By Ernest Joseph – 2008 (Published in NYRR Magazine)
New City resident Laura DiMarino received word of her nomination for age group runner of the year in 40-44 age division and will be honored by New York Road Runners at their 51st Annual Awards Ceremony next month. The 42 year old mother of three was also nominated for the 2007 season and has been one of the area’s top masters runners.
Each year NYRR nominates runners based on their best performances for the year. These rankings, through the top 20 in each age group, are reviewed by the Awards Committee with special consideration made for head-to-head competition and performances at a range of distances. The Awards Committee is comprised of NYRR staff and Board of Directors members and team representatives from the local running community.
With another exciting year of top-notch competition on the local running scene nominees for the 2008 Runners of the Year awards helped make last year one of the best in NYRR history. The New York area is home to an abundance of running clubs. New York Road Runners serves as an umbrella organization for local clubs and encourages competition among clubs at NYRR races.
DiMarino who runs competitively for Running Divas New York will join her teammates on the podium excepting the trophy for winning the Women’s Masters Division Championship. Team founder and coach, Gordon Bakoulis, who was also nominated in her division this year, joins five other Divas on the elite list of nominees. DiMarino who competed in the New York City Marathon helped her team secure 3rd place overall in the Open Women’s Division of the marathon. DiMarino posted a half marathon personal best of 1:25:40, a 6:30 per mile pace over the 13.1 distance. She also earned a bronze medal in the prestigious Continental Fifth Avenue Mile with an impressive 5:22.4 effort.
DiMarino served for two years as President of Rockland Road Runners and along with Ernest Joseph (Vice President), founded their competitive team. She was RRR’s top athlete for the three year period and helped them establish themselves in the local competitive racing community. DiMarino and Josephine Patten are the only Rockland County resident to receive a nomination for the 2008 season.
Reflections on Running & Life 