Archive: Sports

Pud's RunOver a thousand people descended on Stewart Park last Sunday (8/28) to honor Investigator Michael A. Padula, the Ithaca Policeman who was killed in the line of duty in 1996. The 9th annual memorial road race known as "Pud's Run" attracted walkers and runners of all ages and all walks of life. The race raises money to support the Michael A. Padula Scholarship Foundation. In addition to the main event there was a one mile walk and a Kid's Fun Run.

Lansing runners were well represented. Cross Country runner Mark Bailey, 17, runs on Lansing High School's Varsity Team. "I'm here to work out," he said, "to see where I am physically." This was his third time running in 5K race, and he did well, placing 52 out of about than 500 runners with a time of 20 minutes, 10 seconds.

A large tent was set up to register participants in the 5K Race and 1 Mile Walk. Race Director Kathy Troy was registering runners who had not pre-registered. She dealt gracefully under pressure when they ran out of safety pins to hold runner's numbers onto their shirts. A police cruiser was dispatched for more pins and arrived with a new supply so the race could begin on time.

Race Director Kathy Troy checks in last minute applicants

Todd and Nick Mallinson

Marsha and John Conte with daughters Anna and Alex

 

Lansing families came to run and cheer for their children or parents. John and Marsha Conte's family were there early to get ready for the race. Marsha and their daughter Alex, 12, ran while John and younger daughter Anna cheered them on. Alex's friend Taylor Jordan also ran, giving Alex someone to run with.

Father and son Todd and Nick Mallinson, 15, were excited about the race. This was Todd's second Pud's Run and he was pleased to be running with his son. Nick plays Varsity Soccer in the Fall and Track in the Spring. Nick placed 57th with a time of 20:25, just 5 runners after Mark Bailey.

Ithaca Mayor Carolyn Peterson was also among the runners. "I knew Mike Padula," she said. She was stunned along with the rest of the community when he was killed. "It had such an impact on the community," she said.

The 5K course started near the entrance of Stewart Park, around the circle and back out the entrance, across Route 13, behind the Ithaca schools and circled around the front of the schools and back through the park around the circle. Volunteers were ready to check in the runners and record their times as they passed through the ribboned finish line.

Cash and trophy awards went to the top three overall finishers. The top prize of $400 went to Paul Mwangi. The 38 year old runner placed first with a time of 14:55, just 17 seconds slower than the course record he set in 2001. As he came around the corner to the finish line volunteers cheered and yelled for him to speed up to try to break the record. He looked exhausted but happy as he crossed the finish line.

Cayuga Radio Group provided a PA and announcer to keep things moving, and there was face painting and a caricature artist. Bangs Ambulance was ready in case any of the runners needed assistance. Swimming pools filled with bottled water were provided for the runners, and the Brooktondale Fire Department barbecued hundreds of chickens. The line for chicken at the central pavilion was enormous, but nobody seemed to mind waiting.

Lansing organizations were among the sponsors, including the Lansing Fire Department and this newspaper. Sponsors contributed money, sponsored events or water stations, mile markers and contributed items for the give-away bags that were given to each runner. Shirts with the 2005 race logo and sponsor logos were also available for runners and attendees to purchase.

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