Soonar or Later Blog
February 7, 2013
Dear Pamakids Family,
As some of you may know, our quarterly newsletter Soonar Soundings ended with its last issue in the Fall of 2012. Editor in Chief Marlyss Bird had a great run and produced an award winning publication. In lieu of this publication, we want to introduce a Pamakid Runner’s Club blog, Soonar or Later. The goal of this blog is to allow us to not only continue bringing club news, race reports, and club-related stories we were all familiar with but to also diversify the type of content. We hope to produce a product worthy of its predecessors and at the same time produce something new and interesting. We are very honored with this opportunity and are open to whatever (constructive) advice or suggestions you may have. The blog is currently in a primitive state, so we welcome any submissions (race reports, notable news, haikus, etc). If anyone is interested in submitting a regular “column” please let us know! Subscribe, contribute, and comment!
http://soonarorlater.wordpress.com
John Gieng and Yvonne Ou
Editors, Soonar or Later
Pamakids Clean Up at RRCA Awards!
March 29, 2010
RRCA NAMES KAISER PERMANENTE SAN FRANCISCO HALF MARATHON 2009 ROAD RACE OF THE YEAR
Pamakid Runners’ Soonar Soundings e-Newsletter also selected for 2009 Excellence in Journalism Award
The Road Runners Club of America recently selected the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon, hosted by Pamakid Runners Club, as 2009 RRCA Road Race of the Year. The renowned club also received the 2009 Excellence in Journalism Award for its quarterly Soonar Soundings e-Newsletter.
“We’re excited and proud to win the RRCA national awards,” says club president and coach Andy Chan. “What a great way for our club to kick-off our 40th year.”
In related news, longtime club member George Rehmet received the RRCA’s Outstanding State Representative of the Year Award. Rehmet, who took home the same trophy in 2001, is the first state representative to win the award twice.
“I really appreciate the nominations that led to my selection as Outstanding RRCA State Representative of the Year,” says Rehmet. “As state rep, I will continue to serve the interests of our running community to our national organization.”
Founded in 1970, Pamakid Runners strives to “promote a healthy lifestyle and support the running community and charitable causes by organizing, volunteering, and participating in running related and social events in the San Francisco Bay Area.” The club donates tens of thousands of dollars annually to local non-profits and charities, due in part to their success hosting the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon and 5K, which this year attracted nearly 10,000 runners to San Francisco.
The RRCA is “dedicated to supporting the growth of grassroots running clubs, training programs, and running events while promoting the common interests of runners throughout the United States.” Since 1971, the RRCA has honored dedicated individuals for their outstanding service to the RRCA and the sport of distance running through their annual awards.
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Pamakid Runners Send United Playaz to Summer Camp
September 16, 2009
Pamakid Runners Club recently donated the funds to send 50 youth from United Playaz, an organization committed to “improving San Francisco communities through the delivery of leadership training and alternative recreational activities for youth surviving in at-risk environments” to summer camp.
“The Pamakids Charity Committee is continually looking for organizations to support in our community, and we are excited to contribute to the United Playaz,” says committee chairperson Ashley Rich Rodwick. “Their summer camp program supports the club’s vision of promoting a healthy lifestyle and strengthening our community.”
United Playaz, which works with youth in some of San Francisco’s toughest neighborhoods, provides leadership skills and other valuable tools by providing opportunities for safe recreational activities and community involvement. Its annual summer camp—which may not have happened without Pamakids’ funding—serves as a “fun and safe mechanism to help youth make healthy behavioral choices by crossing racial or turf lines, building relationships with one another, and decompressing from the daily stressors that impact their lives.” Campers convened at Camp Caswell Memorial State Park in Manteca, Calif., over Labor Day weekend.
The Pamakid Runners, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, puts on the highly successful Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon and 5K, which returns to San Francisco on Sunday February 7, 2010.
To submit a proposal for charitable contribution consideration, please e-mail charitablegiving@pamakids.org for information.
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“Master” Pamakid Takes on the World!
July 29, 2009
Pamakid Runners were represented at the World Master Championships in Finland by John Spriggs on Tuesday. Sporting his TEAM USA uniform and Pamakids socks (see photo), John ran down in the 35M cross country race to help fill out the USA team in that division. It was an 8K course (4 laps of a 2K loop). John averaged around 6:10 pace and finished in 30:48, helping the USA to a 4th place team finish. Next up for John is the 10,000 on the track next Tuesday (Aug. 4) – get those socks washed! — Andy Chan
John and his Pamakid socks...not white for long!
Pamakid Runners Club, a San Francisco-based running club that strives to promote a healthy lifestyle through its support of the running community and charitable causes, donated more than $75,000 to Bay Area-based non-profit organizations thanks to the wildly successful, 26th annual Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon and 5k in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park held on February 1, 2009.
