THE SAUCONY 5000 ROAD RACE

April 7, 1996 5km USATF CERTIFIED #MA95002WN Boston, MA

MANAGED BY: DMSE. Timing/Scoring By: Granite State Race Services

Story by Kevin Molloy - CR

English native Andy Keith ran with a small pack of about six "elite" runners until the 4 km mark. At this point, he opened up a one to two meter lead and then, with about 600 meters left, broke away to finish three seconds ahead of George Yiannelis, a native of Greece. Former Iona cross-country standout Chris Magill of New York finished one second behind Yiannelis. Despite temperatures in the mid-30's and blustery winds, Keith, who finished second a year ago, was able to break by one second the existing course record of 14:18 set last year by Brad Schlapak.

Cathy O'Brien of New Hampshire topped the female division, crossing the Avenue Louis Pasteur finish line in 16:05. Christine McNamara finished thirteen seconds behind O'Brien, while Molly Watcke trailed by another six seconds.

Rob O'Hara, who won the masters' division in the first USATF-NE Grand Prix race of 1996, Stu's 30K held in early March, made it two for two this year. Rebecca Stockdale-Woolley, as she has at virtually every Grand Prix race she has run in the past four years, topped the female masters' division.

The Central Mass Striders men's open team, bidding to win the Grand Prix for the twelfth consecutive year, survived strong challenges from the Boston Running Club and New Balance Coastal to win its tenth consecutive Grand Prix race dating back to 1994. The Boston Athletic Association edged CMS to win the women's open team championship. Other winning teams included the Greater Lowell Road Runners (men's masters - a one second margin over CMS), CMS (women's masters), Cambridge Sports Union (men's seniors) and CSU (women's seniors).