Rivera Outkicks Snover
Carlos Rivera outkicked five time
winner Steve Snover to capture his first Father's Day 10K. The classic finish was
preceded by an equally classic dual over the flat 10K Longmeadow course. Snover, a
veteran of Western Mass road racing with numerous titles to his credit, is on the come
back trail after a hiatus of several years. Rivera is the newest force on the
Western Mass circuit. Thus the stage was set for a classic dual on the roads.
The two runners did not disappoint, as they quickly pulled away from the rest of the pack
and matched each other stride for stride over the residential Longmeadow course.
The only separation occurred at four miles, when Carlos took on nasty fall on a
sidewalk. Despite a bad gash in his leg, the gutsy Harrier rebounded back into the
race, gradually caught the veteran, and when the two runners rounded the final corner
together, sprinted the final 100 yards for a three second victory.
Harrier Paul Fratini displayed a similar kick as he took
third in 34:49 over master winner Steve O'Neil in 34:51.
The women's race was another Harrier one, two as Kristine
Ross ran a pr 38:47 and 16th place overall followed by Heather Wenninger in 41:12.
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