CTC runners pay tribute to Kinnier

A number of runners honored one of the most respected members of the local running community during the Charlottesville 10-Miler Saturday. Several city employees, friends and family members ran in memory of Skip Kinnier, a longtime treasurer of the Charlottesville Track Club.
Kinnier, who died in 2007, was a driving force behind the CTC’s scholarship fund, which is now named in his honor.
Sears Driscoll’s mother, who was Kinnier’s brother, suggested he run and represent her family in honor of her brother.
“He loved this race,” Sears Driscoll said. “When it snowed, he’d go out to Fashion Square Mall and run 10 miles behind the snow plow. I started thinking about that. I’m complaining about being out of shape and having shin splints and he was out there every day, no excuses.”
Driscoll finished in 1:42.14 despite not being able to run more than two miles in the last week without having to walk for half a mile.
Sounds like a fitting tribute.
The youngest runner …
Dave Rubinow, an 11-year-old from Keswick, completed the 10-miler as the youngest competitor in the field.
“I’m pretty dang tired,” Rubinow said.
Going against the field of significantly older competitors didn’t bother the young local much, but his lack of experience with the course at least made the final stages tough.
“I didn’t really know the course too well so at the end I really underestimated how long that last mile was,” Rubinow said.
…And the oldest runners
Wendell Golden, 82, checked in as the race’s oldest runner. The octogenarian completed his eighth 10-miler since he was around 70.
Golden is a cherished member of the Charlottesville running community who draws a large round of applause when he nears the finish of various races. He proved near the end of Saturday’s run that even at 82, he had some fight in him, running down a younger female competitor just before crossing the finish line.
Golden is one of several locals who trains with Daily Progress correspondent Mark Lorenzoni, a pillar of the running community who mentors runners throughout the year. Golden said a big part of his ability to finish came from Lorenzoni’s time and effort in working with him.
Golden wasn’t afraid to credit his diet, either. His wife is a vegetarian, and while Golden likes beef, her diet keeps his intake in check.
Nancy Fraser, the oldest female runner, finished in 1:40:13 to maintain about 10-minute mile pace at 71-years-old. It was her sixth 10-miler finish.
“Last year, I beat all the men who were over 70, so it was great,” Fraser said.
A favorite son returns
Ricky Stokes, a former Virginia point guard and former head coach at both East Carolina and Virginia Tech returned to Charlottesville to run the 10-miler.
Stokes won what he considered the day’s most critical battle.
“I beat my brother so that’s the most important thing,” Stokes said.
Stokes outpaced brother Bobby, another former Virginia player who suited up in University Hall from 1975-1979.
Ricky runs largely just to stay trim because he’s a big eater, but he wasn’t bashful about rewarding himself after the race.
“I can eat and drink what I want today,” Stokes said. “Anything I want. It’s my birthday so I’m going to have cake, and maybe a steak.”
Stokes turned 46 on Saturday.
Novice runners
A number of local runners who participate in Lorenzoni’s popular offseason training programs took on the 10-mile race for the first time.
One of those runners, Mark Ratzlaff, a clinical therapist, couldn’t log a single mile back in September. Saturday he ran at a 10-minute mile pace and completed the entire course.
“I credit [Lorenzoni] for having all these programs for us couch potatoes and getting us excited about running,” Ratzlaff said.
A simple triumph
Gwen Hairston, a physical education teacher at Agnor-Hurt Elementary School in Charlottesville, finished in less than two hours despite an emotionally draining week.
Hairston’s mother suffered a stroke last week.
“She took some steps and she knows who I am,” Hairston said.
A Charlottesville tradition
Saturday marked the 33rd running of the Charlottesville Track Club’s premier event, and the race was covered live on 1070AM radio with host Jay James for the 23rd year. The 10-Miler was once again supported by Virginia National Bank, which celebrated its 10th year as the event’s flagship sponsor.
UVa’s Madison House and the CTC were the main driving force behind a huge volunteer turnout.
Thirty-two states were represented in this year’s record field of 2600 entrants.