Friends,

A hardy band of six runners welcomed some of winters coldest offering yet to the 

metropolitan area on Saturday, January 3rd in Van Cortlandt Park.  Present were 

Tamara, Cliff, Kevin, Nick, Phil & yours truly.  The trail were nicely crunchy 

and the winds were absent for the most part of the day.  We skipped the 

beginning loop around the parade grounds and picked up the plotted course at the 

Putnam Rail Trail.  Tamara, who ran her first marathon last year & Cliff, both 

of Inwood Runners planned for 10 miles for the day and turned back as we reached 

Tibbets Brook Park.  After about 13 miles, the young dawgs, Phil & Kevin pushed 

ahead of, the old dawgs, Nick & I, finishing in about 3 hours  Distance covered, 

about 17+ and Phil with a parade loop at the end about 19.  Afterwards Nick Phil 

& I enjoyed lumberjacks breakfasts at the Shortstop Restaurant, a favorite of 

the Van Cortlandt Track Club (Thx Bette).  My thanks to you guys for showing up

and for the good winter company.   Happy & Healthy New Year to all!   Grant

PS  I went back to Van Cortlandt & the course this last Saturday & covered about 

15 miles.  And again I encountered very little wind.   I can only surmise 

that the Van Cortlandt Park area is shielded from the brunt of North westerlies 

by the wooded teraain & the Riverdale & Yonkers hills.

.