Sunday, October 30, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Jonas Cattell 10 miler, One of South Jerseys Oldest Races
When Jonas Cattell ran the nearly ten miles from Haddonfield, New Jersey to Fort Mercer at Red Bank (National Park New Jersey) he wasn’t thinking about the scenery, he didn’t worry about his mile splits or even how he would get back to his blacksmith apprentice job in Haddonfield. Jonas was thinking about life and death.
Jonas was 18 on October 22, 1777, he was half Lenapi Indian and he loved to run. When he wasn’t working for blacksmith John Middleton as an apprentice in Haddonfield, Jonas was a
member of the Gloucester County Fox Hunting Society.
Jonas was a bit different than the other Fox Hunting Society members though.
Jonas was 18 on October 22, 1777, he was half Lenapi Indian and he loved to run. When he wasn’t working for blacksmith John Middleton as an apprentice in Haddonfield, Jonas was a
member of the Gloucester County Fox Hunting Society.Jonas was a bit different than the other Fox Hunting Society members though.
Rather than ride on horseback, he preferred to join the hunts on foot, running along side the dogs and joining in the pursuit. Records show that he was fast enough to join in the kill more than 50% of the time. Besides gaining great fitness during the hunts Jonas became an expert on the trails, underbrush and stream crossings in Gloucester County where the riders could not go. Wanting to test his stamina further Jonas looked for any opportunity to run, once running from his home in Deptford, NJ to Cape May and back-- 187 miles round trip in three days.
On October 21, 1777 General Karl von Donop and a Hessian force of 2400 men ferried across the Delaware River unseen, camped out and then began marching up Haddon Avenue (the ferry road) to Haddonfield.
Jonas Cattell and a number of other people the troops encountered a long the way were taken prisoner and held over night in a camp between Haddonfield and Cherry Hill NJ at Evans Pond. The next day Jonas and the prisoners were released and told they could go home. Jonas knew what he had to do. He immediately started running to Fort Mercer along the roads, paths and trails he knew so well to warn Colonel Christoper Greene, commander of the American troops at the fort that the Hessians were on their way.
The advanced warning was enough notice for Colonel Greene to redirect his cannons from the Delaware to the road leading into the fort. The much smaller American force was able to defeat the Hessian troops, inflicting over 500 casualties including Count von Donop who was wounded and then abandoned by his troops on the battlefield. The British withdrew and decided to set fire to their ships rather than let them fall into the hands of the Americans.
After delivering the message, Jonas had run back to Haddonfield and was resting from his
“double” workout when he was captured by the Hessians again. In a state of disarray from the battle Jonas was soon released. The British withdrew from New Jersey. The following month they returned and captured Fort Mercer under General Cornwallis when the Americans abandoned the Fort after the fall of nearby Fort Mifflin on the Philadelphia side of the river.
Jonas Cattell lived another 72 years, a local hero in South Jersey because of his bravery and the fact that he had run such a long distance to deliver his warning (while Paul Revere had ridden to deliver his similar warning.)
In October of 1969 a race was started by the local Kiwanis to honor Jonas Cattells’ run retracing virtually the same route. While the brush and trails and streams he covered have been replaced by paved South Jersey roads, you can’t help but feel his spirit if you run the race and approach Red Bank Battlefield. Forty years later the race is the oldest in South Jersey and the course has undergone only minor changes to improve safety.
Finishers entering the Battlefield are greeted by Revolutionary War re-enactors, hundreds of spectators, the boom of cannons, and the smell of cannon smoke and funnel cake-- but you can still easily imagine yourself feeling about the same level of fatigue that Jonas Cattell felt when he entered Fort Mercer on October 22, 1777.
This year 120 runners finished the 40th annual Jonas Cattell run on a crisp, clear day ideal for running ten miles (the days before and after the race were rainy and cold).
Geoff Shute Pennsville High School (NJ) cross country coach won the race in 56:18. Chelsea Ley the top ranked New Jersey High School cross country runner from Kingsway High School (Swedesboro)was the first female finisher in 1:07:19.
Joanne Ley, Chelsea’s mother and a also a former standout at Kingsway was the second Female finisher in 1:09: 34.
David Zuzga (1:00:56) was the second male finisher, followed by Jim Sery (1:01:10).
There were a number of other notable finishers: Rowan Professor and Running Legend Tom Osler placed 3rd in the 60 and over category in 1:32:31.
Billy Simila was the first 14 and under runner and 40th overall in 1:20:24. Former Rowan University Cross Country ace Bob Pyott was 21st in 1:12:53.
Danny Wheeler was the first wheel chair finisher in 1:33:06, and was warmly greeted by his service dog at the finish drawing heartfelt applause from the many spectators at the finish. Wayne Kean a blind distance runner from Bellmawr, won the Jonas Cattell Special Achievement award running the hilly ten mile distance in an impressive 2:10:47.
On October 21, 1777 General Karl von Donop and a Hessian force of 2400 men ferried across the Delaware River unseen, camped out and then began marching up Haddon Avenue (the ferry road) to Haddonfield.
