One-mile fun runs for the United Nations community 1981 April 2, 3, 5

Filed under Other Awards, Citations, Presentations | Sport & Athletics

“FUN RUNS”- ONE MILE RACES AT THE UNITED NATIONS

United Nations staff and delegates participated in a series of five one-mile “fun runs” from 2 to 5 April 1981. This first series of running races at the United Nations was sponsored by the Peace Meditation group to mark the beginning of spring and to provide additional means for joy within a common undertaking. The first race was held for Security and Safety staff on 2 April beginning at 62nd Street and York Avenue, and despite a wet course and the need to dodge a few early morning joggers and dogs, their performance was a fine one.

Winner was Nick Pignatelli, age 31, who came in with a time of 6:05 amidst cheers from UN staff and early morning joggers who had stopped in their tracks to watch the race.

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Security and Safety Service staff at finish, along with some of the race organisers.

Subsequent races were held for Secretariat and Mission staff, delegates, and families of staff and delegates. All runners received race T-shirts as a souvenir, and special prizes were awarded to the first seven finishers in each category.

All United Nations Secretariat and Mission staff had the opportunity to join a lunchtime race on 3 April, with runners bringing friends and family to cheer them on and enjoy the beautiful spring day

Fastest time in the staff race (and in all the races) belongs to Martin Bentz of OGS who finished in 4:58, followed by Ken Peck (DIESA) in 5:30 and Marc Goldstein of the Population Council (an NGO) in 5:36.

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U.N. Secretariat and Mission staff line up for a group shot.

First place for the women was Nancy Fertally of UNICEF with a time of 8:01. Barbara Cooney (UNIT AR) placed second with 8:04 and Maria Murphy (UNICEF) placed third with 8:26.

On Sunday morning, 5 April United Nations diplomats and their families tested their speed against each other in one-mile races.

Beginning at the U.N. Secretariat Building at 42nd Street and First Avenue, the course was a twice around “out and back” course between 42nd Street and 47th Street.

Winner in the men’s “delegate” category was

Mr. Raul Ricardes (36 years old) of Argentina with a time of 7:07.

Mr. Wirjono Sastrohandojo (45) of Indonesia was second with a time of 8:13, and

Mr. Gerhard Schroter of the German Democratic Republic captured third place with a time of 8:14.

Mr. Schroter had originally intended to serve only as inspirer and coach to his young son Gert in the race for children under 18, but moved by the enthusiasm of his fellow delegates, he decided to run in his own right.

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Mr. Raul Ricardes of Argentina breaks the tape to capture first place among the delegates.

Winners in the women’s category were:

1^st – Mrs. Zahra Tadmoury – 10:10 (Lebanon)

2nd – Mrs. Ambika Silwal – 10:22 (Nepal)

3^rd – Mrs. Maria Ricardes (Argentina)

Overall winner of the children’s races was Claude-Phillippe Lim, the 16-y ear- old son of Mrs. Helena- Maria Lim of the U.N. Secretariat, with a time of 5:41.

Participants in the races held for children of staff and delegates and for delegates and their wives model their hard-earned race T-shirts.

Times of the first seven finishers in each of the races are listed below.

SECURITY AND SAFETY SERVICE RACE

A dynamic and enthusiastic start to this 1 mile fun series.

1. Nick Pignatelli (6:09)

Art Padula (6:12 )
Pat Hyland (6:43 )
Don Detwiler (6:50)
Felix Berrios (7:06 )
Ken Eastman (7:29)
Ernie Miller (8:46)

A great start for the Secretariat and Mission Staff

SECRETARIAT AND MISSION STAFF [MEN]

Martin Bentz (4:58)
Ken Peck (5:30)
Marc Goldstein (5:36)
Alan Baker (5:48)
John Schwager (5:53)
Steve Singer (6:02)
Dan Touhy (6:08)

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SECRETARIAT AND MISSION STAFF [WOMEN]

Ms. Susie Alvarez of the Accounts Division leading a pack near the start.

Nancy Fertally (8:01)
Barbara Cooney (8:04)
Maria Murphy (8:26)
Elodie Lauten (8:44)
Susie Alvarez (8:54)
Eva Grunspan (8:57)
Mary Sheffield (9:05)

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Some more finishers appreciated

Some delegates Men and Women near start on 05 April

DELEGATES [ MEN]

Raul Ricardes (7:07), Argentina Mission
2. Wirjono Sastrohandojo (8:13), Indonesian Mission
Gerharu Schroter (8:14), German Democratic Republic Mission
M.S. EI-Banhawi (9:02), Egyptian Mission
Ibrahim Izhar (10:37 ), Indonesian Mission
Y.K. Silwal (10:4 4 ), Nepal Mission

DELEGATES [WOMEN]