Bergen Elite

Congratulations are in order for Chelsea Benson, who this past weekend took 2nd masters female at the Cherry Blossom 10 mile in Washington D.C.! Her time of 1:00:21 is also a new women’s club record. Elsewhere this weekend, some of our athletes picked up a few wins at the Skunk Cabbage runs in Ithaca. Paul Suflita won the 10k in 32:13, while Bella Burda, fresh off her fast run at Johnnys, won the half marathon in a time of 1:21:45. Less than 1 month until the next Niagara championship race at the Mountain Goat 10 mile run in Syracuse

Yesterday we kicked off the 2024 Niagara runner of the years series at the Runnin of the Green in Rochester. We had a big showing, with Joey Whelan leading the way with his 2nd straight win at Runnin of the Green in a new club record time of 24:23. Giovanni Grano ran a game effort to finish 7th in 25:25. 17 seconds back was Paul Sulfita in 8th in 25:42. Rounding out the scoring for the men were Noah Mandel, making his Bergen Elite debut finishing 14th in 27:09 and Nick Guarino finishing 21st in 27:56. Also finishing on the men’s side was Richie Merriam (28th in 28:46), Joe Moberg (32nd in 28:56), Josh Guarino (33rd in 28:57), Steven Dailey (127th in 34:09) and Joe Rapone (139th in 34:38). The men finished 2nd in the team standings

On the womens side, Bella Burda had a fantastic club debut to finish as the 3rd overall woman in 28:50. Liz Ryan was 11th in 30:23 to come across the line as the second womens scorer. Rounding out the scoring for the women was Laura Galeazzo(18th in 31:43), Colleen Hastings (24th in 33:09), and Amanda Dole (37th in 34:47). Also coming across the line on the womens side were Ann Ball(39th in 35:02) and Beth Watson(139th in 42:24). The women took 3rd overall in the team results.

It’s almost game time in Orlando. On Saturday morning, Henry Williams and Joey Whelan go for glory at the 2024 Olympic marathon trials. If you want to watch it on tv, live coverage kicks off at 10 am on peacock. The tape delayed coverage will begin at noon on NBC. Men’s race goes off at 10:10, followed by the women 10 minutes later. Locally, our friends at Rochester Running Company will be hosting a watch party if you want to watch among friends. For more information about Saturdays race, visit https://www.orlando2024trials.com

As we come to end of another successful year, we want to reflect on the many achievements we had in 2023. The men’s team won the Niagara club Grand Prix, and Joey Whelan won the USATF Niagara runner of the year title, while Paul Suflita took 3rd overall. The women were 2nd overall in the Niagara Club Grand Prix, and Laura Galeazzo won the Rochester Runner of the year title.

We went to the top of Sunapee and the top of Mt Washington. We suffered at Swain(again), and survived Twisted Branch. We crossed the finish line in Boston, NY, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. We also had another Olympic trials qualifier this year. In between, there were a lot of wins, age group titles, PRs, and smiles. We also had a lot of new faces come our way who made huge contributions to the club in 2023. There is so much for us to look forward to next year, and we will see you on the trails, tracks, and roads in 2024.

📸 creds- Goat Factory Media and Diane Sardes

While we had many thrilling moments this year, this might be the one we will always remember when we look back at 2023

On October 14th, Henry Williams went down to Rockland Lake State Park to run the Mckirdy Micro Marathon, needing to run a 2:18:00 to earn an Olympic Trials Standard. He did that, running a big PR of 2:17:51, booking his trip to Orlando. He will be joining fellow Bergen Elite teammate Joey Whelan on the start line of the Olympic Trials Marathon on February 3rd. It’s moments like these that make all the miles and hard work worth it.

