Fram, Horovitz Lead Pack at Cape Ann

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Craig Fram leads Dave Dunham after the 15 mile mark. photo Dave Camire

Gloucester, MA — Mike Buckley's nineteen year old record of 1:18:49 at the Around Cape Ann 25K is safe for another year. Although a record 1170 participants made the round tripper along the outer cape, no one was able to match Buckley's two decade old mark. Although this year's race wasn't the fastest, it did have one of the most exciting finishes in recent memory.

Because this year the race served as the USATF-New England Grand Prix championship, many of New England's top club runners participated. Leading the way was race winner Craig Fram of Hampstead, NH and the Central Mass Striders.

Fram ran a tactical race, running the first half easy by sticking with the lead pack. "I was just along for the ride for the first half," he commented.

Gillian Horovitz first women. photo Dave Camire

By nine miles the pack had narrowed down to five runners - Mike O'Brien of Durham, NH, Nivaldo Filho of Cambridge, MA, Dave Dunham and Dan Verrington of Bradford, MA and Fram. As the pace quicken to five minute miles, Filho and Verrington dropped off and by twelve and a half miles only Fram, Dunham, and O'Brien remained. .

"Dave and I began taking turns at the lead and by thirteen miles Mike had dropped back," said Fram.

Dunham and Fram ran step-by-step until they reached the final hill just beyond the fifteen mile mark. Fram was able to gain a slight advantage while going around a sharp turn. After they crested the hill, it became a flat out sprint to the finish with Fram out kicking Dunham by a stride.

Dunham, who is coming off major surgery last year and is running with a screw in his ankle (it's scheduled to be removed this Fall), is coming off some pretty intensive training. During the past two weeks, he, along with his CMS team mate Fram, has been participating in the World Mountain Running Championship in Europe. "Two weeks ago I did 164 miles at 6000 feet altitude. Last week I dropped down to 84 miles also at 6000 feet." Not bad for a guy who began running again in May after missing a year due to injury.

First master Jim Miller. photo Dave Camire

Newly turned master runner Jim Miller of Essex Junction, Vermont celebrated his fortieth birthday, which was yesterday, by getting himself into the winner's circle. Miller's 1:26:10 was fast enough to edge Rockport native John Barbour. Ironically, both Miller and Barbour compete for the same team, the Greater Lowell Road Runners, and it was Barbour's advice that help Miller win.

"John coached me along," said Miller. "He told me to take it easy through nine." Barbour should know what he is talking about since he lives on the course.

Gloucester native Gillian Horovitz was the first female and first female master to cross the finish line. Horovitz, who finished second last year behind Kim Goff, paced herself behind Medfield's Lisa Senatore for the first nine miles before taking the lead. Horovitz's time was over three minutes faster than last year and almost four minutes faster than second place Senatore this year.

The weather, by the way, was a major concern for race director Chris Lovasco. He had heard weather forecasts that would make any race director want to pack up and go home. "Things went real well today," said Lavasco. "We had heard reports of hail and severe thunder, so some people might have stayed away." Fortunately the severe weather never materialized, although many runners probably would have welcomed a rain storm to help cool things off. Even though the incorrect forecast may have frightened away a few people, Lovasco seemed real happy with the turnout.

Race director Chris Lovasco. photo Dave Camire

In the seniors' division, Larry Olsen of Milford, MA and Sue Gustafson of Norwell, MA led their respective divisions. Gustafson duplicated her 1997 victory.

The veterans were led by Marlean Yannetti of Chelsea, MA and Jim Daley of New Ipswich, NH.

Gloucester native and USATF-NE managing director Steve Viatones reports that Cape Ann last served as the New England Championship in 1985. It was the national 25K championship in 1975 and several times earlier. One thing is for certain, it was a welcomed addition to this year's Grand Prix.