Wanderers Brave the Elements at the Lenape Challenge

April 22, 2006

Despite that fact the temperature had fallen to the upper forties, and April showers decided to interrupt the beautiful weather from the week, Wanderers wanted to take the Lenape Challenge. The fear of their canoe capsizing was settled by the fact that they were already drenched by the time they got to the canoe. The race directors deemed it unsafe for runners to run down the ski slope, which saddened the Wanderers, but they were still delighted to run the 4.5 miles of rolling hills.

Less than one week after his impressive time at Boston, Matt Palombaro joined his sister, Kerry, to take on the challenge. The brother-sister team showed their family ties by staying together on the run and their strength after in their canoe. Matt decided that shorts and a t-shirt would be appropriate for the beautiful weather. Despite his shivering, the duo were able to get fifth in their category. It could have been because Kerry “the canoe master” used her collegiate rowing experience and knowledge of the course (this is her eighth consecutive year), or because they were hidden from other teams by their camouflage canoe.

Chris Verry, who was the third runner in, had to wait for his partner, Wendy Stevens, due to a wardrobe malfunction. Her shoes came untied three times during the run, which according to other Wanderers gave her a moment to stop talking. When they got in their canoe they glided down the river over rocks that many teams had to get out and walk over. Her positive attitude about the conditions kept Chris paddling hard and kept him smiling. They finished fourth in their category.

First female to finish the run was Polly Jansen. Not too far back was her partner, Susan Hurrey, who was sticking to her commitment of forming a female team for this year even though they missed the combined age of over 70 mark by one year. They finished with an impressive second place in their category. After they finished their run, they were faced with the challenge of canoeing. They were the first Wanderers in their canoe, but after about ten yards they were caught spinning like they were in a whirlpool. Both inexperienced they found a canoe technique that has not been practice in centuries. They would let the river control their canoe. Sometimes they would go backwards, front-wards, or sideways; however the river would dictate. After about a mile in the canoe Polly found that she had a lot of control being in the back. Susan, wondering if Polly was going to say “Oh My God” one more time, was on the receiving end of this control. Polly decided that Susan wasn’t wet enough from the rain and stopped their canoe so that Susan could have a much needed shower from the water pouring off one of the bridges. Though awards are only given to the top finishers in each category Susan received the prize she had been actually striving for. Susan couldn’t resist the call of the delicious post-run hot dogs for a second week in a row.

Megan Boyle also took part in the fine post-race cuisine, but her teammate Dennis Crowne did not hear the hotdogs calling to him. This team sported the Wanderers racing singlets through the rain and despite Crowne’s hesitation getting in and out of their canoe, and Megan slipping in the mud at the finish line, they finished fifth in their category.

Maureen Mignona was seen on the shores of the Lenape River cheering on all the Wanderers, taking pictures, and braving the elements. The Wanderers will be back for a repeat performance in this event next year.

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