PPTC 50th Anniversary Memorial + Tree Planting
Attendees pose with the newest addition to Prospect Park: the PPTC tree, a red oak.
Two weeks ago, PPTC held its annual anniversary memorial service. This year, we also planted a tree in partnership with The Prospect Park Alliance, a contribution of positivity during such a troubling year.
“We hope that as members run and visit the park that they stop by to visit the tree,” said PPTC team captain Leanne Glasser. “The tree planting ceremony was always something that we wanted to do for the club’s 50th Anniversary. Originally, we planned to have the planting ceremony coincide with Earth Day, back in April,” she added. “We had the plaque arranged, the tree was chosen, and the date was arranged, but then *sigh* the pandemic hit and everything changed.”
“We’re very excited to have a tree near Harry’s Wall to celebrate this wonderful club milestone. We hope that as members run and visit the park that they stop by to visit the tree.”
Members of the Prospect Park Alliance at the tree planting
Luckily, The Prospect Park Alliance was wonderful right from the start. “They worked with us every step of the way to help us choose the tree location, the tree species, and arrange a small ceremony. We’re very excited to have a tree near Harry’s Wall to celebrate this wonderful club milestone.”
At the ceremony, the arborist and tree crew shared some info about the type of tree and what to expect in terms of its growth. There was some debate about the tree species: The final contenders were a Red Maple or a Red Oak. Editor’s note: Leanne’s Canadian roots wanted to see a Red Maple in the park, but the strong wood of the Oak and its acorns attracting squirrels was the winning choice.
Tom then invited the senior club members to speak about their experience in the club. Claire Dougherty was the first to address attendees, thanking Tom and newer members of the club who have contributed in recent years.
She then reflected on what the club has meant to her during her 40 years of membership. "One of the reasons this invitation is so significant to me is that in the beginning, for me, running seemed more like a men's endeavor," Claire said. "In fact, it was! There were very few women that were running around the park, or participating in races. There weren't any women [in] the club at all." She also looked back fondly on the beginnings of PPTC, and how proud she was of her younger self the first time she ran to Park Circle, a mile from her home. "I was so proud that I didn't take a bus, or a train...I was secretly hoping someone I knew would drive by and see me."
Though social media now connects many runners, "this park was my social media," Claire admitted. "The perimeter of the park was my connection to other runners: I made lots of friends in a very short time." She met many other talented runners who had run in college, all boasting marathon times of under three hours, which helped her become a better runner. She also became familiar with other local legends, such as Lou Rios, known for his endless loops of the perimeter of the park. "Generally I would run into him on one of his last laps, and he would always agree, without much prompting, to run another lap or two with me."
Despite changes in the club, she talked about how Prospect Park and PPTC have continued to be a significant part of her life. "I cherish the friends I've made, and I love how I've met many of the new runners in recent years. In this time of COVID, I've abandoned the gym, and have found solace in this outdoor space."
Regina Cahill then said a few words about Harry's Wall and being a member of the women's PPTC team. "When we dedicated Harry's Wall, there was a lot of grousing from people about how Harry was never over there," she said. "But as it turns out, Harry knew we were dedicating this wall to him prior to his death, because we were doing it for his 80th birthday, which unfortunately he never made it to. He told me that as a child, he raced boats on the lake. For those of you who don't think Harry's spirit is here, it definitely lives in every inch of the park."
In her words, the original PPTC women's team was "as notorious as the women's team is today!" She also spoke in Michael's memory. "I didn't know Michael well, but from conversations people have had, he was a mentor in the spirit of Harry Murphy." Regina then read from the eulogy of Paul Fletcher, one of the original Central Park Track Club members. "I guess you could say Claire and I might have had the same kind of heartthrob for him that our daughters would have had for Justin Timberlake! These were young studs a little older than us, and they were gorgeous."
She then read part of Fletcher's eulogy, titled "All I ever needed to know, I learned from Harry Murphy,” which included tips such as:
Run hills
Complement and support others
Do your long runs
Be gentle
Get sharp with intervals
Give selflessly
Stick with it
Be all you can be
Enjoy the camaraderie
Love everyone
Win a marathon
"Not many of us have won a marathon, but we all strive for that," Cahill said. "And if you see me going what appears to be backwards around the park, have sympathy: I've been out here for 43 years!"
Anne Perzeszty, another veteran member, spoke next. "I had an agenda when I came to the club in 1991," she said. "I had relocated to Brooklyn, and had started running with the corporate women's team at Brooklyn Union. That got me into 5k's, the corporate challenge, and others." When people asked if she would run a marathon, my answer was always 'No! Are you kidding?' My experience with the New York City Marathon is what I saw on television: I could not relate to those front runners, so there was no way I could see myself running a marathon." But as a spectator, she always waited to see her friends...and waited, and waited. "And the longer I waited, the longer they looked like me! I thought: You know what? I think I have one in me," Perzeszty said. “As the idea of a marathon started to gel, I found out that the best way to get in would be through a local club. And the best club to do that was Prospect Park Track Club."
As she says, the rest is history. “I did the ‘93 Marathon – that was my first – and crossed the finish line on bloody feet, and as I crossed, I thought ‘I can do better.’ I did eleven all together. I also, along the way, became President. I made many good friends, and Prospect Park Track Club is a very important chapter of my life’s journey. I want to thank you all.”
After the speakers, members of the alliance filled the hole and planted the tree: originally, we were invited to assist, but were unable to because of COVID social distancing protocols. “We thought that the red oak was more characteristic of who our club was and where it’s going,” Tom said.
The Alliance thanked us for being great community members and supporters of the park. Stop by and visit the tree on your next loop.
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text: Alison Kotch
edits: Leanne Glasser and Linda Chan
photos: Larry Sillen
produced by: Alison Kotch