September 2026

Jamie Kempton

RRR wrapped up another successful season of Summer Track workouts on Sept. 1 with the closing 3-mile time trial, held at Dominican University’s two-year-old track facility. We christened the 2026 proceedings on May 26 with the initial 3-mile trial. The primary goal of the 15-week program was to improve race fitness and indeed, 10 of the 14 participants who ran both time trials bettered their times. A field of 27 entrants completed the Sept. 1 trial, three fewer than the opener.

Andrew Garcia, a senior cross country runner at Clarkstown South, clocked 16:48 as top finisher in the 3-mile finale, while Peggy Neil was the first female finisher in 22:50. Overall runner-up Sam Kingston was riding high after his personal-best 18:03 performance for a full 5K (he continued on for another half-lap after the 12-lap requirement). Pinchas Farkas made a nice improvement from 21:18 in the season-opener to 20:02 this time. Other participants who dropped their times significantly included Jonathan Kennard, from 30:39 to 27:22; Abe Koshy, 32:16 to 29:18; Jessie André, 30:09 to 27:20; Joe Saxton, 23:42 to 21:32; Chuck Parnow, 29:49 to 28:07; Narcis Aron, 33:49 to 32:49; Mike Beckerle, 24:25 to 23:44; and Joe Schorn, 21:28 to 20:57. Alisa Kaufman also made a nice jump with a 23:42 final effort.

Those who hung around after the workout (and braved a brief, post-run rain shower) were treated by the club to delicious ice cream refreshment at Louie’s, just down Western Highway from Dominican in Blauvelt.

The club wishes to thank Coach Ray Kondracki and his St. Thomas Aquinas cross country athletes for leading the Summer Track sessions so capably. A tip of the cap also to RRR President Bill Carpenter for his communications and logistical prowess to ensure the smooth coordination of the program.

Here’s hoping for another great turnout in the 2027 edition of Summer Track!

June 2026

Jamie Kempton

RRR inaugurated its 2026 Summer Track season on May 26 with the traditional kickoff 3-mile time trial at Dominican University’s track facility. Sessions will continue every Tuesday evening through September 1, all at Dominican’s 400-meter oval except for the summer solstice run at Perkins Memorial Drive/Bear Mountain in late June and the repeat hills workout at Rockland Lake in late July.

Comfortable summery weather attracted a nice turnout of 31 participants in the 12-lap time trial, 30 of whom completed the distance. Bryan Keller spearheaded the group with a clocking of 20 minutes 43 seconds, a sub-7-minute mile pace. Bryan turned on the jets in the last mile to separate himself from a trailing threesome. Paola Garcia Cardenas, the club secretary, stepped down in distance from her marathon excursions to complete the circuit in a solid 21:14, followed by Pinchas Farkas (21:18) and Joe Schorn (21:28). It was also great to see longtime club members Narcis Aron and Andrew and Barbara Paer, among others, back for another season of summer track.

Coach Ray Kondracki, still euphoric after his STAC men’s team’s recent East Coast Conference championship title, administered the workout with the able assistance of two of his track/cross country men’s team members as well as Madison Chalfin, a former RRR scholarship recipient and daughter of veteran club member/marathoner/volunteer Kim Chalfin.