January Runners of the Month: The Grandmasters Women’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+ women’s Grandmasters team took first place in their group! This team of talented individuals was led by Sarah Trigg and includes teammates Sigi Moeslinger, Clementina Cracroft, Connie Bock, Melissa Weller, Jessica Boucher, Karen Meadows and Pamela Hunt.
We can’t think of a better group to start off 2025 as NBR’s runners of the month to start the year off. Congrats to the team!
SARAH TRIGG
When did you join NBR?
January 2020 just before the world shut down!
What does coming in first place in the NYRR Club Standings mean to you?
Winning a team 1st place means so much to me. I grew up with a dominant HS team but we fell short of a State Meet win and that energy of wanting-to-clean-up-that-unfinished-business fueled my desire to put this team together. I was inspired by the 50+ Men’s 2022 1st place win with Gregg Baldinger’s leadership and they were really supportive of me building a competitive women’s team.
All came together quickly in September 2023—Melissa Weller joined NBR and clocked a 77.78% AG in the 5th Ave Mile. Then I spotted Connie Bock scoring 70+% AG at races under NBR. I reached out to her and pointed out she would be a huge advantage for us if she would be interested in racing more. She was thrilled to hear her times would be a contribution. We were a team of 3!
Next, Jessica Boucher, a long standing and speedy NBR member, aged into 50+. From there, Gregg helped me convince Sigi Moeslinger—whose partner Masamichi Udagawa is an indomitable force on the men’s 50+ team. While she was initially reluctant to take on the potential stress, Sigi turned out to be one of our top highest scorers along with Clementina Cracroft who we gained through a true recruitment effort. Thankfully, Connie is also in the airline industry and Clemmy responded to our cold call! Next, Karen Meadows, a triathlete coach moved up from Florida and joined us. And finally, at the very end of 2024, Pamela Hunt, a 5:20 miler, decided to join NBR to train and race more competitively.
But our year wasn’t without hardships. Melissa’s injury took her out of competition for most of the year, and then, we were caught off guard at Team Champs and had to claw our way up to regain those points. But we never lost sight of the goal. I am still in shock we did it. These ladies just kept stepping up to the challenge with determination, speed, and beyond all, depth. Team wins are won through depth more than anything. Every single team member’s performances contributed critical points to this win. We are now a team of 8—and planning to defend our title!
What is the one thing that helped your training the most this season?
Definitely these ladies. Knowing that we can all celebrate wins after a race and that our personal achievements go for something beyond ourselves—it just keeps one steadfast.
Favorite race of the season (to run or cheer)?
It’s hard to beat the energy of NYM. But I also have a soft spot for the Bronx 10-miler—a better race length for me.
Your next running goal?
Sub-3 in the marathon but gunning for lifetime PR’s at every race length.
*And I want to point out—our win would not have been possible without team spots for our runners who had joined NBR after races had sold out. We’re really grateful to the other LC leaders who recognized our need for them!
SIGI MOESLINGER
When did you join NBR?
December 2023.
What does coming in first place in the NYRR Club Standings mean to you?
It’s very motivating and I am honored to be part of such a wonderful and dedicated team!
What is the one thing that helped your training the most this season?
Knowing that I am doing this for the team and that together we have a real chance at winning.
Favorite race of the season (to run or cheer)?
Brooklyn Half. It was my first half-marathon (in 2004) and got me interested in running more consistently. And twenty years later I did my PR there.
Your next running goal?
Doing a new marathon PR this year, either Berlin or New York.
CLEMENTINA CRACROFT
When did you join NBR?
March 2024 after being ‘recruited’ via LinkedIn by teammate Connie Bock who had noticed I was not in a team and thought I can could bring something to the women’s Grandmasters team! A complete honour to be ‘head hunted’!
What does coming in first place in the NYRR Club Standings mean to you?
A massive amount- I’m super competitive so for my first year as part of the team helping to achieve the win has been fantastic!
What is the one thing that helped your training the most this season?
Definitely being part of the team and knowing every second counts has helped me push myself and not only help gain the team win but also better nearly all of my times from the previous year.
