-Mark Lorenzoni (on the run since 1973) and Alec Lorenzoni (running since 1999)
The Weekly Race Report
A handful of local high schoolers traveled to the state's smallest but most prestigious invitational in Richmond on Friday evening to compete in the 10th annual Southern Track Classic. Unseasonably windy and chilly conditions greeted the athletes, but several national ranking performances were turned in nonetheless, highlighted by Anthony Kostelac's US #3 4:10.08 victory in the mile run. The Albemarle senior led almost the entire race and pulled away in the final 100 meters to win over Maryland's Matt Jablonski. Kostelac's time converts to 4:08.63 for 1600 meters and was a two second personal best as he beat the best mile field assembled in the state thus far this spring. A couple hours later, he came back and ran a solid anchor leg on Albemarle's 4x400 relay that finished 2nd in 3:22.12 (DeMatha Catholic from DC won in 3:17). He was joined on that relay by fellow seniors Jordan Hill, Andrew Frazier and Joel Okaah.
Other local performances of note were turned in by Louisa's super frosh Javanique Burruss, who won the triple jump in 37'-5.75" and finished 4th in the long jump at 18'-2". She also ran a leg on her team's 4x100 (6th, 49.90) and 4x400 (10th, 4:03.72) relays, both of which ran the area's fastest times of the spring. In the boys 110 meter high hurdles, Louisa's Dante Davis finished 3rd in 14.75, just missing his personal best as the race was run into a strong headwind. Rounding things out was the aforementioned Jordan Hill, who jumped a season best of 47'-5" in the triple jump to finish 2nd and ran 22.17 (again, into the wind) for 4th in the 200.
Fluvanna Invitational
The rest of Central Virginia was also competing under the lights on Friday night, but a little farther west at Fluvanna High School's track. It was certainly a meet dominated by local schools as the host team won the boys team title with 70 points (WAHS 3rd, Orange 5th) while Western was 3rd on the girls side (Louisa 5th). Individually, the distance runners took center stage as the cooler temperatures made for some very fast times. Western Albemarle's 4x800 relay of Andrew Jennings, Ben Schiller, Jimmy Taylor, and Henry Giles got things started with a 8:08.11 victory, the fastest time in the area and #3 in the state for Group AA. Mustang junior Nathaniel Hermsmeier continued a great spring as he easily won the 1600 in a big personal best time of 4:25.38, just missing the school record in the process. In the 3200, Chris Springer of Louisa and William Plews-Ogan of WAHS finished 2nd and 3rd, both of them breaking the magical 10:00 barrier for the first time with their marks of 9:56.90 and 9:57.90 respectively. In the field events, team champion Fluvanna was paced by Kedarius Bruce, who won the long and triple jumps in 21'-7.5" and 44'-1" and was 7th in the high jump at 6'-0".
On the girl's side, Madison junior Clare Moretz ran a great 1600/3200 double with times of 5:13.88 (1st) and 11:23.23 (3rd), and is now ranked #1 in the state for both the 800 and 1600, and #2 in the 3200 for Group A. In the 800, Western Albemarle went 1-2 as Mattie Webb ran a four second personal best to win in 2:18.82, while freshman teammate Katie Farina also PR'd at 2:23.90. Western picked up a couple more blue ribbons with Kelsey McClary in the 100 meter hurdles (16.11) and Nicole Harding in the pole vault (11'0").
An outstanding group of male freshman distance runners, who have been tearing up the track this spring. Dave Taylor of Western Albemarle leads the way with his 4:37 and 10:03 personal bests in the 1600 and 3200 meter runs. Joe Krohn and Aaron Elder of Albemarle are both under the elusive 5:00 barrier in the 1600 as well with their times of 4:50.89 and 4:51.23, while teammate Keith Montminy is oh so close at 5:00.76. Perhaps the most impressive of the group is Green County 8th grader Ryan Thomas, whose times of 4:42.58 (1600) and 2:07.42 (800) make him perhaps the fastest middle schooler in the state!
