| GREATER PHILADELPHIA TRACK CLUB All the Latest News from the Track, Road and Trails |
GPTC Competes at Glenn MIlls Indoor Meet Feb 7, 2010
On January 31, Glenn Mills was the next stop for GPTC track athletes. Results from the meet are 55 Meter (Mark Onwuji- 8.2/ New Club
Record) 200 meter (Mark Onwujl-26.0, John Patterson - 30.8), 400 Meter (John Patterson- 1:02.0, Bill King -1:13.4), 800 Meter (Delvin
Dinkins-2:10.4, Bob Rimkis- 2:22.8, John Patterson- 2:26.9, Chris Carroll-2:38.9), Mile (Bob Rimkis-5:05.5, Bill King- 6:06.5), 3000 meter
(Chris Carroll-11:43.5), Pole Vault (John Patterson-11' 0").
Greater Philadelphia Master Men 4 x 400 Wins at Milrose Games! Jan 30, 2010
The GPTC achieved a 1st for the club over the weekend, a 1st Place finish at the 103rd running of the world famous Millrose Games. The
Master team of Scott Landis (57.2), Bob McGinty (57.3), Ray Parker (56.2), and Nick Berra (54.1) won the Master 4 x 400 relay in a 5 team
field. The GPTC "B" team (Nick Damalas (58.6), Daryl Johnson (59.5), Dave Brown (56.9), and Kevin Forde (58.0)also ran well coming in
for the bronze medal. First leg started with the B team, Nick Damalas tking the early lead followed by Central Park TC and Scott Landis.
Both runners passed Damalas on the last lap with CPTC holding a small lead. McGinty took the lead on the 2nd leg but CPTC regained
the lead on the 3rd leg. Nick Berra took control in the 4th leg and outleanded the CPTC runner for the win.
RESULTS of 4 x 400: 1st) GPTC "A" - 3:44.79 2nd) CPTC 3:44.90 3rd) GPTC "B" - 3:53.06 4th) Mass Velocity- 4:00.24 Shore-4:17.31
The women over 50 team of Greater Philadelphia also made history Friday at Millrose by breaking the Atlanta TC (5:02.25) record and
establishing a new American Club record for the W50 4 x 400 Relay. The team of Alison Suckling (73.9), Joan Affleck (76.9), Wendi
Glassman (79.2), and Cheryl Bellair (69.4) came in 4th overall in the 4 x 400 women master relay. Overall time was 4:59.41.
Results: 1) Athena (4:20.03) 2nd ) Milrose AA (4:22:37) 3rd ) Central Park (4:47.73) 4) GPTC: 4:59.41 5th) CPTC 5:33.49
Welcome new member Mark Carver from Nashville TN to the club. He recently ran half Mar in Arizona in 1:18:19 and looking to make the
over 50 4x 400 team.
USATF Mid Atlantic Annual Awards Lunch Jan 24, 2010
The annual USATF MA awards lunch was held in Valley Forge this past weekend with many Greater Philly TC athletes honored with
awards. The GPTC team was 4th in the OFF Road Series ($150) and 5th in the Road Series ($200). Cheryl Bellaire won "Outstanding
Master High Performance Athlete" for her many accomplisments on the track in 2009. Other award winners were Mary Braverman (2nd in
40-45 on Road), Julie Deery was 5th overall in Road and 2nd in 40-44, and 2nd Master in the Off Road. Jeff Hayes was 1st overall Master in
Off Road and 7th in the XC Series. In the Cross Country Series, the GPTC women took 4 of the top 8 awards with Phyllis Yester (1st),
Colleen Forshee (2nd), Cheryl Bellaire (3rd), and Diane McManus (7th). The GPTC men were also well represented in the XC Series with
Chuck Shields (1st) , Bob Rimkis (2nd), Robert Torchia (3rd) Steve Sawyer (5th), and Jeff Hayes (7th). Road Certificate awards were given
to Chantal Reme, Rory McManus, Mike McGrath, Julie Deery, Mary Braverman, and Steve Sawyer. On the Field side, Ray Parker was
awarded a Excellence Award by High Performance.
