Volume 33 Issue 1 – April, 2012 - The Winner`s Circle Running Club

Volume 33, No. 1
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE WINNER’S CIRCLE RUNNING CLUB
April, 2012
Winter-into-Spring Edition—No Whining Just Winning
Bet on the Circle!
You couldn’t bet that the
winter of 2012 would be one of
the mildest on record. You
couldn’t bet the spring would be
so warm and dry either. So what
can you bet on? How about great
races like the Hangover, April
Fools and 4-3-2-1 Series? How
about Circle Nation towering atop
the podium at races across the
northeast? You can also
safely bet that The Runners Rag
and its Stalker Software will
continue to report the stories of
our Circle members in 2012.
So get them legs up and leaf
through this Runners Rag.
Whether you’re surging past a
rival with scant meters to the
finish, or the post-run beverage in
your hand: stay frosty my
friends…
-RR
In this Issue:
Hangin’ at the Hangover
WCRC Honey Badgers
Tour de Valli 2012
Roving Wild Rovers
Fools, all of you!
K.West For Fire
Truckloads more, git goin’!
Awards/Election Night 2012
It’s Randall! Our ‘Paula 2012’ Award Winner
The great Bob Randall gets a standing-O from Circle Nation, and is guided by
Professor Byron Petrakis to the 2012 Paula Holm Award.
Paula Holm was a 20-year member of WCRC, who gave to the club generously through
competitive efforts and volunteerism, passion for the sport, and lifelong friendships. We
lost Paula to cancer, but we remember her gifts every year through our annual Paula Holm
Lifetime Achievement Award - given to the WCRC member who best exemplifies the
ideals put forth by Paula.
The nominations were proposed by you – the people of Circle Nation. The selection was
made by the Paula Holm award committee. The 2012 ‘Paula’ was announced eloquently
by Professor Byron Petrakis, and awarded at the WCRC annual Awards and Election
Night in February—to the people’s choice: Robert ‘Bob’ Randall.
Bob met the qualifications for the PHA in spades. Lets break it down by each:
1. Ongoing, active membership in the WCRC
Bob has been a member and faithful servant of the WCRC since club inception. He has
served on the board, been appointed to numerous positions, directed successful club races,
generated more unique ideas on how to grow the club and the running community it serves.
After over 30 years of service, Bob ‘retired’ from the WCRC board, but to this day is the
man ’behind the curtain’, continuing to prod, suggest, dream up killer ideas, find
sponsorship for races, and generate solutions for the WCRC.
2. Significant contributions to the club’s role in advocating, sponsoring, and
supporting the sports of running, cross-country, and track and field. (continued…)
Page 2
RUNNERS RAG
(continued, Paula Holm Award)
Most Improved Female 2011
Being a race director takes time, effort, patience, and smarts.
Bob has been a race director for many of the WCRC races.
Local school track and cross country programs—like
Newburyport, Triton, and Amesbury, have all benefited from
Bob’s efforts as a race director and passionate runningsalesman.
Even in Bob’s ’retirement’, he directs new races up in Maine
for the benefit of local schools and charities he feels strongly
about. Of recent note: Bob is the race director of the Run for
Our School 5K in Sanford ME, which benefits the St. Thomas
school. Bob recruited help from WCRC member Lance Hoenig
to coach several young elementary students in a weekly training
group, to prepare to race their first 5K at the St. Thomas race.
Bob is the Race Director for 3 races a year in the Sanford/
Springdale area currently, and works as an advisor and
committee member for 6 other races!
3. Contributions to the club as a competitive athlete.
Bob was a runner during the 80’s running boom, and from that
time all the way to this day—he raced and raced hard for the
Circle, for all distances from the 1 mile to the marathon.
Bob’s award total is countless; just in 2011 alone he either won
or was near the top of the M70-79 age group, in all the races he
competed.
Bob’s PR for the marathon was a sub-3 in the Marine Corps
Marathon (2:58:01) - a dream time-goal barrier most
marathoners today. Bob continues to compete for the club
today—wearing the blue and gold.
Congratulations and thank you Bob!!
Holly Sullivan
You, the people of Circle Nation,
were definitely impressed by
Holly Sullivan’s faster racing from
2010 to 2011. In the 5K, you
noticed her speed-up from 29:12 to
26:47. In the 10K, you were
impressed by her time improvement from 1:01:41 to 57:14.
You were psyched for Holly’s half marathon improvement,
from 2:12:25 to 1:59:06. And you were absolutely stoked for
her first crack at the marathon distance, racing Hartford in
4:41:53.
