today's NY Times has a brief story on Vic Navarra, who orchestrated the NY Marathon start for oh-so-many years and was a key cog in New York's running community. He died on Sunday at 55, succumbing to cancer.

Favorite Stocking Stuffer

Mmm ... Gu .... (a six-pack is always a welcome gift).

PPTC Web Site

... seems to be down this morning, though looks like it's probably just one of those domain name issues. When it's back up, check out info on the upcoming Cherry Tree 10 Mile Race (or 3-person relay) in February.

Happy Holidays

Happy holidays to all the runners out there. Apologize for the short hiatus -- will have more posts and information over the weekend.

Anyone out there running the New Year's Eve races in Central Park or Prospect Park? Would love to hear from you (and get pictures ...)

New Brooklyn Running Blog

Hey, I have company. Check it out at http://brooklynrunner.com/

Other Prospect Park Loop Runs

It took me about 5 minutes to remember that there's at least one other fun run in the park that covers the whole loop - and it takes place on New Year's Eve.

Noting this, from this month's Slope Sports Newsletter:

Monday, December 31 11:15pm

Ring in a happy and healthy New Year by joining us for the New Year’s Eve Fun Run in Prospect Park . Organized by Slope Sports and Brooklyn Road Runners. One loop of the Park (approx. 3.3M) Free pair of running gloves to first 150 registrants. Fireworks and hot chocolate at Finish Line! $20 registration fee before 12/31; $25 Race Day fee. Register in-person at Slope Sports; download an application at http://www.slopesports.com or on-line at www.active.com.

Stats from NYRR Holiday 4 Miler

Of the 4,951 listed finishers, 470, or slightly less than 10 percent, listed Brooklyn as their hometown. That number may be slightly understated, as more than half of the runners simply listed New York or New York City (though if you're from Brooklyn, why not celebrate it!)

Top female finisher was Anna Fyodorova, who ran a 26:43. Top male finisher was Felipe Garcia, with a 20:38 (good for third overall). Congrats to everyone who ran in this, the last qualifying race for next year's New York Marathon.

Fastest Loop Ever in Prospect Park?

Here's a question to ponder: What's the fastest loop ever in Prospect Park (which measures 3.35 miles)? There are plenty of 5K races in the park each year, but no formal races that do the complete loop (the PPTC's Harry's Handicap on Jan. 1, notwithstanding).

Anyone know?

Early NYRR schedule posted

Additional races have been posted on the NYRR Web site - and yes, the Bronx Half is again in the middle of winter.

Some key race dates:

1/12 (Saturday): Fred Lebow 5 Mile
1/27 (Sunday): Manhattan Half Marathon
2/10 (Sunday): Bronx Half Marathon
2/23 (Saturday): Al Gordon 4 Mile

Nothing yet in March - we'll see if we can find out when the Brooklyn Half is on the schedule.

Corrected date to get Turkey Trot medals

Please note, the deadline for runners who didn't receive PPTC Turkey Trot medals and wish to receive one is Dec. 7, NOT Dec. 30, as listed in an earlier post.

From the PPTC Web site:

"Please email by December 7th your name, bib number, and pick up location (Brooklyn or NY) to contact@pptc.org and we’ll notify you when the medals are ready for pick up. "

Snow!

No real news today, just a celebration of dashing about in Prospect Park this morning, vastly overdressed, with an inch of snow on the ground. Hope everyone had a chance to experience the first coming of winter 2007-08.

Delhagen Wins Hot Chocolate 15K

Taylor Delhagen of Brooklyn Road Runners captured the Hot Chocolate 15K in Central Park today, winning in a time of 50:43, a 5:27 pace.

Markings on Cadman Plaza Park Path

Someone has marked off distances on the path in Cadman Plaza Park in Brooklyn Heights - shocking I tell, you shocking. Someone has no decency, giving runners an opportunity to do a speed workout and accurately measure their pace ... Hah!

Various workouts appear possible, though I've still got to figure out exactly where they end. But a 200, 400, 600, 800, 1200, 1400 and mile are all possible. It's also not clear if they are in yards or meters.

The full loop, by the way, measures 0.41 miles - 2,164 feet, or 721 yards (this from the New York Parks department). If you include just the synthetic path, that's 0.36 miles, or 1,900 feet.

New standards for Olympic Trials Marathon?

For those Olympic marathon hopefuls, note that the USATF has reportedly upped the standards for qualifying for the men's trials. No more 'A' and 'B' standard, but a swift 2:19, according to Race Results Weekly. That's three minutes faster than the 2:22 you could coast through on.

Other ways to qualify: run a half-marathon at 1:05, or a 10K in 28:30.