Summer Sizzler #13 - 5K
July 7th, 2010

Luis Reynoso and Kathy Lynch Beat the Heat
That’s Why We Call Them Summer Sizzlers

           The headline in the morning newspaper was succinct. 
SUMMER SIZZLER      
And while the club appreciated the publicity for our weekly races, the dire warnings about the dangers of outdoor activities contained in the article may have undermined its usefulness.  The 100 degree plus temperatures the day before didn’t help either. Thus is was with uncommon bravery that Harriers Luis Reynoso and Kathy Lynch, together with sixteen other Lewis and Clark personality types, shrugged off the heat and humidity to challenge the Forest Park 5K cross country course, emerging victorious in the process.

            Luis also had to overcome a tenacious Spencer Beaver, who has three Summer Sizzzler gold medals to his credit this season, all on the cross country course.  But this time it was the steadily improving Luis who prevailed, putting in a surge midway through the race which Spencer couldn’t match, and finishing in 21:04.  Spencer easily held 2^nd, churning up the final hill and crossing the finish in 21:36.   Harrier Wayne Stocker finished 3^rd in 22:47 to capture both the master (over 40) and senior (over 50) titles. Isaac Delaney‘s inaugural run over the five thousand meter course proved successful as he took home top junior (under 20) honors in 24:12.

            Kathy took time off from her busy schedule (chair of the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, business owner, etc.) to earn her first Sizzler win this season in 23:45 capturing masters honors as well.  Missy Boissell placed 2^nd in 25:45 while GSHer Megan Randall was 3^rd overall and first junior in 27:10   Carol L’Esperance won both the senior and veterans titles in 27:31 although the weather conditions stopped her five race streak of age records.

  Finally a word on the volunteers.  Having served as Summer Sizzler race director the past couple of seasons, Kathy certainly appreciates and understands, as do the rest of us, the effort put forth by race director Dave Wright this season, particularly on days like this one. Plus Brian Goddu’s efforts marking the course (it’s just as hot walking the course with bags of flour), and Bruce Kurtz’s concern and help for those runners less swift.