Tag: Tom Derderian

Boston Memorial Series Part II: Derderian & Haber

Apr. 08 Articles no comments

As we prepare for the first anniversary of the Boston Marathon tragedy, Level Renner is re-releasing the memorials and reflections of the running community written one year ago in the wake of the 117th running (these letters from readers were originally published in our May/June 2013 issue). Our intention is to pay proper respect and tribute to the events of last year’s race. We want nothing more than to handle the tragedy with appropriateness and tact. Because we see ourselves as an open platform for runners, this series is an expression of our audience’s thoughts from a year ago.  Thus, in the following pages, you will find an array of responses.  Some are angry, some are numb, most are just plain sad.  But some offer hope. Most show the strength and resolve of our community. The goal of this series is to remember and pay proper respect to the horrific events of April 15, 2013.  We will release one post per day in this series in the days leading up to the marathon.

Below is the second installment of a twelve part series. Two responses are within, one from Tom Derderian, president of USATF-NE and one from Nich Haber, founder and president of the New England Distance Project. 

Like nearly everyone touched by the bombings at the finish of the Boston Marathon we are shocked, angered, and sad. We are shocked because we are the governing body of sport, recreation, and essentially, play. People compete in the marathon and follow the race as something aside from the horrors of the world but are now part of those enormities. We are angry because people have been hurt and murdered for reasons that cannot possibly justify the crimes, and we are sad because of the pain and loss in our community. Most officers and employees of USATF-NE were at the marathon. Some worked as volunteers at the finish line so were quite close to the explosions. Others were racing or watching. We are relieved that none were hurt. At USATF we have held safety in the utmost importance in conducting events when we issue sanctions. As we wish the best recovery to those injured and their families we will spend the coming months thinking hard about how to make our sports the safe and joyous events they are intended to be.

—Tom Derderian, President of USATF-NE

boston marathon tribute 2 flags ejn 4.5.14

photo by EJN

My heart goes out to the victims and their families.  The marathon is personal. Everyone who connects with it has a personal experience with the event. It was what rescued New York City back in 2001 and reminded everyone what was important: How we individually strive to be our best. How we can collectively bring out the best in each other. How people from all over the world can come together and celebrate life. How we can get inspired watching others do something simple and beautiful.

Yesterday was an attack, not just on these ideas, but on the actual way we prove these concepts are valuable.  I have no doubts that the person or people who did this will be caught. I hope it is soon.

I am upset that the marathon as I know it will forever be changed and be linked to violent craziness.  Not sure what else to do right now, so I guess I’ll go for a run.

—Nich Haber, founder of NE Distance

 

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Bill Rodgers Teaser, Pt II

Aug. 16 Articles, Breaking News, Get Involved, Press Release no comments

EJN sat down with current GBTC’er Victoria Barnaby and former GBTC’er Bill Rodgers on Tuesday evening for a chat with the Boston legend. The 40th anniversary bash for the Greater Boston Track Club is fast approaching (tomorrow afternoon), and unfortunately Bill won’t be able to attend. Bill was kind enough to set aside some time to record a video message for his old friends and teammates, and also share some stories about the good old days. Here’s another taste of the session:

Tickets are still available for the event (click here). Event details:

Saturday, August 17, 2013 2pm until 6pm
Corcoran Commons
Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

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Bill Rodgers Teaser

Aug. 16 Articles, Get Involved, Press Release no comments

EJN sat down with current GBTC’er Victoria Barnaby and former GBTC’er Bill Rodgers on Tuesday evening for a chat with the Boston legend. The 40th anniversary bash for the Greater Boston Track Club is fast approaching (tomorrow afternoon), and unfortunately Bill won’t be able to attend. Bill was kind enough to set aside some time to record a video message for his old friends and teammates, and also share some stories about the good old days. Here’s a taste of the session:

Tickets are still available for the event (click here). Event details:

Saturday, August 17, 2013 2pm until 6pm
Corcoran Commons
Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

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Memorial Bridge In The News

Jul. 16 Articles, Get Involved no comments

Tom Derderian‘s proposed memorial footbridge is gaining some attention and hopefully some momentum. The bridge would replace an old, unpleasant looking footbridge and serve to honor the memory of those who lost their lives or were injured during the marathon bombing (and ensuing manhunt).

We’re a couple of days late to this party (although we did first post about it back in May), but there is some benefit to trailing in a case like this. As the story fades in the various social media news feeds, it can only help to bring it right back to the spotlight and get people talking about it again. So we hope to sort of consolidate some information/links here and get people talking about it again.

