Sunday, October 19th, 2008
From Dan Verdi '04:
Abby (McQueeney Penamonte '04 ) and I ran the Denver Marathon today. The weather was awesome, a nice 47 degrees at the start and around 60 at the finish. It was our first high altitude marathon; the course was slightly hilly throughout and ran all through Denver.  Abby had a rough day, but completed the marathon in 4:27. She was disappointed with her time, but she did great.  I had a little better of a day, running a 2:44, three minutes off my PR. I placed well in the race as well, earning a 8th place overall, giving me a 1st in my age group. I am happy with the race, as I wanted to run under 2:50.  Abby and I will do a 50k in Moab UT in about a month, November 15th. It will be Abby's 4th 50K and my first.


Monday, June 16th, 2008
 The Nation Run men (Matt Durkin, Andy Wahila, and Ken Stannard) completed their cross country trek to San Diego on May 26^th after running 2,788 miles since February 1^st.  There are plenty of articles on the guys at www.nationrun.com.

Jessica (Tylutki) Charles ’04 placed 28^th overall and was the 5^th female in a time of 3:09:07 in the Run for the Red Marathon on May 4^th.  Here’s Jessica’s thoughts on the race… “After getting bumped out of the Boston Marathon (my friend Sara Guile got bumped, too), I decided to find another marathon to run.  Since I had a really good base, and my longer runs had already begun, I wanted to find one that was near the same date as Boston.  The Run for the Red was perfect.  It is a rolling course on scenic roads (that are completely closed to traffic), great volunteers, small numbers, and all of the proceeds go to the Red Cross.  I had an idea of what I wanted to run (3:30) and what I really wanted to run (3:20), but right from the start I felt really good.  By mile 10 I was a couple of minutes ahead of my goal, and I figured that I should just go for it (wisdom from my dad and Jeremy).  Even my uphill miles were faster than my goal pace!  It was such an amazing experience, and having my mom, dad, and husband there to cheer me on motivated me even more.  My official chip time ended up being 3:09:01-PR!!!  I finished 5th overall for females, and first in my age group.  The runner's high before, during, and after is something that cannot be described!”  Full Results:  http://www.poconomarathon.org/results_2008_marathon.html

Nick Scalfone ’07 won his half marathon debut… “In the shadows of the tremendous feet of my classmates' run around the nation which will be completed soon, I was victorious in my half marathon debut  in Hopkinton, MA with a time of 1:18.   I am also in the process of signing on with the Sandy Bay Harriers in Australia where I will arrive to begin graduate school the first week of July.”


Monday, May 5th, 2008
 The NationRun guys (Matt Durkin, Andy Wahila, and Ken Stannard) have crossed the Continental Divide and are now 2,054 miles into their adventure.  They plan to be in Shongopavi, AZ by the end of the day on Thursday, April 24^th. 
http://nationrun.com/Daily_Updates.html


O-State XC/Track Alumni Going The Distance! – Wednesday, April 23, 2008
From Mark Seigers '06:
This past weekend, (April 20th) I completed my farthest race to date.  I was a bit apprehensive about entering, after my first win at a 50k in Massachusetts in January left me struggling to recover from a groin injury.  However, I was able to get in some quality mileage and decided that I wanted to see how mentally and physically fit I was.  So this past Sunday, I completed and won my first 100km race, just a touch over 62 miles, in 8hrs 16mins, and change (about an average of a 7:58 pace). The Jack Bristol Waramaug Lake Ultra is the oldest 100km in the country having been started in 1974. The race was held at a state park in Connecticut and consisted of loops of approximately 7.6 miles on rolling terrain, with an additional out and back loop. Of course I had to significantly increase my caloric and fluid intake, especially due to the heat (which was made significantly more easy with the help of Amanda Villari '07, who assisted me for the entire 8+ hours!) Overall, running a 100 kilometer race was an incredible physical challenge and even more so a mental challenge. As I am writing this, my legs are quickly recovering and the swelling of my muscles is also quickly decreasing.  Although yesterday the idea of running was not to appealing to me, today I am beginning to wonder what it would be like to run even farther...we will see :)


112th Boston Marathon – Monday, April 21, 2008
Dan Verdi '04 placed 359th in a time of 2:47:37 and Abby McQueeney Penamonte '04 was the 6478th woman in a time of 4:16:52.

From Dan Verdi '04:
    Abby (Dan’s wife) and I both just completed the Boston Marathon. I ran a 2:47:36. I was disappointed with my time; however it was a decent effort for the course. And I beat Lance Armstrong, so I guess that is a decent day. The hills killed me -even more so that previous years. I was on pace to run around a 2:40 up until I hit mile 19-at which point my pace slowly faded. 
    Abby completed her first Boston, earning a spot to run through her Powerbar sponsorship. She ran a 4:16 and although she was also disappointed with her time she said she had fun; Boston College was her favorite part of the course. She now sympathizes with all of us previous Boston finishers as she now knows how the course can kick your butt. I would like to say a special Thanks to Sara Guile (Synder '02) for being a volunteer at the marathon. She is training to do a series of Triathlons in Colorado and did not run this year. She did however volunteer and was the best the Boston Marathon has ever seen. 
    In even bigger news Abby and I, as well as Sara Guile along with Sara's husband are all moving out to Colorado! Abby and I are moving this weekend where I will be working as a Media Buyer for a Denver agency, while Abby will full fill her lifelong dream of working as a RD at a fitness club. Sara and her husband will arrive in Boulder the first week of May. 
    We are extremely excited and welcome any visitors!


