An Historic type of Race, Set to a Modern City... and Still Breathes that SAME Competitive Drive

Dermot H

NYC has a lingering IV, laced in competition, that never seems to bottom out. Even after a SUPER Thrill, when the NYCM has the last runner cross the line and you'd think its finally tanked the the system, the "Drive" still drips away. 

If you remember from high school, or from Olympic Track+Field Events, the Relay Race is a meticulous feat + FULL Throttle excitement. In a relay race, all competitors handle the exact same conditions and distance (still FAR more exciting than NASCAR). But what if the course sections were different for each member running? This type of road race actually does exists, and it does have a name...It is called the "Ekiden."

The Ekiden is a relay race, involving at least two legs, where no leg has the same length (and/or path conditions), and most courses require team members to engage ONLY one leg. This term (Japanese) was originally coined for transport communications during the late 1800s––since all communications being relayed did not have a clean set distance interval, or the same terrain to cover. The first race using this naming was in 1917, for a journey from Kyoto to Tokyo (about 510km) commemorating the moving of Japan's capital city. The Ekiden is still a popular race style in Japan, and also has been an established part of high school /collegiate track events.

The idea of Ekiden is slowing coming Stateside, but VERY slowly I may add, when compared to other relay systems (Ragnar relay as an Example). And New York City is fortunate to claim stake to hosting an Ekiden, thanks to the NYCRUNs Ekiden. 

I have found the idea of THIS type of race very intriguing and needed NO hesitation to give it a go last year. I had heard of uneven relays before, but never knew the exact name, and never knew where they were hosted––besides out of country. An extensive display of support comes through for every team in participation, and a non-fading excitement. Fellow Flyer Adam M, and I signed up as a dynamic duo (and both of us were deep under "disabled active list" at the time). 

The swath of runners was literally from EVERY KNOWN LRG in the City. The low count of participants, when compared to other races, did not deprive this race at all (I think it brought in more attention from the bystanders). Most of the competitors were comprised into 4-person teams, engaging both the tradition and giving a fresh set of legs to each leg. The competition came out extremely fierce, regardless of the leg they were on, but the runners held a surprisingly strong camaraderie attitude.

NYCRUNS Ekiden 2012

Most of you who know me are likely to know that I'm never eager about shorter runs, especially anything involving stampede sensations. THIS race, however, really left a mark on me. I knew after that race was over I would be looking to relive it all-over again.

A year has nearly passed since the race was run, and the 2-Man Band is gonna be back at it...Hopefully NEITHER of us be injury-laden come December.

...So what's making THIS race important otherwise for us (i.e., Flyers)?

Its not every race that an opportunity like this comes around. As tight-knit a Running Group as we can be, it's one of those races to really exploit the best that we got. And by exploit, I mean the capacity to get runners bonded to common goals AND ability to smother the ambient airwaves with "Go Flyers!!" We have some great distance runners, alongside some great short ground runners, and BOTH feats are desired for such a course. It screams for us to TAKE OVER.

I also must make an important note, after learning of some special news.

I mentioned competition somewhere here, right? Since NYCRUNs is hosting this race, they have also raised the stakes–– by making this a points race towards the NYCRUNS Interclub Challenge. A NEWSFLASH for those not aware––we are currently hovering 5th Place, close-by amongst other big-named local running clubs, but we have a very good (but equal) opportunity at nabbing 3rd Place before 2013s closing.

But WAIT...It's all getting better!!!

NYCRUNs this year is debuting a Half Marathon, on the same day (later time), called the "Frozen Bonsai Half-Marathon." This race also is a POINTS race. It won't be two full dreaded Central Park loops, like a pre-manhattan half, so don't fret on that mental course image.

We have an ever-great opportunity at snagging some serious points, all done in ONE day, through two events....And maybe, just maybe, pulling a BIG upset for 3rd Place!!!

And let's not forget, on the same day as the Ekiden and the Frozen Bonsai Half is the Shoe4Africa 5K and Kids Races directed by the Flyers own Coach Toby T, with all of the "profits" going toward Toby's on-going mission to fund and construct a Children's Hospital in Kenya!

-Dermot H.

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Running With the New Year

Dermot H

As each day passes, we all go through the natural motions. We can only function actively for so much time in a day.

We're eventually placed into an idle position. Our heart rates drop to a delayed lull, our breathing is dragged but heavy, our eyelids are fluttering in line with a hummingbirds wings but the eyes are not collecting any images.

We are on rare moments forced to extend our active hours to complete some crucial task(s) with time constraints or being able to catch up with others in those rare opportunities.

