Team runs for University in New York

Corporate Challengers, left to right: Kristen Farquhar, Carl Johnston, Patty Guinan, Tom Guttuso
by Mary Claire Kelly '00

Team spirit is a vital component of any successful cooperative endeavor, especially in athletics.

So say the four team members who represented the University in the final race of the 22nd annual Chase Corporate Challenge Series on New York City's Park Avenue.

Team pride helped boost the co-ed team to a stellar performance at the international race earlier this month. Collectively, the team composed of Medical Center employees Patty Guinan, Kristen Farquhar, Carl Johnston, and Tom Guttuso finished 21st out of 71 teams with a time of one hour, 31 minutes and 48 seconds.

To get to New York, the University's team took first place in the local 3.5-mile qualifier held around Highland Park in June. Company pride and support played a huge role in the victory, says runner Patty Guinan.

"It is really nice to run with your place of work. After the Rochester qualifier, we had a tent and a cookout with 70 employees from the U of R. There is a lot of company pride at the races."

Farquhar agrees. "The best part was being able to run with the team as representatives of the hospital," she says. "There is a lot of team pride going around here."

Only the top four finishers of the 70 University runners and walkers who took part in the local race went on to New York, where individually they again recorded exceptional races. Out of 425 women, Farquhar finished 29th and Guinan came in 53rd. Out of 790 registered men, Johnston soared in at 49th.

Running a multi-mile race can present some serious obstacles. No one knows this better than Guinan, an insulin-dependent diabetic. Every time she runs, she must carry glucose tablets, blood tests, and other first aid. Conquering the doubts she had when she started running three years ago has been extremely fulfilling.

"Being able to run and compete well to the degree that I have is very satisfying. It gets me out of bed every morning," Guinan says. "Having this disease won't stop me from doing what I want to do."

Yet even her difficulties lead her to find a special pride in her team: "I think it is pretty neat that I have diabetes and am running for a hospital on a team with doctors and nurses."

This year, 7,000 corporations and organizations around the world sent teams to the Corporate Challenge. A portion of the proceeds benefits charities.

Over the years, the Corporate Challenge has grown. The large number of participants at this year's Rochester qualifier and the race in New York especially struck Johnston. The 1998 races were much bigger than in previous years, and he hopes that they will continue to expand.

"People are beginning to understand the task is all-inclusive. They are less intimidated by the thought of the miles," he notes. "They understand that participation is what is important."

More runners representing the University in the race is one thing Guinan would like to see.

"I would love to see more participation from the Rochester community because it really is a blast."