Jonas Cattell and a number of other people the troops encountered a long the way were taken prisoner and held over night in a camp between Haddonfield and Cherry Hill NJ at Evans Pond. The next day Jonas and the prisoners were released and told they could go home. Jonas knew what he had to do. He immediately started running to Fort Mercer along the roads, paths and trails he knew so well to warn Colonel Christoper Greene, commander of the American troops at the fort that the Hessians were on their way.
The advanced warning was enough notice for Colonel Greene to redirect his cannons from the Delaware to the road leading into the fort. The much smaller American force was able to defeat the Hessian troops, inflicting over 500 casualties including Count von Donop who was wounded and then abandoned by his troops on the battlefield. The British withdrew and decided to set fire to their ships rather than let them fall into the hands of the Americans.
After delivering the message, Jonas had run back to Haddonfield and was resting from his
“double” workout when he was captured by the Hessians again. In a state of disarray from the battle Jonas was soon released. The British withdrew from New Jersey. The following month they returned and captured Fort Mercer under General Cornwallis when the Americans abandoned the Fort after the fall of nearby Fort Mifflin on the Philadelphia side of the river.Jonas Cattell lived another 72 years, a local hero in South Jersey because of his bravery and the fact that he had run such a long distance to deliver his warning (while Paul Revere had ridden to deliver his similar warning.)
In October of 1969 a race was started by the local Kiwanis to honor Jonas Cattells’ run retracing virtually the same route. While the brush and trails and streams he covered have been replaced by paved South Jersey roads, you can’t help but feel his spirit if you run the race and approach Red Bank Battlefield. Forty years later the race is the oldest in South Jersey and the course has undergone only minor changes to improve safety.
Finishers entering the Battlefield are greeted by Revolutionary War re-enactors, hundreds of spectators, the boom of cannons, and the smell of cannon smoke and funnel cake-- but you can still easily imagine yourself feeling about the same level of fatigue that Jonas Cattell felt when he entered Fort Mercer on October 22, 1777.
This year 120 runners finished the 40th annual Jonas Cattell run on a crisp, clear day ideal for running ten miles (the days before and after the race were rainy and cold).
Geoff Shute Pennsville High School (NJ) cross country coach won the race in 56:18. Chelsea Ley the top ranked New Jersey High School cross country runner from Kingsway High School (Swedesboro)was the first female finisher in 1:07:19.
Joanne Ley, Chelsea’s mother and a also a former standout at Kingsway was the second Female finisher in 1:09: 34.
David Zuzga (1:00:56) was the second male finisher, followed by Jim Sery (1:01:10).
There were a number of other notable finishers: Rowan Professor and Running Legend Tom Osler placed 3rd in the 60 and over category in 1:32:31.
Billy Simila was the first 14 and under runner and 40th overall in 1:20:24. Former Rowan University Cross Country ace Bob Pyott was 21st in 1:12:53.
Danny Wheeler was the first wheel chair finisher in 1:33:06, and was warmly greeted by his service dog at the finish drawing heartfelt applause from the many spectators at the finish. Wayne Kean a blind distance runner from Bellmawr, won the Jonas Cattell Special Achievement award running the hilly ten mile distance in an impressive 2:10:47.
Written by Jack Heath
For an updated version of this article see the new book "Positive Splits"
https://www.amazon.com/Positive-Splits-Running-Stories/dp/1548655341/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=jack+heath&qid=1565713559&s=books&sr=1-3
40th Annual Jonas Cattell Results: http://home.comcast.net/~coachheath/Files/cattell.pdf
Coverage of Jonas Cattell Races from the 1970's:
http://ramscrosscountry.blogspot.com/2010/01/jonas-cattell-10-mile-race-coverage.html
For an updated version of this article see the new book "Positive Splits"
https://www.amazon.com/Positive-Splits-Running-Stories/dp/1548655341/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=jack+heath&qid=1565713559&s=books&sr=1-3
40th Annual Jonas Cattell Results: http://home.comcast.net/~coachheath/Files/cattell.pdf
Coverage of Jonas Cattell Races from the 1970's:
http://ramscrosscountry.blogspot.com/2010/01/jonas-cattell-10-mile-race-coverage.html
Monday, October 17, 2011
Don't Allow Seasons To Pass You By
He could have been at most of the games, but he had to make a living. When each tiring day was done, there just wasn't enough pep left for a game, a story or a little fun. It's just that the kid was growing up and he never noticed the look of admiration and hope until it faded and died.
This man worked hard for his family. It's just that day follows day and the seasons fly. Children grow up and life goes by.
Now the evening shadows are steep and retirement has come. The old house is silent and the chair creaks some.
What was life about, he wonders. Was it to sit in a rocker by the gate and remember the pink pills at seven and the purple ones at eight? Along the way, did he miss the reason God put us all on earth? Was it about loving and serving Him by loving and sharing with others?
