Brief Chronology of the Northport
Running Club
as researched by Charles Merlino (edited for web site by Steve
O'Shaughnessy)
In the beginning .......
The Northport Running Club was formed in April 1977 by a group of 5 local "running
aficionados"…..that’s… "lovers of running". The
"perps" were: John Rakucewicz, Dale Barest, William Gehrhardt, Declan Quigley,
and Paul Stillman.
At this
same time of April 1977, the Cow Harbor 10k Race was "born", largely through the
drive and tireless efforts of John Rakucewicz. The very first Cow Harbor 10k was
held that September. Actually, it has been said by local historians that the Cow Harbor
10k came first as the creation of John Rak, and the NRC logically followed from that. For
historical purposes, we will assign April 1977 as the origins of both of the above. The
race is "officially" titled as The Great Cow
Harbor 10k Race.
John Rak served as the first NRC President, however, his term lasted only 3 months since
he was spending most (or all) of his time and energy organizing and managing "his
baby"….. the upcoming Cow Harbor 10k. At this time, Bill Gehrhardt assumed the
duties of President.
A total of
1002 runners completed the 1st Great Cow Harbor 10k Race in September 1977.
The
original monthly club meetings were held at the homes of various members. By January 1978,
membership had grown to 15.
Into its second year .......
A new slate of officers was installed on the 2nd anniversary of the club, April 1978. They
were: Dave Harris…President, Dale Barest….V.P., Richard Condon…Recording
Sec., John Rakucewicz…Corresponding Sec., and Bob Schertzer.. Treasurer.
Membership dues in 1978 were……..$15!!
During 1978 the NRC held the LARGEST foot race on Long Island, as measured by the number
of finishers. This, of course, was The Great Cow Harbor 10k Race, with 1503 finishers. We
mention this here because Race Director John Rak had a "running" (pun intended)
battle with the Newsday Sports editors regarding their contention as to which was the
"largest" foot race on Long Island. Newsday’s standard of measurement was
"applicants" not finishers. Terse letters flew back and forth several times
between Rak and Newsday, however, no resolution to the difference of opinion was ever
recorded.
The "Sunday Morning" runs were established with a 10:00 AM start, for the Winter
months, at the school on Laurel Avenue. At the end of April, starting time was moved up to
9:00 AM.
New members Anita & Bill Thomas, Joe Latino and John Pitfick joined. The NRC became a
chapter of RRCA and then the NRC SPLIT TIMES newsletter was started in October.
Then 1979.....
This year marked the start of the traditional New Year’s Day Brunch, following a
"drying out" run. The 1st brunch was held at the home of members Bill &
Anita Thomas.
For 1979 the officers were: Joe Latino…President, Bill Thomas…V.P., John
Rak…Corresponding Sec., Bob Schertzer…Treasurer, John Pitfick & Stan
Davis….shared Recording Secretary duties.
The 1979 Great Cow Harbor 10K Race saw 1900 runners cross the finish line.
In the year 1979 an attempt was made to come up with a Northport Running Club song. This
is it.....to the tune Jingle Bells:
"Tie your shoes, Fix your shorts
Raise your feet and stretch.
Off you run towards the sun
With a stride no one can match.
Hey! Watch your pace, time the race
Give your legs a rub.
Oh what fun it is to run
With the NORTHPORT RUNNING CLUB!!"
Intensive investigation failed to identify the perpetrator, i.e., the "writer"
of this clever ditty. If we uncover the source…… There you have it. You be the
judge. On that note (clever segue eh?) we glide into 1980.
1980 - Joe Latino Relays are born
1980 saw the start of the ever-popular February Relays held at Sunken Meadow Park. This
"come-one-come-all…it’s-free" relay race was run up and back on the
road leading to the Sunken Meadow Golf Course. The reason given for its creation was to
help get runners through the winter "running blahs". Everybody come run for the
fun of it, Spring race season is approaching. As it turned out, invariably, the weather on
relay day was the worst winter had to offer. Running-blahs was nothing compared to 3rd
degree frostbite! The "senior" members in the Club can attest to relay-day
weather in years past.
Club officers for 1980 were: Joe Latino...President, Lou Lacouette…V.P., John
Pitfick….Recording Sec., John Rak…Corresponding Sec., John Walsh…Treasurer.
The 1980 Great Cow Harbor 10k Race had 2515 finishers.