Congrats Holly—the people of Circle Nation salute you!
Most Improved Male 2011
Matt Valli
Your pick for the 2011 WCRC Men’s
Most Improved Award is Matt Valli,
who crashed onto the WCRC scene late
spring 2011. Matt is new to the sport of
running, so he had NO comparative data
from 2010. Still, you notice that Matt
has ’the gift’: he ran to the front with the
big-boys at every race, several top-5
finishes including an outright victory at
the TIP 5K on November 6, 2011. Matt
found his new sport, his club and his people- and embraced it.
Congrats Matt—here’s to another healthy & successful year!
WCRC Volunteer of the Year 2011
Lisa Rohr
The incredible Lisa Rohr is your Volunteer of the Year
2011. Lisa gave mightily not only to her club, but to the
sport of running in 2011. Lisa took over the responsibility
of timing our races seamlessly. Lisa’s engineering mind
solved the problems that occur during timing, and fixed all
issues –sending runners home happy. Lisa also trained
other WCRC members on timing, building an army of
knowledgeable volunteers. Lisa purchased her own timing
equipment; not only to be as familiar with it as possible,
but to time her own races—she is a race director of at least
2 races, and is dreaming up another!
Lisa became our WCRC Facebook site admin and blasted
posts to that instance. Lisa is also a competitive runner for
WCRC: racing, organizing weekend group runs,
sponsoring an annual run around Bow Lake, even a pacer
for Loco Sports races. Together with husband Gary, they
form a running ‘Dream Team’: both competitive athletes
and brick-layers for the running community.
Congratulations—and thank you Lisa!!
Above: Circle Nation rains
high-praise as Lisa is given
the VOTY award.
Right: Lisa doing what she
loves at the Mt. Washington
road race (at ~5000 feet).
RUNNERS RAG
Page 3
WCRC Schedule of Events
CLUB RUNS Thursdays 5:30 PM, from the Winners Circle Sports Bar,
Salisbury MA. Road or trail runs. All are welcome!
MONTHLY MEETINGS: 2nd Thursday each month. 6:30, upstairs at The
Circle.
EXETER Weekend RUNS: 8:00 AM (Saturday or Sunday—Contact Vicki
Miller to get on the email distribution list) at Synergy Fitness Center (at
Exeter Hospital). Well attended, variety of distances and paces.
PORTSMOUTH 6:00 PM Mondays Red Hook Brewery, Portsmouth, NH.
Variety of loops and speeds, from quick to recovery jog. Social afterward.
This run is ‘club neutral’ - all are welcome!
Upcoming Races—Local & Regional, 2012.
Apr 21
May 12
May 19
Whale of a Tail Trail Run, Rye NH
Hampton Falls Blossom 5K, Hampton Falls NH
WCRC Evelyn’s Run for the Roses 5K, Salisbury MA
Winner’s Circle Supported Events
Winner’s Circle Grand Prix event
WCRC Clothing Sale - contact Dave LaBrode
Supplex running shorts all sizes - $15
Running singlets Royal Blue Cool Max, all sizes -$15
Warm-up pants, limited sizes -$30
9 oz Crewneck Sweat Shirts WCRC Royal Blue -$15
Short sleeve Royal Blue WCRC T-shirts -$6
Long sleeve White WCRC T-shirts -$9
Coolmax HATS - $12
WCRC Warm-up/running jacket - $45
Royal Blue WCRC “Sport Bra” - $19
White WCRC Cool Max running singlets - $20
Duffel Bags with Club Logo
NEW! —FLEECE JACKETS AND SOCKS W/ CLUB LOGO
WELCOME! NEW MEMBERS
LISA MARIE SONIA - SEATTLE, WA
LYNN MCNAMARA - TOPSFIELD, MA
STEPHEN SMITH - STRAFFORD, NH
GINGER IOLA - WEST NEWBURY, MA
MARY WILCOX SMITH - STRAFFORD, NH STEVE IOLA - WEST NEWBURY, MA
MICHAEL SMITH - BEVERLY, MA
JACK SAVAGE - MIDDLETON, NH
RISA SCHULMAN - NEWBURYPORT, MA JULIE BENSON - EXETER, NH
PRESTON CAREY - NEWBURYPORT, MA DAWN MATTSON - HAMPTON, NH
AMANDA DEBLAUW - NEWMARKET NH DON CLARKE - EAST KINGSTON, NH
BRETT JOHNSON - NEWMARKET, NH
CAROL LEGERE - SPRINGVALE, ME
JUDY KEATOR - NEWTON, NH
JON WILKINSON - PORTSMOUTH, NH
JOHN ELKALIOUBY - HAMPSTEAD, NH
ELLIE TUCKER - N. YARMOUTH, ME
MARISSA LAFLAMME - NEWBURYPORT, MA
THOMAS PORE - OLD ORCHARD BCH, ME
DEBORAH HARVEY - BERWICK, ME
Find us on Facebook… “Winners Circle Running Club”
