Laurie Harris Hope And Dreams 5K

Written by Linda C

On a beautiful clear Saturday morning, red, black, and white singlets dotted Firefighters Field on Roosevelt Island as the members of the New York Flyers and other runners gathered to wait for the start of The Laurie Harris Hope and Dreams 5K.  As a relatively new member of the Flyers, I only recently met Laurie Harris, but when you meet her, you understand why a group of people would come together to organize a race in her honor in order to raise funds to find a cure for pancreatic cancer – the disease she is currently battling. 

A buzz of energy emanated from the crowd.   Laurie Harris, accompanied by her husband Neal, father-in-law, daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren, and Paco the wonder dog, was surrounded all day by a swirl of people. Whether these runners came out to Roosevelt Island because of a connection to Laurie, a connection to the Flyers, a connection with pancreatic cancer, or just to run a 5K, everyone seemed to be having a good time. 

Laurie with Flyers and Family Taking On The course

Rita D

New York Flyers’ President Alan G addressed the crowd prior to the race start noting that this was the first race organized by the Flyers in its 24 year history.  The Flyers’ very own Rita D sang the national anthem just before the start of the race.

NYCRUNS’ provided timing and other race management services.  NYRR provided the technical race shirts, featuring a caricature of Laurie designed by Laurie's daughter, Tracey.  Sponsors included NYRR, Skechers, NY Running Company, Duane Reade,  Granoff Architects, and the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.  Sizeable donations and contributions to the post-race raffle also were provided, including by Joey Harary of the Moret Group and a one-year Gold Membership by Asphalt Green.

Runners on the Course

While there was definitely a Flyers reunion feel to the race, it still was a race as the horn sounded, and we were off!.  This was evident as those at the front dashed out.  The male winner, Logan Yu, came in with a time of 16:44, and the female winner, Una Broderick, came in with a time of 19:41.  Laurie Harris walked a portion of the course with her family, some Flyers, and Dr. Yu, Laurie’s oncologist from Memorial Sloan Keterring.

Race Awards
and Raffle Winners

Following the official race announcements, including the presentation by Laurie of awards to the race winners and raffle winners, the Flyers gathered for a group photo.

Janet H handed out “L” shaped crisped rice treats that she cleverly crafted after an entire night of baking and wrapping, and which we lifted in our team photo as a tribute to Laurie.    

Flyers Team Pic Tribute for Laurie on Roosevelt Island

There were more than 550 runners registered for The Inaugural Laurie Harris Hope and Dreams 5K and there were 461 official finishers.  The race raised roughly $25,000 for the Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Cancer Research Center, from race registration proceeds and sponsor contributions.  By all accounts the inaugural Laurie Harris Hope and Dreams 5K was a success, not just for the funds raised and the running of a good race, but for opportunity to celebrate a long-time Flyers member, Laurie Harris. 

To view a Skechers infomercial that includes footage of Flyers from the race and the pre-race Soiree, please click HERE.

Before I officially met Laurie Harris, all I knew of her was that she was fighting pancreatic cancer, but still managed to finish ahead of me at NYRR’s races.  I had an opportunity to contact some Flyers members for their thoughts on the race and found some of the reasons for their endearing love for Laurie.

Heather M at the Race 
with Long-Time Flyer John W

Heather M noticed Laurie Harris at NYRR races long before they met.  Heather noted that Laurie “was easy to spot and always stood out because of her beautiful blonde mane flowing freely as she ran.”  She later got to know her better as a team member, volunteering and participating in some of the same local triathlons together when Laurie was always a podium winner!

About the race, Heather remarked on how widespread the love for Laurie is and how far her amazing spirit and strength reached, bringing “old timers” together for the race.  Frank C, Barry B with his wife Divya and their new son, Susan H and her family, Laura L, Ariella E, her husband and twin sons, and many more.   Long-distance Flyers Monika G, Tom D and their daughter Bo came up from North Carolina for the event. Heather also noted how heartwarming it was to learn that Flyers members no longer residing in the tri-state area were inspired to participate in the race by running “virtual” 5Ks, including Gina B in England, and Angela G, Carrie B, Julie G, Sandy B and Maria D around the US.  Heather also commented on the "coziness" of the race and how there was a “very special feeling and energy surrounding the race and Laurie, like a warm embrace.”

