Dutchess County Classic: Spencer Johnson, 2:22:23!

After a summer of sultry humidity, heat and rain, the weather for yesterday’s Dutchess County Classic was a breath of fresh air. Relatively cool, low humidity and even a Northwest breeze started blowing as the morning sun blazed down on the hopefully grateful runners. We had another strong alumni showing out there, and we’ll put together all those results soon. But for now, we want to highlight Marist Running Alum Spencer Johnson, and his remarkable marathon PR at the Classic – 2:22:23! It was a three-minute PR, which at that level is quite huge. Spencer came back to Poughkeepsie, all the way from San Diego, to run this race. Afterwards, he was surrounded by his best friends from college, who will also be by his side next May when he gets married! On Sunday, we think Spencer made a new friend. Current sophomore Running Red Fox John Ignacz (aka Jiggy) paced Spencer on the bike (this arrangement was approved by Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club race officials – Jiggy was the “lead” cyclist). Along with being a high-mileage runner, Jiggy is also an avid cyclist, having done several 100-mile rides. Jiggy was Spencer’s constant companion and aid out there, and Spencer seemed to really appreciate it. Pretty neat – two Marist runners from different “generations” working together. Who knows? Maybe in a few years, when Jiggy is a running alum, some young runner he’s never met will pay it forward for him? Anyway, on this day, it was a great pairing: Two hard-working and humble young men, from different XC teams but the same program, working together.

But make no mistake, Spencer did this solo in terms of running. The second-place finisher was Marist Running Alum Luke Shane, who ran fantastic … and who was 35 minutes behind Spencer! Here are Spencer’s mile splits. First half = 5:14, 5:25, 5:24, 5:18, 5:18, 5:20, 5:14, 5:24, 5:23, 5:20, 5:26, 5:17, 5:32. Second half = 5:24, 5:25, 5:32, 5:28, 5:30, 5:16, 5:20, 5:13, 5:14, 5:19, 5:31, 5:30, 5:39. Next up for Spencer on the marathon scene is Houston in January, where he will continue to aim for bigger and better things. More alumni results and pictures will be posted later.