Oneonta State XC/T&F Alumni keep on running! - Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Andy Wahila ’06 and Matt Durkin ’07 along with Ken Stannard have begun their nation run and are over 125 miles west of the Atlantic Ocean in the state of Georgia.  You can read daily updates on their blog page at http://nationrun.blogspot.com/.  Rick DeCarr ’07 has been receiving the updates from the guys and writing daily.

Now running for the Syracuse Chargers Track Club, Musu Jackson-Buckner ’06 won both the 55(7.34) and 200(25.79) at the Syracuse University Invitational on Saturday, February 2^nd.  It was her first meet since winning the NCAA Championship in the Outdoor 200 meters in May of 2006.  Musu is a graduate student at SU in Higher Education.

Kelly Stevens ’04 was the 6^th woman to cross the finish line at the Tallahassee Marathon on Sunday, February 3^rd.  It was a personal best time of 3:30.14 and she placed 50^th overall.  Her next goal is to run the Boston Marathon in 2009.  Kelly is a meteorologist in the Tallahassee area, after receiving her master’s degree from Florida State.  Results from the marathon can be found at www.tallahasseemarathon.com. 


O-State XC/Track Alumni To Run Across Country! – Friday, February 1, 2008
Alumni Andy Wahila and Matt Durkin along with current student Ken Stannard and high school friend Dewey DeLisle will run from the Atlantic Ocean in Georgia and make their way across the country until they reach the Pacific in San Diego. The journey will begin on February 1^st, take about 4 months, and will comprise of a little over 2800 miles.

They are raising money for a scholarship fund for Andy's cousin who recently passed away and for Habitat Humanity. Fellow Alumni Rick DeCarr and Dan Verdi will be joining the group to finish the run at the end of May.

For more information visit: www.nationrun.com


25th Mohawk-Hudson River Marathon – Sunday, October 7, 2007
From Jessica (Tylutki) Charles:
Hi everyone!  As many of you know, I have been planning to run a marathon, and that race was this past weekend.  After an unseasonably warm week, I was lucky enough to have a cool morning to run the Mohawk-Hudson River Marathon this past Sunday (very different weather from Chicago).  This was my second marathon (my first being an untrained for one three years ago), and I was excited to run it.  I started off right on pace to qualify for Boston (my goal).  I felt good, especially during miles 9-17, so I decided to pick up the pace a little.  It was a great time; especially nice because of everyone who called/stopped by to wish me good luck, and then Jeremy and my dad making the trip to cheer me on (my dad even ran some with me), along with Sara (Snyder) Guile (old college teammate) and her husband (Tim) coming to cheer me on.  I ended up finishing in 3:32:08.  I'm a little sore today, but I am already looking forward to Boston, and a few races before then.  This summer has been a great one...full of PR's (1:34 in the half marathon, 33:05 for a 5 miler, and 19:27 in the 5K) and even a few wins.  Thank you to everyone who has supported me!  Many more miles still to come!

As I was waiting for the start of the marathon this past weekend, I head my name....from Rose Velan!  We ended up talking a little before the race, and then ran together for about 13 miles (she then picked it up a lot more than I did).  When I saw her after the race (I think) she said she finished in 3:22:??  Just thought you would like to hear about old athletes still "running" into one another.

Results:
87^th – Rose Velan (9^th woman), 3:22:39
142^nd – Jessica Charles (15^th woman), 3:32:08


The Preferred Care Rochester Marathon – Sunday, September 16, 2007
By Dan Verdi:
I just wanted to give you an alumni update-Sare Guile (Synder), Andy Wahila and myself finished the Preferred Care Rochester Marathon yesterday, Sunday September 16th, 2007.   Sara ran an amazing race and didn't even look like she was trying when she finished. She ran a 3:22, PRing 8 minutes! She placed second in her age group and 7th female overall! She PRed 10 minutes in Boston this past April, and it amazing she did it again this past Sunday.  Andy completed the marathon in a time of 3:24. He was pleased with his performance, even though he used the race as a training run; he is preparing for the Canandaguia 50 miler in October.  I finished the race in a time of 2:41, PRing by 5 minutes. I am extremely happy with my performance, I think I could have broken 2:40 which was my original goal, if I had someone to run with-I was alone for the last 14 miles of the race. I place first in my age group and 4th male overall. I think I am going to attempt my first Ultra-a 50K in November. 