Like us & get updates! Dislike us and… we’ll send you flattering text messages
2011 Board of Directors
with Email Addresses
President - Dale Eckertdalesx2@comcast.net
Vice President - Vicki Millervickim@xenia.unh.edu (603) 868-7203
Treasurer - Tom Chase BigT1958@comcast.net
Secretary - Tanya Anderson —
tanyalanderson@live.com
Female Team Coordinator–
Laurie Gaudreau lgaudreau@yorkhospital.com
Male Team Coordinator– John Webber jweb1041@maine.rr.com
Overall-Race Coordinator/Mailing Czar–
Dave Carroll - mdcarroll90@comcast.net
New Members - Scott Walsh
srw9360@netzero.net
Uniform and Equipment Coordinator Dave LaBrode- ickylarode@verizon.net
(978)-373-3408
Grand Prix Race Director – Brett Nelson
brn103@comcast.net
Special Events Director - Jimmy Banyas jimbanyas@yahoo.com
Positions Appointed by the Board:
Web Master/E-Publicity - Tom Miller tom.miller@unh.edu (603) 868-7203
Youth and Track Coordinator - Mike
McCormickstellamccormick@comcast.net (978) 462-0117
The Runner’s Rag
Editor/Publisher: Nick Paquette
E-mail: nick.s.paquette@gmail.com
Please note: Mailed contributions /
announcements / etc. for publication in The Rag
should be sent to: Publisher, Runners Rag, ,
291 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth NH 03801
Or use E-Mail address above.
Visit the WCRC Website:
www.runthecircle.com
High Street Mile site:
www.highstreetmile.com
Member:
Road Runners Club of
America
Page 4
RUNNERS RAG
31st Annual Hangover Classic
Hangover `12: Sun, Surf and Suds!
Carousel Lounge, Salisbury MA
January 1st 2012
By Dennis Donoghue
The 2012 edition of the WCRC Hangover Classic was fast, flat and free
of sand dunes. Competitors (5 and 10K-ers alike) started as one and
entered the finish chute from the same direction, in the process
banishing any lingering memories of last year’s follies. For new race
director Timmy Poole, who strode around like a carnival barker and did
everything from firing the starter’s pistol to stacking cases of water, the
potential problems he’d lost sleep over never materialized, due in large
part to the usual brigade of hustling WCRC veteran volunteers. Entries
topped out at close to the 1,000 limit, proof that hoofing it along historic
Salisbury Beach, followed by a plunge into the surf, cold beers and live
music still remains a steadfast New Year’s tradition.
“This race would never have happened without the effort of
Shiver Me Timbers: WCRC volunteers Kate Wheeler
volunteers,” noted Poole, “especially Tom and Vicki Miller,
and Paula Nelson hand out awards to chilly plungers
Jimmy Banyas, and Nick Paquette. They even handled
after their dip in the mighty Atlantic.
registration and secured the glasses and water two weeks before the
race. There is no task on earth or beyond our people can’t handle. If we
took over the space program we’d have someone on Mars in a week.”
The weather at gun time was balmy and calm. Many competed in shirtsleeves and shorts. All three water stops (one for the 5K, 2
for the 10K) were busy places. Fortunately Poole had configured them to minimize congestion. The course, essentially an out-andback, offered competitors ample chance to hydrate as well as to shout encouragement to fellow sufferers. This was the day to run
fast, to begin the New Year buoyed by possibility while afterwards hoisting a cup or two of cheer along with others who love the
sport.
Both races were awash in blue and gold. Twenty-two Circlers fought their way into the top six in their respective age groups, and
those finishing in the top forty in either race were awarded Popsicle sticks redeemable for nifty 16 ounce beer glasses etched with an
illustration of Hangover Man.
Some Circlers like Emily Block (second overall female in 38:35), Laurie Gaudreau (first master in 40:30), and Kelly Bradbury
(first female in 5K) came away with fistfuls of cash . Others who nabbed firsts in
their age groups were Beth Dollas (30-39, 41:11), Steve Reed (60-69, 19:56) and
Bob Randall (70-79, 26:21).