The Fork Union boys track team, who easily won the Prep League Championships last Saturday in Norfolk (kind of like a district meet for public schools). Coach Winston Brown's team used a well-balanced attack to rack up 168 points on their way to victory. Woodberry Forest was 4th and STAB was 6th, while the STAB girls were 5th. Next up for the private schools will be the VISAA State Meet this Saturday at St. Christopher's in Richmond.
The Western Albemarle girl's middle distance squad, which currently has four runners ranked in the top 10 in the state (Group AA) for the 800 meters. Mattie Webb is #5 at 2:18.82, Jordan Haws is #8 at 2:20.25, Claire Johnson is #9 at 2:22.68, and Katie Farina is #10 at 2:23.90. The school record of 9:26.00 set back in 2003 is in serious danger when these four line up together, most likely at the Nike Outdoor National meet in mid-June.
Dave Meyer, who rocketed to an impressive 10:24 victory at the Jennifer Wells Moonlight Meningitis Two Miler at Monticello High on Saturday night. And a big round of applause to Theresa Payne and her wonderful sisters for organizing a dandy of an event, which shattered its previous record as over 220 folks participated in the run and walk.
Mark Hampton and son, Charlie Heaton, Lawren Magerfield, Heidi Johnson, Carmia Steyn, Janice Coles, Kate Hamilton, Louise Knudson, Bill Blodgett, Jay (I'm sorry for not remembering your last name) and Audrey and Cynthia for all the fantastic volunteer help they gave to the Montalto Challenge.
Mark Lawall, who clocked an impressive 3:22 at the Vancouver Marathon last week.
Tre' Harris, who finished in the top 3rd of his age group (and 653rd out of 2,100+ starters) at the Ironman St. George in Utah on May 1st. Harris, along with all the other iron(wo)men had to endure 58 degree water temperatures for the 2.4 mile swim, 6000+ feet of climbing on the 112 mile bike, and 2000+ feet of climbing in the 26.2 mile run. Check out some of the pictures below:
Tre' with wife Teresa after the race
Near the start/finish line
Start of the swim with all 2,100 athletes in the water
In the Starting Blocks...
All of the public high schools have the weekend off as they prepare for their district meets, which will take place next week. The private schools will head east to Richmond for their state meet, which takes place Saturday at St. Christopher's.
After a two week break for exams, the Virginia track team will return to action this Sunday at North Carolina A&T as they try to qualify as many athletes as possible for the NCAA East Reigonal meet at the end of May.
The first annual Run for the River 5K/10K, set for Saturday May 15th, will be the debut event on one of Central Virginia's best kept soft surface running secrets. A quick twelve minute drive down 64 East to the Route 15 exit, and then an even quicker three minute drive on 15 North to East Jack Jouett Road (on your right) brings you to over 20 miles of soft packed dirt roads that wind through 14,000 acres of some of the most scenic and historic farmland in Virginia. Over twenty pre-Civil War homes and farms greet the runners as they traverse relatively flat roads over this enclave of gorgeous countryside known as the Historic Green Springs District. This is a do not miss event and as a special perk, runners will have the unique choice of selecting whether they want to continue on for the entire 10K distance or taking the "short" road home AFTER they start the race (as both races start and run together for about 1.5 miles). Come join us for this very special run through history!
We will be hosting, along with the Children's Hospital at UVA and the Virginia Discovery Museum, a Kid's Track Clinic on Saturday, May 22nd at 8:00am at the CHS track. Kids ages 3-12 are encouraged to attend this free and informative running clinic.
The RMR Kid's Summer Running Camp is going to be held July 13th and 14th, and registration forms are now available online and here in the store. The camp is limited to the first 100 participants.
The CTC's Marathon & Half Marathon Training Program kicks off with an orientation meeting on Thursday, May 27th from 5:30-6:30pm at St. Paul's (University Avenue). All abilities are welcome but you must currently be running.
Entries for the 2010 Charlottesville Women's Four Miler will be available the morning of Saturday, June 26th. Mark your calendars!
