Pace Setter : April 2024

42nd Annual Bill Robinson 10K and Masters Championship

by John Parisella

                                                               2023 Race Winner Meg Versteegen

The 42nd Annual Bill Robinson Memorial 10k and Masters Championship will be held at Guilderland High School, on April 27th, at 9:00 am. It is open to all runners and is an HMRRC Grand Prix race for runners aged 40 and up (Masters). Registration is open on HMRRC.com There will also be a day of race registration available.

The Hudson Mohawk Road Runners have held this 10k as its Masters (40+) Championship event since 1982. The race was named after one of the Club’s longtime members, Bill Robinson. He was, without question, one of the fastest and toughest runners in the capital region on both the road and on the track. Bill won this race in 1987 and 1989. Bill was a member of an HMRRC masters team that won a USATF National 10k title in 1989. However, while training the year after, he had a tragic accident that left him paralyzed.

Ryan McCann crossing the finish line as the top male masters finisher in the 2023 Bill Robinson 10K

As a tribute to Bill's running career that had been unexpectedly cut short, the HMRRC named the race after him. He would frequently attend the race to cheer on his friends and to assist the former race director, Jim Tierney, in handing out awards in later years. The extra attention and significance of having Bill at the race was always appreciated. It  showed his commitment to the club and commitment to continuing his running spirit. 

This annual event has become a staple on the club’s schedule and now we invite runners of all ages to come and enjoy the camaraderie and challenge of this fine race! If you just want to share your running spirit like Bill, then sign-up to be a volunteer!

           John Perisella and finish line crew at the start and finish line of the 2023 Bill Robinson 10K

The 10k race starts and finishes at the entrance to Guilderland High School. For the first mile the race heads out on Meadowdale Road and then bears left onto Frederick Rd. and onto Hawes Rd for about 1.5 miles of rolling hills. At this point the course bears right onto Weaver Rd., and the course's main long downhill, to the 5k turnaround. At this point runners turn around and race back to Guilderland High School. After the finish, runners can share in refreshments and race results.

The men's course record of 31:54 stands since 1983 when Pete Vangarderen set the pace. The women's record of 37:32 was set in 2013 by Lorie Kingsley.

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