Speeding in Forest Park Brings Records
The speed demons were out in
force on the 5K course as warmer weather and clearing roads brought
the anticipated results, fast times, including three new age records.
An impressive array of Harrier talent ensured a competitive race and
the fans were not disappointed.
At the
opening bell a large group bolted up the hill, including previous
winner Carlos Rivera, senior ace Dave Reinhart, Brian Walsh, Peter
Fratini, Mike LeMay, Ron Lombardi and two youngins’, John Mitchell
and Tom Michaud. After a quick tour around the stadium and ball
fields, one by one the pretenders dropped back until only two
remained, Carlos Rivera and Ron Lombardi, who raced neck and neck to
the finish before Carlos pulled away 17:01 to 17:05 for his 24th
career Snowstorm Classic title. Dr. Mike LeMay was the best of the
rest with a 17:32 clocking.
Next across
the line was the first record breaker, Dave Reinhart, whose 17:45
erased a Roland Cormier record, no mean feat. On January 19, 1991 a 51
year old Roland ran 18:04, and for the past 13 years, that has been
the standard. It’s now 19 seconds faster.
Not to be
outdone by the 51 year old kids, 66 year old Charlie Towse ran 22:06
to garner his second age record in as many weeks, adding the 5K as a
bookend to his 10K. He snipped three seconds off the mark set by Doug
Blanchard in 1992…and it should be noted that Doug lowered the
record three times that season.
Carolyn
Webber gained her second win of the season by running 20:16, over a
minute and a half faster without snow on the course. The Harrier
master now has 7 career Snowstorm Classic titles to move into a tie
with Diane Tedford for 11th in the Hall of
Fame.
Carol L’Esperance
sped around the course in 21:24 for 2nd, and the senior
winner added another age record to her
collection, dropping 8 seconds off the standard for 54 year old women
set by the Hartford Track Club’s Zofia Turosz in 1993.
Kathy Lynch
completed a Harrier men’s and women’s sweep with a 22:10 effort,
while the first junior was John Mitchell whose 18:03 earned him 8th
place.
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