Lake Effect Run Club - 161 - Chilly Chili Race 2/8/09

What an after party!! Tell me there's a race AND an after party....and count me in!!

There were 1016 finishers today. Their most ever! Great job Penny and your committee and all the volunteers. You pulled off a great event.

Parking was surprisingly easy. Despite the large crowd, I got there at 12:30pm, and still was able to park in the village just a couple blocks from the start. I had picked up my packet at Fleet Feet the day before, but I heard the pick up lines on race day went smoothly too.

It was cold as predicted at the start, but nothing like last years whiteout. Temperature around 30, but the windchill lowered that considerably. Depending on which direction you were running during the run, you had to hold onto your hat. Great course through the village and past some really nice residential areas. There were numerous turns so you never felt like the layout dragged on. Some modest hills made for a lite challenge. I saw one water stop, but the low temps kept people away from needing it. I started near the front but ended near the back due to frequent picture stops. I gotta say, there were a lot of novice runners there huffing and puffing on the hills which was great. It's nice to see so many people getting out there jump starting their year by getting in shape.

The after party got moved to a smaller venue just yesterday. This created a packed crowd in the Cazenovia College dining hall, and a long line to get in if you weren't in the first 1/2 to arrive. However I think they pulled off a great after party nonetheless. Many restaurants participated in their chili cook-off. Racers didn't get to vote for their favorite this year. I think they had a panel of judges vote before the runners arrived, because they announced Foggy Goggle as the winner before most of the racers arrived. Personally I liked Cazenovia College's entry and so did the folks I was with. I think Foggy won over the judges with their sausage slices and condiment choices. Cooperstown Brewery never ran out of beer which was surprising given the long beer lines.They started with tiny cups, but graduated to larger ones which helped keep the lines down by reducing repeat visitors. The band Oldfield 5 was great. They played many of your typical favorites. Not bad for an acoustically challenged dining hall!

Nice job Chilly Chili, we'll see you at The Shamrock Run.

Ray Holt

What it was all for
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Thank You Volunteers!
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Chip pads down and ready. Thanks Pat Leone.
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Getting ready at the start
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Bill snapping some pics at the start
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Hanging out to stay warm are from left to right: Betty Jane (a Pulaski Lake Effecter), John, Brandi, Spencer and Zack.
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Same crew with the addition of Riley in the yellow coat.
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Trying to stay warm at the start
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Nice crowd!
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The crowd keeps swelling
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Starters
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We'll be headed that away
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Just in case...
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That Poor Poor Man
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Better get over here, we're about to start
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Bob and Ray (taking a call as usual)
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Bob getting ready for the gun
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Bag Piper in the middle
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He played just before the start
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And they're off!!
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John fending off the pack
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And we're off at the first turn
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Making our way through the village
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No fair Luigi has 4 legs!!
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Beautiful homes on route
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The first hill
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Water stop. That's neurosurgeon Dr. Rodzewicz #644
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Best shorts award
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The finish
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Either they're cow-towing or taking chips off
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There were an aweful lot of smiles at the finish
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On our way to the Chili cook-off
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Cooperstown Brewery serving it up with help from Cazenovia College caterers
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Oldfield 5
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Happy harriers
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Serving it up. Hey there's corn in it!
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Brandi, Spencer, Ray, Chili guy and Zack
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Chris Abbott sighting. #839
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Best shirt award
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Race Director Penny. Nice job Penny!!
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The kids who benefitted from the race made up a sign...nice touch. Brandi, John and Spencer
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That says it all, doesn't it. I gotta remember to take my Prilosec.
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2/23/2012 3:18:42 AM