The little boy is long gone now. He lives in another state. The old man plans to write, but putting a letter together is hard if you haven't practiced, and he can't really find much to say. When all's said and done, he's just a stranger called "Dad".
The old man meant no ill. He just forgot that life is more than earning a lot. It slipped his mind that the seasons fly, children grow up and life goes by.
Written by Ted Simonson.
Ted resides in Statesville North Carolina and is and elder at the Grace Alliance Fellowship Church in Statesville.
This man worked hard for his family. It's just that day follows day and the seasons fly. Children grow up and life goes by.
Now the evening shadows are steep and retirement has come. The old house is silent and the chair creaks some.
What was life about, he wonders. Was it to sit in a rocker by the gate and remember the pink pills at seven and the purple ones at eight? Along the way, did he miss the reason God put us all on earth? Was it about loving and serving Him by loving and sharing with others?
The old man meant no ill. He just forgot that life is more than earning a lot. It slipped his mind that the seasons fly, children grow up and life goes by.
Written by Ted Simonson.
Ted resides in Statesville North Carolina and is and elder at the Grace Alliance Fellowship Church in Statesville.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
How to Score a Cross-Country Meet, Warming Up For a Cross-Country Meet
Cross-country points are awarded to individual runners equal to the position in which they cross the finish line (for example, first place gets 1 point, second place gets 2 points, etc).
• Cross-country is one of the few sports where the lowest score wins.
• The lowest possible score is a 15 achieved by a team's runners finishing in each of the top five positions (1+2+3+4+5= 15).
• If the winning team also took the 6th and 7th place, the losing teams score would be 50 (8+9+10+11+12 = 50).
• The winning team can only count their first 7 places. If the first finisher on the losing team finished 11th, they would still be counted starting at 8th place.
1. A Shut Out: The official score of a shut out or a forfeited dual meet (which happens if one team does not have five runners) is 15-50. This is a perfect dual meet shut out score.
Scoring Quiz: If your team has the first 3 finishers in the race, and you have at least five scoring runners you will always automatically win the meet. True or False? Give an example to prove your answer.
2. We defeat Team A in a dual meet 25-30. Show the scoring for both teams to reach this score. Is there more than one possible scoring combination that will tally this score? GC Team A
Have a warm-up routine:
My optimal warm-up is _____ minutes of easy running, ______ strides and ______minutes of stretching.
Remember to give yourself enough time to warm-up.Warm-up close to your race's starting time.
You should be breaking a sweat before the start of the race.
A good warm-up increases your heart rate, respiratory rate and your body temperature by one or two degrees. A good warm-up will improve performance-- you will run faster and feel more comfortable in the race. Here is a link to more information on some good stretches to do before (dynamic) and after (static) a race. http://ramscrosscountry.blogspot.com/2008/04/real-stretcher.html
For an updated version of this article and others see the new book "Positive Splits"
https://www.amazon.com/Positive-Splits-Running-Stories/dp/1548655341/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=jack+heath&qid=1565713559&s=books&sr=1-3
• Cross-country is one of the few sports where the lowest score wins.
 |
| Villanova Coach Jack Pyrah helps to score a Gloucester Catholic meet. |
• Only the first five runners on each team are counted towards their team's score, but: The sixth and seventh runners on each team add to the point score of the opposing team. For this reason, they are sometimes called "pushers" or "displacers," because while they do not earn points for their team, they add points on to the opposing teams score. They are still important to the score.
• Tie Breaker: In the event of a tie score, the team which has the first fifth runner is the winner. (This usually happens a few years each season in South Jersey. This is why every place is so important in cross country.
• The lowest possible score is a 15 achieved by a team's runners finishing in each of the top five positions (1+2+3+4+5= 15).• The winning team can only count their first 7 places. If the first finisher on the losing team finished 11th, they would still be counted starting at 8th place.
1. A Shut Out: The official score of a shut out or a forfeited dual meet (which happens if one team does not have five runners) is 15-50. This is a perfect dual meet shut out score.
Scoring Quiz: If your team has the first 3 finishers in the race, and you have at least five scoring runners you will always automatically win the meet. True or False? Give an example to prove your answer.
2. We defeat Team A in a dual meet 25-30. Show the scoring for both teams to reach this score. Is there more than one possible scoring combination that will tally this score? GC Team A
Warm-up
Have a warm-up routine:
My optimal warm-up is _____ minutes of easy running, ______ strides and ______minutes of stretching.
Remember to give yourself enough time to warm-up.Warm-up close to your race's starting time.
A good warm-up increases your heart rate, respiratory rate and your body temperature by one or two degrees. A good warm-up will improve performance-- you will run faster and feel more comfortable in the race. Here is a link to more information on some good stretches to do before (dynamic) and after (static) a race. http://ramscrosscountry.blogspot.com/2008/04/real-stretcher.html
For an updated version of this article and others see the new book "Positive Splits"
https://www.amazon.com/Positive-Splits-Running-Stories/dp/1548655341/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=jack+heath&qid=1565713559&s=books&sr=1-3
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