The Greater Boston Track Club

European-Style Cross Country Relay (3x3K)

Franklin Park
Boston, MA
September 12, 1998

The GBTC team at the European-Style 3x3K Cross Country Relay in Franklin Park just before the men's open and college race. "European-style" apparently means jumping over hay bales with best-possible form, and lots of wild and inspiring rock and roll music filling the exchange zone. Lots of fun. (Photo taken by Tom Derderian; large copy.)

Back row: Erik Spayde (796), Jon Ives (798), Andy Elia (797), Ted Bowen, Karl Hoyt, Kevin Lohner (802), Terry O'Neill (842), Mark Tuttle (843).
Front row: Elizabeth Spelman (713), Mike Olivo, Moulay Essakalli (803), Nasser Sharara (804).
Not pictured: Adeline Azrack (710), Russ Miller, Maria Sun, Joanna Veltri (712).

Kevin Lohner (802) vaults the hay with arms swinging like mighty hammer strokes during the first leg. (Photo by Tom Derderian.)

Kevin Lohner (802) finishes the first leg and hands off to Moulay Essakalli (803) in the exchange zone, with their third man Nasser Sharara (804) watching in the background. (Photo by Tom Derderian.)

The men's team received a great boost from new members, Andy Elia (797) and Erik Spayde (796) standing here with anchor man Jon Ives (798, left). This trio placed fourth to a strong Cambridge Sports Union team. (Photo by Tom Derderian.)

At the eleventh hour, Maria Sun (far right) called to say she would run first leg on the women's team to replace a late cancellation. Later, unknown to coach and all, another cancellation. So in the final minutes before the race start, Joanna Veltri (712), who had come only to watch and cheer in her civilian clothes, ripped them off, slipped on a club shirt, grabbed the baton, and raced. Also watching Joanna in the background are Jon Ives (798) and Erik Spayde (796). (Photo by Tom Derderian.)

Adeline Azrack (710) blasts off on the anchor leg after a hand-off from Joanna Veltri (712). Adeline ran 11:01 for her leg, and the team finished second in the open and college women's division to Boston Running Club. (Photo by Tom Derderian.)