But there is one day encountered every 365 days when a massive percentage of the population will stay awake (willingly or via heavy caffeine ingestion) to witness a major change. Every 365 days, we shed out of one year and begin into a new year. This transition is marked by celebration of this change with the biggest mark being change for the better. This transition is typically celebrated by excessive ethanol consumption amongst friends (frequenters + those not often seen), capturing immense fireworks displays from each major city, moments to remember (proposals) and engaging in reflection of the past year (did I succeed in a planned resolution? how did I fair out?).

A few people throughout the globe, however look into this night from a different perspective. In various parts of the world, a few people will go out of their way and take on a run when the timer chimes in to midnight. These people are running into the night towards a new day and more importantly, into the new year. These people are hitting the ground running into the new year.

Going Nuts

The NYRR for the past few years has been hosting such a run known to the public as the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run. It makes perfect sense as these people can be considered just plain nuts to take on this run. It is not so much the distance (4M); it is the timing of the run and the conditions to be encountered (very low temperatures, low lighting / visibility).


Now That's What Low Lighting Conditions Looks Like!

Last year, my craziest thing to do was to take on an ultra marathon while still within my first year of running. This year, I really did not contemplate anything ridiculous /talk worthy.
The idea of doing a New Years related run came to mind awfully late in the year. Unfortunately, NYC government has gone about screwing around some more against the holiday marathoners (permits denied for 3rd holiday marathon in succession). I then looked at this Midnight Run. I have a hard time staying up late, plain and simple. I have done late evening/early night runs, but never was forced to do a late night run. This run got me intrigued. Not only the run itself, but I was also interested on this pre-festival taking place. I signed up awfully late, but was still able to snag a bib and start planning out the night.

There were other Flyers also out having some midnight fun in Central Park.  Joyce S, Diane Z, Bob C, Karen H and Andreas W were among the intrepid Flyers.  And maybe there were some other Flyers mixed within the darkness and the midnight mayhem.

Pre-Race Festivities

Walking my way down to the starting grounds, the faint sounds of a BIG speaker system and some multi-colored lights gleaming ever so greatly through the growth. It was sure signs that a party was kicking. The closer I made it, the more the ground was shaking before my feet and my gear bag was rattling within. Looked like 1/4 of the crowd got hold of those lighted glasses and the rest had some kinda 2012 knickknack. EVERYONE got hold of a emerald sponsored 2012 headband - I kept on thinking of the Toy Story scene with Buzz Lightyear in the vat of toy Martians when trying to look out beyond the crowd. A few people took some daring moves to improvise some kind of costume; predominantly holiday-themed outfits (best one I saw from afar was a group of stockings).


Runners Lined Up in Their 2012 Headbands

The Warm-Up

I decided to kill some time, warm up against the progressively cooling temperatures and get myself ready by taking on a steady run through Central Park (away from boundary markers). Got hold of my water bottle, popped the inhaler and dropped the bag - I was ready to get moving. I cannot remember a time I ever stepped through the park with so few people to be spotted along the paths. Reminiscent of a small park feel for such a well known plot of the earth. It wasn't nerve wracking, it really was a soothing feel literally going out in an open path in the dark and silence (it felt like being awake with the world asleep). Making my way back to the starting grounds, the crowds already were making moves into the massive corral awaiting the final remaining moments of 2011.

The Race

One corral, everyone bunched together. The timer kicked in -- a full shouting of last 10 secs before midnight. Once 12:00 hit, the starting line was transformed into two over-sized sparklers. To the right, a mass of fireworks went off lighting up the sky above lower half of Manhattan in laser red flashes. The earth shook to a synced scream of joy with blinding cameras going off.

The crowd of runners was initially bottlenecked, but something mysterious happened. All participants actually were running from the starting line; I couldn't believe what I witnessed. The gridlock was lost quickly and all were able to get into a desired pace early on. I was already deep in running -- my legs were on itch to move quicker this time. A lot of darting and watching my back for other runners coming on full blown speed.

The last mile came before me unexpected and I had one fella to pace the bulk of it with me. A MASSIVE crowd of people was in the mist cheering runners on the last 500yds of the race. I was gone; my flats felt like spikes tearing into the asphalt and couldn't be stopped. A louder wave of cheering came on with the sight of runners on the final sprint towards the finish line (Look at him go!!!). The race may have ended; but 2012 is just beginning.

I was told to consider taking things easy as a New Year's resolution.

I already failed that resolution from the first moments of the new year (and will fail it throughout the year).

Thank goodness I didn't go about taking that advice seriously.

 

-Dermot H

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