FTC Friday Night Five

Falmouth, MA, April 27, 2001

Tommy Leonard Starts 200th Friday Night Five

by Ken Gartner

It was the 200th running of the Friday Night Five. As he did 200 weeks ago, Tommy Leonard ambled out from behind the bar at the Quarterdeck Restaurant and fired the starters gun in Town Hall Square to send the runners on their way. Actually he really didn't fire a starters gun; he instead improvised and popped a balloon he found lying around behind the bar.

The weather conditions were ideal for fast times, and almost everyone who ran commented that each mile they ran was faster than the previous mile. It was probably the fastest field of the year, with 2 runners under 29 minutes and the top 5 all under 30:30.

Many runners recorded personal best times. Among them was Leslie Greene who finished in 47:36. Ms. Greene has improved by almost 10 minutes from when she first started running the Friday Night Five just about a year ago.

Leading the way for the women were Suni Williams of Houston, Texas and Dina Pandya of Medway, Massachusetts. The two sisters not only look alike, but they run the same speed. They both finished in 35:30. They were recruited to run the race by their mother, who often walks her dog along the race course.

The Friday Night Five is held every week at 5:30 from Town Hall Square in Falmouth. There is no charge for this self-timed event and all runners are welcome to participate.