Whirlaway Summer Classic Serves as New England 10K Championship
Race has largest field ever as nine individual course records smashed!

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Posted Monday, 28 June, 2004

METHUEN -- The 8th Annual Whirlaway Summer Classic doubled its largest field ever with over 550 entries. Nine course records were broken as the race served as the New Grand Prix 10-Kilometer Championship. Four of the previous five race winners returned along with New England’s best club runners.

“We’ve been planning this race for the last seven months,” said race director Dave Kazanjian. “Hosting a New England championship was something I always wanted to do. Now it was time to put everything in place!”

Defending 2003 Champion Casey Moulton of Greater Lowell was one of the early favorites along with his teammate Nate Jenkins and Wilson Perez of the BAA. The Men’s Masters side would once again see Craig Fram of the Whirlaway racing Team and Michael Payson do battle. The team competition as always proved to be exciting.

Moulton took the race from the gun to open up a 15-yard lead at the mile passing through in 4:51, he was chased by a pack of ten runners. By the 2-mile mark, Moulton’s increased his lead passing it in 9:52. The pack of ten quickly became four with Nate Jenkins, Wilson Perez, Marzuki Stevens and recent New England 5K Champ David Hinga of Whirlaway all running together.

At the 3-mile checkpoint it was Jenkins who looked in control. A 15:30 5K split saw Jenkins move into the lead for good. The rest of the pack tried to keep pace, but faded back. Jenkins passed 5 miles in 24:51 and looked stronger than ever. The hard early pace by Moulton caught up with him as Perez passed him and Marzuki Stevens caught him. Perez made the last shot, but Jenkins was too strong winning in 30:46. Perez in 2nd 30:53, Stevens in 3rd 31:04 (new 30-39 age record) and Moulton, 4th in 31:06.

Whirlaway’s Craig Fram kicked to the finish to beat Michael Payson by two seconds in 31:52 setting a new master’s course record.

On the women’s side, early race favorite Mimi Fallon proved to be too strong, dominating the women’s field running a 35:42. She shattered the course record by over 40 seconds and won by over a minute and a half. Whirlaway’s Lisa Senatore finished 2nd overall and won the master’s division breaking the old master record by over 2 minutes! Worcester’s Barbara McManus of CMS was 3rd in 37:38 with Whirlaway’s Cathy Pearce fresh off a master’s win at Mount Washington last week finished 4th overall and 2nd master in 38:13. Somerville’s Caroline Dobbyn was 5th in 38:51.

Other age groups winner’s with new course records were John Barbour (50-59) of Greater Lowell running 33:54 breaking the record by over 2 minutes. Men’s 60 and over was Sumner Brown, CSU, running 38:04 to set the new record.

On the women’s side Moira Durnin (50-59 age group) ran 43:19 for a new record along with Burlington MA’s Jan Bober winning the 60 and over shattering the record in 43:03!

Home team Whirlaway walked away with 3 team titles winning the men’s and women’s Master’s titles and the Women’s open title. The BAA won the open men’s title with a 30 second win over Greater Lowell.

“Overall it was another great day for us,” said Kazanjian. “The temperature was great and our entries were doubled. We had people from 72 different towns and cities and 8 states represented.

There were plenty of refreshments and a great raffle after the race. So don’t forget to put this one on the schedule for next year.

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