The Great Race's official name is worthy of a competition with a 29-year pedigree and multiple trials on land and water.
Illustration by Jennifer Meyers / The Citizen
Local enthusiasts happy Great Race still keeping Auburn active
Local enthusiasts happy Great Race still keeping Auburn active
The Captain Myles Keogh Paddle, Wheel and Run has its historical mascot in an Irish mercenary who died with Lt. Col. George A. Custer's 7th Cavalry in the battle with American Indian tribes close to the Little Bighorn River in Montana.
Keogh's horse Comanche was the only survivor of the battle. A daughter of New York governor Enos Throop was infatuated with Keogh and she had his body exhumed and reburied in Fort Hill Cemetery.
That kind of devotion for Keogh is also reflected in the community's deep affection for a race that is both a summer social highlight and an outpouring of volunteer effort.
Class reunions and family gatherings are planned around it. Many community members come out for the band and some summer fun.
“All summer people are running everywhere,” said Amy Fuller, one of the 19 race committee members. “It's hard to nail down a social event and see so many at the same time.”
There are perhaps more volunteers than race participants. Around 500 to 550 race participants are expected in the running, canoeing/kayaking and bicycling portions of the event.
Hundreds of volunteers with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program folded T-shirts to be in neat form for racers. Close to 2,500 subs will be made at on the race's eve at the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Dozens of volunteers will hand out water at eight to 10 water stations.
The whole purpose is to motivate people to exercise just a little bit more.
“We've been complimented over the years, ‘I'm glad the Great Race is around so it's giving me something to shoot for,'” said Marty Keough, one of the race's founders.
The more hard-core participate in four-person teams with one runner covering 6.2 miles, one cyclist traversing 16.6 miles and two paddlers completing four miles. There's a two-person version with a runner and cyclist teaming up in the canoe. There is a short version with one runner covering 3.1 miles, one cyclist biking 10 miles and two paddlers or a kayaker paddling for two miles.
There are so many different race options that awards will be given in 63 team categories. The prize is race-themed artwork commissioned by the race.
Todd Bachta, a Syracuse art teacher, won this year's commission.
“We really enjoy people getting on the road to working out and improving their bodies,” said Jim Hanley, another of the race's founders. “Not that they've got to be a marathoner. We're happy as heck to see a real person in the thing.”
Great Race organizers are implementing a new rule about drinking alcohol.
Anyone seen drinking alcohol must have a wristband given to them after they've shown ID.
Members of the correction officers union, NYSCOPBA, will be enforcing the rule.
Only one six-pack will be allowed to be brought per person, and there is no entry of alcohol after 3 p.m.
The starting line for the race is at Emerson Park.
Staff writer Amaris Elliott-Engel can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or at amaris.elliot-engel@lee.net
If you go
What: The Great Race
When: The race starts at 9:30 a.m., Sunday, Prison City Rockers will play between noon and 4:30 p.m.
Where: Emerson Park, Route 38A, Owasco
For details: Call 252-7139
Keogh's horse Comanche was the only survivor of the battle. A daughter of New York governor Enos Throop was infatuated with Keogh and she had his body exhumed and reburied in Fort Hill Cemetery.
That kind of devotion for Keogh is also reflected in the community's deep affection for a race that is both a summer social highlight and an outpouring of volunteer effort.
Class reunions and family gatherings are planned around it. Many community members come out for the band and some summer fun.
“All summer people are running everywhere,” said Amy Fuller, one of the 19 race committee members. “It's hard to nail down a social event and see so many at the same time.”
There are perhaps more volunteers than race participants. Around 500 to 550 race participants are expected in the running, canoeing/kayaking and bicycling portions of the event.
Hundreds of volunteers with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program folded T-shirts to be in neat form for racers. Close to 2,500 subs will be made at on the race's eve at the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Dozens of volunteers will hand out water at eight to 10 water stations.
The whole purpose is to motivate people to exercise just a little bit more.
“We've been complimented over the years, ‘I'm glad the Great Race is around so it's giving me something to shoot for,'” said Marty Keough, one of the race's founders.
The more hard-core participate in four-person teams with one runner covering 6.2 miles, one cyclist traversing 16.6 miles and two paddlers completing four miles. There's a two-person version with a runner and cyclist teaming up in the canoe. There is a short version with one runner covering 3.1 miles, one cyclist biking 10 miles and two paddlers or a kayaker paddling for two miles.
There are so many different race options that awards will be given in 63 team categories. The prize is race-themed artwork commissioned by the race.
Todd Bachta, a Syracuse art teacher, won this year's commission.
“We really enjoy people getting on the road to working out and improving their bodies,” said Jim Hanley, another of the race's founders. “Not that they've got to be a marathoner. We're happy as heck to see a real person in the thing.”
Great Race organizers are implementing a new rule about drinking alcohol.
Anyone seen drinking alcohol must have a wristband given to them after they've shown ID.
Members of the correction officers union, NYSCOPBA, will be enforcing the rule.
Only one six-pack will be allowed to be brought per person, and there is no entry of alcohol after 3 p.m.
The starting line for the race is at Emerson Park.
Staff writer Amaris Elliott-Engel can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or at amaris.elliot-engel@lee.net
If you go
What: The Great Race
When: The race starts at 9:30 a.m., Sunday, Prison City Rockers will play between noon and 4:30 p.m.
Where: Emerson Park, Route 38A, Owasco
For details: Call 252-7139
The Citizens' Say
There are 1 comment(s)
Karin wrote on Aug 10, 2006 10:51 AM: