Event to feature special tribute

The Bellarmine Griffith Park Cross-Country Invitational has long been

known for an event that features quality teams and talented runners.

This year’s 32nd installment of the invitational is no different,

as more than 90 schools are expected to take part.

“I think this year we have the most teams we have had in 10

years,” said Bell-Jeff Coach Jim Couch, who is also the meet’s

director. “We have a very good turnout with some talented teams.

“I just hope we are going to have nice weather for the meet. We

don’t want any rain, but I’ll take a little drizzle more than really

hot weather.”

Along with the races, this year’s event will feature a tribute to

an individual who had a long relationship with the invitational. The

meet is dedicated to Paul Suzuki, who served as the event’s race

starter since 1980.

Suzuki, 77, died in June when he was hit in the head by a 16-pound

shot as athletes prepared for the U.S. track and field championships

at the Home Depot Center in Carson.

“Five of Paul’s family members are going to be at the meet,” Couch

said. “We will have a ceremony and pay tribute to him.”

The ceremony will take place at approximately 9:45 a.m., prior to

the Division I boys’ race.

Couch also said from this invitational on, the place the runners

begin the races will be called the Paul Suzuki Starting Line.

Al Minturn, a longtime running official and close friend of

Suzuki, will take over as race starter.

If winning medals wasn’t enough, top finishers in all divisions

will also be awarded some other prizes, donated by running legend

Laszlo Tabori, a former Olympian who was the third man to break the

four-minute mile.

Second-place finishers will receive commemorative items Tabori

brought back from the 2005 World Track and Field Championships in

Helsinki. Girls will receive tote bags and boys’ will receive

T-shirts.

First-place finishers will receive a certificate entitling them to

a pair of running shoes from Tabori Sports on Olive Avenue.

Tabori has been a frequent attendee at the event, serving as

honorary starter in 1994.

Along with the host Guards, the meet also features locals Burbank

and Burroughs.

In the race schedule for the 2.9-mile course adjacent to the Greek

Theatre, the Bulldog and Indian tams will take part in Division 2/3

events. The boys run at 10:35 a.m. and the girls race at 10:55 a.m.

The Guards will run in Division V, with the boys racing at 12:05

p.m. and the girls at 12:30 p.m.