If Triton Regional High School junior Maureen Moore’s intrepid performance
(three glasses for age group, 5K top forty and ocean plunge) is any indication of
the fitness and ferocity of Circle youth, the club had better buy stock in a
glassware factory. “I just love to run and with the ocean right there I thought,
‘Why not?’,” Moore said as she downplayed her effort. “Afterwards they kept
handing me glasses. Had I known better I would have brought some newspaper
to wrap them up.”
Immediately post race, a mob charged toward the surf, lead by 74 year old Bob
Randall dressed in a sealskin suit left over from his days with Admiral Peary’s
Arctic Expedition. For his first ever Hangover dip, Randall was taking no
chances. But why had he waited so long? “I have a very good reason,” Randall
said. “I just can’t remember what it is.”
Glassware Trifecta: WCRCer Maureen ’Mo’
Moore scored a top-40 female finish, age group
award, and plunge mug. Here you see her
sealing the deal on #3.
Rick Bayko, recovering from December knee surgery, needed to loosen the joint
which had stiffened during his stint as one of the course marshals. (continued)
RUNNERS RAG
“My doctor instructed me to swim in the
North Atlantic daily to reduce any swelling,”
Bayko said as he stripped down to his
Speedo. “I’m into my third week now.”
The celebration continued at the Carousel
Lounge long into the afternoon. For Poole,
the event had turned out better than he’d
hoped, though he would later discover,
among the many laudatory emails, a few
complaining about the visibility of mile
markers along the course. One correspondent
even insisted that the water tower near the
finish appeared to be moving away from him.
He’d been using it to gauge the distance
remaining in the 10K as he struggled toward
the finish. The course, as a result, seemed to
be getting longer.
Poole, perplexed, reacted diplomatically:
“We all know runners aren’t playing with a
full deck,” he acknowledged. “But some
decks have less cards in them than others.”
-DD
Page 5
WCRC Hangover 2012 5K Runners
WCRC Hangover 2012 10K Runners
22
23
29
37
43
45
68
71
74
101
104
113
140
164
181
190
201
207
256
278
285
286
294
299
347
350
374
385
464
474
476
477
21
28
33
34
36
39
49
51
53
61
66
72
81
85
86
89
94
96
101
105
111
112
120
121
122
123
124
139
150
154
155
156
160
178
180
184
191
192
203
204
205
211
226
234
235
251
259
266
275
279
281
287
297
299
311
313
317
324
340
366
384
393
398
400
403
RICK COLLOPY
BOB STROUT
KELLY BRADBURY
STEVE REED
BRUCE PHILLIPS
JOHN FISH
ABBY JACKSON
DAMIAN ROWE
MAUREEN MOORE
JOE RAMA VALIANTI
LEAH HILL
KYLE ASMUSSEN
JOHN ELKALIOUBY
DEBRA JOHNSON
LISA JEWETT
SHARON YU
NICHOLAS THURLOW
DAVE JOHNS
KATHY CASPERSON
JENNIFER FITT
DEB LITTLEFIELD
ELIZABETH HICKMAN
GINGER IOLA
JEFF BURGESS
LAURIE CYR
DAWN MATTSON
ALLYN GENEST
CAT CARGILL
SANDRA DUVALL
AYANNA SHORT
WENDY PHILLIPS
STEPHEN LYNCH
18:57.97
19:04.78
19:26.09
19:55.21
20:25.20
20:36.83
21:56.06
22:11.88
22:16.65
23:05.40
23:12.57
23:22.23
24:17.13
24:55.81
25:16.35
25:38.03
26:04.63
26:10.44
27:16.93
27:50.05
28:00.65
28:02.18
28:19.22
28:31.73
29:47.99
29:50.72
30:35.71
31:05.01
35:15.69
36:15.88
36:27.49
36:44.31
6:08
6:10
6:17
6:26
6:37
6:40
7:20
7:13
7:19
7:33
7:45
7:35
7:55
8:05
8:11
8:18
8:42
8:29
8:52
9:19
9:19
9:07
9:18
9:26
9:51
9:54
10:19
10:16
11:46
12:00
11:53
12:00
Hangover Hero: Pro-triathlete and
Exeter NH native Heather Jackson
won the women’s division of the
Hangover 10K. She appeared on the
cover of Lava Magazine in April 2012
(Lava covers Ironman events)
Above: the well-travelled New Year’s
day trail to the beach, direct from The
Carousel Lounge in Salisbury.
To the left: The Hangover Classic was a
headliner in the Newburyport News with
their article ‘A Perfect Day to Run’.
