The Rye Derby and the “Cone Man” Return

Derby Day begins at dawn for the “Cone Man,” just as it has for the past 21 years. Responsible for laying out the bright orange cones marking the route of the Rye YMCA’s annual Derby race, Cone Man takes his responsibility seriously. It can be a solitary, backbreaking venture as he silently treks the streets of Rye marking the 1-mile route and then continuing on through to the final 5-mile marker. With safety uppermost in his mind, Cone Man is mindful of not only the runners, but also the many supporters cheering them on. Ever since Terry Birdsong, then the Y’s Board president, first asked him in 1988, Cone Man has volunteered to undertake the painstaking chore of placing orange cones along the running route – easily over 200 cones in all. Other than a driver at the end of the race, Cone Man’s labor is his and his alone.

What inspires such dedication? Is he a running enthusiast? A traffic and safety engineer? Perhaps he’s simply a meditative sort who seeks solace in all things orange?

We decided to find out, and ask the Cone Man himself. The first and most obvious clue to his identity can be found in the color of his hair. Next, is it coincidence or simply life’s destiny that he is the City Council liaison to the Traffic and Transportation Committee? He is also one of the founding members of Rye’s Safe Routes to School Committee. The passion for safety is clear, as is his dedication to community service. Add in the fact that he is currently a City Councilman, and it’s not difficult to guess that Mack Cunningham is Cone Man.

With a grin on his ever-smiling face, we asked Mack Cunningham to share his thoughts on the YMCA, the Derby, and his 21 years as Cone Man.

“The Derby has many fond memories for me and it allows me to re-connect with the Y volunteers that I have had the privilege of serving with over the years. Werner Tietjen, Terry Birdsong, Tom Fendler and Nancy Haneman are just a few of the many friends I get to see at this event. The Derby is a great, fun event for everybody and I love giving back to the community in a way that’s meaningful to me.”
When asked if he had a protégé waiting in the wings to take over cone duty next year, Mack laughed and said, “Sally Wright (Race Director for the Y) told me I’m on the hook until at least 2013 — my 25th year.”

The Rye Derby, along with Healthy Kids Day, takes place Sunday, April 26. The race kicks off with a 1-mile Family Fun Run/Walk at 1 p.m. and at 1:45 p.m. for the 5-mile USA Track & Field Sanctioned race. The Rye Derby is an annual fund-raising event for the YMCA and uses funds raised to subsidize programs such as teen activities as well as provide financial aid for families. After the race, all are invited to come together for an afternoon of games, healthy activities, delicious refreshments and live music.

For more information and to register for the Rye Derby, visit www.ryeymca.org or call the YMCA at 967-6363. Registration forms for both races can be downloaded from the Y’s website; online registration is available for the 5-mile race. Early registration is encouraged.