The HMRRC Colonie Mile

The first HMRRC Colonie Summer Track program was held on July 8, 1969, and it is still running strong in its 54th year the original track coach Frank Myers still calling the shots!  Lisa Chase wrote this about the early history:

“We owe it all to a pair of local brothers. Frank Myers, the long-time coach of Colonie track and field (currently in his 53rd year), and his brother Don, a retired superintendent of the Colonie Recreation Department, held the first meet on July 8, 1969, just days before man first landed on the moon. A total of 18 male competitors participated in the inaugural event.”

This year the Colonie Mile was held on July 12. It was the first in a series of 3 races.  Bill Meehan, the Pace Setter Graphics Editor took pictures that totally capture the energy and joy of the race for those who ran the mile. You can practically feel them sweat. We encourage you to view these extraordinary pictures by clicking here.

Frank Myers was contacted about this article and he added the following:

We are "super" successful today (over 200 participants on Ribbon Night) in part because of the many people involved in volunteering to help out.  There has never been an entry fee for our meets and nobody gets paid to help out in the field events and running events or anything else.

On Monday alone we had Ken Skinner, Tom Greene, Pete Sheridan, Jim Poole, Sandy Morley, Doug Hadley, Jim Armenia, Marbry Gansle, Ashley Gansle, some members of the Colonie Girls' track team, Jim Kokernick, and others who I hope forgive me if I missed their name, but remember all these people come together to promote running and never accept a penny for their labor. Pete Sherican also got a good number of CDTO track officials who volunteered their help over the course of the 6-meet season.

To follow are a sampling of the pictures from this thrilling event to whet your appetite and a list of the results. As a note, three of the competitors ran 4-minute miles!

  Coach Frank Myers talking with Ken Skinner

                         Shaun Donegan #2 and Graham Richard #1

Far left is John Deer, front left is Todd Shatynski and Derrick Staley

LiWei Hao in the air with Karen Bertasso close behind

Colonie Mile Pace Setter Links

August 2, Colonie Summer Track #5   Records History

July 26 Colonie Summer Track #4 

July 19 Colonie Summer Track #3

Colonie Mile   Colonie Summer Track #2 Records History


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