Favorite race of the season (to run or cheer)?
On our turf has to be the NYC marathon for the atmosphere, the crowd support and no jet lag getting back afterwards! Otherwise got to be Boston for the history and London as it’s in my old backyard!
Your next running goal?
Got to be helping us getting a team win for this year and consistently challenging myself to be better every race. Apart from that I need Tokyo for my 6th star ️
CONNIE BOCK
When did you join NBR?
Sometime in 2023
What does coming in first place in the NYRR Club Standings mean to you?
Honestly, it is something I never thought I'd witness, let alone be a part of! It feels extra special to run with such a driven, fierce, and wonderful group of talented women!
What is the one thing that helped your training the most this season?
Thinking of my teammates getting up at ungodly hours to run!
Favorite race of the season (to run or cheer)?
The Brooklyn Half; its date falls on my birthday every so often)!
Your next running goal?
A not terribly slow 5K
MELISSA WELLER
When did you join NBR?
I started running with NBR in November 2022. I fractured my femoral neck bone (running stress injury) and had surgery at the end of 2021. The recovery was long. By November 2022 I was running regularly again and joined NBR. My first run was the Monday Morning Easy Run.
What does coming in first place in the NYRR Club Standings mean to you?
I am really proud to be a part of this amazing group of women, and I would be proud regardless of what place we are. There aren’t a lot of older women runners. It’s impressive to me that we have the number of grandmaster women on our team that we do, and I love how supportive we are of each other.
What is the one thing that helped your training the most this season?
I was injured for most of this season, and so cross training on the elliptical and strength training helped me the most.
Favorite race of the season (to run or cheer)?
I’ve lived on Bedford Avenue for 20 years, and I love the energy of the NYC marathon.
Your next running goal?
My running goal is to stay injury-free this year through cross training on my bike and strength training.
JESSICA BOUCHER
When did you join NBR?
It’s been so long ago, summer 2012.
What does coming in first place in the NYRR Club Standings mean to you?
I joined NBR in my late 30s to train for my first marathon. Back then there were not that many competitive master runners. I never imagined that there would be such a fierce group of 50+ ladies. It is truly inspiring!
What is the one thing that helped your training the most this season?
NBR friends and Martin Shaw to motivate me to get up at 6am when it is still dark outside and 20F to go for a run.
Favorite race of the season (to run or cheer)?
The New York City marathon. Nothing else compares, to see familiar faces along the course and run through my neighborhood in Brooklyn.
Your next running goal?
Stay healthy and strong. I would like to run the Beach to Beacon 10K race in Maine founded by my running idol Joan Benoit Samuelson.
KAREN MEADOWS
When did you join NBR?
I joined NBR in March, 2024
What does coming in first place in the NYRR Club Standings mean to you?
I think our team has been so supportive of each other and came together in a big way to make this happen! I personally have never experienced an honor like this and it means the world to me to be a part of this team of talented and supportive women.
What is the one thing that helped your training the most this season?
What has helped me stay consistent are my NBR teammates and the NYRR races which held me accountable and honestly, made running really fun!
Favorite race of the season (to run or cheer)?
My favorite race is hands down the NYC Marathon! I felt the energy of my team and family out there and all the people who came out to watch and cheer were amazing!
Your next running goal?
My next running goal is to finish the Boston Marathon in 2025 with one of my best friends.
PAMELA HUNT
When did you join NBR?
I joined in November 2024.
What does coming in first place in the NYRR Club Standings mean to you?
I’m super excited for the team and looking forward to building off the momentum of 2024 for another terrific year of camaraderie and racing!
What is the one thing that helped your training the most this season?
Since I moved to Brooklyn from Manhattan, I have missed the daily runs with friends which helps you through the tough workouts and brings joy to the easy miles. Finding the NBR community in Brooklyn is giving me that extra boost to train at a higher level again.
Favorite race of the season (to run or cheer)?
The Fifth Avenue Mile! It’s been my favorite distance since middle school.
Your next running goal?
The Brooklyn Half. Still attempting to get to the boardwalk with a smile on my face.