The Weekly Race Report
Montalto Challenge 5K
Widely considered to be the area's most challenging footrace, the Montalto 5K is also now among the fastest growing runs in Virginia. Close to 160 folks, almost double last year's number, made the incredible climb from the base of Monticello's Saunders Trail to the summit of Montalto, a climb like no other in town featuring a Swiss like road with seven switchbacks, all leading to the most spectacular views of any finish line in the state!
I had one of those glow with pride fatherly moments as my eldest son Alec reached the top first, setting a new course record of 20:28 with his climb. He was quickly followed by Ten Miler top five finisher Andrew Golden (21:21) and Monticello High cross country coach Doug Bloor (21:55). Eliza O'Connell blazed her way to the top, shattering the women's course record with an amazing 23:47, as she led Carmia Steyn (24:21) and Kristen Keller (25:51) to the top under last year's best female time. Alec and Eliza were awarded stunning red polka dotted "King and Queen of the Mountain" jerseys for their efforts.
Alec and Eliza weren't the only mountain climbers to establish new course standards as they were joined by Doug Bloor (30-39), Will Sizemore (19 & younger), Charlie Beckum (50-59) and Tom Nash (60-69) as new age group record holders. In addition to Beckum, Nash and Sizemore, the following fleet footed climbers scored a blue ribbon in their respective age groups: Olivia Hatch, Will Cox, Meg Crook, Sarah Trundle, Gerhard Van de Venter, Geoff Keenan, Peggy Mowbray and Laura Brown.
A big round of applause to Peter Hatch and his wonderful staff at Monticello for organizing such a special event, which raised valuable dollars to help with the upkeep of the popular Saunders Trail. A special thanks to Monticello President Leslie Bowman for her gracious support of this wonderful community event. I cannot think of a better (and healthier) way to open the gates of this spectacular estate than a run to the top. Also, a big thanks to the bagpipers whose music greeted the runners as they crested the top of the mountain at the finish.
Southern Track Classic
Widely considered to be the area's most challenging footrace, the Montalto 5K is also now among the fastest growing runs in Virginia. Close to 160 folks, almost double last year's number, made the incredible climb from the base of Monticello's Saunders Trail to the summit of Montalto, a climb like no other in town featuring a Swiss like road with seven switchbacks, all leading to the most spectacular views of any finish line in the state!
I had one of those glow with pride fatherly moments as my eldest son Alec reached the top first, setting a new course record of 20:28 with his climb. He was quickly followed by Ten Miler top five finisher Andrew Golden (21:21) and Monticello High cross country coach Doug Bloor (21:55). Eliza O'Connell blazed her way to the top, shattering the women's course record with an amazing 23:47, as she led Carmia Steyn (24:21) and Kristen Keller (25:51) to the top under last year's best female time. Alec and Eliza were awarded stunning red polka dotted "King and Queen of the Mountain" jerseys for their efforts.
Alec and Eliza weren't the only mountain climbers to establish new course standards as they were joined by Doug Bloor (30-39), Will Sizemore (19 & younger), Charlie Beckum (50-59) and Tom Nash (60-69) as new age group record holders. In addition to Beckum, Nash and Sizemore, the following fleet footed climbers scored a blue ribbon in their respective age groups: Olivia Hatch, Will Cox, Meg Crook, Sarah Trundle, Gerhard Van de Venter, Geoff Keenan, Peggy Mowbray and Laura Brown.
A big round of applause to Peter Hatch and his wonderful staff at Monticello for organizing such a special event, which raised valuable dollars to help with the upkeep of the popular Saunders Trail. A special thanks to Monticello President Leslie Bowman for her gracious support of this wonderful community event. I cannot think of a better (and healthier) way to open the gates of this spectacular estate than a run to the top. Also, a big thanks to the bagpipers whose music greeted the runners as they crested the top of the mountain at the finish.
