Summer Sizzler Race#4-8K

Springfield, MA, May 9, 2012

Summer Sizzler Race #4-8K Recap

Our race series continued tonight with the 2nd 8000 meter race of the Summer Sizzler season. Ominous looking skies and a humid 64 degrees F did not deter 38 eager competitors from stepping up to the starting line. Fresh off a huge PR at the Walter Childs Marathon, Brian McCarthy rang the starting bell at 6:30PM sharp and the field was off!

Leading the field to the fables rose garden were Spencer Lau, Brian Nelson and Bill Carroll. Spencer took the lead as the course made its way onto Dickinson Street, however a navigational error led to him relinquishing the lead to Brian. Brian would take advantage of the miscue and come home to his first Sizzler victory in 32:07. With the win Brian’s name will forever be engraved in the Summer Sizzler Hall of Fame.

Following closely behind in 2nd place, and first male Youth (0-19), was GSH’s Billy Carroll in 32:18. Billy shaved 21 seconds off the Age 11 record he set just two weeks ago. Third place overall and first Senior (50-59) honors went to GSH’s Steve Virgadaula. Top Master (40-49) honors goes to Mark Miller in 36:55. First male Veteran (60-69) belonged to GSH’s Gerry Kane in 39:38 and SMAC’s Don Grant rounded out the scoring as the 1st 70+ runner with a time of 48:52.

Cheryl Cunningham led the women’s field from the opening bell and cruised to the women’s victory with in 34:00. This was Cheryl’s first victory of the season and 2nd of her career. Second place female and top Master’s honors belonged to GSH’s Colleen Cummings in 36:37. GSH’s Julie Carroll’s 36:44 earned her top Youth honors and Melissa Zimmerman won the Open (20-39) division with a time of 37:44.

I would like to thank all the runners who showed up to run under dark skies threatening rain the entire race. Thanks also goes out to our volunteer contingent consisting of Brian Goddu, Ed Carroll, Bruce Kurtz and Brian McCarthy. I hope to see everyone next week as we return for race #5, the 5K XC course.