Bellaire and Berra Winners at Hartshorne Mile Jan 24, 2010
The Hartshorne Mile held at Cornell University is a stop for elite runners on the indoor track circuit. Nick Berra and Cheryl came away from
the meet with exciting victories. Berra, who most recently was on the WR 4x 800 team, came from behind to outlean marathon runner,
Tracy Lokken with a time of 4:24.74 for 1st place in the 40 year old age group. Berra effort was a new GPTC club record breaking Kevin
Forde's mile record.(4:28.10) Cheryl Bellaire, 51, just missed a club record as she out ran Julie Hayden (Athena) in a time of 5:45.20.
Kevin Forde (4:48.12) and Chuck Shields (4:53.24) also ran the race and finished 3rd in their age groups. Also competing for Greater Phila
was Bob McGinty, who ran a personal best of 4:32.96 and Wendi Glassman who finished the mile in 6:25.94. The GPTC qualified three
4x400 relays in the Millrose Games this Friday.
GPTC Athletes Compete Indoors at Albright College Jan 18,2010
The Philly Masters USATF All Comers meet made a stop at Albright College in Reading, Pa on Sunday with a few GPTC athletes
competing on the indoor track. Cheryl Bellaire tripled by running the 400 (70.3), 200 (32.6), and the 800 (2:44.3) on the 10 lap to the mile
track. Terry Permar ran the 2 mile against many younger competitors, but held his own and ran a 11:26.27. New member, James
Anderson won his heat in the 400 (time ?).
GPTC Runners Start the New Year Off On Track and Roads Jan 10,2010
Greater Philadelphia TC athletes most recently competed and scored high on some road and Indoor track races. At the Delaware
Invitational Indoor Meet, Cheryl Bellaire ran 2:36:34 in the 800 meters . Also at Delaware in the 400 meters, Scott Landis (55.68), Bob
McGinty (55.97), Kevin Forde ( 57:08), Dave Brown (57:15), Daryl Johnson (57..57). Based on 400 time trials, the upcoming 4 x 400 teams
at the upcoming Millrose Games at MSG will be Scott Landis, Bob McGinty, Ray Parker, Nick Berra (Men) and Alison Suckling, Wendi
Glassman. Joan Affleck , and Cheryl Bellaire (women). Other track performances recently recorded by GPTC members were: 400 (Delvin
Dinkins-55.14, Bryant Nix (1:01.39), John Patterson-1:01:86. In the 800 (Bob McGinty-2:07.64. In the Mile (Chuck Shields-5:56.08, James
Anderson-5:02.08, Bryant Nix-5:09.03, Chris Carroll-5:50.25, Bill King-6:14.36. In the 3000 (Neill Clark-9:39.8, James Anderson-10:16.80),
Pole Vault (John Patterson-10'6"), 200 meters (Daryl Johnson-25.96), Mark Onwuji- 26.71.
On the ROAD- At the Icicle 10 Milers in Wilmington, Terry Permar ran 1:02:40 (1st in 55-59 age) and Ira Meyers -1:06:57 (3rd in 45-59age).
Welcome new GPTC Members- Mark Onwujl, Bill King, and James Anderson.
GPTC Men's 4 x 400 Sets World Record at the Armory Holiday Classic Dec 28,2009
The GPTC 4 x 800 team traveled to NY Armory on Sunday with a goal of capturing the American Club relay mark (8:15.29). The team of Scott
Landis, Bob McGinty, Nick Berra, and Kevin Forde surprised the Armory crowd and themselves by setting a New World Record for the
40-49 age group with a time of 8:07.48 for the 4 x 800 Relay! The Leadoff leg, Landis, a member of the 1982 Wissahickon 4 x 800 relay
National HS record setting team, went out strong following the B relay team of Phil Reilly, who set a pace of 59 at the 400. Landis charged
to the lead and handed off to Bob McGinty in 2:01.4. McGinty, like Landis was part of a HS record team for Southern Lehigh (1983) led his
leg slightly over B Team Delvin Dinkins. McGinty ran a 400 split of 58.5 and handed the baton off with a slight lead and a 2:02.8 split. Kevin
Forde took the baton for the 3rd leg quickly separated himself from the B team (Chuck Shields) 3rd leg with a 26.2 opening 200 split. The
GPTC squad was now running against the clock. Forde's early fast pace took it's toll but the 5th Ave Mile winner was able to hold it together
