26^th Annual Snowstorm Classics Begin

Kevin Somers and Kelly Joyce Win, Frank Rucki Sets Age Record

             The Greater Springfield Harriers opened the 26^th edition of the Snowstorm Classics under sunny skies and on dry roads.  Held every Saturday through the wintry months of December, January and February, the popular series of road races alternate between a 5K and a 10K course around and through picutesque Forest Park in Springfield and are held regardless of weather.  A large crowd, bolstered by runners and coaches from both Springfield College and Western New England College, gathered for the season opener on the 5K course, with more then a few oddsmakers installing the students as the early line favorites. 
             However when the dust had cleared, it was 27 year old Kevin Somers, with a few more years seasoning and a prior Snowstorm Classic win under his belt, who crossed the line first in 16:51.  Springfield College freshman Mike Griffin was the closest with a respectable 17:02 clocking over the USATF certified course.  Sophomore teammate Ian Wright was 3^rd in 17:39 just edging senior Chris Hamel (17:41).  WNEC sophomore Tim Dannay took 5^th in 18:26 closely followed by SC coach and GSHer Mike Gauvin who crossed the line in 18:31. 
             Among the ever competitive seniors (over 50), Harrier Paul Bazanchuk took top honors in 18:48 outrunning CMSer Frank Runki (18:55) and GSH teammate Tim Brown (19:12).  The three were also the first three masters (over 40) while SMAC’s Dave Martula was the first veteran (over 60) in 23:01.  The sting of Frank’s narrow loss was quickly overcome by the announcement that he had broken the age record for 56 year old men of 19:23 set by the legendary Roland Cormier in 1997 while he was competing for the Boston Running Club.  Roland continues to own   13 other age records on the 5K course all established during the quarter century of Snowstorm Classics.
             A familiar face graced the podium in the women’s race as Harrier Kelly Joyce began the season by winning the 11^th Snowstorm Classic of her career with a solid 20:23 effort.  Newcomer Sarah Kasabian took second in 20:51 with Harrier Rogina Modestow 3^rd (1^st master) in 21:18.  Betsy Duquette won senior honors for the home club in 21:38 while Sue Grant of the Sugarloaf Mountain Athletic Club was the first veteran in 27:21.  Sixteen year old Becky Marker was first junior (under 20) in 26:45.
            And picking up where he left off last year was venerable SMACer Bruce Kurtz who completed his 105^th consecutive Snowstorm Classic in 46:31, a streak encompassing the past decade of races.

