Dixville 1/2 Marathon

Colebrook, NH, September 30, 2006

Dixville 1/2 Marathon & Relay Press Release

A record 51 half marathoners, 86 relay runners, and 32 walkers enjoyed peak fall foliage and perfect fall running weather at the 30th Annual Dixville Half Marathon on 9/30/2006. All runners competed on a USATF-certified half marathon course starting at the Balsams Panoramic Golf Course in Dixville Notch and winding along scenic Rte. 26 into Colebrook, NH. Events included the individual 1/2 marathon, two/four person relays and a three-mile fun walk. People came from all over New England, Quebec, and as far away as California to compete in what many runners described as one of the most scenic and best organized Half Marathons in New England. A lively crowd of spectators greeted runners and walkers at the finish line. There was also live bluegrass music provided by the Parker Hill Road Band, food served up by the Kiwanis club and beverages. Terri Kimball of Kneading Knotts (Canaan, VT) and Race Organizing Committee member Sue Perkins, provided massages.

This year's top male finisher in the Individual 1/2 marathon was local legend, David Herr, of Canaan VT, with a time of 1:11:18. David, who holds the 1999 course record of 1:08:12, easily maintained a steady pace of 5:27 per mile, only one second per mile slower than his time last year. David Herr, who competed in the Clarence Demar Marathon last weekend and a 50 kilometer Trail Race two weeks ago, also received the Dennis Joos award for the top local male finisher. Jeff Brooks of Colebrook broke his personal best time by 1 1/2 minutes and came in second overall with an impressive time of 1:19:05 (6:02 per mile). Top female runner, Elizabeth Pope of Lancaster NH, maintained a pace of 7:17 per mile in her first 1/2 Marathon and finished with a time of 1:35:23. Fran Bigney, smiling the whole way, finished with a time of 1:51:50 and was awarded the Vickie Bunnell award for the top local female finisher.

In the two-person relays, the first women, Brenda Holt and Maria Tassey of Gorham NH, completed the course in a time of 1:46:48, over 10 minutes faster than last year's winner. The first men's two person's team was "Arguin's Army" with a time of 1:24:58. Don and Dave Arguin maintained an impressive 6:31 per mile pace. The two-person mixed team winners and frequent Dixville competitors from Maine, Katrina Kendall and Judson Bisheimer, finished in 1:34:08. In the four-person relays the first men's team across the finish line in a time of 1:22:37 was "W.A.R.", represented by Reno Gilbert, David Radun, Guthrie Peet and Chris Ladd. The "W.A.R." team, who also won last year, cut @ nine minutes off last year's time. The first women across the finish line again this year was the "Sister Act II" team, consisting of Darlene Belknap, Charlene Poulin, Bridget Jeffers and Gina Jeffers with a time of 1:50:52. The top four person mixed team, with a time of 1:37:18, were "Baad" runners Dylan Rositto, Adam Fothergill, Brooke Stevens and Adrienne Morann. Steve Stepanian was awarded the Great Guts award. He finished the 1/2 Marathon course in 1:49:30 (8:22 Pace), despite a recently broken and still bandaged foot.

Proceeds from the Dixville Races benefit the North Country Community Recreation Center, the Colebrook Ambulance Corps, Colebrook and Canaan Key Clubs, and the Dixville Races scholarship for deserving North Country High School graduates. Key sponsors and contributors to the event included The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel which hosted the pre-race Pasta Dinner, Berry Transportation of Lisbon, Camp E-Toh-Anee, Citizens Bank, Colebrook Ambulance Corps, The First Colebrook Bank, Colebrook Car Dealers, LaPerle's IGA, Ethan Allen, Indian Stream Health Center, Key Clubs of Canaan and Colebrook, the New Hampshire State Troopers' Association, The News & Sentinel, North Country Community Recreation Center, Northern Human Services, Portland Natural Gas Transmission System, Upper Conn. Valley Hospital, Waystack & King Attorneys, Anheuser Busch, and Anonymous. Timing was provided by Hal Goolman and the RASC@L running club from Lancaster, NH. Mr. Berry, who provided bus service for the event, spoke for all the many volunteers who made the day a success when he stated, "It's important to give back to the community".

Everyone was encouraged to return next year, and to bring a friend. The 2007 race will be the 31rst anniversary and is scheduled for the usual last Saturday in September (9/29/07). Race organizers promised the same great fall weather.

(Results, awards and participants listed on attached)