FOR IMMEDIATE  RELEASE

 

Friends of Van Cortlandt Park to Celebrate 100 Years of Cross Country Racing at Van Cortlandt Park at IC4A/ECAC Championships on November 17^th.

 

Bronx, New York, November 7, 2012 - Friends of Van Cortlandt Park announced today that they are combining resources with the organizers of the IC4A/ECAC Championships to host a 5 kilometer race at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 17^th.  The event will commemorate 100 years of cross country racing at the park, which hosted its first slate of running competition at the historic course in the Fall of 1912.

 

“This is one of the most renowned cross country venues in the United States,” said Eric A. Seiff, Chairman of Friends of Van Cortlandt Park and former Yale cross country team captain.  “The Friends organization is proud to be able to honor the course, the park and its history with this race.  We are grateful to be working with the IC4A organizers, Fordham University and the New York Road Runners through their generous sponsorship to recognize the long time, great tradition of running at Van Cortlandt Park,” Seiff added.

 

Tom Dewey, head track coach at Fordham University and meet director for the IC4A Championships has seen some great runners cross the finish line at Van Cortlandt through the years.  “Olympians and national champions as well as countless thousands of collegiate and high school runners have run this course through the last century,” said Dewey.  “This is a stimulating and physically challenging course that many top runners consider a Mecca of American cross country.  I hope many alumni will come home to Vannie on the 17^th to experience the thrill of running the course on a crisp fall day while watching the current crop of talented runners prove themselves during the IC4A races,” he added.

 

Friends of Van Cortlandt Park is a strong supporter of cross country. Fifteen years ago, the Friends provided the leadership and raised funds to refurbish the badly deteriorating running trail. As a result of the improved surfacing and drainage, the course moves into its second century of competition as a hallmark for cross country runners throughout the U.S.

 

How to participate in the race: 

A registration site for the 100 Year Anniversary 5K race has been established by the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park.  Runners are encouraged to complete their registration by Wednesday, November 14th at:  vancortlandt.org/100th-anniversary-race-registration

 

About Friends of Van Cortlandt Park:

The Friends of Van Cortlandt Park is a nonprofit, community based organization that actively promotes the conservation and improvement of Van Cortlandt Park through environmental education and restoration and enhancement of the Park, its forests and trails.

 

For more information, contact:

Tom Carey, Friends of Van Cortlandt Park

Tel.: 347 497-2115

tcareyny@gmail.com

Friends of VCP web site:  www.vancortlandt.org