Coffee Obsession Friday Night 5

Falmouth, MA, July 26, 2002

75 Runners & Walkers at Coffee O 5 Miler

by L.L.

The south-east headwind on Surf Drive slowed down many of the times this week, but other than that it was a perfect night for a run. Fifty-eight runners and another fifteen walkers gathered for Friday’s Coffee-O-Five.

Age prevailed this week in both the men’s and women’s races. Kevin Leach, a fast 50 year old runner from Greenfield, surged past Brian Nelson in the last mile to grab second place over-all. It was the first Coffee-O-Five appearance Mr. Leach, who was in town for a family vacation. Brian Nelson, who was the early pace setter, held on for third. Eric Critzer edged Leonard Christo for fourth.

In a battle of Nancys, Nanci Cahalane of Norfolk, held off Nancy Correia by just 17 seconds. Ms. Cahalane’s first place time was 33:43. It was Lynn Holmgren who probably had the run of the night, as she streaked home with a time of 34:44 which was a personal best time by over a minute.

Ms. Holmgren’s time was good enough for third place. Penny Christo bettered her brother by one place as she grabbed fourth, just a minute ahead of Kathleen Savage.

Jim McGuire, a former runner turned walker, toured the 2.4 mile walking course in just 33:30. His brisk pace fell just seconds short of Russ Pelletier’s walking course record. Mr. McGuire is the co-director of the very first Cape Cod Marthon.

Jack Carroll, a former Cape Cod Marathon winner, made his first Friday night appearance in quite a while and managed to crack 40 minutes. Several other runners, who hadn’t been seen in a long while, were there in order to prepare forthe upcoming Falmouth Road Race.

The Coffee-O-Five is a weekly five mile road race which is open to the public. There is no entry fee for this self-timed event. It starts at 5:30 in Town Hall Square and there is also a 2.4 mile noncompetitive walk.

Ice cold bottled water is generously supplied by Coffee Obsession. On most occasions there is also a water stop on Elm Road which is operated by one one of the friendly families along the course.