“We are honored to be in a position to provide so much support to worthy charities in the San Francisco Bay Area,” says club president and coach Andy Chan. “Our San Francisco Half Marathon has grown tremendously over the past few years—due in large part to our title sponsor Kaiser Permanente—which has allowed us to provide even more support to our community, which is very exciting.”
The primary beneficiaries, each of which received $20,000 donations, include the Salvation Army Harbor Light Center, Support for Families of Children with Disabilities, and the Koret Family House.
Pamakid Runners also donated $10,000 to the Hemophilia Foundation of Northern California and $5,000 to Sports Council, Palmer College of Chiropractic. Race organizers also gave free entries to more than 50 youth participants in the Students Run Oakland marathon training program.
“Harbor Light Center employees head out every night delivering sandwiches, clothing and sleeping bags to the homeless,” says Pamakid Runners’ social chair Phyllis Nabhan. “Our donation will help hundreds of people.” The Salvation Army’s live in/work out program focuses on the underlying roots of addiction through substance abuse education and counseling, as well as prepares residents for independent living and employment.
Koret Family House employees manned a water station during the race—one of the many ways the organization says “thank you” for helping them continue to provide families with children undergoing treatment at UCSF Children’s Hospital a place a comfortable, supportive residence.
In addition, Support for Families of Children with Disabilities, puts its funds to good use by offering information, education and parent-to-parent support free of charge to families of disabled or special needs children.
The Pamakid Runners will celebrate its 40th birthday during the 2010 Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon and 5K, to be held February 7, 2010.
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Harry Cordellos Runs 41st B2B
May 17, 2009
Hi kids,
Longtime Pamakid Harry Cordellos ran his 41st Bay to Breakers this morning. Was this the hottest race day since 1968? It’s got to be pretty darn close! Harry doesn’t give us a weather report, but he does share all lots of other good stories in a recent article in the San Francisco Examiner. Read all about it here.
– Soonar
Rites of Spring Results
April 29, 2009
Hi all,
The Pamakid Runners convened on Friday, April 24 for a brisk run (or walk) around Lake Merced. The club has beeen “running in circles” since 1970 and in honor of nearly 40 years of running and socializing, they decided to change directions and run the course counter-clockwise! As I looked down upon all all of my old and new Pamakid friends, I noticed that noone got lost and everyone seemed to have a good time. After the run, folks migrated to Janet Pomeroy Center for dinner and an awards ceremony, which included a special award for the Cunneen family. Betty Cunneen founded Pamakid Runners, and she and husband Pat Cunneen have been part of San Francisco’s running community since I was a little chick.
Rites of Spring race results are posted below. See you “Soonar” rather than later. — Soonar
WOMEN’S RESULTS
Name Time Age Group Overall
Age Group 10-14
Tapanga Dorey 54:52 1 31
Age Group 25-29
Anna Kurtz 32:52 1 13
Megan Guttmann 47:50 2 23
Age Group 30-34
*Ilona Gugan 32:48 1 12 * First Place Female
Age Group 35-39
Amy Sonstein 33:15 1 15
Kelly Haston 33:46 2 16
Age Group 40-44
Jennifer Marinelly 58:06 1 33
Age Group 45-49
Kelly Cunneen 53:52 1 30
Age Group 70-74
Jeannie Jones 45:20 1 21
Age Group 75-79
Marty Miracle 48:20 1 24
Age Group 80+
Alice Dingwall 1:16:00 1 34
MEN’S RESULTS
Age Group 15-19
Merick Nguyen 29:13 1 7
Marcus Johnson 51:48 2 29
Age Group 20-24
*Gino Guisti 26:40 1 3 *First Place Pamakid
Age Group 25-29
*Chakira Omine 25:17 1 1 *First Place Male
Age Group 30-34
Jason Reed 25:29 1 2
Kenly Gaffke 26:49 2 4
Tom Bevans 29:32 3 8
James Firestone 58:04 4 32
Age Group 35-39
Eduardo Vazquez 27:26 1 6
Frank Alupay 32:29 2 10
Age Group 40-44
Adam Lucas 27:21 1 5
George Rehmet 31:28 2 9
Garrett Cunneen 34:17 3 17
Age Group 45-49
Pat Cunneen Jr. 32:44 1 11
Ron Dorey 50:29 2 28
Age Group 50-54
Walter Paulson 37:45 1 19
Age Group 55-59
Wayne Plymale 33:14 1 14
Age Group 60-64
Michael Ryan 45:40 1 22
Age Group 65-69
Paul Mosel 38:44 1 20
Age Group 70-74
Keith Johnson 37:22 1 18
Harry Cordellos 50:02 2 25
Theo Jones 50:03 3 26
Age Group 75-79
Pat Cunneen 50:18 1 27
A spirited bunch of Pamakids met up on Wednesday, March 11, at our newly engraved park bench, situated perfectly in front of the California Academy of Sciences. In exchange for a donation to San Francisco Parks Trust, we received a fabulous meeting spot for running, walking, or just hanging out, and we tested out all of these options during our inaugural gathering. Pat Cunneen painted a nifty banner (see photo), and Phyllis Nabhan decorated our sitting spot with balloons and made sure everyone had snacks.
