Elite runners improve Hospice 5K field

Seven Kenyans should shatter men's and women's race times

By Asst. Sports Editor Jim Castor
Democrat and Chronicle

(October 18, 2002) — It may rain, it may be cold, but records should fall at the Rochester area’s largest 5K road race on Saturday.

Pete Van Peursem is betting $400 of his own money on it.

It’s the seventh edition of the Run for Hospice in Greece and race director Van Peursem has invited a lineup of seven Kenyan runners to lead an assault on the 14-minute, 8-second men’s time and 16:05 for women.

In addition to a cash purse of $7,800 put up by the Moran and Kufta law firm, Van Peursem is offering $200 cash for the first woman under 15:50 and first man under 13:40.

The field is expected to number more than 900 for the 3.1-mile distance. Another 300 are expected for a 10-mile race that starts 15 minutes before the 5K.

“Why do I encourage the Kenyans to come?” Van Peursem said. “It makes for a better race, faster times and more attention to the event. Every race with elite runners attracts the best fields.

“It’s exciting to bring all these top runners in. These guys are competitors. They’ll be going at it.

“When we’re done Saturday we’ll have the fastest men’s and women’s 5Ks ever run in Rochester.”

This will be one morning when local runners take a backseat to world-class talent. In the men’s field will be defending champion Moses Macharia, from Tim Forrester’s Hamilton, Ontario training camp. A year ago Macharia’s 14:08 outclassed everyone else, including countrymen Paul Mwanga and David Kipngetich.

Macharia is back, along with Mwanga. But newcomers from Hussein Makke’s West Chester, Pa., camp include Shadrack Kosgei, Daniel Kibungei Cheruiyot and Thomas Omwenga.

Kosgei ran a 13:27 for second at Syracuse’s Festival of Races 5K two weeks ago. Macharia trailed him in fourth by nine seconds.

Cheruiyot, running under his middle name Kibungei, was the Lilac 10K winner in May.

Women’s winner Jackline Torori who, like Cheruiyot, switched from Forrester’s camp to Makke’s this summer, returns to defend her title and try for a faster time. She’ll be pushed by countrywoman Martha Komu.

Can they win the bonus money besides winning the race?

“Certainly,” Makke said. “Jackie’s PR (personal record) is a 15:55 and Martha should be right there with her. Jackie’s been running respectably. She won the Hartford Half Marathon last Sunday in a course record 1:15:10.”

Mahu’s 5K PR is 16:02.

“I’m hoping they break 13:40 and 15:50,” Van Peursem said. “That way, next year I’ll offer $500 for even lower times.”

So what’s left for American runners?
The cash purse runs five deep -- $500, 4300, $200, $150 and $100. Last year Scott Bagley was the top American in 14:58. Mark Andrews of Canisteo, who’s had the area’s top 5K times this summer, told Van Peursem he’s recovering from an anemic condition after the Twin Cities Marathon and will not run Saturday.

Mile primes. The first American at the mile mark wins a $50 gift certificate from Valenti Sports. The first one at Mile 2 wins the same from Dalberth’s Sporting Goods.

$100 cash to the first Americans wearing a Buffalo Bills T-shirt or jacket.

Rochester Runner of the Year points. They’re double (assuming there are at least 750 finishers). That means 30 for first, 28 second, etc.

Although Derrick Jones has wrapped up the men’s title, Karen Elliot holds just a 107-92 lead over Gretchen Welch among the women. Finishes of runners who live outside the Niagara Association of USA Track and Field don’t count. A strong masters field can win parts of a $1,250 cash purse. Olympian John Tuttle, Montreal’s Michel Brohu, Rochester native and Syracusan

Mike Platt and Forrestville’s Bob Carroll are leading contenders.

Diane Legare of Montreal leads a women’s field that includes Montreal’s Isabelle Ledroit, Schenectady’s Lori Hewig, Rochester’s Beth DeCiantis and Pittsford’s Carolyn Smith-Hanna.

In just its seventh year, Hospice has grown to be the area’s most popular 5K, and a significant resource for its beneficiary, Visiting Nurse Hospice of Rochester. It’s a testament to Van Peursem’s attention to detail and lavish amenities.

He’s expanded the party area in front of First Bible Baptist Church on North Greece Road with an 8,000-square-foot tent to accommodate road racing’s biggest food spread in town -- Outback Steakhouse and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts are headliners.

The new Galyan’s 10-miler will start just north of the church’s entrance. The leaders are expected to finish just as the tailenders (in the 40-minute range) from the 5K are crossing the finish line in the church’s parking lot.

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Copyright 2002 Gannett Rochester Newspapers, Democrat and Chronicle