Southern Track Classic
A handful of local high schoolers traveled to the state's smallest but most prestigious invitational in Richmond on Friday evening to compete in the 10th annual Southern Track Classic. Unseasonably windy and chilly conditions greeted the athletes, but several national ranking performances were turned in nonetheless, highlighted by Anthony Kostelac's US #3 4:10.08 victory in the mile run. The Albemarle senior led almost the entire race and pulled away in the final 100 meters to win over Maryland's Matt Jablonski. Kostelac's time converts to 4:08.63 for 1600 meters and was a two second personal best as he beat the best mile field assembled in the state thus far this spring. A couple hours later, he came back and ran a solid anchor leg on Albemarle's 4x400 relay that finished 2nd in 3:22.12 (DeMatha Catholic from DC won in 3:17). He was joined on that relay by fellow seniors Jordan Hill, Andrew Frazier and Joel Okaah.
Other local performances of note were turned in by Louisa's super frosh Javanique Burruss, who won the triple jump in 37'-5.75" and finished 4th in the long jump at 18'-2". She also ran a leg on her team's 4x100 (6th, 49.90) and 4x400 (10th, 4:03.72) relays, both of which ran the area's fastest times of the spring. In the boys 110 meter high hurdles, Louisa's Dante Davis finished 3rd in 14.75, just missing his personal best as the race was run into a strong headwind. Rounding things out was the aforementioned Jordan Hill, who jumped a season best of 47'-5" in the triple jump to finish 2nd and ran 22.17 (again, into the wind) for 4th in the 200.
Fluvanna Invitational
The rest of Central Virginia was also competing under the lights on Friday night, but a little farther west at Fluvanna High School's track. It was certainly a meet dominated by local schools as the host team won the boys team title with 70 points (WAHS 3rd, Orange 5th) while Western was 3rd on the girls side (Louisa 5th). Individually, the distance runners took center stage as the cooler temperatures made for some very fast times. Western Albemarle's 4x800 relay of Andrew Jennings, Ben Schiller, Jimmy Taylor, and Henry Giles got things started with a 8:08.11 victory, the fastest time in the area and #3 in the state for Group AA. Mustang junior Nathaniel Hermsmeier continued a great spring as he easily won the 1600 in a big personal best time of 4:25.38, just missing the school record in the process. In the 3200, Chris Springer of Louisa and William Plews-Ogan of WAHS finished 2nd and 3rd, both of them breaking the magical 10:00 barrier for the first time with their marks of 9:56.90 and 9:57.90 respectively. In the field events, team champion Fluvanna was paced by Kedarius Bruce, who won the long and triple jumps in 21'-7.5" and 44'-1" and was 7th in the high jump at 6'-0".
On the girl's side, Madison junior Clare Moretz ran a great 1600/3200 double with times of 5:13.88 (1st) and 11:23.23 (3rd), and is now ranked #1 in the state for both the 800 and 1600, and #2 in the 3200 for Group A. In the 800, Western Albemarle went 1-2 as Mattie Webb ran a four second personal best to win in 2:18.82, while freshman teammate Katie Farina also PR'd at 2:23.90. Western picked up a couple more blue ribbons with Kelsey McClary in the 100 meter hurdles (16.11) and Nicole Harding in the pole vault (11'0").
Blue Ribbons To...
An outstanding group of male freshman distance runners, who have been tearing up the track this spring. Dave Taylor of Western Albemarle leads the way with his 4:37 and 10:03 personal bests in the 1600 and 3200 meter runs. Joe Krohn and Aaron Elder of Albemarle are both under the elusive 5:00 barrier in the 1600 as well with their times of 4:50.89 and 4:51.23, while teammate Keith Montminy is oh so close at 5:00.76. Perhaps the most impressive of the group is Green County 8th grader Ryan Thomas, whose times of 4:42.58 (1600) and 2:07.42 (800) make him perhaps the fastest middle schooler in the state!
The Fork Union boys track team, who easily won the Prep League Championships last Saturday in Norfolk (kind of like a district meet for public schools). Coach Winston Brown's team used a well-balanced attack to rack up 168 points on their way to victory. Woodberry Forest was 4th and STAB was 6th, while the STAB girls were 5th. Next up for the private schools will be the VISAA State Meet this Saturday at St. Christopher's in Richmond.