JOHN GOODWIN
EMILY BLOCK
DON HENNIGAR
PETER HESLAM
BRUCE LANDER
JOHN WEBBER
BRIAN DENGER
LAURIE GAUDREAU
STUART OLSEN
STEVEN POWERS
MIKE LEONARD
RICK WALSH
RICHARD COLLINS
JON WILKINSON
TONY MYATT
JEAN-CHRIS BERTRAND
GREG HOCHMUTH
LYNN MCNAMARA
TIM HAMLEN
THOMAS CHASE
PAUL BOUCHARD
STEPHEN SMITH
PRESTON CAREY
ERIN HAMLEN
DALE BOB ECKERT
RICK REYNOLDS
KYLE WOOD
MICHAEL LEONARD
ANNMARIE MCCORMICK
BRIAN RODERICK
AMANDA MCCAUGHEY
JIM BAILEY
CHRIS FITT
JEFFREY CROTHERS
PATRICIA CROTHERS
TODD DELUCA
MARK WEIDMAN
PAUL DESROCHE
GREGG PEARSALL
BOB KENNEDY
LAURIE GAGNON
SINTHY KOUNLASA
DAVE LABRODE
MARY JANE RYAN
JOE KENNEDY
RENEE BLAISDELL
ANN KUCHARSKI
JAY SHORT
KEITH KALLBERG
ALBERT MANZI
DOUG ZECHEL
STEPHANIE SUPRIN
DEB MERRILL
JIM BERGER
JACCI HUSSEY
SANDY GORDON
BRIAN STEWART
HOLLY SULLIVAN
MICHAEL MENESALE
GAIL CLARK
PAMELA HOUCK
GREGORY GAUDREAU
DALE GRANGER-ECKERT
CINDIE COLLINS
SHARON GORDON
37:22.61
38:32.30
39:14.39
39:18.92
39:27.74
39:33.83
40:26.28
40:29.89
40:44.47
41:23.47
41:38.39
42:00.65
42:38.49
42:46.45
42:54.43
42:57.62
43:08.60
43:22.70
43:40.91
43:46.66
43:57.92
43:58.60
44:25.44
44:25.80
44:29.36
44:31.78
44:40.37
45:43.01
46:11.18
46:15.43
46:15.53
46:24.53
46:36.41
47:16.49
47:16.84
47:26.68
47:37.68
47:39.05
48:09.52
48:11.89
48:13.23
48:26.36
49:03.23
49:27.91
49:35.68
50:44.38
51:03.03
51:23.18
52:01.92
52:10.31
52:11.36
52:16.47
52:41.10
52:54.61
53:50.51
53:59.66
54:13.80
54:46.85
56:09.51
59:38.45
1:02:31.43
1:03:55.79
1:04:12.94
1:04:26.49
1:04:43.37
6:02
6:14
6:21
6:21
6:23
6:24
6:32
6:33
6:35
6:41
6:44
6:48
6:54
6:55
6:56
7:00
7:03
7:01
7:04
7:05
7:06
7:08
7:11
7:11
7:12
7:12
7:14
7:25
7:29
7:30
7:30
7:32
7:39
7:40
7:40
7:41
7:45
7:44
7:54
7:47
7:48
7:52
7:56
8:00
8:05
8:16
8:15
8:22
8:27
8:31
8:33
8:29
8:31
8:39
8:49
8:45
8:53
8:58
9:12
9:42
10:13
10:27
10:25
10:30
10:33
Page 6
RUNNERS RAG
WCRC versus the
Florida Keys
How the
Key West
Was Won
Circle Nation Domination at
Key West Half Marathon!
41 Paul Bouchard
45 Tom Chase
139 Vicki Miller
153 Kristen Bouchard
564 Sharon Chase
1:39:40
1:40:54
1:53:26
1:54:58
2:31:55
(7:36)
(7:42)
(8:39)
(8:46)
(11:35)
On January 20, 2012, five members of the
WCRC stealthily packed up singlets, shorts and
flip flops, and boarded a jet bound for Key
West FL. Unbeknownst to TSA, their carry-on
bags contained their ‘weapons of choice’:
racing flats. Just what was this mission?
To toe the line at the Key West Half
Marathon, take home hardware, and spend
some quality time on some famous street
named ‘Duval’. The results of this mission:
accomplished.
Your Circle men attacked the M50-54 age
Post-race hyjinx: posing in order Our gang in happier times (AKA pre-2012
group like CIA-trained ninjas, with Paul
of finish and age group placement Super Bowl playoff games)
Bouchard taking 1st in 1:39:40 (7:36),
followed closely by 2nd place Tom Chase, in
1:40:54 (7:42).
