Greg Grace’s personality was almost bigger than life and that’s why his legacy lives on in the minds and hearts of so many Bucks County Roadrunners Club members.
More than two years have gone by since the Washington Crossing running legend left us and BCRR veterans wanted something tangible to remember him by.
So they created the Greg Grace Memorial Award, which was presented to the winning team (McTuesday) at last Saturday’s Bridge to Bridge (B2B) Relay, a 53-mile competition run on the Delaware Canal towpaths of both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
It’s a fitting tribute to the former BCRR president and accomplished marathon runner.
“We added the Greg Grace Memorial Award this year,” said Joe Boyce, one of the founders and directors of B2B. “For the winning team, we give out an individual award to every runner on the team. The overall winning team gets this big trophy that they get to keep for a year and then bring it back next year.”
McTuesday captain Rick Mingione accepted the trophy on behalf of his team.
According to Boyce, Grace was one of the most popular figures in the club in recent memory.
“He was such a consummate competitor,” Boyce said. “You could always pick him out in a crowd because he was so tall (6-foot-7). He would help me pace because I figured he should be ahead of me right now and I’ll try to catch him as the race goes on.”
One of the amazing things about Grace was his strength and fortitude. He once tripped near the start of the Wineglass Marathon in upstate New York and broke his wrist. Yet he gritted it out and made it to the 26.2-mile finish line.
The Bridge-to-Bridge Relay was created some five years ago after the once-popular River-to-Sea 91-mile Relay (Delaware River to Atlantic Ocean) race was discontinued.
Other founders and directors of the B2B include Jim Larson, Bill Schaffling and Jay Ricco.
The club also sponsors and organizes the Equinox Run in the summer, the ever-popular Winter Series and the Thanksgiving 5-Miler.
“The turnout this year for B2B was great,” Boyce said. “We had 115 runners. It was our best yet.
“It gives you a chance to turn a solo endeavor into a team sport. It motivates you, it inspires you. And all along the way of the 53-mile course, you see scores of people that you know, from the Roadrunners to other clubs that you know throughout the area.”
The chances to compare notes and catch up with friends are big attraction points.
“It does make it a great social event,” Boyce said. “The camaraderie is amazing, everyone is in support of each other. A lot of laughs, just a wonderful, fun event to enjoy with other runners who are trying hard but also having a great time doing it.”
With COVID out of the way and the need for a long relay event, B2B is flourishing.
“We started with just six teams and now we’re up to 18,” Boyce said.
Two Philly Achilles Club teams (Soft Pretzels, Cheesesteaks) participated and did well. Those teams were coordinated by BCRR member Eileen Mannix.
“That was gratifying,” said Boyce. “They were out there with their guides. We were happy to support them.”
Team results (top three finishers)
- McTuesday (6:22.35): Rick Mingione, Nicole Curran, Lisa Kall, Tim Atwood, Paul Murdoch, Russell McCleskey, Jim Maze.
- CBCF & Company (7:01.45): Dan Metz, Jennifer Lowry, David Freundel, Christian Hulpa, Karen Wheeler, Stephen Algeo, Emily Weida.
- Speedster Orange (7:08.29): Rob Pierce, Stephanie Young, Lisa Kuliczkowski, Kelli Sendel, Jin Lee.
*(Fastest team time, Greater Philly: Chuck Shields, Allison Schwalm, Bob Boland, Mark Williams, Rachael Wise, Armando Oliveira, Keith Davies) (6:11.07).
Times of other teams:
- Philly Achilles (Soft Pretzels): 7:31.24.
- Two Bucks: 6:54.01.
- FootSpeed/TM: 8:14.49.
- MoreDemons: 8:46.49.
- Acadia Runners: 6:29.02.
- Ambler Troll Hunters: 7:35.07.
- Philly Achilles (Cheesesteaks): 7:43.39.
- *Greater Philly: 6:11.07.
- Demons: 9:39.00.
- PennyPack Trail Runners: 7:11.30.
- Speedsters-Blue: 7:22.04.
- Ambler2: 7:51.47.
- The 5:05s: 9:42.47.
Race calendar
Saturday
5K Run for Reading, Newtown. Contact www.active.com
David’s New Day 5K, 9 a.m., Warminster. Contact www.runsignup.com
