Despite the four inches of snow which fell Thursday night, dry roads greeted today’sunners thanks to bright, sunny skies provided by Mr. Sun. Garrett Almeida and Mary Misiaszek ended the Harriers winter series in style with victories in their respective men’s and women’s divisions. Almeida, of Westfield, had the race well in hand by the 6K mark, and gradually increased his lead to the finish line, crossing in 37:51 for his first ever Snowstorm Classic win. Dave Stoddard claimed second in 38:52 while master’s winner Frank Rucki was third in 39:43. Sixteen year old Ryan Heady of West Springfield was fourth while winning the junior division in 40:24.  Mary Misiaszek, no stranger to the winner’s circle, eased around the Harrier’s scenic 10 kilometer course in 50:19 while conserving a bit for tomorrow’s USATF-New England 10 mile championship event in Amherst.   Many club members and area runners chose to bypass or pace through today’s finale in anticipation of the Amherst race, the first championship race to be held in Western Mass in two years.  However, 60 year old Zofia Turosz did not skip today’s race, and the Hartford Track Club ace earned a new age record, 51:06, to compliment the three other age records she holds on the course. The effort also was good for second among the women, with new runner Ellen Bellicchi taking third in 52:00.  Only one runner managed to complete all the races this season, none other then sixty two year old Bruce Kurtz. The dependable SMACer, who is also an competitive swimmer and biker, overcame icy spills, bitter cold and whatever mother nature threw at us this winter. Gift certificates from Fast Feet and Q-Lube were well deserved.  In addition to Fast Feet, Inc. and Q-Lube, the Greater Springfield Harriers  wish to thank Friendly Ice Cream Corporation, Golden Nozzle Car Wash, the Springfield Parks & Recreation Department, and our two arts sponsors, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and The Theater Project at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield. The assistance of each of these organizations is much appreciated, and we encourage the running community to patronize these sponsors.

 1  37:51  Garrett Almeida      27M   ---
 2  38:52  Dave Stoddard        37M   ---
 3  39:43  Frank Rucki          49M   CMS
 4  40:24  Ryan Heady           16M   ---
 5  40:32  Tim Brown            46M   ---
 6  42:14  Steve O'Neil         47M   CMS
 7  42:54  Tom Whelan           40M   ---
 8  44:54  Patrick Markey       35M   ---
 9  46:21  Mark Lynch           40M   ---
10  46:56  David Aronson        43M   SMAC
11  47:14  Tom Dwyer            40M   GSH
12  48:07  Jim Sullivan         34M   GSH
13  48:08  Chris Zurheide       34M   GSH
14  48:09  Ramon Alicea         47M   GSH
15  48:09  Dave Gubala          37M   SMAC
16  49:22  Tom Conlin           58M   ---
17  50:19  Mary Misiaszek       33F   GSH
18  50:20  Jim Lyons            33M   ---
19  50:28  David Livingstone    46M   ---
20  51:06  Zofia Turosz         60F   HTC
21  52:00  Ellen Bellicchi      48F   GSH
22  52:02  David Rivera         33M   ---
23  54:09  Erv Landry           59M   ---
24  54:27  Jim O'Dea            54M   ---
25  55:32  Bob Massaro          55M   EORC
26  57:09  Bill Milkiewicz      44M   GSH
27  61:24  Bruce Kurtz          62M   SMAC
28  65:15  Jan Komaiszko        43M   GSH
29  71:36  Dick Borden          62M   GSH