and hand off the anchorman Nick Berra in 2:05.8. Forde noted "cleary I couldn't hold onto a brutal pace....I was gassed. I could not let my
team mates down, I dug down deep to get the baton around.." Berra, a former coach/alum from Cumberland Valley HS (PA), took the
baton from Forde and ran 29 sec splits for 3 laps and the last 200 under 29 sec. to break the tape with a split of 1:57.4. The time of 8:07.48
set a new world record (40-49) and smashed the GPTC club record of 8:30.42 (Shields, Patton, Forde, Landis) set in 2006. Berra, who
began running masters' track in early 2009, said " masters track has made competitive track available and fun again. I haven't worn spikes
in 18 years before turning 40. For setting the WR, the 4 x 800 squad was invited to take a victory lap in front of an appreciative Armory
crowd. McGinty added, "It was like nothing I have ever experienced in my years of racing. The victory lap is something I'll remember for
ever"
GPTC Athletes Compete at Haverford and Glen Mills Dec 16, 2009
GPTC track and field athletes opened up the indoor track season by competing at the Haverford Holiday and Glenn Mills Meet. At the
Holiday meet, Chuck Shields ran 4:55.46 (mile), Scott Landis 56.44 (400), Nick Berra 2:01.28 (800), Bob McGinty 2:04.72 (800). At the
Glenn Mills Meet John Patterson pulled triple duty by competing in the Pole Vault (10' 6"), 800 meter (2:22) and 400 meters (61.6). Mark
Onwiji ran the 200 (27.7) and Bob Rimkis competed in the mile (5:06). The next indoor meet is on Jan 3, 2010 at Swarthmore college.
GPTC Starts Winter Track and Road Season Dec 6,2009
The Winter Season kicked off this past weekend with GPTC athletes competing in local road and indoor track meets. Neill Clark finished
19th in Brian's Run in West Chester, Pa. Clark finished the 5 mile (formerly 10k) in 19th place in 28:44. In the Winter Invitational Indoor
Meet, Cherl Bellaire ran a 1:08.50 (400 meter) and 2:37.01 (800 meter) . At the Seton Hall Open, Kevin Forde (57.08) and Chuck Shields
(1:01.09) in the 400 meters. The GPTC 2009-2010 Indoor Track Schedule is out.
On January 31, Glenn Mills was the next stop for GPTC track athletes. Results from the meet are 55 Meter (Mark Onwuji- 8.2/ New Club
Record) 200 meter (Mark Onwujl-26.0, John Patterson - 30.8), 400 Meter (John Patterson- 1:02.0, Bill King -1:13.4), 800 Meter (Delvin
Dinkins-2:10.4, Bob Rimkis- 2:22.8, John Patterson- 2:26.9, Chris Carroll-2:38.9), Mile (Bob Rimkis-5:05.5, Bill King- 6:06.5), 3000 meter
(Chris Carroll-11:43.5), Pole Vault (John Patterson-11' 0").
Greater Philadelphia Master Men 4 x 400 Wins at Milrose Games! Jan 30, 2010
The GPTC achieved a 1st for the club over the weekend, a 1st Place finish at the 103rd running of the world famous Millrose Games. The
Master team of Scott Landis (57.2), Bob McGinty (57.3), Ray Parker (56.2), and Nick Berra (54.1) won the Master 4 x 400 relay in a 5 team
field. The GPTC "B" team (Nick Damalas (58.6), Daryl Johnson (59.5), Dave Brown (56.9), and Kevin Forde (58.0)also ran well coming in
for the bronze medal. First leg started with the B team, Nick Damalas tking the early lead followed by Central Park TC and Scott Landis.
Both runners passed Damalas on the last lap with CPTC holding a small lead. McGinty took the lead on the 2nd leg but CPTC regained
the lead on the 3rd leg. Nick Berra took control in the 4th leg and outleanded the CPTC runner for the win.
RESULTS of 4 x 400: 1st) GPTC "A" - 3:44.79 2nd) CPTC 3:44.90 3rd) GPTC "B" - 3:53.06 4th) Mass Velocity- 4:00.24 Shore-4:17.31
The women over 50 team of Greater Philadelphia also made history Friday at Millrose by breaking the Atlanta TC (5:02.25) record and
establishing a new American Club record for the W50 4 x 400 Relay. The team of Alison Suckling (73.9), Joan Affleck (76.9), Wendi
Glassman (79.2), and Cheryl Bellair (69.4) came in 4th overall in the 4 x 400 women master relay. Overall time was 4:59.41.
