Race Report-Family Night

Race Report: Week 2 of the Summer Sizzler series brought us to the 5000 meter cross-country course. Thirty-five runners towed the line for what turned out to be “family night” in the park. The weather was excellent for a fast race and the times did not disappoint.

GSH’s eleven year old Daniel Krasemann, running the 5K course for his first time, went wire-to-wire for the victory. Daniel’s time of 19:48 crushed his record by 1:26, which was previously held by Roy Mitchell. The win was Daniel’s first career Summer Sizzler victory. Second place and top open runn (20-39) belongs to Shenipsit Strider Dave Merkt in 20:01 with third place going to GSH’s Bill Carroll. Bill’s time of 20:52 was also an age group record for twelve year old males, breaking Robert Sanderson’s old mark by 21 seconds. The remaining age group awards went to Mark Degrandpre in the Masters (40-49) division with a time of 25:39, top Senior (50-59) went to GSH’s Richard Clark with a time of 23:21, GSH’s Steve O’Neil was top in the Veteran (60-69) division in 22:52, and SMAC’s Don Grant leg all 70+ males with a time of 36:55.

Completing the family double was GSH’s Beth Krasemann (a.k.a. Daniel's mom), capturing the women’s race victory with a time of 21:21. Not to be outdone by the younger Krasemann, Beth’s time was also an age group record for 39 year old females, improving Sue Riley’s mark by a whopping 2:33. This was also Beth’s first ever Summer Sizzler victory. Second place female honors, and top Youth (0-19) was GSH’s Julie Carroll in 22:56 followed by EORC’s Michelle Fredette with a time of 26:45. Age group winners were Heather Lowe in the Masters division with a time of 33:15 and top Senior honors went to SS’s Vicki Quagliaroli in 35:36.

Volunteers for the evening were Ed Carroll, Brian McCarthy, Bruce Kurtz and Brian “Ironman” Goddu. We return to the park next Wendesday for Race #3, the 8000 meter road race. Thanks to all the runners, volunteers and spectators for attending family night in the park.