RunningWorks Cross Country Camp at Blair Academy, Staff 2008




2008 staff







This page provides pictures of some of the 25 members of the RunningWorks staff at Blair, both at work and play, and of special guest speaker, Bobby Curtis, a 2008 graduate of Villanova University, and now a professional athlete with Reebok.


Besides serving as dorm proctors, activities supervisors, and running group leaders, staff members taught a variety of classes throughout the week. Marcus O'Sullivan made two presentations, one with Steve Shaklee on Threshold Training and a second motivational talk based on his early experiences in running. Ringo Adamson did a segment on Active Warm-up and Flexibility Drills; Chris Tarello and Chris Grotini led a class called The Rider Guys With the How's and Why's of Cross Country Training; Dave Welsh and Claire Duncan focused on Injury Prevention and Running Shoe Selection; Steve Shaklee proctored video sessions in Gait Analysis; and Marc Pelerin led classes in Developing Core Strength.

In addition, besides the optional afternoon activities -- volleyball, frisbee, wiffle ball, golf (no kidding, there's time for a quick 9 if you grab a snack for lunch!), etc. -- optional afternoon classes were also available. These included the College Talk with Marcus O'Sullivan and Steve Shaklee; the Sports Nutrition Talk led by Dave Welsh, Clair Duncan, and Christine O'Brien; the talk on "Building an Athletic Resume for College" by Scott Catone; or visits to two Nike Vans: one attended by RW's former counselor and now Nike Rep, John Phillips, where campers were allowed to "test-run" new Nike equipment; and a second attended by Nike Rep, Chris Nickinson, where campers focused on all the action at the 2007 Nike Team Nationals and learned how to qualify as a team or as an individual at the 2008 Nike XC Nationals!


Also, staff members provided two unique opportunities for camper fun: RunningWorks Trivia Night and the closing Dance. Chris Callinan and Chris Grottini did all the "heavy lifting" on Trivia Night; and almost everyone else paticipated in one way or another -- even serving watermelon treats -- to make the dance a success!


And, for the record, the team of Marc Pelerin and Dennis Smyth won the "RunningWorks Golf Challenge" at Blair this year, defeating the teams of Andrew Vernon and Chris Grottini, and Chris Callinan and Ringo Adamson!


Hover over the thumbnails (Internet Explorer) for a brief description and click on the thumbnail for a larger version of the picture.





C. O'Malley; C. Grottini; C. Duncan; E. Dougherty Ellen DOugherty Rudy Belko Staff Run Chris Grottini on the Trail Bridge Marc Pelerin and Ed Sheridan on the Trail Bridge
Kristy Grottini and Karen O'Neil on the Trail Bridge Cindy Calnen on the Trail Bridge Cricket Batz-Shaklee and Chris Tarello on the Trail Bridge Clair Duncan on the Trail Bridge Steve Shaklee, Marty Owens and Ringo Adamson on the Trail Bridge Christine O'Brien on the Trail Bridge
O'Malley, Dougherty, Belko, Welsh an Hewit on Bridge Christine O'Brien relaxing at check-in Steve Shaklee and Marcus O'Sullivan check notes Claire Duncan and Chris Tarello do gait analysis Marc Pelerin does core strength training Karen O'Neil demonstrates core exercise
Ellen Dougherty shows a camper how to do it Marty Owens and Rob Hewit supervise! Caitlin O'Malley demonstrates active warm-up Marcus O'Sullivan does striders with a group Rob Hewit displays his washboard abs before a run! Rudy Belko leads A group off campus
Ringo Adamson teaches a class on active warm-up Marc Pelerin demonstrates core strength exercise Christine O'Brien demonstrates a core exercise John Phillips trades shoes at the Nike Van Ed Sheridan ponders an exercise Andrew Vernon chats after a run
Nalini Singh doing core exercises Greg Wetzle on a core strength drill Rudy Belko demonstrates frisbee expertise Marc Pelerin demonstrates wiffleball expertise! Marcus O'Sullivan doing his motivational talk Dave Welsh leads a threshold exercise
Greg Wetzle leads a threshold exercise Marc Pelerin paces a threshold exercise Ringo Adamson leads a run ANdrw Vernon reacts to a chip shot Grottini studies Ringo's technique! Chris Callinan takes the low road
Golfers walk the 7th fairway Chris Grottini putts Marc Pelerin putts for dough! Chris Grottini and his guys after a mud run! Ringo teaching Chris Callinan and Chris Grottini do Trivia Night
Crack math team does scores on Trivia Night! Ed Sheridan leads group across Trail Bridge Chris Grottini attacks a hill Andrew Vernon paces a runner up hill Kristy Grottini on Academy hill Marc Pelerin paces a few runners
Rudy Belko works a hill Greg Wetzle does core drills Ellen Dougherty and Marc Pelerin supervise core drills Chris Grottini does The Rider Boys class Chris Tarello does The Rider Boys class Cricket Batz Shaklee multi-tasking in front of library
Marcus O'Sullivan and Caitlin O'Malley doing drills Andrew Vernon and Chris Callinan on the Rail Trail Marcus O'Sullivan with group on Rail Trail Marcus O'Sullivan and Chris Callinan on Rail Trail Dave Welsh prepping for run! Chris Tarello prepping for a run!
Marty Owens on the viranda Chris Callinan checks his trivia answers! Nalini Singh on the viranda Chris Grottini shows his Heisman pose Rob Hewitt on the viranda Claire Duncan makes suggestions to the Resident Artist
Wallflowers at the dance! Claire Duncan at the dance





This year, RunningWorks' special guest speaker at Blair Academy was Bobby Curtis, a 2008 graduate of Villanova University. Bobby was an outstanding high school runner in Louisville, Kentucky. He won twelve individual state championships and was named All-American five times! In his senior year at Villanova, he won the 2007 Big East Championship in Cross Country and finished fourth at the NCAA National Championships, again earning All-American honors! In the Spring, he won his second-consecutive 5K race in the NCAA East Regional Championships, and at the NCAA Nationals, he posted a PR of 13:33.93 to win he 5K, his first national title as a collegian! His win made him Villanova's first outdoor national champion since Sydney Maree won the 1500m at the 1981 Nationals! After graduation, Bobby was quickly signed by Reebok where he continues his running career.


Bobby Curtis as St. X Prep star Bobby Curtis at NCAA Coss Country Championships in 2004 Bobby Curtis at Penn Relays, 2008 Bobby Curtis talks to campers Bobby Curtis enjoys a relaxed moment at camp Bobby Curtis with RW Directors, Shaklee, Batz-Shaklee, O'Sullivan








Click Blair, 2008 Pictures to return to the Blair pictures' index for 2008.

Click RunningWorks for the official mainpage of RunningWorks Retreats, Camps and Clinics.