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Young, Fox Showcased in North Reading

"We'll probably have more volunteers than runners," joked Mark Favaloro about and hour before tonight's Showcase 5-Miler.

Course profile. photo Yankee Timing

After twelve years of perfect summertime weather, this year's Showcase, which coincidentally was the thirteenth, was starting to appear to be unlucky. Gray and threatening skies prevailed and as any race director knows lousy weather usually translates into a low turnout. Also many of the activities such as a classic car show and barbeque that accompany the race had to be postponed due to the weather.

As the race start grew closer the skies started to brighten and runners were arriving to the relief of Favaloro who directs the race with his son Tom. This is a little gem of a race that features $900 in prize money, a nifty tank top, 5-year age divisions and a challenging course.

Leading the way was Paul Young. The 41-year old Andover resident took the lead from the start and was never challenged as he won by one minute and 27 seconds. Methuen's Christie Fox took home first place for the women. She had to battle Middleton's Sue Quimby one night after coming up short in a battle against Middleton's other Quimby, Linda, at Lowell's Good Times Series. My guess is that by now Fox is probably all Quimbied out.

The race took place from beautiful Ipswich River Park and was very well organized. And thankfully, in the end, there were more runners than volunteers.