Summer Sizzler #9 - 8K
June 14, 2006

HAPPY FLAG DAY!

A late afternoon rain shower with temperatures in the high 70’s cooled the roads for the seventeen race participants. The rain slowed down to a light mist by the time 6:30 rolled around for the start of the race. Summertime humidity came in after the rain, making the effort a little harder to run.

It has been a rainy spring and the animals were spotted leaving Forest Park, two by two getting ready to board the ark. Speaking of animals boarding the ark two by two, two snapping turtles were spotted by the runners on Dickinson Street. One of turtles narrowly escaped the tires of the passing cars and seemed trapped in the middle of the road. Putting himself in danger and being a humane harrier, Brian Goddu ran to the middle of Dickinson Street, dodging oncoming traffic, scooped up the snapping turtle and brought it to safety. Brian, we hope you still have all ten fingers.

Coming out of his shell to secure another win was master harrier Elvin Torres (30:13). First female and second overall was harrier Heather Wenninger, (31:43) still fresh after an impressive and final collegiate outdoor track season, way to go and congratulations Heather. Not far behind Heather and still pushing a pace under six and a half minutes per mile was harrier Mary Ferraro (31:55).
The harriers secured the first seven spots at the finish line.
First senior harrier and turtle hero was Brian Goddu (35:44)
First junior was fifteen year old Don Ryan (38:33) and more like a hare than a turtle was first veteran Tom Conlin (38:39)

Ninja turtle wannabe Pete Stasz brought the hot off the press July 4 race applications for the post race gathering in the grandstand.

There were four predicted time winners who were all off by five seconds, Mary Ferraro, Chris Conz, Roy Anderson and Tony Lucia.

A special thank you to the volunteers of the week; Ed, Julie & Billy Carroll, Bruce Kurtz, and Meghan Lynch.