Note: the Wanderers sent two teams to this event.
The report below was submitted by Polly Jansen. Click
here for Adam Davey's report.
Veteran
Team Makes Great Strides in R2C-11
by Polly Jansen (click here for Adam's report)
The “veteran” relay team of Dennis
Crowne,
Susan Hurrey, Megan Boyle, Polly
Jansen and Chris Verry,
gluttons for pain agreed to take on the “cursed” R2C
relay for the second year in a row. Randy
Clever,
the most unlucky member of last year’s team had
to bail (obviously due to fear . . . or maybe a brain),
but newcomer Rich O’Brien was
thankfully willing to take his place, even offering
the use of his car (clearly he didn’t know what
he was getting into)!
Then, another teammate, Monica
Ranly had to withdraw from the race due to illness,
leaving the rest of team thinking the news meant yet
another ill-fated journey was in the works! Unfaltering,
however the remaining 6 teammates considered themselves
up to the challenge of tackling the 14 legs of the
relay despite memories of a broken-down car, broken-down
runner and the resulting “edginess” that
characterized last year’s race.
The veterans
even bonded in the close quarters of a Saturn Ion,
in the hotel room over a case of beer & yummy hotel
cookies & at a nice Italian restaurant over great
eats & a “few” bottles of wine! What
a great start!
Dennis “Hardcore” Crowne (legs 7, 8 & 12)
Dennis, as usual was our rock—the machine that
wouldn’t quit. When he heard we would need
to make some “adjustments” in the line-up
he willingly volunteered to take on more, even completing
two legs back-to-back. Despite our friendly ribbing,
no amount of extreme, brain-frying heat was going to
cause him to “stroke out!” We even
allowed him to relax in the passenger’s seat
this time (after having driven the entire state of
Vermont on that OTHER relay, we decided he could use
a break)!
Megan “I Need a Bathroom” Boyle (legs
2 and 13)
Megan had the misfortune of REALLY needing to go during
both of her legs. Fortunately, she made it through
without accident on two gruelingly long distances all
after she had sprained her ankle the week before! What
a trooper! Megan could always be counted upon
for her enthusiasm and colorful comments along the
race route. For the next relay, she is going
to ensure that all Wanderers are equipped with paintball
guns to take out any teams sporting matching pastel
tops, shoes or hair ribbons! Also, anyone ringing
a cow bell or blowing a whistle better watch their
back too!
Chris “Pete and Repeat . . .” Verry (legs
4 and 9)
Chris couldn’t get enough of legs 4 and 9 last
year, so he decided to give them another try! Who
else was going to do legs named “The Beast” and “Looooooooooong
and Hot” anyway?! Chris, red-faced and
up to the challenge blew The Beast away and plodded
through Loooooooooong and Hot and No Shade and Need
Water and This Leg Sucks with determination! “Never
again!” he vowed at the end. Until next
year?
Rich “Gotta Focus” O’Brien (legs
5 and 10/11)
Rich was a master at psyching himself up for the race. He
had music playing in the car to get him in the appropriate
running mode and his mental and physical game were
right on, carrying him through the “Rolling” leg
and half of the “Wildcard.” Susan
(the other half of the Wildcard) and Rich attempted
to split up the legs into 4 even segments, however
the calculations were a little off leaving Rich wondering
if there was an end to the misery! Upon hearing
that the other relay team was just ahead, however he
couldn’t resist taking on the challenge of the
last mile, edging the teams within a minute of each
other in our pursuit to the finish.
Susan “The Great One” Hurrey (legs 3 and
10/11)
The Great One was not feeling so great at the start
of the race. In fact, she had to get a bottle
of the pink stuff for fear of hurling last night’s
dinner on herself or another unfortunate runner. Luckily,
after her “Delightful” trail run she was
again her delightful self. Her driving skills
were invaluable since she was the only other team member
able to drive Rich’s stick-shift car! Though
the heat was at times even too much for her (preferring
boiling heat to freezing cold), The Great One came
through with all of her might.
Polly “Hard Ass” Jansen (legs 1, 6 and
14)
Hard Ass found the competition to be a little more
fierce this year. With the addition of several
more teams, no worries about lack of water or vehicle
and the challenge of catching that annoying “Cheeky
(Cheesy) Cheetahs” team, Polly raced with resolve. On
the end “Sprint to the Sea” there was finally
some nice scenery & shade! As Polly finished
out the race, the team’s total time registered
at 12 hours and 20 minutes. It was a great celebration
with the teammates at the end on the beach and thanks
to everyone for a great race!
SOME SELECTED
Photos from the event (BOTH WANDERERs TEAMS):
(all other photos can be found in the
photo album >>)
For a while, it looked like the Wanderers were going
to turn the R2C Relay
into a slumber party. Here Wanderers relax prior to
race in hotel room.
Hey, Chris, hot enough for you?
Megan shows textbook form in supplying support for
Rich out on the course.
Polly and Megan enjoy a rare patch of shade.
The Two Wanderer teams do some fraternizing during
the race as
Farah, The Great One and Sharon compare notes
on race performance.
More fraternization. This time it is Dawn, Dennis,
Jill and rich near the end of the race.
Farah pours it on with the finish in sight.
Staff photographer The Great One took a break from
the competition too take
this artistic shot of the sun setting over the Jersey
shore. It's beautiful, Susan.
Polly rocks!
We did it!
Wanderers top off a hard of running with a little junk
food on the beach!
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