Race Report:

What a change one week will make.  After last week’s inferno conditions for tonight’s Summer Sizzler 8K were perfect with temps in the upper 70’s with very low humidity.  Twenty-nine runners took the line for race #15 in the 20 race series.

Despite a “noobie” mis-fire of the opening bell by veteran volunteer Ed Carroll, the field was led down Main Greeting Road by newcomer Collin Morse, Scott Besser and GSH’s Bill Carroll.  Around the main playing field and out onto Trafton Street the Collin and Scott were side-by-side battling for the lead.  As the volunteers waited for the leaders to re-emerge from behind the snack shack it was Scott with a few steps lead over Collin.  The two would battle the rest of the way, and it was Collin edging our Scott at the line in a photo finish, with both runners receiving the same time of 29:40.  The win was Collin’s first, and it was his first ever Summer Sizzler race.  With the victory his name will be inscribed in the Summer Sizzler Hall of Fame.  With the top two podium spots spoken for, Alex White rallied on the finishing straight to overtake Bill Carroll for 3^rd place with the 2^nd photo finish of the evening.  Both runners were awarded the same time of 32:54.  Male age group winners were Collin in the Youth (0-19) division, Sean Vieten was first Open (20-39) male in 34:15, Mark Miller’s 37:18 earned him first Master (40-49), GSH’s Richard Clark was first Senior (50-59) with a time of 36:28, GSH’s Randy Sujat was first Veteran (60-69) in 42:49 and EORC’s Dan Lynes grabbed the 70+ age group victory with a time of 47:58.

A photo finish was not required in the women’s race.  GSH’s Julie Carroll charged out of the gates and wouldn’t look back, leading wire-to-wire for the win in 33:05.  Her time was a PR and the fastest this season for a female on the 8K course.  The win was Julie’s 7^th of the season and 15^th of her career.  Second place belonged to GSH’s Kiana Eaton with a time of 37:30 followed by GSH’s Kathy McCarthy in 39:36.  Female age group winners were Julie in the Youth division, Paula Euber, pushing her two children in a jogging stroller, was still able win the Open division with a time of 45:03, Ann Taupier was first master in 46:43 and Kathy McCarthy was the Senior age group winner.

Volunteers for the evening were Ed “mis-fire” Carroll, Brian McCarthy, Brian Goddu and Bruce Kurtz.  Thanks to all the runners, spectators and volunteers for making this a great race.  Our series continues next week with race #16, the 5000 meter cross country race.  I hope to see you all again.