Results: 1) Athena (4:20.03) 2nd ) Milrose AA (4:22:37) 3rd ) Central Park (4:47.73) 4) GPTC: 4:59.41 5th) CPTC 5:33.49
Welcome new member Mark Carver from Nashville TN to the club. He recently ran half Mar in Arizona in 1:18:19 and looking to make the
over 50 4x 400 team.
USATF Mid Atlantic Annual Awards Lunch Jan 24, 2010
The annual USATF MA awards lunch was held in Valley Forge this past weekend with many Greater Philly TC athletes honored with
awards. The GPTC team was 4th in the OFF Road Series ($150) and 5th in the Road Series ($200). Cheryl Bellaire won "Outstanding
Master High Performance Athlete" for her many accomplisments on the track in 2009. Other award winners were Mary Braverman (2nd in
40-45 on Road), Julie Deery was 5th overall in Road and 2nd in 40-44, and 2nd Master in the Off Road. Jeff Hayes was 1st overall Master in
Off Road and 7th in the XC Series. In the Cross Country Series, the GPTC women took 4 of the top 8 awards with Phyllis Yester (1st),
Colleen Forshee (2nd), Cheryl Bellaire (3rd), and Diane McManus (7th). The GPTC men were also well represented in the XC Series with
Chuck Shields (1st) , Bob Rimkis (2nd), Robert Torchia (3rd) Steve Sawyer (5th), and Jeff Hayes (7th). Road Certificate awards were given
to Chantal Reme, Rory McManus, Mike McGrath, Julie Deery, Mary Braverman, and Steve Sawyer. On the Field side, Ray Parker was
awarded a Excellence Award by High Performance.
Bellaire and Berra Winners at Hartshorne Mile Jan 24, 2010
The Hartshorne Mile held at Cornell University is a stop for elite runners on the indoor track circuit. Nick Berra and Cheryl came away from
the meet with exciting victories. Berra, who most recently was on the WR 4x 800 team, came from behind to outlean marathon runner,
Tracy Lokken with a time of 4:24.74 for 1st place in the 40 year old age group. Berra effort was a new GPTC club record breaking Kevin
Forde's mile record.(4:28.10) Cheryl Bellaire, 51, just missed a club record as she out ran Julie Hayden (Athena) in a time of 5:45.20.
Kevin Forde (4:48.12) and Chuck Shields (4:53.24) also ran the race and finished 3rd in their age groups. Also competing for Greater Phila
was Bob McGinty, who ran a personal best of 4:32.96 and Wendi Glassman who finished the mile in 6:25.94. The GPTC qualified three
4x400 relays in the Millrose Games this Friday.
GPTC Athletes Compete Indoors at Albright College Jan 18,2010
The Philly Masters USATF All Comers meet made a stop at Albright College in Reading, Pa on Sunday with a few GPTC athletes
competing on the indoor track. Cheryl Bellaire tripled by running the 400 (70.3), 200 (32.6), and the 800 (2:44.3) on the 10 lap to the mile
track. Terry Permar ran the 2 mile against many younger competitors, but held his own and ran a 11:26.27. New member, James
Anderson won his heat in the 400 (time ?).
GPTC Runners Start the New Year Off On Track and Roads Jan 10,2010
Greater Philadelphia TC athletes most recently competed and scored high on some road and Indoor track races. At the Delaware
Invitational Indoor Meet, Cheryl Bellaire ran 2:36:34 in the 800 meters . Also at Delaware in the 400 meters, Scott Landis (55.68), Bob
McGinty (55.97), Kevin Forde ( 57:08), Dave Brown (57:15), Daryl Johnson (57..57). Based on 400 time trials, the upcoming 4 x 400 teams
at the upcoming Millrose Games at MSG will be Scott Landis, Bob McGinty, Ray Parker, Nick Berra (Men) and Alison Suckling, Wendi
Glassman. Joan Affleck , and Cheryl Bellaire (women). Other track performances recently recorded by GPTC members were: 400 (Delvin
Dinkins-55.14, Bryant Nix (1:01.39), John Patterson-1:01:86. In the 800 (Bob McGinty-2:07.64. In the Mile (Chuck Shields-5:56.08, James
Anderson-5:02.08, Bryant Nix-5:09.03, Chris Carroll-5:50.25, Bill King-6:14.36. In the 3000 (Neill Clark-9:39.8, James Anderson-10:16.80),
Pole Vault (John Patterson-10'6"), 200 meters (Daryl Johnson-25.96), Mark Onwuji- 26.71.
