The more things change, the more they stay the same

May 8	Mt Kearsage	Warner, NH	1. Dave Dunham	2. Eric Morse
May 22	USATF 12K Champ.	Bedford, NH	1. Eric Morse	2. Dave Dunham
May 29	Mt Wachusett 4.3M	Princeton, MA	1. Eric Morse	2. Dave Dunham
June 6	Pack Manadnock	Wilton, NH	1. Eric Morse	2. Dave Dunham
June 12	USATF 10K Champ.	Portsmouth, NH	1. Eric Morse	2. Dave Dunham

Dave Dunham and Eric Morse.

Portsmouth, NH - The Eric Morse/Dave Dunham show continued today at the Market Square 10KM in Portsmouth, NH. Morse, who lives in Berlin, VT, edged Bradford, MA resident Dave Dunham by a mere six seconds. Over the last five weeks they have raced against each other five times, placing 1-2 each time. Over that same span their total racing distance has been 37.4 miles. Amazingly only 26 total seconds have separated them.

With this level of competition you would think that this could go down as one of the best all-time New England rivalries. Think again. These guys are good friends and teammates on the powerful Central Mass Striders club. Together they have dominated the 1999 USATF-NE Mountain Series and have placed 1-2 in the last two USTAF-NE Grand Prix events The only thing standing in their way is each other.

Prior to the race, both Morse and Dunham planned out their race strategy together. "Dave and I talked before hand about running around 30:30," said Morse. "He [Dunham] kind of sucked off me most of the race," Morse said with a laugh. "But that's what he's been doing the last few weeks so I expected it," as he kidded about having to do all the work.

The Greater Boston Track Club was out in force.

Dunham, on the other hand, must be feeling a little like Susan Lucci used to. "Man I'll tell ya, I'm the first loser," related Dunham. Since beating Morse at the Mt. Kearsage race on May 8, he has finished second to Morse in his last four races. Despite coming up short, he is not discouraged. "Times have been good and that's what I'm looking for and losing to Morse that's okay. He's one of the best guys in New England racing wise."

Both Morse and Dunham will have another crack at each other next week at the Mount Washington Road Race. Morse's goal is beat his time from last year, but he feels the weather could be a big factor. This year the field for Mt. Washington looks to be the best ever with defending champion Matt Carpenter of Manitou Springs, Colorado returning and course record holder Daniel Kihara of Kenya will be back.

When three time Mount Washington winner Dave Dunham was pressed about the competiton he responded by saying "The competition is the Mountain." This may be true Dave, but don't tell that to Eric Morse.

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