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26th Annual Seagull Six Road Race

Woods Hole, MA, April 6, 2003

Newton Outlasts Norton, Baker Repeats, and Murray Reduces Deficit in 26th Annual Seagull Six

Geoff Newton of Brewster and Jessica Baker of Falmouth won their respective divisions in the 26th annual edition of the Seagull Six 5.74 mile road race. It was a beautiful clear day. But the temperature hovered in the low 40's, and a 20 mph northwest wind made the windchill in the low teens. After sweeping the sand from the street, thus saving untold taxpayer dollars, State Senator Therese Murray again fired the cannon, sending the runners and participants in the walk on their way.

Newton, who finished in third place in last year's race, went right to the front in the first mile and soon had established a ten-second lead over Mike Norton of Waquoit. As the miles went by, Newton held on to that margin, and Norton was unable to close on him. Newton finished in 32:11, followed by Norton (32:21) and Ulandt Kim of East Falmouth (33:25).

In the women's race, Jessica Baker repeated her winning performance of the previous year in a time of 39:20. Her nearest competitor, Erica Lasck-Nesselquist of East Falmouth finshed nearly a minute and a half behind her in 40:47, while third-place honors went to Mary Peabody, 48, of Dennis in a time of 41:27.

In the age groups, Kat Ragone, 13, of Cataumet was first in the 18-and-under girls division. Don Foss of Hyannis and Wendy Stafford of Falmouth placed first in the men's and women's open division respectively. Top masters were Dana Gaines of Edgartown and Marianne Worthington of Plymouth. Steve Hamel of Falmouth and and Terry McKee of Woods Hole placed first in the men's and women's senior divisions respectively, and Richie Williams of West Falmouth and Madeleine Marken of Falmouth were the top veterans.

While there was no handicap allowed for fathers pushing their offspring in baby joggers, it should be noted that the the second-place master, Ken Gartner of West Falmouth and Sean Doherty of Centerville, placed where they did while wheeling one and two little folks respectively.

There were 133 finishers in this year's Seagull Six. The race has been annually staged by the Falmouth Track Club since 1978, and the race was sponsored by Falmouth Podiatry, Falmouth Physical Therapy, Lawrence Lynch Corporation, and Sherwood Mortgage. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Falmouth High School track program. A 2.5 mile non-competitive walk was held in conjunction with the event to raise money for women's health programs in Falmouth.