About 25 or so club members showed up, with a large group taking off for a six-mile jaunt, a smaller group opting for a four-mile “easy” run, and one energetic club member tackling a mid-week 10-miler. Several folks opted for a walk through the park, while still others came by to keep the bench warm. How nice!
The weather was perfect – sunny and cool, with an extra hour of daylight to guide our way. From my perch, everyone seemed to have a good time, and most everyone wandered over to Pacific Catch for a post-run meal. “A little birdie told me” that this event reminded them of the Pamakids in its early days…people of all ages and abilities coming together to run around and socialize. No big flash, and no charge (except for dinner if you choose to partake).
This thing was so much fun, it just might become a habit. Stay tuned…
— Soonar
Pamakids Runner and Coach in the News
February 1, 2009
Hi all,
Today’s San Francisco Examiner included a half-page feature on Pamakids runner and board member Danielle Bisho, who ran a personal best in today’s Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon. The story also featured Pamakids coach and club president Andy Chan, who, only a few years ago, was Danielle’s “rival coach” from her high school years, as Danielle attended (and ran for) St. Ignatius while Andy was a few years into his job as coach at Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep.
Full story here.
In related news, Pamakids presented its best Half Marathon and 5K to date this morning, with nearly 9,500 runners toeing the line. From my bird’s eye view, the race went off without a hitch, and without a cloud in the sky. More news on this as it comes. Check out Race results here.
– Soonar
In Memory of Annabel Marsh
December 6, 2008
Longtime Pamakid, DSE, and LMJS member Annabel Marsh passed on November 26, 2008, in her San Francisco home. Annabel took up running at age 47, and ran more than 100 marathons, including the Pikes Peak Marathon 20 times! She also ran from Boston to San Francisco when she was 61. Amazing. She is an inspiration, and will be deeply missed. See below… — Soonar
From her obit on http://www.sfgate.com:
“Annabel Marsh 1923 – 2008 Annabel Marsh, the well-known long distance runner and the oldest woman to run across the United States from Boston to San Francisco, died suddenly at her home in San Francisco on November 26, 2008. She was 85.
Annabel was born in Hampshire, IL, and graduated from the University of Illinois in 1945. After graduating from college, she worked as a Braniff Airline hostess out of Dallas, TX, for a number of years, and was selected to be a stewardess on General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s plane during his campaign for president in 1952. When her good friend Pamela Archer married the famous actor and war hero, Audie Murphy, in 1951, she was in the wedding party. After nine years at Braniff, she moved to San Francisco in 1954, where she had a long career at U.S. Steel’s Western Division as a planning analyst, retiring in 1981.
While working at her Financial District desk job, she took up running at the age of 47, and ran her first marathon in 1970, at the age of 48. She went on to run 100 marathons, the last one, the 1996 San Francisco Marathon, at the age of 73. She ran the Pike’s Peak Marathon 20 times, from 1975 – 1995. She returned every August since her first ascent to host the Peak Busters, a group she founded, to encourage women of all ages to take on the challenge of the Pike’s Peak Marathon. She remained a member of the Dolphin South End (DSE) Running Club, and the Pamakids Running Club. Annabel’s most notable athletic achievement was her cross-country run from Boston to San Francisco in 1984 at the age of 61, with her good friend and running partner, Caroline Merrill. She still holds the record for the oldest woman to run across the United States. They ran 3,261 miles through 12 states in 113 running days, and wore out 12 pairs of running shoes.
After giving up running marathons in 1996, she took up acting at the age of 73. Annabel studied at Jean Shelton’s Acting Lab, where she met her dear friend and companion, Martin Durante. She went on to perform in many local theater productions, and was a member of the Street School Artist Collective.
Annabel was preceded in death by her three brothers: Donald, Edwin and Robert Schiesher. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Lorraine Schiesher, six nieces and nephews: Joann Pelletier (Richard), Patricia Fisher (David), Bob Schiesher; Barbara Hultgren (Randall), David Schiesher (Gloria), Peggy Schiesher; eight grandnieces and nephews; her dear friends Peggy and George Wessler, and many other friends.
Annabel’s wish was that there be no memorial service, but she would not object to any of her friends getting together to remember her in just the way they feel is appropriate. Think back to one of the times you were together with Annabel and her buoyant, bubbly personality. Whether it was enjoying a glass of wine, hiking the Barr Trail at Pikes Peak, running or walking along with her at a Sunday DSE run or laughing at her theatrical efforts in her later years – pick any one, grab a bunch of kindred spirits, and take a hike, join the DSEers for a run, take in a local theater event, or just sip a nice Chardonnay while gazing at the sunset, in the Sunset. We love you Annabel.
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