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Testoni faces the challenge of the tunnel
(by Lisa Kintish - May 07, 2008)
Crossing over the bridges and tunnels to get into New York City is common place for many living in northern New Jersey, but few do so by foot as Linda Puso and her husband have done on several occasions. No, it is not to save gas or lessen their carbon footprints, although there is always a good cause spurring them to run where most only drive. Most recently, the Parsippany couple ran through the Lincoln Tunnel to raise money for Special Olympics New Jersey.
Joining the couple in the 22nd annual Lincoln Tunnel Challenge held on Sunday, April 20, were 2,440 runners, a record amount for this race and an increase of 1,000 over last year. Among them were people from Kenya and across the United States as well as many from Morris County. Together, they raised more than $130,000.
The 5K (3.1 miles) race takes runners from Weehawken through the tunnel into New York City, and back through the tunnel to end in Weehawken. It is the only USATF-certified 5K tunnel run in this country, possibly in the world. It is not a flat run as the tunnel has an 8.5 percent grade.
For Puso, this was the fourth year participating in the Challenge.
“Every year the crowd gets bigger. It’s hard starting off at first because there are so many people crowded in the beginning that you can’t even run. Last 1K is probably the hardest because it’s a steady incline back to New Jersey. I always seem to forget about that!” she said.
Along with her husband, a Parsippany police officer, she has run in various local events including the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics and the George Washington Bridge Challenge sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
As for the Tunnel Challenge, she said, “Although running through the tunnel is a once in a lifetime experience, the main reason why I participate is for Special Olympics. I’m a special education teacher at Parsippany Hills High School, so the cause is near and dear to my heart. This year, I raised over $200 - the most I’ve ever raised - thanks to all of my friends and family who donated on my Web site.”
It was the first Tunnel Challenge, not to mention the very first race, for Allison Testoni of Wharton.
“It was very surreal, after driving through so many times. I never thought that I would actually be able to run, let alone walk through there. I felt like I should stop and pay the toll!” she said.
Testoni entered the race because she believes in the ideas and goals put forth by the Special Olympics and has volunteered for them throughout the years.
“It’s a great way to give back and get myself in better health. My boyfriend and I thought it would be a great challenge and fun way to raise some money, and all was accomplished. I would love to run in the Lincoln Tunnel Challenge again next year with the hopes of a lower time (her time this year was 40 minutes) and raising more money for the Special Olympics.”
She expected running in the tunnel to be easier then it was. “The air was more dense and with over 2,000 people, it made it difficult to get through the first leg of it. It felt like rush hour traffic!”
Another first-time Tunnel Challenge participant was Montville resident Kevin Hartnett. While he has not been an active runner in recent years, in the mid-1990s Hartnett entered many 5Ks as well as the Staten Island Half Marathon and the New York City Marathon. He was inspired to again don his running shoes when a friend recruited him for the race.
“I am not sure what I expected going into this run, but it truly was an experience worth trying. Even though many of us have been stuck in tunnel traffic and have said, ‘I could walk - or run - quicker than this,’ how many of us have actually done it? Well, I got my chance Sunday morning,” said Hartnett.
“The run did get a bit monotonous - all that white tile with no mileage markers and no time clocks gave me the feeling I was in a never ending run. But any time you can do one activity, have a fun time, do something good for yourself, and help others - it’s a no brainer, you have to do it!”
Lisa Kintish can be contacted at kintish@northjersey.com.
Photo courtesy of Lynn Schindel
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