In case you missed it, here’s Tom’s CBS Boston interview and accompanying article:

Boston Marathon Historian Proposes Footbridge To Honor Bombing Victims

The bridge was also the feature in a Runnersworld.com article by Scott Douglas:

Boston Marathon Historian Wants Memorial Running Bridge

I can certainly see the merits of the argument that the bridge would be at risk for vandalism in that spot given the condition of the current bridge. But the current bridge has a dark, cage-like feel to it. If the bridge were brighter and more open, a shining memorial to so many people (to a city even), it just seems hard to believe that anybody would desecrate it. Another thing to consider is that perhaps in that exact spot it might be at risk, but if it’s moved a bit away from there, in either direction, perhaps that would make a difference. What are your thoughts on this?

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Memorial Bridge

May. 08 Articles, Breaking News no comments

At the most recent USATF-NE board meeting (held on Monday, May 6th), association president Tom Derderian presented an artist’s rendition of a new footbridge in Boston. The bridge would not only replace the current eyesore, but would also memorialize the victims of the bombing and a be symbol of the strength of the community and the race.

Of the proposed bridge, Tom said:

“Yes, the Boston Marathon Bombings have shocked, angered, and saddened us. USATF-NE has made a cash donation. Now it is time to plan for a lasting memorial to the victims, the race, and the community. At Monday’s USATF-NE board we unanimously approved a concept for a running gateway bridge over the Mass Pike connecting the Boston University area with the Allston/Harvard area. There is already an aging, ugly bridge there, but the proposed span would arch the highway with signage that would greet visitors to the Boston Stong/Marathon City. Competitors to the marathon would pass under the bridge into the city and on buses out to the starting line. Mayor Menino  said, “I’m proud to say that the car is no longer king in Boston.”  This running/cycling bridge would show the mayor’s vision to visitors and residents. Bridges are symbolic as ways to bring people together and that is something that runners and the larger community need in the wake of the bombing. Such easements to exercise are of course good public health measures.”

The bridge in question that this one would replace is by the Regina Pizzeria in Allston, where the Mass Pike goes under Cambridge St. It certainly is an ambitious project and will take a lot of hard work and cooperation to get done, but with a little luck we could soon have an inspiring arch welcoming people into the city.

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USATF Masters 10k Championships: James Joyce Ramble

May. 01 Articles, Interviews, Racing no comments
Kevin Collins crosses the line, victory in hand. Courtesy of Scott Mason.

Kevin Collins crosses the line, victory in hand. Courtesy of Scott Mason.

The ever popular James Joyce Ramble (Dedham, MA) played the dual role of the USATF Masters 10k Championship for 2013. In the process it became a nesting doll of a race, as the age-graded scoring added another layer to the masters competition, which is normally a race within the race by itself.

The masters field had its own start (supposedly 3 mins ahead of the open field, but possibly a little longer), and Kevin Collins took full advantage of that as he rolled in alone in 32:48. Kent Lemme was next in 33:08, and then the runners started coming in a little more frequently. Chris Magill, Greg Picklesimer, Mark Hixson and Joe Navas all came in between 33:27 and 33:55.

For the women, Kara Haas was first in at 37:51, followed by Mimi Fallon (38:12)and Holly Madden (40:36). But there was some age-grading to consider here. Taking the age grading into consideration, and the super computers say that the top three overall runners were ladies, led by Jan Holmquist of Liberty AC. At 68 years old she ran a 46:06, which gave her a grade of 95.87%.

For the men, the top age-graded result was Brian Pilcher (56) from Ross, CA, who ran the 10k in 34:36. Between the open and masters races, plus the various age group champions and age-graded results, it’s best to look at the full results.

Speaking of the open race, Amos Sang’s only problem was running out of real estate. Had the race been a little longer then he just might’ve been the first to cross the line. Amos cruised along at 4:44 pace, perhaps inspired by the various readings along the way, and ran a smoking 29:25. Brian Harvey ran a quick 31:03, but that wasn’t enough to challenge Sang on the day.

The open female race was a little closer, but still not exactly close. Chemtai Rionotukei ran a 33:44 and had a comfortable cushion over second place Heather Cappello (34:039).

As always, check out Scott Mason’s site for more amazing shots from the race. Speaking of pictures, did you know Level Renner is now on Instagram? Follow us there for some Lo-Fi On The Level.

