Summer Sizzler #21 - 8K
September 1, 2004

Ron Lombardi and Mary Ferraro Win Fast Finale
Frank Rucki Takes Down a Roland Cormier Age Record

      The 2004 Summer Sizzler season concluded on a picture perfect summer evening. The runners took full advantage of the 70 degree temperature, clear skies and low humidity.
      Ron Lombardi returned for an encore performance and scorched the 8K road course in 27:02 for his 14th lifetime Summer Sizzler victory (2nd this season as a master). The Connecticut based Harrier distanced the field by over two minutes. EORC's rapidly improving Mike Butler beat the rest of the field for second in 29:17.
      Taking advantage of a recent birthday, CMSer Frank Rucki successfully took aim at one of those elusive Roland Cormier age records. With a persistent pace around Forest Park and a determined sprint across the final field, the 55 year old speedster clipped 5 seconds off the age record set by Mr. Cormier in 1995 when he was competing for the Boston Running Club. Harrier training partner Steve O'Neil kept Frank company throughout the eight thousand meters to also finish in 29:54 followed shortly thereafter by teammate Rich Clark in 30:15….all fast times for the senior crowd. Luke Hayes was the first junior boy in 33:52. 
      For the past month Mary Ferraro and Kelly Heroux have been taking turns winning the women's race and that sportsmanlike trend continued with Mary taking her turn in a quick 31:28. Kelly soon followed in 32:45, with Longmeadow's 14 year old Rebecca Engell taking 3rd overall to also win the junior division in an impressive 33:59. Mary's win gives her 16 total Summer Sizzler crowns and ties her for eighth place with fellow Harriers Nicole McGilpin and Heather Wenninger in the Summer Sizzler Hall of Fame.
       Thus concludes our 25th season, a quarter of a century of Forest Park races on the same two courses. None of which would be possible without the help of numerous volunteers who often forego racing themselves so that others can. Special thanks this year to the following who helped on numerous occasions: Brian Gibbons and Brian Goddu, Ed Carroll and daughter Julie, who became an expert starting the races with the Sacramento cowbell. Also Colleen Cummings and Dave Momnie, Bruce Kurtz and Pete Stasz. Plus the many others who helped when needed.
Thank you! Until next year……

Results 
 1  27:02  Ron Lombardi 	40M GSH
 2  29:17  Mike Butler 		31M EORC
 3  29:54  Frank Rucki 		55M CMS
 4  29:54  Steve O'Neil 	53M GSH
 5  30:15  Richard Clark 	50M GSH
 6  31:48  Mary Ferraro 	28F GSH
 7  32:08  Bill Martin 		50M GSH
 8  32:45  Kelly Heroux 	36F GSH
 9  33:52  Luke Hayes 		17M ---
10  33:55  John Dent 		50M EORC
11  33:59  Rebecca Engell 	14F ---
12  34:03  Brian Goddu 		54M GSH
13  34:24  Israel Schepps 	46M GSH
14  35:00  Colleen Cummings 	38F GSH
15  36:47  Amy St. Hilaire 	33F GSH
16  36:54  Ruben Rios 		36M GSH
17  37:19  Ron Carbone 		57M ---
18  37:33  Jim Liebel 		55M ---
19  37:44  Bill Rowe 		42M GSH
20  38:03  Danielle Laliberte 	16F ---
21  38:11  Arthur Mulhern 	17M ---
22  38:55  Neal Lamberton 	55M GSH
23  39:15  Kerry McGeoghan 	22F ---
24  39:22  Caroline Keady 	16F ---
25  39:29  Mark Letendre 	37M ---
26  39:46  Craig Strong 	50M ---
27  40:00  Roy Anderson 	57M GSH
28  40:20  Joe Fois 		29M GSH
29  41:04  Kevin McCarthy 	45M ---
30  41:09  Dan Lynes 		61M EORC
31  41:36  John Pashko 		52M GSH
32  43:56  Don Grant 		62M SMAC
33  45:04  Tony Lucia 		66M EORC