Once again, the Rikers Island Running Club Directed and Organized a Great Event for the Whole Family! Civilian, Uniform, Children and Running Clubs through out New York! People came from Virginia and Boston!
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Never Give Up! Always keep Your Eye on the Finish Line!
Rikers Island 5K Race May 3, 2003 by Carmen Rodriguez & Ralph E Smith (Guardian Chronicle.Com)
Reporting live from the Rikers Island 5k Race, this is Carmen Rodriguez. The race day started for me at about 4am. Even thou I'm retired, I get up at 4am everyday. Today was special. It was an overcast day with temperature hovering in the fifties. This was to be the sixth year for the Rikers Island 5K Run. The Coordinator and former New York City Correction Officer Iran Colon came up from Virginia. He was on the bullhorn giving direction on where to register and pick up their snacks for the race.
There
was a group of children ages 6 to13 dressed in blue and white.
They called themselves The Rabbits. The President of the Team,
Mr. Alfonso Eugenio was on hand too. He was giving words of
encouragement and last minute instruction. They were stretching
and warming up for the race. Moms were available lending a
helping hand. They were putting on their little ones' numbers
and coaching them with last minute tips; reinforcing what the coach said.
Another
group had just arrived. They were known by name Zanshin Dojo
from Flushing Corona Park. Sensei and Ronald Cook managed
them. They too geared up for the race warming up in the
interim, (never to shy for a photo for the Guardian Chronicle.
Chief Davoren was on hand in the thick of things with his entourage of people. I am retired now and the once familiar faces are no longer known to me. I do however recognize Captain Jones. Who could forget him! Commission Martin F. Horn arrived with yours truly, man's best friend and obviously his too! This is the first time that I have been introduced to this Commissioner. He seems to be a very gracious man and down to earth. He thanked me for taking his picture.
at 9:45am, an announcement for the registration for the race is now over. Everyone that has entered is just about ready to move out. Everyone started moving to the center of the Francis R Bruno Bridge. There is a Correction Officer donning a gas mask in army fatigues and correction personnel dressed in blue sweats front and center of the crowded group of runners.
The
race is about to begin. Martin F Horn, Correction Commissioner
is a brave soul. He stands exactly in the middle of this group
of serious looking runners. The crowd of runners get the signal
from the Commissioner and the race started. The runners gently
brush pass him running to cross the Rikers Bridge. The runners
are on their way. I took a few more photos as the runners flew
over the bridge.
Ralph Smith, handling the photography and sound van on at the finish line calls me via my cellular phone. I tell him the race has begun and the runners should be crossing the bridge shortly. The ball is in Smith's court now. Take it away Smithy.
Broadcasting to you live over the airwaves of RIKERS FM, my name is Ralph E Smith, your Race MC for this outstanding event! First let me thank my partner, Ms. Carmen Rodriguez for a Great Job. You will be seeing more of Carmen's photos and stories in the Guardian Chronicle.Com
This
is the sixth year in a row that the Sound Van has been asked to come
out and rain or sun, we are here to cheer the runners on! Just
as this race started, the sun also started coming out, so you know it
is a great day.
Commissioner Martin F. Horn, Robert N. Davoren, numerous Chiefs, Wardens, Managers, staff from all ranks both uniform and civilian came out on Saturday to make this an event that had an estimated 150 to 200 people.
You might expect to see some type of winners list, but the bottom line is that everyone who came out today was a winner and this was a great family event that provided some cheer during tough times in the City of New York.
The New York City Department of Correction Running Club did a great job putting this event together. Many thanks to the staff at Rikers that made this happen and helped to put some big smiles on some 3 foot high children!
Ralph E Smith-Publisher
GuardianChronicle.Com
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