Rockland County 26th Annual Alumni Run

26th ANNUAL BILL MARKIEWICZ

MEMORIAL ROCKLAND COUNTY

ALUMNI X-COUNTRY RUN (3.0 MILES)
THANKSGIVING SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2008
BEAR MOUNTAIN STATE PARK AT NOON, EVENT HELD RAIN OR SHINE!

Memorial Milers participate in an annual tradition of insanity!

Memorial Miler Paul with daughter Jill and Sister Janet

Rockland Alumni Cross Country Run: A Harrier Tradition.

(Adopted from 2001 article written by Jamie Kempton)

A Thanksgiving tradition dating back to 1983 continued on the hills and footpaths of Bear Mountain State Park this Saturday with the 26th running of the Rockland Alumni Cross Country Run/Bill Markiewicz Memorial.

The alumni harriers make their annual pilgrimage to Bear Mountain to tackle the 3-mile course that is used for high school competition. The race is held, rain or shine, at high noon on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Many people run cross country for the purity of the sport, and this event is a purist’s dream: no entry fee, no T-shirts, no awards, no frills.

What it does offer, however, is an opportunity to circle historic Hessian Lake (of Revolutionary War fame), ascend the infamous, steep “ski slope” (former site of world-class ski-jumping competitions), swing past the Bear Mountain Inn - a cornerstone hearth of the Palisades Interstate Park system - and finish the tour on the Great Lawn in front of the inn.

The race is named in honor of Bill Markiewicz, a well-respected former cross country and track coach at Clarkstown North High School who died of cancer in 1991. The event is open to alumni from high schools everywhere, not just those from Rockland County. Over the years the Alumni Run has attracted entrants whose high school affiliation spans more than 20 states and several countries.

Jill & Rick -- Jill, Matt, Rick & Janet

Vinny & Rick -- Paul & Jill

Total Mile Run To Date: 153.3 Miles

Total Miles Walked To Date: 83.5 Miles

Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 236.8 Miles

Day 68 - 74

Day 68 through 74

Miles Run: 3.0 Miles
Miles Walked: 7.5 Miles

Total Mules Run To Date: 147.8 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 78.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 226.3 Miles

Day 67

Day 67:

Total Miles Run To Date: 144.8 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 71.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run: 215.8 Miles

Day 67: Run - 2.0 Miles
Day 66: Walked - 1.5 Miles
Day 65: Walked - 3.0 Miles
Day 64: Walked - 1.5 Miles
Day 63: Run - 1.0 Miles/Walked - 2.0 Miles
Day 62: Run - 2.0 Miles/Walked - 1.0 Miles
Day 61: Walked - 2.5 Miles

Memorial Miles November Team Walk

November 14, 2008
Memorial Miles Team walkers head to Battery Park City for team walk.

Day 60

Day 60

Miles Run Today: 2.0 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 2.0 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 139.8 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 59.5 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 199.3 Miles

Day 59 - Inaugural 5K Rockie's Benefit Race

Inaugural 5k Rockie's Benefit Race
Proceeds to benefit trail maintenance at the Rockefeller State Park Preserve
Saturday November 8, 2008 @ 8:30 am

The Memorial Mile Shirt made an appearance at the Inaugural 5k "Rockie's" Benefit Race at the Rockefeller State Park Persevere in Pocantico Hills, NY. The proceeds from the event will go to help maintain the many beautiful trails that run throughout the park. The course started and ended at the intersection of Eagle Hill and Pocantico River Trails. It went north (uphill switchbacks at the north end of 13 bridges) in one big loop to 13 bridges trail, then eventually that turns into Gory Brook Trail (flat to downhill), over the little wooden bridge then back over the stone arch bridge to home.

It was a tough start, fast stretch and a nice test over the final mile or so. I felt pretty good, as this was the first time I was able to run in week. I made sure I did a good warm up before the race and cool down after.

Day 59: Nov. 8, 2008

Miles Run Today: 4.1 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 137.8

Total Miles Walked To Date: 57.3 Miles

Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 195.3 Miles

Day 53 through 58

On November 2, 2008 I managed to seriously cut and fracture my middle and ring finger on my right hand. It resulted in a visit to Nyack Hospital emergency room for x-rays and stitches. Needless to say I was not able to run, but I was able to walk every day and here are my totals.

Day 53: 1 Mile Walking
Day 54: 1 Mile Walking
Day 55: 1 Mile Walking
Day 56: 2.5 Mile Walking
Day 57: 1 Mile Walking
Day 58: 1 Mile Walking

Total Miles as of November 7, 2008
Total Run: 133.7 Miles
Total Walked: 57.5 Miles
Total Walk/Run: 191.2 Miles

Day 52

Day 52

Miles Run Today: 1.4 Miles
Miles Walked Today: 1.5 Miles

Total Miles Run To Date: 133.7 Miles
Total Miles Walked To Date: 50.0 Miles
Total Miles Walk/Run To Date: 183.7 Miles