Freihofer's Run for Women

The Shawangunk women took center stage last weekend, traveling to Albany for the Freihofer's Run for Women, one of the largest and most prestigious all-female races in the world. Undaunted by a world-class field of over 3000 runners, the ladies turned in a gaggle of top-flight performances that solidified their status as the top women's team in the Hudson Valley.

As she has all spring, Mendy Taylor led the way, charging to a 22nd-place finish overall (8th American) in a sparkling 17:35, a 49-second PR. Mendy seems to get better and better each week, and has the rest of us wondering how fast she can actually go. She wound up fourth in her age group, leaving in her wake, among others, age-group world record-holder Marisa Hanson and Olympic gold medalist Joan Samuelson. (Lest you think Joanie is finished at 51, she still can run sub-18 minutes and sub-2:50 in the marathon.)

Gunks marathon ace Anne Gullickson turned in her finest 5K in years, running a stellar 19:32 for 60th overall and fourth in her age group. Fellow 40-44 age grouper Tomi Stern ran an excellent 20:29 to place eighth in the bracket. Alyson Homo-Schank ran 21:52 for eighth place among 35-39 year olds, and Gayle Mancuso was right behind in 21:59, placing seventh in the 45-49 bracket.

The next generation of Gunks women put on a fine show as well, with Gabby Mancuso running 19:29 for tenth among 15-19 year olds, and Jordan Stern running a solid 22:09. The Mancusos placed second in the mother-daughter team division and the Sterns placed third among 118 teams. The club team of Mendy, Anne, and Tomi finished an excellent fifth overall in the Open division. (Had Anne, Tomi, and Gayle entered as a master's team, they would have placed second.)

Full results are available here. Amazingly, every one of the Gunks women placed among the top 200 in a race of over 3000 finishers. For the team to come away with such a slew of individual age-group awards and high team placings is an amazing testament to their talent and dedication. Way to go ladies!