FTC Friday Night Five

Falmouth, MA, June 1, 2001

Runners Enjoy Ideal Conditions at Friday Night Five

by Ken Gartner

Thirty-five runners enjoyed another perfect spring night for a run. Fifty percent of the runners this week were women and for some reason an inordinate number of the women finishers were 39 years of age. Many of these women hadn't been 39 years of age for many years... Perhaps there is something to this Friday Night Five.

David Farrell held the lead this week for a good two miles before the notorious fast starter was reeled in by the main pack. Michael Ouimet hung on with the leaders as long as he good and his hard effort paid off with a well-earned personal best time of 31:39. Mike Norton paced the field as he started slow and finished very fast with a time of 30:37. Steve Brocklebank and Bob Yates also turned in personal best efforts.

Sarah Keller ran away with the women's race as she finished in fourth place over-all. Her time of 33:40 was the fastest women's time run on the course this year. Last week's winner, Kathleen Savage finished second. In a battle of 39 year-olds it was Mary Olenick edging Kris Tholke for third.

Following the run many of the runners enjoyed the first ever Friday Night Five expo. The folks from New Balance shoes were nice enough to come down and set up a running shoe expo, complete with many free give-aways.

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