Pfalz Point Trail Challenge

As always, numerous storylines emerged from the Pfalz Point Trail Challenge, one of the crown jewels on the local racing calendar. And as usual, the Gunkers were right in the middle of it. The 10-mile trail race provides one of the most challenging tests of strength, endurance, and trail-running skill you will find anywhere. It has been named one of the top trail races in the country by Runners' World, and it routinely fills to its 300-runner capacity in advance; this year, no race-day entries were accepted due to rising demand.

From the Gunks standpoint, Mendy Taylor provided the top story, as she has all year. Since her breakout performance at last year's Pfalz Point, where she finished second in a very solid 1:13:04, Mendy has emerged as the dominant force on the local racing scene. She has handled her many successes this year with a healthy dose of humility and perspective (some might even say she is too humble!) and so it was suprising when, on a course recon run two weeks ago, she admitted to really wanting to break the course record for Pfalz Point this year. None of us doubted she could do it; it was simply the fact that she admitted to wanting it that took us by surprise.

Personally, I assumed she would break the course record (set by Ellen Strickler in 2001, in near-perfect conditions) fairly easily, if not by several minutes. The weather on race morning seemed to preclude any record attempts, however. The course had been softened by nearly two straight days of rain, and while temperatures were resonable (mid-60's to low 70's), the humidity was well over 90%, and the entire scene was draped in thick fog. Warming up, I felt as though we were in a steam bath. The wooden bridges and exposed rocks which litter the course were very slippery, meaning corners would be taken at half-speed. A record seemed impossible.

Mendy kept her head, though, and stuck to her race plan. Despite the conditions, she ran brilliantly and crossed the line in 1:10:42, bettering the old standard by 15 seconds. I stick by my assertion that under even average conditions the record would now be well out of reach. In a year thick with notable achievements, this may have been one of Mendy's best races. Great job Mendy!

That was hardly the only story to come out of the race, however. Justin Harris also took no notice of the less-than-ideal conditions, posting an astounding 57:52 to secure a 5:00+ victory over Gunker/CPTCer Mike Trunkes (runner-up for the second consecutive year). Given the conditions Justin's race might have been even more impressive than Mendy's. The women's course record has been threatened several times in the past, inlcuding last year when Gordon Bakoulis came within 30 seconds of it; but until Sunday, no one had ever come within two minutes of the 57:40 put up by the indomitable Mike Slinskey in 2001. Justin's near-record, in a solo effort in muggy conditions was a simply brilliant performance.

Believe it or not, however, it might not even have been the performance of the day! Some observers gave that title to the amazing run of Declan Dwyer-McNulty of Red Hook, who ran 1:05:59 to place fourth overall. What's so amazing about that, you ask? Nothing, really. Except he's 13 years old.

The Gunkers had an excellent day, even beyond Mendy's outstanding run. As mentioned, Trunkes was second for the second straight year (part of an all-coaches top three: Justin is Mike's assistant at SUNY-New Paltz, and third place finisher James Cowan is the head man at Vassar). He also took the master's division. C-Boy was second among masters with an excellent 1:08:44 (seventh overall), as he and Mendy continued their back-and-forth battle this season.

Other Gunkers:
5. Jason Friedman 1:07:40 (2nd 30-39)
13. Alan Ruben 1:11:24 (1st 50-59)
17. Kevin Roach 1:14:10
25. Jeff Feinsod 1:16:11
28. Brian Nagle 1:16:17 (2nd 50-59)
38. Paul Muessig 1:20:09 (3rd 50-59)
53. John Young 1:22:30
55. Fred Stewart 1:23:15 (2nd 60-69)
68. Charles Vigna 1:25:04
88. Norman Goluskin 1:28:27 (1st 70+)
102. Gavin Gullickson 1:29:34 (2nd under-17)
103. Anne Gullickson 1:29:35
113. Kurtis Nordahl 1:31:10
161. Dan Winfield 1:38:05 (3rd 60-69)

FOGs:
16. Connie Seigh 1:13:52 (2nd female, 1st 30-39)
19. Wayne McDaniel 1:14:54
24. Connie Grace 1:15:38 (3rd female, 1st 40-49)
27. Scott Willett 1:16:15
34. Gordon Bakoulis 1:19:18 (4th female, 2nd 40-49)
47. Julie Denney 1:21:28 (3rd female 40-49)
78. Kristen Hjeltnes 1:27:08
85. Janice Cyr 1:28:00

Apologies to those whose names I missed or forgotten. Email me and I'll add you!

Full results are here.