Oleksak Lumber Spring Half Marathon

Westfield, MA, April 3, 2011

Story from LocallyRun.com

by Annie & Ale Paredes

You never really know what the weather is going to do in New England, especially in April! Today the runners ran under sunny blue skies but the wind was incredibly strong. The Oleksak Half Marathon took place today April 3, 2011 in Westfield, MA with 380 runners participating in the race. The race begins in front of South Middle in Westfield, is flat for about a mile and then there is climbing for about 4 miles until mile 5 where there is a long downhill, the course flattens for about 3 miles and then there are a few small inclines, the last 3 miles are either flat or down and the race ends at the Boys and Girls Club.

This year’s overall winner was Thomas O’Grady form Latham, MA with a time of 1:14:04 (5:40 pace), quickly followed by Andy Messer of Westfield, MA with a time of 1:14:50 and in 3rd was Rob Landry of Ludlow, MA with a time of 1:17:27 (first Master).

On the women’s side Amy Lane from Westfield, MA took first place with 1:28:47 (6:47 pace), followed by Beth Krasseman from Suffield, CT with 1:29:49 and in 3rd was Jonie Fredette from Holyoke, MA with a time of 1:33:02.

Everyone ran a great race! This is not an easy course and to take it on first thing in the Spring is something to be admired! Congratulations!