CARA Circuit, Circa 2009 and Beyond

The Chicago Area Runners Association has been working behind the scenes to re-energize and in effect, re-invent, the CARA Circuit. Watch for CARA to roll out some new ideas to its membership for increasing interest in its competitive race series very soon. Whatever is done, it will be a tightrope to maintain high quality and increase the diversity of distances and geography while significantly raising the number of people who participate. I have always been a CARA Circuit fan. I hope it all works out for the better. As they say, stay tuned.

Ware, Overbrook Win at Westchester

Chad Ware, 24, of Deerfield won Sunday's Westchester Veterun 10K in 31:15.4, about 19 seconds over the course record. After the first mile, Ware said he ran virtually alone in the 10K race, with only distant runner-up Sam Romanoski, 24, of Lake Zurich, putting up a chase. Ware did have the advantage of running with 5K leaders Jack Kafel and Charlie Kern for just about half of the race, and held his 5-minute-per-mile goal pace until the last couple of miles. Romanoski finished second in 32:41.6, and Joe Guinness, 23, of Chicago, placed third in a tough field, timing in at 33:12.0.
On the women's side, Christina Overbrook, 22, of Chicago, won in 37:12.8. She was followed by likely CARA female runner of the year Pam Blair, 27, of Chicago, who clocked 38:37.4, and Kate Deprosperis, 26, of Oak Brook, who posted a 39:10.0.
In the 5K, Kafel, 32, of River Forest, outlasted Kern, 39, of Elmhurst, 15:10.5 to 15:27.2. Brian Runyon, 27, of Glen Ellyn, grabbed third in 16:18. Megan Baganz, 32, of Naperville, won the women's 5K in 18:47.9. Columba Montes, 29, of Chicago, ran second with a 19:39.5, and Veronica Loureano, 24, of Chicago, placed third in 19:53.8
It was about 35 degrees at race time with pretty strong winds blowing across Mayfair Park from the northwest. This was a poly-pro, hat-gloves kind of a day, at least for me. The finale for this year's CARA Circuit was a nice 10K, not a fast one, for me, as I took off at 7-minute pace and held it through four miles, slipping to about 7:05 the last 2.2. I was well back in my age-group, taking seventh in 43:42. Hats off to my fellow age-groupers Sam Cortes, Eric Burgess and Fritz Gareis, who fought the good fight and will be on the CARA awards podium in January. It was great to see so many people I knew and to partake in the hot dogs and chicken noodle soup afterward. It also was important for me to honor veterans and soldiers who have paid the ultimate price. Check out www.racetime.info for results.

Naperville North Stuns York

Naperville North won the state boys 3A cross-country championship today in blustery Peoria, 84 points to York's 85. Naperville North, which had used York's model of not running too many meets before state competition, got a 4th place from Kyle Gibson and 9th from Dave McWilliams to lead the victory. York's Steve Sulkin and Jordan Hebert went 2-3, but it wasn't enough. Jeff Thode of Conant was state individual champ in 14:18, one second ahead of Sulkin. Up-and-coming Geneva was third with 95 points. In Class 2A, Dixon outran Belvidere North 94-97, and in Class 3A, Elmwood took away Westmont's title dreams 109-123.

On the girls side, Lake Park's Lindsay Flanagan ruled with a 16:54 to win the 3A title. Geneva blew away the competition with 51 points as Kelly Whitley and Sarah Heuer went 2-3.In 2A, Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin nudged Crystal Lake Central 87-90. On a local note, Glenbard South's Karen Lipa, daughter of Elmhurst Running Club compatriot Christine Lipa, placed 10th. In 1A, Winnebago won with 115 points to runner-up Elmwood's 119.

For the full scoop, go to www.ihsa.org.

Love Those Race Names

You've got to award points for creativity this time of year. I really like names of the big races this weekend: The Hobbler Gobbler in Oswego and the Veterun in Westchester. Both events draw large turnouts. Best of luck to all. Me? Today I'm bucking the odds and putting on a small off-road roller-skiing event called the Limestone Loppet. In past years, we've had perfect, dry conditions. Not today. We'll be at McKee Marsh in DuPage County at 9 a.m. for curiosity seekers. Yes, quite a few cross-country skiers are runners. The two passions fuse into one this time of year!

Change Is In the Air

I'm not talking politics here. I'm talking weather. When the temps take a thud this weekend, dress in layers and you should be OK. The race schedule is strong this weekend, highlighted by the Westchester Veterun 10K and 5K on Sunday morning.
I'm not totally recovered from the Milwaukee Marathon, but probably will be at the starting line. I'm a veteran and I run. I guess the Veterun is a must. Meanwhile, the cross-training season has begun for me. That includes roller-skiing, and when it's warm, easy cycling. We've discovered two great trails in the past two weeks: the Virgil Gilman Trail in Kane County and the Old Plank Road Trail in Will County. Both are excellent for cycling, but paved, and maybe not good for runners who like soft surfaces. See you out on a trail or at the races. Stay warm.

York Keeps Rolling

York's boys cross-country team is a step closer to another state title after steamrolling through the Niles West Sectional on Saturday in Skokie. The Dukes won it with 34 points. Jordan Herbert and Steve Sulkin went 1-3 for York, which went 1-3-8-10-12-13-17 overall. Loyola was second with 116 and Fenwick third with 119. The York girls also stamped themselves as a team to be reckoned with, winning the sectional with 74 points. Sherya Singh was the Lady Dukes' top finisher, placing 9th. The Lady Dukes had a tight pack, going 9-12-16-18-19. All results from all sectionals, boys and girls, Classes 1-A, 2-A and 3-A can be found at www.ihsa.org.

Day of the Dead Draws Lively Crowd

The Carrera de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead 5K in Chicago, included 639 lively finishers on Saturday, led by Emisael Favela, 31, of Cicero, who paced the field in 16:16.5, slow for him, frankly. Elizabeth Engel, 34, of Chicago, was the female champ in 19:28.7.
I wasn't there, but it appears a good time was had by many. In the photo, Karl Johnson, Eileen Skisak and Al Chase (L to R) sure captured the flavor of the race, or maybe the flavor captured them!