While our team is mainly known for our amazing athletes, quite a few of us are skilled coaches as well. Congratulations to Dave Rappleyea on winning the greater Rochester coach of the year honors for 2023! Dave has been the coach of the Pittsford Sutherland men’s and women’s cross country and track teams since 2018. This past season, his boys and girls teams won the Section V class B cross country championships, and his top runner Will Tempest won the Class B individual state title at the New York State Cross Country championships. Dave is assisted on his staff by his wife and Bergen Elite athlete Jen Spitzer and Mike Welden. Congratulations Dave!

This weekend, Sam Cottrell and Bobby Cooper helped put the finishing touches on an amazing 2023 for the team by competing at the BU mini meet at Boston University. Bobby put down a nice time in the mile, finishing 12th overall in 4:28.33. Sam was 13th overall in the 800m in a time of 2:03.58. You’ll see these 2 plenty on the track this coming winter.

As we wrap up the year, we want to congratulate Laura Galeazzo on winning the Rochester Runner of the year title for 2023! She was a key part of the women’s team finishing 2nd in the Niagara team Grand Prix, which included her 6th overall finish at the Lilac 10k in May, just weeks after running a PR of 2:54:07 at the Pittsburgh Marathon. Congrats Laura!

📸 creds- Diane Sardes

“Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings” this weekend we put a bow on the 2023 race season with some holiday races. At the Wonderful Run 5k in Seneca Falls, Paul Sulfita successfully defended his title, winning in a time of 15:25. Greg Selke was 8th overall in a time of 16:29. Mike Welden was 46th in 18:52 and Amanda Dole was the 25th woman in 22:17. This morning, Joey Whelan picked up another strong win, taking the win at the Reindeer Run 5k in Rochester in a time of 15:22.

Last weekend was the final race of the 2023 Niagara runner of the year series and club Grand Prix, hosted by the Checkers Christmas 3k at Delaware Park. Leading the way for the men was Joey Whelan, finishing 2nd in 8:49. His 2nd place finished clinched the runner of the year title. Just behind him in 3rd place was Paul Sulfita, who took 3rd in 8:59, and also wrapped up 3rd overall in the series.

Rounding out the scoring on the men’s side was Bobby Cooper, who took 6th in 9:28, Sam Cottrell, who took 7th in 9:33, and Greg Selke, who took 8th in 9:44. Also running for the men were Tim Metivier, who took 9th in 9:52, and Joe Moberg, who was 11th in 10:03. The men also won the team competition to win the club Grand Prix for 2023. Lynn Gottfried was the lone women’s participant, running 13:50 to finish as 10th woman overall. The womens team finished 2nd in the club Grand Prix series for 2023

That’s a wrap for the 2023 runner of the year series. The 2024 series kicks off next March with the Johnnys runnin of the Green 5 mile race in Rochester. Congratulations to all the victorious teams and individuals in the 2023 Niagara runner of the year series!

We earned our turkey yesterday at various races across Western New York to kick off a very busy thanksgiving. At Webster, Joey Whelan took the win at the Webster turkey trot 4.2 mile in a time of 20:35. Nick Guarino was 8th in 21:39 and Josh Guarino was 15th in 23:37. Laura Galeazzo was the 3rd overall woman in 25:18

In windy Buffalo, Greg Selke led the way taking 31st overall in 28:09 at the YMCA turkey trot 8k. Nick orlowski was 54th in 29:50 and Joe Moberg was 69th in 30:40

At the Race with Grace 10k, Paul Sulfita picked up the win in 32:19, winning by over 2 minutes. Taylor Freitas was 9th in 36:44. Out at the Baldwinsville turkey trot, Adam Pacheck won the 5k in 15:26 and Hunter brignall made his debut by winning the 10k by over 5 minutes in 32:30. We hope you all had a safe, happy and healthy thanksgiving

📸 creds- Diane sardes, Democrat and Chronicle

Just a few months back, these 2 were leading the way at the USATF Niagara trail champs. Last weekend, they went double the distance at the Philadelphia Marathon. Joey Whelan took 2nd overall, in a blazing time of 2:14:40 that put him only 15 seconds back of first. Erin Gibbons got under 3 hours for the first time ever, taking 55th in 2:58:45!