By Sara (Snyder) Guile:
It was a perfect day for a marathon!  It was about 50 degrees at the start so it was a little chilly but very comfortable for running.  The first few miles were pretty normal, I stayed at my planned pace of about 8/mile, my legs were a little stiff but got better as I warmed up.  Around mile 10 we entered the Erie Canal Bike Path, this is where I really started feeling fabulous and started to pick up the pace.  I was going to start decreasing my pace at the halfway point but I felt really good at 10 so I went for it.  I was passing people left and right, and it was awesome!  Somewhere around mile 20 the half-marathon course joined the marathon course and it was hard to tell who was running the marathon, the half or the marathon relay.  With 3 to go I started getting really tired but I knew I was almost done and on my way to a PR, I just tried to keep the same pace and was still passing tons of people.  Finally just before the finis h I saw Tim, Dan, Abby and her family on the side cheering for me, I somehow found a little more energy and sprinted in to the finish.  We stayed for the awards ceremony, I was 2nd in my age group so I won an 8x10 photo of myself wearing my medal after the race.  And Dan was 1st in his age group and won a free pair of Brooks sneakers.  Unfortunately we had to leave Rochester yesterday afternoon but I was happy to come home to an amazing post-race feast of a Turkey dinner (with all the fixins) at the Snyder house.  Followed by Stewarts ice cream (Peanut Butter Pandemonium if you were wondering).  I feel pretty good today and am walking better than I ever have after previous marathons.  I think I'll recover pretty fast which is great because I only have 7 weeks until the NYC marathon! 


The Preferred Care Rochester Marathon - Sunday, September 17, 2006
Abby McQueeney Penamonte '04 placed 130th overall in a time of 4:00:56.  She also won the women's 19-24 age group.  "I know I have plenty more marathons to run in my days," commented Abby.  "I hear that running a marathon is like having a baby. You forget the pain!  How true!"  Abby will embark on two more major adventures in October.  On the 7th, she'll run a 32.6 mile race in Canandaigua, NY and on the 28th, she will marry her college sweetheart, Dan Verdi '04.


The Adirondack Marathon - Sunday, September 17, 2006
Rose Velan '04 made her marathon debut and placed 56th overall running 4:05:50.  She was the 14th female overall and won the 18-29 age group.  "I wanted to break four hours or ultimately qualify for Boston... next time," commented Rose.  "I did however, get 1st in my age group (18-29) and am very happy about that!!!!"  Rose ran the 800 leg on the women's DMR in 2004 that earned the first All-American honor in the history of women's Track & Field at Oneonta State.  Kelly Stevens '04, Jen Macri '05, and Ashlee Robertson '05 joined Rose on that team.


The 110th Boston Marathon - Monday, April 17, 2006
Sara (Snyder) Guile '02 placed 8,767th overall running 3:40:21 to qualify again for next year's race!  She was quoted as saying, "It was a lot of fun, I met up with Dan Verdi before the race in the Athlete's Village (who kicked ass by the way), then I saw Abby McQueeney Penamonte on the course.  I couldn't believe the amount of spectators, it was amazing.  The hills themselves weren't too bad, they were nothing compared to Oneonta hills!  By the last 5 miles my legs were getting really tired from all the ups and downs though.  But my goal was 3:40 so I'm happy!"  Dan Verdi '04 placed 280th in an amazing time of 2:46:18.

The ING New York City Marathon - Sunday, November 6, 2005
Dan Verdi '04 made his marathon debut on the streets of New York and finished in 406th place in a Boston Marathon qualifying time of 2:55:50.  "I am pretty happy with my performance," said Dan after the race.  "A little slower that I would have liked, but for my first one I am happy.  The hills did kill me in the end, I thought it would never end.  I had fun and can't wait for Boston!"  Dan became the 4th Red Dragon Alum in the last month to book a ticket to Beantown in April.  Additionally, Oneonta State Sports Information Director, Geoff Hassard, also qualified for Boston this fall when he ran 3:20:18, good enough for 85th place at the Bay State Marathon on October 16th.

Marine Corps Marathon - Sunday, October 30, 2005
Kelly Stevens '04 made her marathon debut in Washington D.C. and placed 1,165th overall and was the 187th woman to cross the line.  Her time of 3:34:27 was well under her goal time of 3 hours and 40 minutes and qualified her for the Boston Marathon.  She ran as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training and collected $3,785 in donations.  Congratulations!

23rd Mohawk-Hudson River Marathon - Sunday, October 9, 2005
Sara (Snyder) Guile '02 placed 122nd overall running 3:34:16 to qualify for the Boston Marathon in her first ever marathon!  She was quoted as saying, "It was so awesome... it was a great feeling to finally finish and I really surprised myself with my time.  I can barely walk today, but it was worth it!"  On a side note, Sara got married less than a month ago.  Congrats on both accounts!

The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon - Sunday, October 9, 2005
Emilio Mancino '95 made his marathon debut and placed 378th in a time of 2:53:19.  "I was excited about my performance and the experience has led to plan for and train for another marathon next year," commented Emilio this week.  Congrats!



E-mail them to lopiccmj@oneonta.edu.