Carlos Ramirez took first place in the 1000 Mile Club six-mile race with a time of 41:34 and a 6-minute and 56-second mile pace.
Ramirez credits his victory to his coaches’ training schedule and help with preparation.
“I have a winner’s mentality,” said Ramirez. “Most of the time I came in second, so I pushed myself a little harder to see what would happen.”
It was a warm sunny day with a light breeze. Chris Scull took the lead for the first lap, but Ramirez shot in front for good from the second lap on.
Scull came in second with a time of 42:36. Steve Reitz finished third with a time of 42:46.
“It’s a good accomplishment,” said Scull. “First, second and third are like gold, silver and bronze.”
Scull uses running to keep everything in perspective. It helps to focus his mind, body and spirit.
“This is my first time taking third place,” said Reitz. “In other races I tied for third.”
Reitz credits his improvement to reading a book called Born to Run. It helped him change his style. He also credits the competition pushing him, along with the running logs and advice from the 1000 Mile coaches Frank Ruona, Kevin Rumon and Diana Fitzpatrick.
Larry Ford, who is 59 years old, came in fourth with a time of 42:56. Ford is a mentor to those in the running club.
“It’s great (that) the runners work together,” said Fitzpatrick. “Running across different boundaries, you see the guys support each other, and that gives them all the values of rehabilitation,” said Fitzpatrick.
“I haven’t run since boot camp,” said first-time 1000 Mile race runner B. Wells Jr. “This gives legitimacy to runners you see running long distances, that it can be done.”
The coaches stood by until the last man crossed the finish line. Simon Liu, who got a late start, came in with a time of 44:51 in the Feb. 27 event. However, it was Andrew Gazzeny, 48, who finished last with a time of 56:11.
“Just to finish and stay healthy is good; a lot of us aren’t spring chickens anymore,” said Jerry Gearin, 48, who finished with a time of 47:52. “Running gives us a better understanding of our physical capabilities.”