Cool Running :: Race Results

Fram is 1st Again

by Rick Michaud
Special from the Haverhill Gazette
Race Results

Haverhill, MA - No, the gang of portly gentlemen running through the streets of Haverhill on Sunday morning wasn't on its way to the nearest deli.

Instead, the group was sprinting to the finish line of the 10th annual Bobby Bell 5-Mile Road Race. The event, which began and ended at the Lasting Room Pub on Washington Street, had all the age categories of a typical road race, but also boasted three separate wieght group for those husky runners who may not grace the finish line at the top of the heap.

The result? A competitive and enjoyable race for everyone in involved.

"The best part of it is that everybody's going to have a good time, " said Dave LaBrode, race director since the event began 10 years ago. Craig Fram, of Plaistow, NH, finished first overall in a new course record of 24:40. Fram who won the event in 1993 and 1995, had never finished better than 25 seconds off Buddy Bostick's previous course record (24:59) set in 1989.

"I thought before the race that if I got out and felt good than I'd go for it," said Fram, a Former Timberlane Regional track and cross country star who now represent the Central Mass. Striders of Worcester. "I got a little competition for the first half mile or so, but then I just pulled away."

Steve Alliette, a state trooper out of Newbury, could have competed in one of the stout divisions but wasn't aware they existed and chose instead to race in the the seniors (50-59). Alliette's age didn't stop him from exploding through the finish line, however, and jogging down to the back of The Lasting Place where race organizers had a full spread of food and brew on tap.

"I passed three Dunkin' Donuts on the way through and I didn't stop," said a proud Alliette with a laugh.

Alliette and a family friend have run the Bobby Bell ever year since its inception because of the race's friendly atmosphere. A couple of cold brews following a five mile run always hit the spot as well.

"That's standard operating procedure," said Alliette. "As long as I can still lift my are when I finish I'm all right."

Although the Bobby Bell is billed as "A Men's Race," several women registered despite not having any separate prize categories.

"Hey, somebody had to come in and show these guys how to run," said Pi Dounsborough, the top female finisher with a time of 36:53. "It's a great race. The weather was perfect today."

Jose Urrutta and Mark Behan were the second and third overall finisher with Chris Rurak, Chris Dion and Richard Williams taking the top three spots in the juniors division (19-and-under). Gary Passler, Bob Manning and Harry Dow won the masters (40-49).

The top three seniors (50-59) were Mike Fiene, Steve Kanaracus and Denny Leblanc, with George Bisson and George Dirago taking the top tow spots in the veterans division (60-69). The ancients division (70+) saw Lou Peters, Ed O'Connell and Walt Roberts as the first three runners.

In the weight divisions, Mick Kraemer, Bill Steele and Scott Shurtleff swept the heavyweight (180-204 lbs.) category, with Scott Miller, Ed Mulrey and Phil Jurelrit winning the super heavy wieght (204+). The heavywieght masters division was won by Rick Ness, Dave Vasta and Mark Donais.