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Take the Lake 5K: Beautiful Course and well organized

This circumference of Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield, MA just happens to be 3.1-miles. Eight years ago Tom Mignosa and a few of his buddies got an idea of running a race around Quannapowitt and the Take the Lake 5K was born.

Race director Tom Mignosa photo Yankee Timing

The group decided to dedicate the race to Tom's sister Janice Frye-Magnosa who had lost her battle with breast cancer the previous year. Today the race benefits both the American Cancer Society and the New England Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.

"At the time I had never directed a race," says Mignosa. "So I volunteered for several small events to learn how they worked." Apparently he learned the ropes pretty well as his race has grown just about every year and topped off this year at 700 entrants.

Leading the way around the lake this year was Doug Leenhouts of Auberndale, MA. He clocked a 16:56, which was good enough for a two second victory over Bobby Bligh of Wakefield, MA. In the women division it was a battle between two masters for the top spot. Judi Chiavetta of Arlington ran a 19:42 while fellow master Kathy Burley of Rockport, MA followed closely in 19:58.

Runners were treated to a well-organized event over a beautiful flat course that had lake vistas for most of the way. The course also passed by picturesque Wakefield Center. The race also featured an attractive t-shirt, chip timing, lots of awards and a super after race spread with all kinds of food and drink.