Connie Thomas regularly contends for the title of top fundraiser at the annual Peter De Mott Peace Trot.  We asked her to tell us how she does it:

"Once a year I personally ask good friends and relatives to make a cash or check donation to the Ithaca Catholic Worker in support of my participation in the Peter De Mott Peace Trot.  I tell them that the peace and social justice mission of the Catholic Worker community is important to all of us, not limited by age or religion.  They sign my support sheet and I take the money.   So simple!

This year on June 15, I will sweat my way around the Plantations and later write thank you notes to all supporters. 

In addition, I like the prizes and can always use another hammer".

See our Fundraising page for more information about how to do your own fundraising.

Tom and Rayna Joyce were at the finish line of the Cayuga Trails 50 (as in 50 miles), a national race held at Treman and Buttermilk Parks, late Sunday afternoon.  They were there to greet Amelia Kaufman who finished the race in something over 10 hours.  10 hours of running, unbelievable.  Amelia's one comment after the race was that she thought it would never end.  But she looked great and in good spirits.  Amelia won't be able to defend her Peace Trot title this year because she is going to Ireland to work on an organic farm for the summer.

Reminder: practice run tonight, 5pm, F.R. Newman Arboretum, Cornell Plantations.  Meet at the Sculpture Garden across from the ponds.  Call Tom Joyce with practice run questions: (607) 277-7426.

Katie Aldridge won the womens' division of the Peter De Mott Peace Trot in 2012.  Then, in 2013, she made headlines on the website www.runnersworld.com.  Here is the article:

Runners Debate Gettysburg Marathon’s North vs. South Format: Previous winner bandits race as a “conscientious objector.”

By Michelle Hamilton, Published May 10, 2013.

Katie Aldridge couldn’t bring herself to check a box. She paused, debated, then decided she would turn in her application for the Gettysburg Marathon without choosing to run for either the North or the South, as directed to on the race's registration form.  Read more.

Amelia Kaufman was the fastest woman to run the Peter De Mott Peace Trot in 2013.  She is from Ithaca, ran track at IHS, and is in her second year at University of Vermont.

But the trot 5K sounds like nothing when compared to her feat this past March..

She ran a 50K race (more than a marathon!!) at the New Jersey Ultra Festival on March 22nd, which is part of the New Jersey Trail Running Series. 

Amelia had the fastest women's time at 4 hours, 50 minutes, and the 4th fastest overall.

Well done Amelia!