New record set at Race the Train event in North Creek

A total of 312 runners turned out on Saturday, Aug. 3 for Race the Train's 11th year. In this 8.4 mile contest between human and machine, 85 runners beat the train this year. At 9 a.m. the large group of determined runners set off from the Riparius Bridge on their quest to beat the train to the North Creek Train Station. Jill Pederson, one of the principle organizers, was very happy with this year's race. "We had the best field of runners ever, with three former winners returning and a new record being set," Pederson said. "The weather was perfect for an August run and I received lots of compliments from runners and spectators alike." She also praised Dan Olden of Do–Right Timing, who always gives the race a good deal. While some races pay as much as $1,200 for timed results, he only charges them $300. "His results are always accurate and fast in coming. We never worry about that aspect when he's in charge. Dan is the man for timing," Pederson said. This year's winner, Alex Benway of Queensbury, broke the previous course record of 45:09, coming in at 44:37. Last year's winner, Paul Allison, came in third with a time of 45:57 and the previous course record holder, Devin Cornwall, came in fifth with a time of 46:20. All of them agreed that this year's race featured a tight group of talented runners at the head of the pack. "These guys put up a tough fight. I didn't look behind me because I didn't want to psyche myself out, but I could feel the others nearby. It wasn't until around the 8 mile mark that I knew I was ahead," Benway said. This is his third victory. He previously won in 2009 and 2010. He first heard about the race from Jill Pederson, who he knows well from their membership in the Adirondack Runners Club. "I know they put on a great race and it's a lot of fun, with great scenery," Benway said. Paul Allison has participated in Race the Train every year it's been held, and apart from his overall win last year he has won the fastest local finish each year except for 2007. A graduate of Johnsburg Central School, he said he is always happy to help raise money for graduating seniors through the Johnsburg Dollars for Scholars Fund, which receives all the proceeds from the Race the Train event. "I'll be back next year," Allison said. Devin Cornwall, the previous course record holder had won the race both times he competed in 2007 and 2008. Having just returned to North Creek after completing two years in AmeriCorps, he hadn't trained and was initially unsure if he would run. "I didn't even register until yesterday. My friends and family really wanted me to compete. This is more of a celebration for me, a homecoming," Cornwall said. He plans to race again next year. Larry Blackhurst, the treasurer for Johnsburg Dollars for Scholars also serves as the announcer during the race and works with sponsors. He explained that there are two groups of sponsors, those that donate money and those that donate services and items for raffles. He said both types of sponsorship play an important role in making the event a success. "Of course part of the unique appeal of this race is that runners get to race a train, which is not something they get to do every day, and those that actually beat the train have achieved something really rare, something they can be proud of," Blackhurst said. Race Results Included below are the overall top 10 finishers, the overall male and female top finishers, the first place 60-64 male and female top finishers, the first place 65-plus and 70-plus finishers, and the train. Top Ten Overall Place Name City Time Alexander Benway – Queensbury – 44:38 Erik Buser – Ramsey, NJ – 45:39 Paul Allison – Jericho, VT – 45:57 Ryan Recchia – Latham – 46:04 Devin Cornwall – Culpepper, VA – 46:20 Evan Flatch – Airmont – 46:40 Chris Collier – Delmar – 47:53 Ben Collins – Glens Falls – 50:44 Luke Shane – Bolton Landing – 51:17 Kevin Emblidge – Queensbury – 51:45 Top 3 Overall Female Finishes Place Name City Time Elizabeth Emblidge – Queensbury – 58:34 Allison Forhan – Hudson, OH – 59:38 Amanda Millington – Chestertown – 1:00:35 First Place Male and Female Finishes for 60-64 Place Name City Time Mark Sager – Kaatskill Bay – 1:04:55 Jill Pederson – Lake George – 1:23:46 First Place Finish for 65-plus Place Name City Time John Solan – Cossayuna – 1:15:09 First Place Finish for 70-plus Place Name City Time Edwardo Munoz Jr. – Olmsteadville – 1:16:54 The Train Train – Saratoga/North Creek – 1:07:28

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New record set at Race the Train event in North Creek

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