Groton Town Forest Trail Races

W. Groton, MA, October 27, 2002

Record breaking day at Groton Town Forest Races

The fifth Annual Groton Town Forest Trail Races were once again bathed in sunshine and warm temperatures. A record number of runners ran the 3.4 mile (93) and 9.5 mile (124) races. Many new age group records were established this year, despite fairly muddy conditions resulting from the previous day's 1.7 inches of rain.

In the 3.4 mile race, Sean McKenzie of Upton, MA, running in the 15-19 division, set the course record in 21:19, taking 45 seconds off the previous record set by Patrick Provost of Groton, MA who came in second place in 22:50. Dave Kulvete of Groton, MA ran a 24:16 for a new record by 4 seconds in the 40-49 division, and Richard Auger of Uxbridge, MA ran a 27:19, 2:38 under the previous 60-69 division record. Catlin Converse was the first female in 26:05. Jillian Lombard of Upton, MA was the second female in 26:19 and she set a new record in the 10-14 year-old division, while Nancy Stutzman of Boston, MA ran a 42:10 for a new 60-69 division record.

In the 9.5 mile race, Leigh Schmitt of S. Dearfield, MA took first place in 1:00:34 and lowered the 30-39 division record by 51 seconds. Chris Funch of Groton, MA set a new 10-14 division record of 1:19:01, while Seth Roberts of Longmeadow, MA tied Wayland's Don Callahan's record of 1:14:00 for the 50-59 division. Michelle Tetreault of Acushnet, MA was the first woman finisher in 1:13:52 and she took 4:02 off the previous 20-29 division record!