January Runners of the Month: NBR's Men's Grandmaster's Team
Each year, NYRR and Club Council annually designate a number of local scored races to count towards Club Points. There are 21 divisions, and this year our 50+ Men’s Grandmaster’s team took first place in their group! This team of talented individuals was led by Gregg Baldinger and included teammates Joseph Logan, Masamichi Udagawa, Joe Chan, Steve Fahmie, Drew Reynolds, Wataru Iwata, Martin Branch-Shaw. Ken Allen, Alun Williams, Quinn Batson, Jose LaSalle, Henry Arroyo, Jorge Mitey and Derek Bronston. Included below are some statements from the team on what it means to them to come in First Place in 2022 and what their goals are in 2023. Congratulations!
Gregg Baldinger
When did you join NBR?
2013
What does coming in first place in the NYRR Club Standings mean to you?
Feels wonderful especially when it's achieved with such a great group of people like the 50+ team. All of them-- to a person --are fantastic lads which, frankly, is the sweetest part of coming in 1st place.
What is the one thing that helped your training the most this season?
Long mileage like Alun Williams told me to do (as usual for me) and my whole food plant strong diet (ok, that's 2)
Favorite race of the season (to run or cheer)?
NYC Marathon: It was my first "big" race in 1991 and I broke 3 hours for the first time at the age of 55 in 2019. So, except for this year's race where I was injured and raced in pain, I will always be partial to this event. Most important (and as a born and bred NY-er), it's always NYC's best day.
Your next running goal?
2:54 in the marathon and the next one when I run 2:53 and then 2:52 and so on and so on. Oh, and how to run downhill properly; I think I should get it right one of these days. One more: how to learn not to hate the 10K. ;)
Happy for NBR to have its first #1 place team; It's more impressive since we are a community based club so ALL who are racing are doing it for the love of running, competition and community. Bravo team!
Joseph Logan
When did you join NBR?
Summer 2019
What does coming in first place in the NYRR Club Standings mean to you?
More excuses to hang out with a hilarious and speedy group of old guys.
What is the one thing that helped your training the most this season?
Incentive of being in new age group and goal of 1st place team finish.
Favorite race of the season (to run or cheer)?
5th Ave Mile
Your next running goal?
Break 2:50 in the Marathon (Boston hopefully)
Gregg is heart and soul of our team and deserves a huge credit for keeping us all together and competitive
Masamichi Udagawa
When did you join NBR?
2018
What does coming in first place in the NYRR Club Standings mean to you?
Though I joined NBR in 2018, this season was the first time I ran multiple races for the team. It was a great discovery that distance running can be a true team sport! It is wonderful that we got the first place!
What is the one thing that helped your training the most this season?
It was a tricky season to balance training and recovery from injury. I suffered from plantar fasciitis since May. Having a regular racing schedule for the team kept my motivation up.
Favorite race of the season (to run or cheer)?
Brooklyn Half
Your next running goal?
I still would like to improve on my time, especially full marathon. I am planning to run Boston and NYC in 2023.
Again, I very much enjoyed the team sports aspect of the Team Champ races - great camaraderie and inspiration! It is a new dimension!
Wataru Iwata
When did you join NBR?
Around 2016. Up until that point, I was basically running solo, thinking that running was individual sport. Boy was I wrong! I started attending OSR (Orchard Street Runners) Tuesday nights and there, started making friendship with Christian Fisher, Steve Tranter and Sophie Thoustrup. I wanted to do track workout and started attending NBR Thursday nights.
What does coming in first place in the NYRR Club Standings mean to you?
Means a lot, as it is first in club history and also it is a fruit of entire club member’s friendship, support and love.
What is the one thing that helped your training the most this season?
Commitment to group result in NYRR point races.
Favorite race of the season (to run or cheer)?
Brooklyn Half
Your next running goal?
Sub 3 in full Marathon.
Wanted to thank all members for support
Ken Allen
When did you join NBR?
2009-2010
What does coming in first place in the NYRR Club Standings mean to you?
We have some great talent on the team, and it's inspirational to follow their rigorous training schedule on Strava.
Your next running goal?
I will be in the early stages of training for Grandma's marathon for NYC Half, so that will be a gauge of how the season is starting.
Alun Williams
When did you join NBR?
2009
What does coming in first place in the NYRR Club Standings mean to you?
In recent years, the team has been improving and previously came second which already felt like a major achievement.
But this is huge - and feels like the result of several years of enormous effort.
What is the one thing that helped your training the most this season?
Discussion and comparing methods with other team members.
Favorite race of the season (to run or cheer)?
NYC Marathon
Your next running goal?
To get the Great Grandmasters (60+) to equal the feats of the Grandmasters.
In previous years I pushed myself to the limit for the team and as a result achieved two nominations for NYRR Runner of the Year. But honestly those nominations were just by-products of efforts for the team. The team is everything, and that’s what counts. Now that I’m over 60, it’s much harder to score for the Grandmasters’ team, with many extremely fast, “young” fifty year olds coming through.
But that said, all I (still) want to do is score, even if that doesn’t happen so often. That’s the attitude throughout our deep squad, and that’s why I’m confident we can continue to achieve, thanks to all the team members’ commitment and dedication. Older but faster!!
Quinn Batson
When did you join NBR?
Joined NBR 2013
What does coming in first place in the NYRR Club Standings mean to you?
It means my fervent wishes and actions to make 2nd place 50+ a reality in 2018 have had some knock-on effect, and we may have kicked off a trend to excellence, and that makes me happy.
What is the one thing that helped your training the most this season?
what training? :)
Favorite race of the season (to run or cheer)?
5th Avenue mile, both.
Your next running goal?
Get back in shape to run well enough to race again.
Ha, I'm glad the youngsters (and Masa!) have stepped up and bought in, so I don't Have to race now; it's easy to burn out on NYRR races. Winning the year takes more than just having the talent pool; it takes commitment and intention—and the organization and motivation to ensure people step up for each race (thanks Gregg).