Just the race officials thought things had calmed down, suddenly high-powered Circle women came into view: ex-WCRC president
Vicki Miller took 1st in the F55-59 age group, in 1:53:26 (8:39). Then another ex-WCRC president—Kristen Bouchard—crossed
in 1:54:58 (8:46), a solid 8th in her F40-44 age group. Batting cleanup was the spirited Sharon Chase, finishing in 2:31:55 (11:35)
- the icing on our WCRC Victory cake.
As our squad ran down the streets of Old Town Key West, they got to enjoy all sights of the island, including classic bungalows and
guest mansions, Mallory Square, the Truman Annex, Fort Zachary Taylor, and of course: Duval Street. Our team got cozy at several
‘watering holes’ while on Duval—basking in warm sun and the feeling of victory.
-RR
WCRC Gets Press Dept.
Bayko to Go on 26.2 Mile Row
The April 12, 2012 edition of Newburyport News
reported that WCRC’s Rick Bayko – legendary runner
of NBPT, is rowing 26.2 miles at his Yankee Runner
shop in Newburyport on Boston Marathon Monday,
starting at 9AM. Recent knee surgery has kept Rick off
the roads, so he’s made lemonade on his indoor rower.
Rick is rowing for WCRC Prez Dale and Dale Ann
Eckert’s charity, the Alzheimer's Association.
Go Polish Rifle!
Did you
know?
Rick Bayko
finished 3rd at
the 2008 Sprint
World Indoor
Rowing
Championships.
Behold The Behan: Coach of the Year
WCRC member and fast-guy Mark Behan is the coach of Girls Indoor Track for Timberlane high
school in Plaistow NH. Mark was recently honored by Merrimack Valley newspaper Eagle-Tribune
as ‘Coach of the Year’. Mark’s Girls Indoor Track team tied for 3 rd in the Massachusetts Division 1
States championship, their highest finish in 15 years. When interviewed, Mark was naturally very
modest, deflecting praise of him toward the talent of his charges. Congrats Mark!
RUNNERS RAG
Page 7
WCRC Gets Press Dept. (continued)
Circle North Report
Meet ‘Mr. 30 Bostons’
The Newburyport News gave more great press to the WCRC,
as our own Coach Mike McCormick gets ready to race his 30th
Boston marathon. Discussing the winter weekend training
runs, his best time at Boston (2:46) and what he’ll do facing the
high heat predicted in 2012.
Coach Mike in
2007 file photo flanked by his 2
daughters Hannah
and Megan.
Our spies north of the boarder report that the WCRC faction
‘Circle North’ recently held their ‘Tuesday Night Runner’
faction (faction within a faction) elections/awards. Up for
grabs: the Most Improved 2011 awards. Our special spy
correspondent found out that this year, it went to deserving
runners Doug Beaulieu and Michelle Sherman!
Congrats Doug and Michelle—and see y’all at the races!
Hammerin’ at the Hamptons!
Hampton Beach, NH, February 19, 2012
WCRC took to the mean (not really) streets of Hampton to race the annual Loco Sports
’Half at the Hamptons’! Once again, a great race to break the winter up, get people out,
finish a 13.1 mile race, and enjoy ice cold refreshing Smuttynose ale. Meanwhile, WCRC
did more than that—they stood tall on the podium and took home enough hardware to
make Home Depot nervous.
Polly Kenniston, (2:14:31) took 1st the
Stalker Detects 57 WCRCers at H@TH 2012
F70-79 age group! Circle Men in the 7079 age bracket also stepped up: Byron
18 TIMOTHY ROACHE
1:24:03.3 6:24
Petrakis (1:54:07) took 1st, and Philip
50 LANCE HOENIG
1:30:13.2 6:52
1:32:56.0 7:04
Pierce (1:57:43) took 2nd! Newly minted 68 STEVEN POWERS
90 LAURIE GAUDREAU
1:34:23.2 7:11
60-something Janet Parkinson (1:56:21) 93 KAREN FOGG
1:34:25.0 7:11
topped all comers in the F60-69 age group, 94 JAMES MACPHEE
1:34:25.4 7:11
109
DONALD
DWIGHT
1:35:54.7 7:18
and Ironman Kona-guy Steve Smith took
115 MATTHEW CIRINNA
1:36:24.5 7:20
2nd on the M60-69 side, in 1:37:20. Kitty 123 STEPHEN SMITH
1:37:19.6 7:24
Fair (1:42:39) and Michelle Grenier
134 RICK WALSH
1:37:53.4 7:27
1:39:22.3 7:34
(1:43:16) were tough as nails, and took the 157 THOMAS CHASE
1:39:39.1 7:35
2nd and 3rd place spots in the F50-59 time 163 PRESTON CAREY
184 BRAD MEZQUITA
1:40:46.2 7:40
zone. In the F40-49 dept., Circle North
194 TOM MILLER
1:41:24.2 7:43
212 KITTY FAIR
1:42:38.9 7:48
chicks Laurie Gaudreau (1:34:24) and
1:43:15.6 7:51
Karen Fogg (1:34:25) fought to the line to 230 MICHELLE GRENIER
236 DALE BOB ECKERT
1:43:33.2 7:53
take 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Circle
244 NICHOLAS THURLOW
1:43:56.5 7:54
North men can be proud of Greg
248 LISA ROHR LOCO PACER 1:43:59.7 7:55
252 PAUL COMEAU
1:44:23.2 7:56
Cremer’s 1:30:14 to take 3rd in the
280 PHYLLIS FOGARTY
1:45:42.7 8:02
M40-49 zip code.
