1. Home
  2.  News
  3.  Local News

Runners rack up miles at first-ever marathon

| 24 Oct 2013 | 11:40
    First place relay winners: Team Kings Highway Harriers from Sugar Loaf (Photo by Geri Corey)
    First place relay winners: Team Kings Highway Harriers from Sugar Loaf (Photo by Geri Corey)
    The Ansick family from Auburn, Alabama: William, Emily and son Miles cross the finish line. They’re visiting their aunt, Linda Hulse, who lives in Goshen. (Photo by Geri Corey)
    The Ansick family from Auburn, Alabama: William, Emily and son Miles cross the finish line. They’re visiting their aunt, Linda Hulse, who lives in Goshen. (Photo by Geri Corey)
    Overall winner of the Hambletonian Marathon & Good Time Trotters Relay, Liam Quinn of Arlinton, Va., coming down Heritage Trail heading to the finish line at the Historic Track. He finished at 2:55:10. (Photo by Geri Corey)
    Overall winner of the Hambletonian Marathon & Good Time Trotters Relay, Liam Quinn of Arlinton, Va., coming down Heritage Trail heading to the finish line at the Historic Track. He finished at 2:55:10. (Photo by Geri Corey)
    Alissa Pirraglia, representing Goshen’s Team Eva, which ran for Rett Syndrome. Pirraglia said more than 80 entries were for Team Eva, including five full marathon racers and 26 teams. They raised $22 thousand from this race for their charity. (Photo by Geri Corey)
    Alissa Pirraglia, representing Goshen’s Team Eva, which ran for Rett Syndrome. Pirraglia said more than 80 entries were for Team Eva, including five full marathon racers and 26 teams. They raised $22 thousand from this race for their charity. (Photo by Geri Corey)
    And they’re off! (Photo by Geri Corey)
    And they’re off! (Photo by Geri Corey)
    Warming up are Team Rah Ca Ca (from left): Cristen Bianco, Beacon; Corliss Mullen, Wallkill; and Robert Kootz, Beacon. (Photo by Geri Corey)
    Warming up are Team Rah Ca Ca (from left): Cristen Bianco, Beacon; Corliss Mullen, Wallkill; and Robert Kootz, Beacon. (Photo by Geri Corey)
    Paul Halayko, Blooming Grove, and Jessica Szeli, Wallkill, are all smiles before the race. They’re pleased to have this marathon close to home. (Photo by Geri Corey)
    Paul Halayko, Blooming Grove, and Jessica Szeli, Wallkill, are all smiles before the race. They’re pleased to have this marathon close to home. (Photo by Geri Corey)
    It’s a family affair grouped around Brady McElroy, sitting on his Aunt Mary Ellen Benedetti’s lap. Others include (from left(): Uncle Charlie Benedetti, grandmother and racer Peggy Halayko; grandpa and racer Steven Halayko, and Michele McElroy, Brady’s mom. (Photo by Geri Corey)
    It’s a family affair grouped around Brady McElroy, sitting on his Aunt Mary Ellen Benedetti’s lap. Others include (from left(): Uncle Charlie Benedetti, grandmother and racer Peggy Halayko; grandpa and racer Steven Halayko, and Michele McElroy, Brady’s mom. (Photo by Geri Corey)
    Taylor Knoblock, 25, Goshen, relaxing before the start of his first official marathon. Taylor, who won the 10K at Great American Weekend, came in sixth on Sunday. (Photo by Geri Corey)
    Taylor Knoblock, 25, Goshen, relaxing before the start of his first official marathon. Taylor, who won the 10K at Great American Weekend, came in sixth on Sunday. (Photo by Geri Corey)
    Chief James Watt, Village of Goshen Police Chief, salutes during the singing of the National Anthem. (Photo by Geri Corey)
    Chief James Watt, Village of Goshen Police Chief, salutes during the singing of the National Anthem. (Photo by Geri Corey)

By Geri Corey
GOSHEN — “It was a perfect marathon day,” said Kathleen Rifkin, race director for the Hambletonian Marathon and Good Time Trotters Relay.

The first annual marathon last Sunday brought more than 640 racers through Goshen’s village and town roads, into Chester, then back to Goshen.

With clear skies and a bit of crispness in the air, the weather couldn’t have been more cooperative. Runners before the race were upbeat — jubilant to be a part of it, and anxious to get started.

Rob Dickover, assistant race director, sent them off after a brief talk and remembrance of those in service who are defending our freedom and young Colleen Smith’s singing of the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

Racers completed the 26.2-mile marathon at the Historic Track, with the finish line in front of the grandstand. Finishing sixth overall was Goshen’s own Taylor Knoblock. Other leading Goshenites included Gregory Foster coming in ninth and Michael St. Lawrence finishing in 14th place. Rufus Wareham of Chester came in at the 11 spot. Among women, Beth Tranes from Goshen placed fourth, and Carol Anne Anzalone from Chester placed tenth.

The three-person Good Time Trotters Relay teams followed the same 26.2-mile course. Among local winners, Team Hudson Valley Hustlers from Goshen placed 12th and Team USA from Chester placed 13 overall. For a list of the top male and female winners, please see sidebar.

“We’re really thrilled about the community turnout,” said Rifkin speaking for the marathon committee. “The number of volunteers and the people who came out to cheer was great. We couldn’t do it without the volunteers.” Then she quickly added: “But the runners make it happen.”

Dickover said, “I feel really good about what I witnessed. When the crowd feels good — which Goshen’s crowd did — the runners feed off of that. It replenishes their battery and keeps them going.”

He said he hasn’t heard any negative comments about the race, although Rifkin suggested some tweaking for the better flow of traffic and racers.

After a short break, Rifkin revealed that the committee would begin working on the second annual Hambletonian Marathon and Good Time Trotters Relay. In fact, the date is set for Oct. 19, 2014, the Sunday after Columbus Day.

Proceeds from the race will benefit the Orange County Greater Hudson Food Bank and the Orange County Citizens Foundation for maintenance, improvements, and possible expansion to Heritage Trail.