Early middle-distance races 1980

Toy, Atala. "Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon". Runner Gazette December 1980.

"The Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon was held in Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY on Sunday, November 16,1980.

Despite the chilly weather it was a Caribbean weekend for the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team. While leader Sri Chinmoy was in Puerto Rico, being honored by the San Juan government for his contributions to running, the Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon was being won by Jesus Figueroa (1:07:51) who had recently moved from Puerto Rico to the Bronx. Figueroa also headed the winning NY Track and Field Circuit combine that won the Team Trophy Division with a low 10 points (first, second and seventh place winners).

One of those who traveled farthest just to attend the run was 67-year old Canadian Ray Deschambault, winner of the oldest runner award. Ray divides his time between Montreal and DeWitt, NY; and won in his age division just the week before at the Montreal Sri Chinmoy 13K. He traveled to New York to run the Half-Marathon because, he said, Sri Chinmoy makes him happy.

Winner in the 55-60 division was sportswriter Mort Kail of the Westchester Rockland Newspapers. Mort began running two years ago - to keep up with the running column he had begun writing."

Runners pass the Unisphere during the Sri Chinmoy Half-Marathon on November 16 at Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, New York. Photo: Bhashwar Hart

"International SCMT Members Pick Up Prizes" (Press Release). October 18, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-09. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

"Sri Chinmoy 7-Mile Race - Rockland Lake State Park, Congers, New York, Sunday, September 21. Although local men took the prizes in most divisions, international members of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team locked up the 18-39 age category. SCMT women picked up awards in scattered categories. The winning SCMT runners were from a number of countries - France, Scotland, Canada, Puerto Rico - as well as states across America and had been visiting at the main club in Jamaica, NY since the group's August get-together. A number of these winners were the leaders of their area's Sri Chinmoy running club. A young favorite of Tri-State area runners - Michael Balfour, age 9 of Nyack - came in third in the 17 and Under division and also received a trophy as the youngest runner..."

Results: men 18-39

1. Rejean Gauthier, SCMT Canada, 37:41

2. Martin Bentz, SCMT New York, 38:42

3.Guy St. Pierre, SCMT Canada, 39:05

4. Tom Curtin, SCMT New York, 39:26

5. Sundar Dalton, SCMT France, 40:16

6. Alan Spence, SCMT Scotland, 40:17

Women: 18-39

1. Kathy Culla, Valley Cottage, 44:29

2. Garima Hoffman, SCMT California, 47:31

3. Lynn Francisconi, Congers, 49:05

 

Women's first place winner Kiki Sweigart (no. 217) of Darien shows her finishing kick during the Sri Chinmoy 7 Mile Run at the Stamford Block Party, June 29.

Despite threat of rain, Block Party was fantastic." The Sunday Post, Bridgeport, CT, July 6, 1980.

"Frank Arturi, coordinator of the city's Block Party, estimates that some 75,000 attended the annual affair held last Sunday in the Atlantic Square area...

The seven-mile race held in the morning attracted some 450 runners and indications are that because it was so well organized and carried out without any problems, it will become a part of next year's Annual Block Party...

'Everyone was impressed with the race,' said Arturi, 'It attracted a good number of runners and everyone expressed satisfaction with it.' "

 

Advertising the 7-Mile Run in the Sunday Post, Bridgeport, CT

Partial Scanned Results; first 10 men

First 10 women...

 

"Dominican Republic Record Holder Wins Sri Chinmoy 10-Mile Run" (Press Release). April 26, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-11. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

"Flushing, NY, April 26 - Remulus Della Valle, the Dominican Republic's national record holder in the 5,000m, 10,000m and marathon distances, won Saturday's Sri Chinmoy 10-Mile Run with a time of 52:16. Della Valle is currently a student at St. John's University, Queens, and is a member of the Millrose Athletic Association.

Della Valle paced himself well, holding back throughout the first seven miles while Raul Bermudez of the West Side Y established a strong lead on the rest of the field. The Dominican Republic record holder then began moving up and by mile 8 the two were neck and neck. The runners both excelerated their strong pace, exchanging the lead several times over the next mile and 1/2. Finally, with 1/2 mile to go, Della Valle pulled ahead and sprinted full out, finishing seconds ahead of Bermudez and almost 1/4 mile ahead of third place winner Luis Borja of Woodside.

It was good running weather - mild and overcast - and the certified course consisted of two fast, flat loops through the Park and around the lake." 

"Sri Chinmoy 7 Mile Run" (Press Release). March 31, 1980. Retrieved 2013-02-11. Archive copy at Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team office, Queens, New York.

"The roads were wet and a slight drizzle began as the first racers finished, but nothing deterred the stalwart road runners from turning in fast times in Sunday's Sri Chinmoy Seven-Mile Race.

The race began at Sherman School at 8:40 a.m., consisting of several looping trails through the surrounding neighborhood.

Among the runners setting new personal records was Sri Chinmoy himself, whose 51:18 earned him fourth place in the men's Master's division.

First place in the race went to Rejean Gauthier of Ottawa, Canada, with a 36:15 time. He took the lead at the one-mile point, maintaining a firm 5:11 pace throughout the seven miles and finishing with a quarter-mile lead. Second and third places went to local Fairfield runners - Robert Ford Jr., 37:40 and John Stopa, 37:50. Winner of the youngest runner award was nine-year-old Michael Balfour of Nyack, N.Y., at 60:05.

"Gauthier Bests Locals In Sri Chinmoy 7." Running Tab, April 1980.

Fairfield's long distance runners may be a bit more wary of foreigners in the future following the convincing hometown defeat they suffered at the hands of a Canadian March 30 in the Sri Chinmoy Seven Mile road race.

French Canadian Rejean Gauthier of Ottawa established himself as the front runner after a mile...

Scanned Results...

"It's Fall, Greenwich Time." The Running Times. January 1980.

Some celebrities, such as author Jim Fixx, spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, and New York's answer to Superman, Steve Marek, helped kick off the fall season in Greenwich by showing up for this 10 mile event. The laurels, however, went to Scot Mosenthal of the Westchester PR, who outlegged half-miler Gregory Pacelko, 53:47 to 54:14.

Men's Results...

1. Scott Mosenthal (26), Westchester Road Runners, 53:47

2. Gregory Pacelko (23), Bronx, NY, 54:14

3. Rejean Gauthier (27), Sri Chinmoy Centre, 55:01

17-and under

1. Luis Amaral (17), Wolfpit Club, 62:04

2. Mark Paul (17), 75:50

3. Paul Zajkowski (13), 77:54

40-49

1. Cahit Yeter (44), Cahit's Pacers, 57:02

50 and over

1. Joseph Simonte (51), Central Park TC, 64:54

Women's Results...

1. Kerry Malone, (17), Gateway TC, 71:00

2. Joy Green (21), Pequot Runners, 71:39

3. Nancy Sheeby (31), Bronx, NY, 72:35

17 and under

1. Kerry Malone, (17), Gateway TC, 71:00

40-49

Samara Balfour (43), Cahit's Pacers, 77:06

50 and over

Sarama Minoli,(51), Sri Chinmoy Center (no time)