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Charlie McMullen Mile Thursday, June 11, 2009 At Nazareth College Track
Will be hosted by: The Gensee Valley Harriers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Last year's McMullen Mile:
Saturday, June 28, 2008 At Spencerport H.S. Track
Click below for
Results
Sponsored by Jim Dalberth Sporting Goods
and the RIT River Road Running Club Charlie McMullen Mile - 6/28/2008
At Spencerport HS, Spencerport, NY
Race Synopsis:
The second edition of the Charlie McMullen Mile was run in sultry (80+) summer conditions on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at the Spencerport HS track in Spencerport, NY. This was appropriate since the late Charlie McMullen was a 1969 graduate of Spencerport HS where he won the NY State Cross Country individual title his senior year. The track at Spencerport has a commemorative plaque at the entrance honoring Charlie McMullen. Once again, the McMullen Mile was part of the Rochester Runner-of-the-Year Series.
The featured Elite Men’s race was run under less than optimum conditions as the skies opened up just as the gun went off to start the race. Syracuse grad student Sam Mackenzie, running for the Nike Central Park TC, grabbed the lead right from the start and forged the pace for the first 3 laps. He was followed by a pack of local stars that included Jeff Beck, Neal Holtschulte, Steve Strelick and Penfield HS grad Jay Slowick, who now lives in Toronto. Also tucked in the pack was 42 year old runner Chris Mattingly, who used this race as a tune-up for his 3k Masters’ exhibition race at the Olympic Trials.
The pack started to reel in Mackenzie on the final lap as the runners battled the backstretch wind and the driving rain. Mackenzie hung tough and coming off the last turn it was anyone’s race. Corporate Challenge runner-up Neal Holtschulte was not to be denied this time as he out sprinted Mackenzie by one second for the win in 4:20.47. Mackenzie finished in 4:21.48 for second with Steve Strelick charging to the third place finish in 4:23.79. Corporate Challenge champ Jeff Beck hung on for a close fourth place in 4:25.65 with Slowick fifth in 4:28.83. Master Chris Mattingly ran a very good 4:35.73. In fact, all of the times in this race were exceptional considering the conditions.
The Elite Women’s race held little suspense as Allison Carr was never pushed, winning in a comfortable 4:57.16 over Vanessa Martell’s 5:15.98. Beth Anne DeCiantis ran away with the Master Women’s race in 5:56.89. The Master Men’s race was another barn burner as Rochester’s ‘King of the Roads’, Scott Bagley somehow found a way to win one on the track. With Chris Mattingly opting to compete with the Elite Men, the 40+ race was wide open. Darin Brown, from Madison, NH forged the early pace. He was pursued through the tough back stretch wind by an evenly paced pack that included Bagley, Tim Wilcox from Hornell, NY and Charlie McMullen’s brother Tim. Entering the last 100m straightaway it was a 4 runner dash for the win. Bagley powered his way past the field to win in 4:58.03 with Tim McMullen out leaning Wilcox for second place in 4:59.02. Wilcox hung on for third in 4:59.44, just ahead of Brown in 5:00.43. The age-grading award would have to go to 55 year old Tim McMullen who almost stole one from the 40-something youngsters.
The 2009 McMullen Mile will be hosted by the Genesee Valley Harriers. Check www.gvh.net for complete details.
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