337 PATRICIA CROTHERS
1:47:50.2 8:12
Of note: Our fastest WCRCer was Tim
350 PATRICIA LAVOIE
1:48:25.9 8:15
1:50:12.2 8:23
Roache (1:24:03), and one known personal 389 MICHAEL SMITH
393 ALICE MCGONIGLE
1:50:16.5 8:23
best was ex-Run for the Roses RD Carol
Comeau, with an 1:59:55! Congrats to
all! -RR
417 JULIE BENSON
418 CLIFF CHASE LOCO PAC
437 KYLE ASMUSSEN
456 CAROLYN LAYZER
484 BYRON PETRAKIS
493 BRIAN AMERO
549 JANET PARKINSON
579 NANCY WHITE
586 KIMBERLY DWIGHT
595 PHILIP PIERCE
612 TIMMY POOLE LOCO PAC
619 JAMES BAILEY
641 KATHLEEN MCWILLIAMS
664 CAROL COMEAU
710 JAY SHORT
755 STEPHANIE SUPRIN
767 JIM BERGER
768 KATE WHEELER LOCO PA
793 DOUG ZECHEL
813 KEITH KALLBERG
843 COURTNEY MARSHALL
902 KATE FARREN
962 POLLY KENNISTON
973 DIANE CASSELBERRY
990 GAIL CLARK
1034 PHILLIP HUNT
1084 DALE GRANGER-ECKERT
1165 SHARON CHASE
1175 VICKI MILLER
1317 BETTY FISK
1:51:13.3 8:28
1:51:20.0 8:28
1:52:18.2 8:33
1:53:05.2 8:36
1:54:07.0 8:41
1:54:25.5 8:42
1:56:20.3 8:51
1:57:16.6 8:55
1:57:27.3 8:56
1:57:42.5 8:57
1:58:05.2 8:59
1:58:15.2 9:00
1:58:59.5 9:03
1:59:55.1 9:07
2:01:37.6 9:15
2:03:16.2 9:23
2:03:59.5 9:26
2:04:02.3 9:26
2:05:09.9 9:31
2:06:17.3 9:36
2:07:46.4 9:43
2:11:12.0 9:59
2:14:30.3 10:14
2:15:18.7 10:17
2:16:24.3 10:22
2:19:22.5 10:36
2:22:21.0 10:50
2:29:19.2 11:21
2:30:16.8 11:26
3:17:59.2 15:03
Page 8
RUNNERS RAG
Santa’s Toy Trot
Sunday December 11, 2011
by Dennis Donoghue
The weather for the 2011 Toy Trot, held at the Sweetsir School in
Merrimac, was cold, clear, and ideal for running. The kids’ race
started prematurely when the youngsters caught sight of a
frightening-looking Santa milling about the start. They bolted in
terror but were later rounded up and herded into the chute, where a
grateful Santa knelt on one knee and handed out candy canes,
promising he’d make it up to them on Christmas Eve. As the kids
were led away, the adults gathered in anticipation of the gun, a
sympathetic nod or two directed Santa’s way.
The point of the event—besides racing—was to collect toys and
money for kids who go without. On the stage of the school,
beneath the Circle banner, toys for all ages were stacked in
tottering towers. Entrants either paid a fee or provided a new toy,
ensuring many smiling faces on that special morning three weeks
away.
Santa knows to get out of the way: Santa Petrakis gets the Kids
Race started– just one of four events at the WCRC Santa’s Toy Trot.
