180th FTC FRiday Night Five

Falmouth, MA, December 1, 2000

Staggered Start Brings Out Big Field for FTC Friday Night Five

by Ken Gartner

It was a large crowd of 31 runners for the Friday Night Five. There were a few first time runners, but they had no problem finding the finish as all they had to do was run towards Venus, which was shining bright right above Town Hall Square.

A staggered start was employed this week. The slower runners started first and then the faster runners started at various increments depending on how fast they said they were and then tried to reel in the runners ahead of them. Theoretically if the system worked to perfection, everyone would cross the finish line together. Of course that didn't happen.

Lynne Clay, the golf ball maker from Buzzards Bay, picked up where she left off last winter and won the women's race with a time of 33:50. Laurie Fife ran yet another personal best 5-mile time this week. Ms. Fife, who at one time had a tough time cracking 50 minutes, is now closing in on 40 minutes and may have her sights set on next spring's Boston Marathon.

Dan Webb had a hard day at work, and his tough boss wouldn't let him out until 6:30. Undaunted, he arrived late and set off into the cold night by himself at close to 7:00 PM, when everyone else had long finished and many were already home and showered. With his time of 39 minutes, he finished well before the 12 midnight finishing deadline.

The Friday Night Five is held every week at 5:30 PM from Town Hall Square in Falmouth. There is no entry fee and all runners are welcome participate. Reflective running gear is required in the winter.