Summer Sizzlers 5K XC-Race #7

Springfield, MA, May 30, 2012

Summer Sizzlers 5K XC Race #7-Race Report

by Mike Lescarbeau, Race Director

Race Report: The 5K XC course was the site of Week #7’s race in the Summer Sizzler Race Series. Sunny skies and a slightly humid 80 degrees F greeted the 35 runners lined up for the race. Once the runners were positioned in the starting corrals guest race starter Julia Lescarbeau clanged the opening bell and the field was off!

A tight pack of runners barreled down Main Greeting road fighting for the lead, however to the surprise of the throng of spectators, it was a female bandit runner pacing the field around the first corner! After 100 meters of glory the she peeled off course and cleared the way for the real athletes. Perennial fast-starter Dan McNair seized the moment and led the field down the first hill towards the swamp with Steve Virgadaula and Billy Carroll right on his heels. The women’s field was led by Julie Carroll with Kathy McCarthy, Laura Pelczarski and a large crowd in tow.

Once the runners settled into race pace it would be GSH’s Steve Virgadaula leading the charge up the finishing hill and grabbing the overall victory and top Senior (50-59) in 21:35. After weeks of knocking on the door Steve finally broke through for his first career victory and a place in the Summer Sizzler Hall of Fame. GSH’s Billy Carroll finished in 21:40, good for second overall and top male Youth (0-19). Dominic Wilson of the SS’s finished as top Master (40-49) and 3rd overall in 22:35. GSH runners claimed the remaining Age Group divisions with Dan McNair’s 22:35 taking the Open Division (20-39) and Seth Robert taking top Veteran (60-69) with a time of 23:38

The women’s field finished as it started with GSH’s Julie Carroll claiming the female victory, and top Youth, with a time of 23:44. This was Julie’s 2nd win of the season and 6th of her career, moving her up to a tie for 16th place on the all-time female Hall of Fame win list. GSH’s Kathy McCarthy’s 24:31 earned her second female and top Senior honors. Laura Pelczarski finished as the 3rd female and tops in the Open division with her time of 26:07. Rounding out the female Age Groups was top Master Pat Boettcher in 32:16.

Volunteers for the race were Brian Goddu, Ed Carroll, Bruce Kurtz, Brian McCarthy and special guest Julia Lescarbeau. Thanks to all the runners and volunteers for a great race. I hope you all return next week as we flip the calendar to June and return to the 8K road course.