Ted Corbitt 24 Hr - 73M Before The Rain

Success can come in an unexpected forms. My goal was 100 miles under 24 hours. Foot pain and the nature of the 24 hour run made a stop at 61 laps or 73 miles. This was an excellent 1.2 mile course for the Ted Corbitt 24 Hour run in Juniper Valley Park, Middle Village Queens, NY. Be ready to receive one of the best assembled race packets should you participate; this year's included a color cover page of Ted and the October 2008 article published from Marathon And Beyond.

Ted Corbitt was an American distance running pioneer. Talking to his son Gary, who flew from Florida to be there, he tested his limits by running several 300 mile weeks. On a Labor Day weekend, he ran three laps around Manhattan. Ted was the first president of the New York Road Runners, before the running boom. He ran for the U.S. in the '52 Olympic marathon. When honored at the 2007 Runner's World Heroes Of Running awards ceremony, Ted said:

I thank Runner's World magazine for this award...I ran and won my first race, 60 yards, in 1933. I wanted to be a sprinter, but too frequent hamstring muscle injuries resulted in too many hamstring problems and that ruled sprinting out. In time, I became addicted to running long, long, distance runs, and inspired others to do it better.

In addition to training extensive miles I spent years doing administrative stuff in the background to help our sport survive and grow. At times I refer to myself as a reluctant dragon 'cause I didn't really wanna do a lot of this stuff but it needed to be done, and I did it.

I pulled this overloaded life off because I lucked out in the choice of the wife. I had successes but mistakes and failed to master the art of tapering off between training and races, and all affected race results.

In 2001, at age 82, I walked 303 Miles in a 6 day running race. I would have loved to have run in a couple of 6 day races in an effort to join the few men who have run 600 miles in 6 days.

Thank You,
Ted Corbitt

During the day part of the run, North Juniper Park was alive with soccer, tennis, vintage baseball, handball, volleyball, badminton, basketball, rollerblading, and more dog walkers than ever seen. Aside being able to run the mildly hilly tree-lined footpath, taking views of the aforementioned (and Empire State and Chrysler buildings) was a gift. Not to mention the applause and "good jobs" received by casual onlookers. Vivid sounds remain of the ice cream truck playing its tune.

Ted passed away in December 2007 and was very good friends with race director Richie Innamorato, who generously handed me dinner and breakfast. Thank you and all Broadway Ultra Society volunteers.

As I pulled from the run, I thought this was a failure, not winning the autographed 100 mile plaque. But there was a 100K plaque as well, featuring Ted in NY Pioneer Club uniform. This was better than getting the 100 miler award, especially as it was cold and it started to rain early Sunday morning, and I had brought no foul weather gear because the forecast had predicted clear skies. Respect to those that plowed through. I may return to this special race, but have learned 100 milers are my true calling.

So, this finish was good enough. I wanted to finish my ultra year by revisiting all runs not satisfactory from last year. I did, and finished the three 100 milers. And as a last minute thing, enrolled in this great 24 Hr to improve on last year's Ultracentric 24 Hr. Other race requiring a future revisit is the Palo Duro 50 miler and that will end that.

Stanley Friedlander, Bob Oberkehr, David Luljak, Brennen Wysong good to meet you.