M AS T E R S C O R N E R
R O B L E M K E - C H AI R
REFLECTING ON THE MILLROSE GAMES
- VICKI FOX
For the second year in a row I have had the privilege
of running with the women’s masters’ 40-49 team of
Northport Running Club at the Millrose Games in the
Armory, coordinated by the lovely, enthusiastic and
talented Kat Hankinson. To run Millrose a team must
first qualify at a local USATF certified track and field
meet; NRC did just that in both 2013 and 2014.
USATF-LI provides two meets during the indoor
season designated as a Millrose Qualifier
purposefully scheduling it as the first event allowing
hopeful qualifiers to run with “fresh legs.” The first
meet is to reconnect with teammates, test out the
legs, practice the handoffs and enjoy the camaraderie
of “team” in what is usually considered a lone sport.
The first Millrose Games we ran together was in
2013—the first time most of us had ever competed
at the Armory. The team was coached by Kat who
recruited Darlene Ritchie, Nancy Tantone, Vicki Fox
and Leslie Hiller—running in that order. Our 2014
team was comprised of Darlene running the first leg,
followed by Nancy who handed off to Kat and,
following a perfect handoff Vicki brought it home to
the finish.
family responsibilities then adding to that daily intensive
training sessions. We don’t heal as fast as we used to;
an injury that lasted 6 weeks as a 20-year old could
linger for months as a 40-50 year old, but that doesn’t
stop us. We are mentally strong and that alone keeps
us pushing forward to individual excellence.
There’s nothing like the electrifying energy of the
Armory with so many elite athletes from across the
country all in one place. Walking into the building alone
is a “Wow!” mom