1981
For 1981, a new slate of officers appeared. They were: John Rakucewicz….President,
Mario Buonpane….V.P., Bill Thomas…Recording Sec., Joe Latino….Corresponding
Sec., and John Walsh…Treasurer.
In July of 1981, the NRC obtained tax-exempt status from the IRS under the RRCA .
The 1981 version of the Great Cow Harbor 10k accepted a maximum of 3000 applications, 400
applications were returned to disappointed runners. Finishers numbered 2620 for 1981.
1982
For 1982, a slight change in list of officers: John Rakucewicz…..President , Mario
Buonpane….V.P., John Walsh…Recording Sec., Joe Latino….Corresponding Sec.,
and Bob Scott…Treasurer.
The 1982 Great Cow Harbor 10k Race registered 2929 finishers.
1983
1983 brought 4 "new faces" to the executive office: Ron Matuza….President,
Nancy Condron….V.P., Jim Mahoney…Recording Sec., Paul
Stillman…Corresponding Sec. and Bob Scott…Treasurer.
During 1983, several "familiar names & faces" joined the NRC. including Bob
Essex Judy Neff Doug Wood Bob Carr Marion & Joe Stanjones Bob Skirkanich Charles
Merlino.
After much diligent research, Bob Buhmann "found" the Waterside Inn for the 1984
annual NRC New Year’s Day "drying out" brunch. All the usual edibles at the
1984 price of $7.50 per!
1984
In 1984, again a small change in "management: Ron Matuza….still President, Nancy
Condron…once more our V.P., Fred Boccard…our new Treasurer, Jim
Mahoney….Recording Sec., Sybil Nestor….Corresponding Sec.
In May of 1984, Marion Stanjones, in her first attempt at a half-marathon, won FIRST PLACE
in her age group with a time of 1:42:38 at the Long Island Marathon/Half-Marathon.
In 1984, "familiar names & faces" joined the NRC…..Tom Amorillo &
RoseMary Riccardi.
Member Bob Buhmann, ever on the lookout for value, this time "discovered" the
restaurant at Crab Meadow Beach for the 1985 annual NRC New Year’s Day Brunch.
Feeding the running horde got a bit more expensive for 1985, $7.95 per, however, it was
buffet style…..ALL YOU CAN EAT!
1985
1985 marked a "first" in running club history, a sure sign that
"the-times-are-a-changing": NANCY CONDRON……NRC PRESIDENT, SYBIL
NESTOR………..NRC V.P., Fred Boccard……Treasurer, Harry
Granito……Recording Sec., and Jim Mahoney…….Corresponding Sec.
Also in 1985, the February Relays were moved to MARCH. Relentless winter punishment by
"Mother Nature" finally won out. Winter "running-blahs" were extended
for one more month as a tradeoff against numbing cold running conditions.
1985 brought a major improvement to the Cow Harbor 10k. It marked the first use of the
"staggered start". This "rolling start" was successfully used at the
Boulder (Colorado) 10k which manages up to 20000 runners at the start. The Cow Harbor
"staggered start" is largely the result of untiring work by former member JOHN
PITFICK. In his honor and memory, it is now known as the "JOHN PITFICK Great Cow
Harbor 10k Staggered Start".
Our 1999 NRC Member-of-the-Year joined in July of 1985. That must be Jane McGraw. Also in
1985, Allen Huggins joined.
1986
1986 brought 5 "new faces" to the executive office: Bob Buhmann….President,
Bob Scott….V.P., Jim Mahoney…Corresponding Sec., Don Colen…..Treasurer, and
RoseMary Riccardi….Recording Sec.
Members Terry Lucas and future NRC President George Mack joined in 1986.
The year 1986 will be remembered as the year "without a September". The Great
Cow Harbor 10k Race was reluctantly cancelled. Race creator, Director and Manager John
Rakucewicz had to step down. The pressures of time demanded by his own business just did
not allow sufficient time to be allocated to organizing an event such as the Great Cow
Harbor 10k Race, which had grown beyond expectations.
1986 was used as a time to "regroup" for 1987. The call went out for volunteers.
A race executive committee was formed, duties and responsibilities were delegated to
"numbers" of volunteers, and The Great Cow Harbor 10k Race resumed in 1987.
The Later Club Years...... Coming Soon
To be
continued..........