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Shocked, Angered, Sad

Apr. 17 Articles no comments

Guest blog by Tom Derderian, president USATF-NE

Screen Shot 2013-04-18 at 11.32.06 AMLike nearly everyone touched by the bombings at the finish of the Boston Marathon we are shocked, angered, and sad. We are shocked because we are the governing body of sport, recreation, and essentially, play. People compete in the marathon and follow the race as something aside from the horrors of the world, but are now part of those enormities. We are angry because people have been hurt and murdered for reasons that cannot possibly justify the crimes, and we are sad because of the pain and loss in our community. Most officers and employees of USATF-NE were at the marathon. Some worked as volunteers at the finish line so were quite close to the explosions. Others were racing or watching. We are relieved that none were hurt. At USATF we have held safety in the utmost importance in conducting events when we issue sanctions. As we wish the best recovery to those injured and their families we will spend the coming months thinking hard about how to make our sports the safe and joyous events they are intended to be.

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GBTC Going to Nationals, Plus More

Apr. 04 Articles no comments

Here’s a quick guest blog to lead us off. This one comes from Tom Derderian about the GBTC:

The GBTC men’s team will be traveling to Chicago, IL, this weekend for the first ever USATF National Club Team 8 km Championships. The team members are Brennan Bonner, Brian McNamara, Matt Haringa, Ryan Irwin, and Chris Kibler. The championship has qualifying standards of 17 minutes for 5K and 28 minutes for 8K. Twenty-six teams are entered.

GBTC is the only team from New England attending the race, and is traveling on a USATF-NE grant awarding them $150 each, and will receive lodging from the meet. Team prize money ranges from $3,000 for first to $1,000 for fifth place. The championship is part of the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8k taking place on Sunday April 7th, in Grant Park, IL. The Hansons-Brooks Distance Project won last year’s team race and have two teams entered this year.

Congrats to the GBTC on receiving the grant and good luck to them out in Chicago! Recently the Western Mass Distance Project also received a grant from the USATF-NE for their trip out to XC Club Nationals. Interested in a grant? Find out more here.

Thanks to Reno Stirrat and Facebook we saw this:

Newton’s Ezekial in it for the long run at Boston Marathon

Ephraim Ezekial is a teammate of mine, a very fast runner and a good guy. Give the article a read to find out a little something more about him.

RunnersConnect just recently featured video interviews with a couple of names that might sound familiar to Level Legion: Terry Shea and Mario Fraioli. Terry’s interview has to do with preparing for and racing on the Boston Marathon course, and Mario goes over his first book:

The Official Rock n’ Roll Guide to Marathon and Half Marathon training.

Wrapping up today’s news is a call for questions. I’ll be siting down with Tim Ritchie tomorrow to talk about his upcoming marathon debut, and hopefully Hilary Dionne in the next couple of days. If you have questions that you’d like me to ask either of them, feel free to comment here or send out via Facebook, Twitter or Google+. Please don’t mail any in on postcards.

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Holyoke Contest Winner & a Few B-Days

Mar. 08 Articles, Get Involved no comments

Okay, it’s been about a week now. Time to announced a winner for two free entries to the 38th Annual Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Road Race. The lucky member of Level Legion is….

Kevin Coyne

Kevin left a comment on the site as his entry, and we thought it was worth sharing: Love the website and can’t wait for the St.Patty’s RR…greatest and greenest day of the year in Holyoke!

We could potentially be doing this again, so keep checking back. In the meantime, feel free to like the Facebook pages of both Level Renner and the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Road Race. Every little like helps out immensely!

We’d be remiss to not acknowledge a couple of big birthdays today.

Dan Kramer – New Balance Boston

Joanna Murphy – New Balance Boston

Tom Derderian – GBTC / USATF-NE President

How can we not acknowledge El Presidente? Happy birthday to all of them, don’t party too hard. Or party just enough to keep it on the Level.

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The Gambler

Mar. 02 Articles, Training 3 comments

As far as we understand, once a year during indoors, the GBTC does a casino themed workout. The variables of the workout are determined by chance. According to Matt Haringa, it’s the “best workout of the year.” This year, Tom Derderian was rolling a ten sided die (pictured below, courtesy of Tom).

photo

Those hoping for something garish, like a big riverboat roulette wheel didn’t quite have their expectations met but it looks like fun was had anyway.

Of the workout, Tom said: “the complete racer needs to be prepared for unpredictable moves by an adversary so we run a workout where the next interval is not on a schedule but is determined by chance. It is very Ecclesiastical.  It is life. It is racing.”

Before we move on from the Jones 10 Miler completely, we have two more thoughts on this.

A.) Joe Navas submitted this pic to illustrate just how ridiculously over-sized the race bibs were. It’s his bib on an oak floor with one of those big, soft pretzels (like you’d get at a mall food court) right next to it.

IMG951009
B.) God I hope the Jones people have a sense of humor.

In other news, indoor nationals tonight (right now)!

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