Running

The New Year’s Party that Just Keeps Going…

by Laura Clark

“Ultramarathon n 1: a foot race longer than a marathon 2: a form of insanity requiring stamina.” – And Then the Vulture Eats You: True tales about ultramarathons and those who run them (Cedarwinds), edited by John Parker, Jr.

While some might consider themselves heroic for running a First Night 5K and then partying well past midnight, Gary Plunkett, Kermit Cadrette and Todd Traxel of the Roman Runners club in Rome, have taken their New Year’s celebration to new heights.

Last year they decided to cap their annual mega race odyssey (50 races total for Gary and Todd; 65 for Kermit) with a fitting finale by running the First Night Saratoga 5K at 5:30 pm on New Year’s Eve, then driving to New York City for the NYRR’s fun 4-mile Midnight Run in Central Park, and completing their tri-extravaganza with the Steuben Striders’ 10K Hangover Run at 10:00 am on New Year’s Day in Barneveld (north of Utica). According to Todd, “By the time we had finished the final race at Barneveld the word had gotten out about our trip and the three of us were treated like celebrities.” While their total running mileage equates to only half a marathon, if you add in the 550 highway miles and the stay-awake time, you have the makings of a great ultra event.

This year, they decided to add more partying to the equation and have chartered a bus so they could coerce 47 fellow runners to make the journey with them. We know the trio is more than equal to the task. Last year, Kermit not only managed to remain awake, but also even won his age group, 60-65, in Saratoga Springs (over 900 finishers) and again in Barneveld. But will their fellow passengers be able to keep up the pace? Could you? As this issue goes to press, there are still a few seats left… www.romanrunners.com.

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