Francine A with Janet H at the Race
Looking Cool in their Shades

Francine A adds that one Flyer met Laurie more than 50 years ago! Gary Z and Laurie attended Hebrew school together.  They were reunited thanks to the Flyers.  Gary, his wife Eileen, and his son Jesse all did the race. Jesse brought along a many of his North Brooklyn Runner teammates, including the race winner! Members of Millrose and of Mercury Masters, many of whom have been racing against Laurie for two decades, turned out in force.  

Flyers Race Director Scott C, looking back on the race, noted that it exceeded his expectations in every way.   Scott, too, commented on how the race brought together so many of our teammates for “what turned into the most beautiful reunion of new and older members in one place to meet and reminisce and feel good about being together!”  Scott also commented that he was overjoyed for a few hours when everything came together on race day.  However, he noted that his “happiness is tempered by the very genuine reality of what Laurie is going through daily in her fight to survive.”  He concluded that his belief that the race gave Laurie purpose, gave him a determination to make the race as special as possible and that's what made the race worthwhile and he was happy to be a part of it.

Scott, Laurie and Paco!

Alan G recalled that when he joined the Flyers in 2008, he did not know Laurie, but recognized her from NYRR races.  He noted that it was not until 2010 when he learned who Laurie was and learned about her incredible running career.  Alan remarks that, “I just knew she represented what running is all about...getting out there, getting your run on and enjoying yourself.  Laurie always runs with a big smile that radiates sunshine for miles.”  Alan credits Laurie (and her husband Neal) with teaching him “much about positivity, warmth, Zen-ness and the power of a good soul.”  He describes Laurie as having indomitable resilience and warmth, compassion and selflessness that “is a model for us all,” and concluded that “one cannot help but love her (and Neal, too!, as they are two peas in a pod).”

Husband Neal, Paco, Laurie and Granddaughter Matisse 
as They Dash to the Finish Line

Alan described the race as magnificent and a landmark event for the New York Flyers and all running clubs and said that he looks forward to doing it all again next year. 

Were Quinnipiac Polling Institute out on Roosevelt Island to poll the runners of The Inaugural Laurie Harris 5K, I think there would be an overwhelming consensus that we, like Scott, were all happy to be a part of the race and we, like Alan, look forward to doing it all again next year. 

-Linda C

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Laurie Harris Hope and Dreams 5K

Scott C

Chemo, coffee and courage throughout

I started to think about writing this when I recently had coffee with Laurie Harris and Paco “the wonder dog” at our usual meeting place, the Starbucks on Second Ave and 81^st street. It was on a Monday and the morning started out grey and drab, but by mid-afternoon the sun was shining.

Laurie with Paco

I knew it was Laurie’s birthday and I was pleasantly surprised when she called me to say she was nearby and wondered if I had time for coffee. We’ve been trying to meet somewhat regularly these past several months either through our race committee, which consists of me, Laurie, Betsy P, and Heather M. or on our own at Starbucks to discuss the race, my upcoming wedding plans, how she and her husband Neal L are doing and to watch Paco a young boisterous Portuguese water dog nap diligently next to Laurie.

As I mentioned, it was a Monday, it was her birthday and it was also the day she goes and receives chemotherapy. But if you know Laurie or have seen her these past several months, getting pumped full of chemo on your birthday at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and then meeting a bud for coffee is just a piece of cake.

I’ve always believed that running has either given me certain qualities, or has enhanced in me those qualities, that can help me go the extra mile when life itself presents its challenges or when one can lose perspective on what is truly important on our journeys through this life.  Laurie inspires these qualities in me, as well.

Let’s dance in style, let's dance for a while, heaven can wait we’re only watching the skies

I’ve also come to see that belonging to a club like the Flyers can inspire, aspire and forge long-standing friendships.

Surrounded by like minded folk who lace on running shoes to free their minds of stress for a little while, find their creativity, set and exceed goals, rip up their bodies, and to sweat. To do what they may once have thought was highly unlikely if not impossible until they laced up those shoes and joined a club like the NYF and discovered that the only limits are those we place on ourselves.

Can you imagine when this race is won turning our faces into the sun

Next year, our club will celebrate 25 years of camaraderie, PR’s, parties, memories and people that have helped shape our club, given it a soul, a character and a special place within the NYC running community.

I’ve often though that the best quality of being in the Flyers was the voice many have found, the personality many have developed, and the numerous ways many have gone on to use both and to continue to make us a better organization.

