Sports
Hamden Runner Has Finished Every New Haven Labor Day 20K Race
In total, 19 runners have finished every race since the Labor Day 20K debuted in 1978. Will you be running tomorrow?
Hats off to Hamden’s own William Messersmith for completing every since the inaugural race in 1978. What's changed for these runners in the 35 years this race has been held? Probably the length of their running shorts and the height of their athletic socks.
Messersmith is one of an elite group of 19 runners – all men – who have participated in every New Haven Labor Day 20K (see all 20K race results since 1998).
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A press release by race organizers states that all 19 participants are expected to run again this year. The race is expected to see 7,000 runners participate – the max allowed – in the 20K race. There is also a 5K race and a kids' race. Those interested in joining the 19 seasoned runners, ; online registration closes today at 12 p.m.; there is no race-day registration.
The oldest runners in the group are George Papuga of East Haven and James McCormack Jr., of West Haven – both are 69. The youngest runner is Kurt Tietjen of North Haven, who is 51. There are also three cancers survivors among the group.
Find out what's happening in Hamdenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Want to root for the 19 veteran racers? Here are the special yellow-colored bib numbers they will be wearing.
RUNNER
BIB #
David Condit
52
Rick Conte
Branford53
Peter Halsey
New Haven56
Edward Halstead
Woodbridge57
Thomas Holman
New Haven58
Jim Kennedy
59
Robert Lampo
Clinton60
Mark Martin
Guilford73
Charles Matassa
New Haven61
James McCormack Jr.
West Haven62
Steven McLaughlin
63
Walter Messersmith
Hamden64
Robert Orgovan
Ansonia68
George Papuga
East Haven65
Stephen Praskiewicz
Bethany67
Kenneth Ritt
54
Peter Sanchez
New Haven69
William Schaeffer
Branford70
Kurt Tietjen
North Haven72
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