Lombardi and Raucci Set Records
Amazing Snowless Snowstorm Classics Continue
Ron Lombardi took a break from those mystifying tax forms to test his conditioning at this
week's race. The test results: A +. The long time Harrier and Connecticut accountant not only
won the race in 16:25, but he took down the record for 38 year old men in the process,
shaving three seconds off the standard set by Brian Pickell five years ago.
Only teammate Paul Fratini and Troy Trailblazer David Raucci were able to
stay within striking distance of the speedy number cruncher. In fact Mr. Raucci caught Mr. Lombardi just
past the 3K mark and it appeared the 15 year old whippersnapper might claim his second
Snowstorm Classic win this season. But it wasn't all that long ago Ron himself was a young
whippersnapper from Palmer High, and he wasn't about to let his title be usurped. He pushed
the pace over the final kilometer or so to finish with a convincing ten second margin.
David, however, never gave up, racing tenaciously until the finish line. His efforts resulted
in a new record for fifteen year olds, smashing one of the oldest records
on the Snowstorm Classic books, the 17:08 record set by Keith Moynihan over 21 years
ago (or six years before David was born).
Mr. Fratini clocked a respectable 17:07 for third, and after David's brother Joe Raucci's
took fourth in 17:41, along came first master Jim Tharp (17:56) of the newly combined
Athletes Foot-HyTek club out of Connecticut. Next was first senior Steve O'Neil in 18:04,
just edging CMS teammate Frank Rucki (18:06).
Steadily improving Mary Misiaszek won the women's race in 21:12, another pr,
with junior Katie Compton second in 23:15 and Mary Gubala third in 23:33. GSHer
Ellen Bellicchi won both the master and senior titles in 24:49.
With only two races left this season, one on the 10K course next Saturday then
the season finale on the 5K course on February 23rd, not a single snowflake has interfered with any of
the races…yet. First time ever for a perfect season? Maybe the Harriers can fool Mother Nature!
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