For years now the concept of the Flyers creating our own race has been discussed and conceptualized, but for various reasons had just never gotten off the ground beyond talk.  But at the start of this year, one of our own, our Laurie, became the catalyst for us to finally stop talking about doing a race and to create one on her behalf.  The courage she shows as she fights every minute of every day to keep running, keep living and to continue to embrace those qualities as a runner have gotten her far in life and serves as an inspiration for us all.

It’s so hard to get old without a cause I don’t want to perish like a fading horse

Racing Mini 10K, August 2001

Laurie Harris is a long time member of our club, very well known throughout the running community and cannot be missed when seen running in Central Park with both her distinctive running gait and long blond curly hair. While the hair has been replaced with an auburn colored wig of late due to frequent doses of chemotherapy, Laurie can still be seen often running and racing in CP nearly two years since her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer on August 29, 2011.

Her running resume boasts an impressive 540 races and 14 NYC marathons, the first marathon being in 1992, which many will remember as the year NYRR visionary and leader Fred Lebow ran with the great marathon champion Grete Waitz at his side mile after mile after mile during his own battle with cancer.

To offer a brief timeline, at the start of 2013 after agreeing to terms with Steve Lastoe of NYC RUNS, the Flyers Executive and Advisory Boards signed off on the creation of what would become the inaugural Laurie Harris Hope and Dreams 5K to benefit pancreatic cancer research at MSKCC.

We were offered a range of dates between August-October and a choice of venue between Fireman’s Field on Roosevelt Island and Riverside Park in Manhattan.  We looked at running calendars and decided that a Saturday morning on Roosevelt Island on August 10^th could work as there were no local road races that weekend and the flat course Roosevelt Island provides great views, free of any traffic, and otherwise provided us the best venue to race in and to invite those who might want to walk the course.

During February and March we realized our work was only beginning as we reviewed a race budget and sought out much needed help through race sponsorship. Getting sponsors would be our greatest challenge as we were often rejected, but we kept at it believing that people, companies and others would come through––and like Laurie’s faith and courage we would not be denied!

With June upon us, and the race now only two months away, we still have a lot more to do but we have received invaluable help from individuals and companies who have agreed to sponsor us, including Skechers, the NYRR, the Running Company, the Mars Co and the National Pancreatic Foundation.

I also am deeply touched and want to thank two of our own teammates who approached me and asked how much do we need to get this race off without a hitch.  Flyers Sungwon Huang with Joe Jones, and Howard Brown, we are all deeply grateful for your very generous financial donation to help insure that indeed this race will go off without a hitch!

The race is scheduled for Saturday, August 10th, at 9:30 AM.  You may register right now by clicking HERE.

With two months remaining an appeal, please!

If you feel you can help in any way, including if you think you can provide an introduction to someone or a company or corporation that might want to play a role in our developing the race then, please, we need your help now!  Click here to contact me if you wish to help out.

Racing Club Team Championships 2012

Thanks for reading this and we will continue to keep you updated these last two months!  Please note:

• We hope to see you at the summer party our sponsor Skechers has agreed to host in their showroom on Thursday night July 25^th 717 Fifth Avenue Suite 494!  
• The party will go from 6:30-8:30 PM and refreshments will be served.  We will be offering anybody who would like to register for the race immediate on site registration by bringing either a CC a check or cash in the amount of $25.  
• An RSVP will be required as building security requests it and a photo ID will be required for admittance to the building and the party.  
• Details will be posted on Flyers FB, including a sign-up sheet on the Flyers website.
• For folks who'd like to donate to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on behalf of Laurie, a separate Giving Page has been set up and you may click HERE to donate. 
• You also can "like" and follow the Laurie Harris Hope and Dreams 5K on Facebook––Laurie's daughter, Tracey Rediker, created the Facebook page for the race and you may click HERE to view it.

Laurie Strikes a Pose with Daughter Tracey

Finally, some of you will recognize the following lyrics, but if not I'll make mention that throughout writing this piece for the blog, Alphaville’s “Forever Young” kept playing in my head.  And so I want to leave you with this last verse and with a thank you on behalf of Laurie and our race committee for all of your support!

So many adventures couldn’t happen today

So many songs we forgot to play

So many dreams are swinging out of the blue

We let them come true

Go Flyers!!! 

-Scott C.

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