1	16:51	Kevin Somers 		27M	 - 

2	17:02	Mike Griffin		18M	 -

3	17:39	Ian Wright		19M	 -

4	17:41	Chris Hamel		21M	 -

5	18:26 	Tim Dannay		19M	 - 

6	18:31 	Mike Gauvin		30M	GSH

7	18:35	Nathan Olin		36M	 -

8	18:41	Ivan Cordero		19M	 - 

9	18:48 	Paul Bazanchuk		51M	GSH

10	18:55	Frank Rucki		56M	CMS

11	18:58	Joe Fois		30M	GSH

12	19:06 	Steve Lombardo		36M	GSH

13	19:12 	Tim Brown		52M	GSH

14	19:18 	John Cote		43M	GSH

15	19:23	Bill Rowe		44M	GSH

16	19:27	Corey Mott		20M	 - 

17	19:28 	Steve O'Neil		54M	GSH

18	19:36 	Tim Allard		19M	 - 

19	19:36	Noiel Fontaine		41M	GSH

20	19:48	Josh Rice		35M	 - 

21	19:53	Seth Roberts		54M	GSH

22	19:53	Brian Walsh		30M	GSH

23	20:11	Rich Clark		51M	GSH

24	20:23	Kelly Joyce		38F	GSH

25	20:26	Pete Gillen		23M	 -

26	20:27	Ben Taylor		29M	 -

27	20:36	Mike Gay		41M	GSH

28	20:43	John Vaughan		18M	 -

29	20:44	Matt DuFresne		39M	GSH

30	20:46 	Kevin Nattinger		19M	 -

31	20:47	Ryan Byrne		17M	 - 

32	20:51	Sarah Kasabian		23F	 - 

33	21:09	Wayne Stocker		51M	GSH

34	21:16	Tom Sebastian		40M	 - 

35	21:19	Rogina Modestow		44F	GSH

36	21:38	Betsy Duquette		50F	GSH

37	21:46	Colleen Cummings	39F	GSH

38	21:46	Charles Vanasse		44M	GSH

39	21:49	Mike Cullinan		38M	EORC

40	21:59	Josh Brookman		22M	 - 

41	22:04	Dave Mengel		42M	 -

42	22:05	Adam Bazanchuk		20M	 - 

43	22:07	Brian Goddu		56M	GSH

44	22:10	Elizabeth Petrik	19F	 - 

45	22:11	Bill Thibault		48M	EORC

46	22:16	Jack O'Donnell		48M	GSH

47	22:33	Jill Herrick 		32F	 -

48	22:49	Rich Veres		33M	GSH

49	22:49	Dave Greene		34M	 - 

50	22:53	Tom Regnier		45M	GSH

51	23:01	Dave Martula		60M	SMAC

52	23:08	Christine Spelman	28F	 - 

53	23:22	Charlie Towse 		68M	GSH

54	23:24	Tom Lynch		50M	 - 	

55	23:26	Deborah Williams	35F	EORC

56	23:31	Winston Nunes		56M	GSH

57	23:36	Tom DeLuca		50M	GSH

58	23:38	Rachel Chmura		36F	 -	

59	23:40	Betty Quinn		55F	 - 

60	23:45	Neal Lamberton		57M	GSH

61	24:04	Tom Ripke		41M	 -	

62	24:04	Joe Giannetti		38M	 -

63	24:05	Steve Penna		50M	EORC

64	24:15	Steve Sheffield		55M	GSH

65	24:19	Mary Misiaszek		39F	GSH

66	24:21	Sara Pragluski		26F	GSH			

67	24:25	Brian Walsh		26M	 -

68	24:40	Bob Massaro		62M	EORC

69	24:33	Joe Wynn		27M	EORC

70	24:59	Steve Wuller		18M	 -	

71	25:03	Mike Minicucci		40M	 -

72	25:07	Gerry Kane		54M	 -

73	25:22	Alexandra Schoolcraft	43F	GSH

74	25:30	Marilyn Gorman		39F	 -

75	25:36	Tom Zukowski		39M	GSH

76	25:42	Bryon Dailey		51M	GSH

77	25:49	Ron McMahon		53M	 -

78	25:59	Tamara Damarjian	31F	 -

79	26:00	Jason Dominick		34M	EORC

80	26:02	Jake Modestow		14M	 -

81	26:06	Ellen Bellicchi		55F	GSH

82	26:12	David Livingstone	53M	GSH

83	26:28	Anne-Marie Salvon	38F	 -

84	26:32	Steve Richardson 	45M	EORC

85	26:33	Joe LaValle		27M	 -

86	26:35	Kevin Young		53M	GSH

87	26:44	Dick Barker		64M	GSH

88	26:45	Becky Marker		16F	 -

89	27:10	Don Grant 		63M	SMAC

90	27:21	Sue Grant		61F	SMAC

91	27:33	Erv Landry 		66M	GSH

92	27:45	Dave Monaco		50M	EORC

93	27:55	Amy Veres		29F	GSH

94	27:57	Felix Morales		38M	 -

95	28:04	Kelly Sullivan		39F	GSH

96	28:18	Ed Dwyer		39M	GSH

97	28:29	Mike Butler		33M	EORC

98	28:31	Peter Vangsness		54M	GSH

99	29:17	Tony Lucia		67M	EORC

100	29:27	Mike Passmore 		57M	GSH

101	29:35	Heather Lowe		33F	GSH

102	30:16	Kris Kozuch		48F	EORC

103	33:03	Amy Bottke		37F	 -

104	33:03	James Heflin		36M	 -

105	34:13	Connor Moloney		 9M	 -

106	34:18	Kevin Moloney		44M	 -

107	34:47	Gail Richardson		37F	EORC

108	46:31	Jan Komaiszko 		49M	GSH

109	46:31	Bruce Kurtz		69M	SMAC