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Longtime Staten Island Ultra Runner Chris Calimano.Staten Island Running Association<\/p>\nSTATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 While Staten Island\u2019s been hard hit during this winter season, runners can take solace knowing within a few weeks the local road race season will open with two long-time traditional events.<\/p>\n
The 33rd annual Forest Avenue Mile, hosted by the Staten Island Athletic Club and named in memory of longtime runner Mark Vogt, will once again lead off the annual local St. Patrick\u2019s Day Parade. That\u2019ll take place on Sunday, March 1. Race time is 11 am. <\/p>\n
The Staten Island AC will also host its annual St. Patrick\u2019s 5K run, which will be taking place at Wolfes Pond park on March 21 beginning at 10 a.m.<\/p>\n
Go to https:\/\/www.siathleticclub.com\/events to register for both events.<\/p>\n
Chris Calimano stuns again<\/p>\n
Chris Calimano, the long-time local runner of all distances, has done it again.<\/p>\n
Conquering unbelievable conditions, Calimano participated in the 22nd running of the Arrowhead Ultra 135. In one of the world\u2019s most brutal winter ultra-endurance races, the 135-mile course follows the Arrowhead State Trail from International Falls, Minnesota \u2014 known as the Icebox of the Nation \u2014 to Tower, Minnesota. With a 60-hour cutoff, three checkpoints at miles 35 and 72, a water-only stop at mile 110, and a historical finisher rate of under 50 percent.<\/p>\n
Defying the challenges, Calimano completed the course on foot in 55 hours,12 minutes.<\/p>\n
Longtime Staten Island Ultra Runner Chris Calimano.Staten Island Running Association<\/p>\n
\u201cRace temperatures started at \u221226\u00b0F and never rose above freezing,\u201c said Calimano \u201dThe coldest stretch came at mile 71 during an exposed lake crossing, where unblocked wind pushed wind chills to \u221250\u00b0F and at one point, my eyes froze shut!” <\/p>\n
With the arctic temperatures, Calimano also struggled with frozen gels, wipes and water bottles and his sled\u2014carrying a 50-pound mandatory gear bag\u2014was warped during travel and dragged heavily through the snow, acting like a brake. There were also numerous hours of just running out in the loneliness of the surroundings. <\/p>\n
In a great show of sportsmanship and camaraderie, another runner who dropped from the race loaned Calimano his sled. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe sled bore the name of the runner\u2019s niece, MacKenzie, a 24-year-old undergoing chemotherapy, with the wish that the sled would cross the finish line \u2014 adding emotional weight to the miles ahead,” said Calimano. <\/p>\n
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Mission accomplished for Chris Calimano!Staten Island Running Association<\/p>\n
Calimano finally crossed the finish line in one of America\u2019s coldest cities.<\/p>\n
\u201cArrowhead isn\u2019t about racing others,\u201d said Calimano. \u201cIt\u2019s about surviving the environment, solving problems alone, and earning every mile.\u201d<\/p>\n
Congratulations To Lisa Swan<\/p>\n
At last weekend\u2019s New York Road Runners annual gala, Lisa Swan was honored with the annual \u201cTed Corbitt Dedicated Athlete of the Year Award\u201d for having run in the most NYRR races in 2025.<\/p>\n
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Staten Island resident Lisa Swan has been honored by the New York Road Runners Club.Lisa Swan<\/p>\n
The monthly trivia contest sponsored by ASICS & JAMBAR<\/p>\n
Please submit your answer to my email below. All correct answers will then be put into a lot where two winners will be drawn randomly. One winner receives a pair of ASICS running shoes and the second a free 12 Bar Variety box of JAMBAR<\/a> energy bars.<\/p>\n Congrats to last month\u2019s winners: Joseph Quinn (ASICS) and Al Garcia (Jambar).<\/p>\n This month\u2019s question<\/p>\n Can you name one runner \u2014 male of female \u2014 who has won the annual SIAC St. Patrick\u2019s 5K run since the inception of the event in 1993?<\/p>\n