The Western Albemarle girl's middle distance squad, which currently has four runners ranked in the top 10 in the state (Group AA) for the 800 meters. Mattie Webb is #5 at 2:18.82, Jordan Haws is #8 at 2:20.25, Claire Johnson is #9 at 2:22.68, and Katie Farina is #10 at 2:23.90. The school record of 9:26.00 set back in 2003 is in serious danger when these four line up together, most likely at the Nike Outdoor National meet in mid-June.
Dave Meyer, who rocketed to an impressive 10:24 victory at the Jennifer Wells Moonlight Meningitis Two Miler at Monticello High on Saturday night. And a big round of applause to Theresa Payne and her wonderful sisters for organizing a dandy of an event, which shattered its previous record as over 220 folks participated in the run and walk.
Mark Hampton and son, Charlie Heaton, Lawren Magerfield, Heidi Johnson, Carmia Steyn, Janice Coles, Kate Hamilton, Louise Knudson, Bill Blodgett, Jay (I'm sorry for not remembering your last name) and Audrey and Cynthia for all the fantastic volunteer help they gave to the Montalto Challenge.
Mark Lawall, who clocked an impressive 3:22 at the Vancouver Marathon last week.
Tre' Harris, who finished in the top 3rd of his age group (and 653rd out of 2,100+ starters) at the Ironman St. George in Utah on May 1st. Harris, along with all the other iron(wo)men had to endure 58 degree water temperatures for the 2.4 mile swim, 6000+ feet of climbing on the 112 mile bike, and 2000+ feet of climbing in the 26.2 mile run. Check out some of the pictures below:
Tre' with wife Teresa after the race
Near the start/finish line
Start of the swim with all 2,100 athletes in the waterFather/Son Running Tandem of the Week...
(As father and son we've enjoyed many memorable running times together all over the world over the years, so we thought it would be fun to recognize a father/son running team each week)Tom Nash and son Brendan have been competing together at footraces for close to two decades and quite often the speedy duo can be found near the top of their respective age groups, as was the case at Montalto last weekend, where Tom set a new age group standard with his blue ribbon performance. Brendan matched his fast paced Dad stride for stride as the former Western Albemarle standout finished right next to his Dad. Tom will be a force to reckon with in his new age group (60-64), as training with Brendan will most surely help to keep him fit and at or near the top of his class!
In the Starting Blocks...
All of the public high schools have the weekend off as they prepare for their district meets, which will take place next week. The private schools will head east to Richmond for their state meet, which takes place Saturday at St. Christopher's.
After a two week break for exams, the Virginia track team will return to action this Sunday at North Carolina A&T as they try to qualify as many athletes as possible for the NCAA East Reigonal meet at the end of May.
The first annual Run for the River 5K/10K, set for Saturday May 15th, will be the debut event on one of Central Virginia's best kept soft surface running secrets. A quick twelve minute drive down 64 East to the Route 15 exit, and then an even quicker three minute drive on 15 North to East Jack Jouett Road (on your right) brings you to over 20 miles of soft packed dirt roads that wind through 14,000 acres of some of the most scenic and historic farmland in Virginia. Over twenty pre-Civil War homes and farms greet the runners as they traverse relatively flat roads over this enclave of gorgeous countryside known as the Historic Green Springs District. This is a do not miss event and as a special perk, runners will have the unique choice of selecting whether they want to continue on for the entire 10K distance or taking the "short" road home AFTER they start the race (as both races start and run together for about 1.5 miles). Come join us for this very special run through history!
We will be hosting, along with the Children's Hospital at UVA and the Virginia Discovery Museum, a Kid's Track Clinic on Saturday, May 22nd at 8:00am at the CHS track. Kids ages 3-12 are encouraged to attend this free and informative running clinic.
The RMR Kid's Summer Running Camp is going to be held July 13th and 14th, and registration forms are now available online and here in the store. The camp is limited to the first 100 participants.
The CTC's Marathon & Half Marathon Training Program kicks off with an orientation meeting on Thursday, May 27th from 5:30-6:30pm at St. Paul's (University Avenue). All abilities are welcome but you must currently be running.
Entries for the 2010 Charlottesville Women's Four Miler will be available the morning of Saturday, June 26th. Mark your calendars!
