For 31 years every Labor Day our friends the Baron and Master Po have joined the start field of the New Haven Road Race and then proceeded to finish the 20 kilometer course. In case you can’t work it out that equates to 620 kilometers or a little over 385 miles, and they’re still going strong! The commemorate this year’s feat they were presented with ‘jurassic’ bones, compliments of Iggy, and then made to wear them around their necks for a photo shoot.
Race day was provided with perfect weather, clear skies and reasonable mild temperatures for the 2,000 plus runners in the 20k race. To watch the grand old men of the NHRR was a party of 8 friends who cycled into town with the intention of then following the field around the course. We performed the customary photo session around the fountain and then it was off to the start. Joining Master Po and the Baron on their 31st quest were 2 first time 20k’ers, N.O.V and Dorothy. Dorothy arrived wrapped in extra layers despite the warm temperatures, claiming that New England summers are not hot, they are simply tolerable. N.O.V nonchalantly wondered over looking relaxed but word from Oddjob suggested this might be an outward deception to deceive the competition into a false sense of security. Pappa Tony slipped in at the last minute to join Allstate and make up the race group, while the Gazelle puffed and grunted through a pre-race stretch as he prepared for the 5k event.
The cyclists scattered off to their positions and waited for the race to start. The lead runners floated past without any obvious effort (ultimate winner averaged 4:46 pace – there should be laws against that!) before more recognizable faces appeared. With the field gone, the cyclists shot off again only to pop up again and again to cheer everyone on. Finally they concentrated along Whitney Avenue, the final long stretch that never seems to end, and waited for their friends to show up.
Quietman nearly crept by without anyone noticing, then Tick Tock gave us a wave. N.O.V had opened up a 10 year lead over the Baron, Oddjob and Allstate; then somewhere over a rainbow, Dorothy skipped past. Then they waited, entertained by the live band outside the fire station, or in Forrest’s case, changed his flat tire.
When Master Po came into view, he was already surrounded by supporters, some on foot, others on bikes. As the ‘crowd’ grew, the procession lead him to the finish line. His pace increased and he crossed the line holding his jurassic bone aloft!
Check out the 20k race results here and the 5k race results here