On the ROAD- At the Icicle 10 Milers in Wilmington, Terry Permar ran 1:02:40 (1st in 55-59 age) and Ira Meyers -1:06:57 (3rd in 45-59age).
Welcome new GPTC Members- Mark Onwujl, Bill King, and James Anderson.
GPTC Men's 4 x 400 Sets World Record at the Armory Holiday Classic Dec 28,2009
The GPTC 4 x 800 team traveled to NY Armory on Sunday with a goal of capturing the American Club relay mark (8:15.29). The team of Scott
Landis, Bob McGinty, Nick Berra, and Kevin Forde surprised the Armory crowd and themselves by setting a New World Record for the
40-49 age group with a time of 8:07.48 for the 4 x 800 Relay! The Leadoff leg, Landis, a member of the 1982 Wissahickon 4 x 800 relay
National HS record setting team, went out strong following the B relay team of Phil Reilly, who set a pace of 59 at the 400. Landis charged
to the lead and handed off to Bob McGinty in 2:01.4. McGinty, like Landis was part of a HS record team for Southern Lehigh (1983) led his
leg slightly over B Team Delvin Dinkins. McGinty ran a 400 split of 58.5 and handed the baton off with a slight lead and a 2:02.8 split. Kevin
Forde took the baton for the 3rd leg quickly separated himself from the B team (Chuck Shields) 3rd leg with a 26.2 opening 200 split. The
GPTC squad was now running against the clock. Forde's early fast pace took it's toll but the 5th Ave Mile winner was able to hold it together
and hand off the anchorman Nick Berra in 2:05.8. Forde noted "cleary I couldn't hold onto a brutal pace....I was gassed. I could not let my
team mates down, I dug down deep to get the baton around.." Berra, a former coach/alum from Cumberland Valley HS (PA), took the
baton from Forde and ran 29 sec splits for 3 laps and the last 200 under 29 sec. to break the tape with a split of 1:57.4. The time of 8:07.48
set a new world record (40-49) and smashed the GPTC club record of 8:30.42 (Shields, Patton, Forde, Landis) set in 2006. Berra, who
began running masters' track in early 2009, said " masters track has made competitive track available and fun again. I haven't worn spikes
in 18 years before turning 40. For setting the WR, the 4 x 800 squad was invited to take a victory lap in front of an appreciative Armory
crowd. McGinty added, "It was like nothing I have ever experienced in my years of racing. The victory lap is something I'll remember for
ever"
GPTC Athletes Compete at Haverford and Glen Mills Dec 16, 2009
GPTC track and field athletes opened up the indoor track season by competing at the Haverford Holiday and Glenn Mills Meet. At the
Holiday meet, Chuck Shields ran 4:55.46 (mile), Scott Landis 56.44 (400), Nick Berra 2:01.28 (800), Bob McGinty 2:04.72 (800). At the
Glenn Mills Meet John Patterson pulled triple duty by competing in the Pole Vault (10' 6"), 800 meter (2:22) and 400 meters (61.6). Mark
Onwiji ran the 200 (27.7) and Bob Rimkis competed in the mile (5:06). The next indoor meet is on Jan 3, 2010 at Swarthmore college.
GPTC Starts Winter Track and Road Season Dec 6,2009
The Winter Season kicked off this past weekend with GPTC athletes competing in local road and indoor track meets. Neill Clark finished
19th in Brian's Run in West Chester, Pa. Clark finished the 5 mile (formerly 10k) in 19th place in 28:44. In the Winter Invitational Indoor
Meet, Cherl Bellaire ran a 1:08.50 (400 meter) and 2:37.01 (800 meter) . At the Seton Hall Open, Kevin Forde (57.08) and Chuck Shields
(1:01.09) in the 400 meters. The GPTC 2009-2010 Indoor Track Schedule is out.
