La Sportiva USATF NE Mountain series

Windsor, VT, July 18, 2007

2007 Series results

A record group of "Goats"

La Sportiva USATF New England Mountain running series

The closely fought best five of six race series wrapped up over the weekend in Windsor Vermont at the Ascutney mountain 3.8 mile climb. Runners tested themselves on the course which USATF NE mountain chair Paul Kirsch describes as “a one-half version of Mt Washington”. The weather cooperated with temperatures in the low 70’s and very little humidity in stark contrast to the last few years of high heat and humidity. A record field of 133 finishers made the 2,200’ climb up the Auto road.

The series had record numbers at each race this year due in part to the “lottery by-pass” offered by Mt Washington race director Bob Teschek for all runners who complete the entire six race series. Those who conquered the 12,400’ climb over 38.7 miles also earned the distinguished title of “mountain goat” and received a one-of-a-kind shirt from La Sportiva. The top three finishers (men and women) also received $250/$150/$100 courtesy of La Sportiva. The average field size this year was an amazing 213 finishers which nearly double the average from last year. The previous high average was 188 finishers per race in 1997 when the circuit was only three races. The 63 “Goats” were the highest ever, besting 1998’s total of 40. By comparison, only 18 runners completed the entire series in 2006.

Paul Low (CMS), scoring a near perfect 499.74 points, was the overall series champion, winning for the third consecutive year. Note that all points are based on a percentage of the winner’s time; hence a perfect score would be 500 points. Abby Woods (GSH) was the women’s champion with a narrow .3 point victory over Dorcas Wonsavage (CSU) with scores of 452.73 to 452.43. Wonsavage took the 40+ title keeping up the tradition of CSU winning as CSU runners have taken the title 9 times over the last 12 year. The final money spot went to Sarah St. Martin (GCS-Triad) with 439.76 points. On the men’s side Self-proclaimed “New England mountain running historian” Dave Dunham (CMS) finish second overall with 472.89 points and laid claim to his third consecutive 40+ title. CMS runners took home all of the money with James Pawlicki, 467.38 points, rounding out the scoring.

Other age group winners were Max Thomas (WMM) and Halley Heinrich (GCS-Triad) in the under 20 age group scoring 309.66 and 367.37 points respectively. The F50-59 age group was won for the second consecutive year by Lisa Doucett (CSU) with 381.70 points. Marty Ellowitz (CMS) took the M50-59 with 396.64 points. Peter Orni (CMS) and Vinnie Rivard (NMC) battled throughout the series with Orni taking his third consecutive M60-69 title with 354.16 to Rivard’s 352.52 points. Carol Kane (WMAC) won her second consecutive F60-69 title. The 70+ titles went to Paul McDermott (CMS) and Barbara Robinson (GCS-Triad) with 260.49 and 247.66 points respectively.

Mountain series history

Winners - Men Year Open 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+ 1996 Dave Dunham, CMS Ron Johnston, WCRC Harry Golet Don Ross 1997 Eric Morse, CMS Rob Johnson Cal Cameron Don Ross 1998 Dave Dunham, CMS Charlie Gunn Cal Cameron Owen Barber 1999 Eric Morse, CMS Cliff Evans Fred Ross III, SMAC Eldon Burkinshaw,GCS 2000 Eric Morse, CMS Richard Stockdale, CMS Jack Donahue John Pelton 2001 Eric Morse, CMS Robert Chasen, TVFR Richard Stockdale, CMS John Pelton 2002 Eric Morse, CMS Robert Chasen, TVFR Richard Stockdale, CMS Eldon Burkinshaw,NE65+ Richard Busa 2003 Eric Morse, CMS Bob Mulvaney Richard Stockdale, GCS Peter Orni, CMS, Bill Engle, GCS, 2004 Josh Ferenc Mark Pitts, MMM Rob Higley, WMAC, Eldon Burkinshaw,GSH Donald Dayton, GNBTC 2005 Paul Low, CMS Dave Dunham, CMS Robert Chasen, TVFR Peter Orni, CMS Donald Dayton, GNBTC 2006 Paul Low, CMS Dave Dunham, CMS Paul Bazanchuk, GSH Peter Orni, CMS Richard Busa, NE65+ 2007 Paul Low, CMS Dave Dunham, CMS Marty Ellowitz, CMS Peter Orni, CMS Paul McDermott, CMS

Winners - Women Year Open 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+ 1996 Lisa Hart Katherine Chabot 1997 Margot Webber,CMS Lisa Doucett, CSU Jane Levesque 1998 Margot Webber,CMS Lisa Doucett, CSU Martha Rumley, CSU Barbara Robinson, WMM 1999 Sue Lachance,CSU Lisa Doucett, CSU Jane Levesque Ilga Moore, SMAC 2000 Suzy West, CSU Gail Breslow, CSU Heidi McGaffigan, GCS 2001 Yuki Minami, GCS Donna Smyth, CSU Genia Sanborn 2002 Cathy Pearce, WRT Donna Smyth, CSU Ann Kucharski Barbara Robinson, WMM 2003 Kate Naples Suzy West, CSU Ann Kucharski, WC Jane Goodman 2004 Kelli Lusk, CMS Helen Bradler, MRM Ann Kucharski, WC Barbara Robinson, WMM 2005 Kathy Hurst Suzy West, CSU Jacqueline Keith, NMC Barbara Robinson, WMM 2006 Kate Naples,CCAC Dawn Heinrich, PRMM Lisa Doucett, CSU Carol Kane, WMAC 2007 Abby Woods, GSH Dorcas Wonsavage, CSU Lisa Doucett, CSU Carol Kane, WMAC Barbara Robinson, WMM

Mountain Circuit active streaks: Vincent Rivard 26 consecutive finishes 2005-2007 Dawn Heinrich, Eric Smith, and Fred Ross 18 consecutive finishes 2005-2007

Mountain Circuit all-time leaders: Top three women (points) – Donna Smyth (3092.61), Suzy West (2796.97), Lisa Doucett (2562.24) Top four women (number of races) – Smyth (36), Emer O’Donoghue (32), Doucett (31), Laurel Shortell (31) Top three men (points) – Dave Dunham (4264.67), Richard Stockdale (2901.99), Eldon Burkinshaw (2756.56) Top three men (number of races) – Fred Ross (46), Dave Dunham (45), Eldon Burkinshaw (44)