Report by Don Allison
The big story of the October 14th Hartford Marathon was
not really the winners, but the race itself. In only its
second running, Hartford appears poised to take its place
among the best city marathons the USA. In the shadow of the
state capitol, the Hartford Marathon also contains many of
the special accouterments of a hometown race. In the
marathon, success is earned only over the long haul, but
Hartford is experiencing as strong a start as any New England
marathon ever has.
Like marathons across the land this fall, Hartford was
the beneficiary of next spring's 100th Boston Marathon
anniversary run. Like the holy grail, thousands of
marathoners are seeking the magic qualifying standards that
will yield entry into the centennial jaunt from Hopkinton.
1200 turned up in Hartford, along with another thousand or so
in the accompanying 5k and half marathon.
The weather was far from perfect, a bit too warm and
humid at the 8 am start. A much appreciated cloud cover
helped out later in the race, preceding a torrential downpour
that soaked the runners, but not ironically, until all of the
Boston qualifying times had come and gone. Poland's Antonio
Niemczak has friends in Hartford, which led him to the
starting line at this race. Among his new friends are the
directors of the marathon, what with his bringing 2:10
credentials to the race. At age 39, he also is looking
towards next year's Boston, with the lofty goal of breaking
John Campbell's world masters marathon record of 2:11:05. " I
am not currently fit," he intoned before the race, but added
" I will be ready at Boston to try for the record."
1200 other marathoners at Hartford would gladly love to
have his level of "un-fitness", as he easily cruised to
victory and the first place prize money of $1000. Running
easily in the pack until 20 miles, Niemczak made his move
over the Founders bridge and broke the tape in 2:27:40. Ken
Flint from Durango, Colorado was second in 2:28:05 in a race
that certainly was not as close as it appeared. 23 year old
Central Mass Strider Keith Matiskella rounded out the prize
money winners, snagging third place in 2:29:30, a little less
than two minutes in front of CMS teammate Jim Garcia.
Sherry Christoff from Meriden, CT has only been at the
marathon game a couple of years, but performed like a
seasoned pro, turning in a fine time of 2:54:56 to
comfortably win the women's division. The 34 year old
Christoff was well ahead of New York City's Ana Rios and
Jersey City New Jersey's Jean Chodnicki. The later two came
in second and third respectively, both just seconds over the
three hour mark. That dissapointment was surely assuaged by
their respective prize money winnings of $750 and $500.
Tanzania's Simon Peter won the half marathon in
1:05:26., while Laura Gubizca from Meadville, PA led the
women in 1:17:52. Both were upstaged by crowd favorite Bill
Rodgers, who won the masters race. " Boston Billy " actually
grew up in nearby Newington, CT and attended college at
Wesleyan University.
Despite the rains that poured from above after the race,
runners and spectators alike seemed to thoroughly enjoy the
festive atmosphere in Bushnell Park, replete with a sports
expo, health fair, massage therapy, food & drink (provided by
the Greater Hartford restaurant association) and music.
Music? This race brought forth a group of wonderfully
talented Hartford gospel singers to escort the winners across
the finish line. Is this fall marathon a keeper? Amen
brothers and sisters!