Of all Circle-sponsored races, the Toy Trot is the only one that caters to specialists of all distances. Run two, four, or six miles. Decide which
when you’re steps from the finish. Veer into the chute if you’ve had enough or keep going and discover how you’re moved up place-wise without
even trying. Afterwards help yourself to a cup of cocoa from bubbling cauldron perched atop a propane burner while Circle volunteers in elf hats
dash to and fro under the watchful eye of race director Jimmy Banyas.
In each of the three races, club members filled the ranks of top finishers. In the two mile Matt Valli took the pack out at an alarming pace,
gunning for a PB. By the mile marker, he’d stretched his lead considerably and entered the chute in 11:14. “I’m a student at NECCO and I made
the basketball team as a walk-on,” announced the talented athlete. “Someday I’d like to set a world record by running a marathon while spinning a
basketball on my finger.”
Other Circle age group winners over the two mile segment were Matthew Cirinna (43, 12:39), Sandra Gordon (45, 17:38), and Robert Randall
(74, 16:55). Gordon, who resides in neighboring Amesbury, had planned to cover all six miles but the aroma of hot cocoa pulled her off the
course. “Once I caught a whiff,” she confessed, “there was no way I could pass that steaming pot two more times. I have a problem with
chocolate.”
The four mile featured overall winner Rick Walsh (53,
26:26) and age group ace Dale Bob Eckert (55, 30:11).
Eckert, famous for doing the push-ups at the finish line of
Boston Marathon, began cranking them out as soon as
he’d exited the chute. Since he’d only gone four miles
instead of 26, he compensated by doing push-ups non-stop
until after the event had ended and everyone else had gone
home. When police could not get him to cease and desist
and leave the premises, he was arrested for trespassing.
“What the hell kind of a country is it when a guy can’t do
a few push-ups on public property?” decried Eckert as he
was led away.
Amanda McCaughey, (27, 46:02), Dennis Donoghue,
(56, 38:41) and John Parker, (80, 1:14:49) all nabbed
WCRCer Stephanie Sheridan’s daughter Samantha volunteered as the
firsts in their respective age groups over the six mile
distance. Parker, of Hampton Falls, lamented the lack of Pied Piper, leading the way at Kids Race at Santa’s Toy Trot!
elevation over the layout. “I came here expecting a
challenge,” groused the octogenarian. “Nowadays everything’s too easy. Young folks are as soft as putty. When I was in my prime every one of
my workouts and races was uphill-- both ways.” McCaughey, conversely, found the flat terrain more than adequate. “I haven’t done a lick of
Christmas shopping,” she admitted as she picked up her medal and made for the door. “I only wish I had an extra second to spare running up and
down hills. How do I get to the North Shore Mall from here?”
For all competitors, it was a busy time of year. By squeezing in a couple of hours to run Santa’s Toy Trot, they notched a final race on their 2011
calendar, a last chance to sharpen legs and lungs before the racing downtime of the holidays. The fun, low key affair was family-friendly and
provided all who took part a greater sense of the meaning of the season.
- DD
RUNNERS RAG
Page 9
The Great Stew Chase
February 5, 2012
by Dennis Donoghue
The Great Stew Chase is a race your grandfather might have
run (Granny too, though in the 70’s few women were doing this
sort of thing). As the third oldest 15K in the country, it still retains
some old time frills, like cheap entry fees ($14) and indoor
bathrooms.
Post race, runners hunker down at long tables in the steamy
Lynn K of C Hall, refueling on hot coffee and beef stew (now
there’s a veggie option) while trading stories about a course as
tough as any. Age group awards go two deep in five year
categories with merchandise prizes. This year’s winners walked
away with sharp alarm clocks encased in clear plastic stands.
The course took the 272 finishers through the cities of Lynn and
Peabody and featured a life-sapping, nose bleeding climb of The
Hill, famous in local lore. At the summit you retrace your steps
back to the finish. There were other hills, too, and you get the
idea that whoever designed the route detested pancake layouts.
Nonetheless it’s a course easy to love, which is why a good
number of hardy souls return each year.
A quartet of intrepid tribe members journeyed south to
No Stewin’ Around : Dennis ‘Double D’ Donoghue and
provide splashes of blue among the reds of the Greater Boston
‘Pistol’ Pete Heslam earn steaming bowls of goodness.
and Wicked Running Clubs. As a training tool for Amherst,
Hyannis, New Bedford or Boston, this race was tough to top.
With conditions sunny, cold, breezy and ice-free, weather wasn’t much of a factor.
Peter Heslam (37th over, 7th in age group, 1:04:55), eyeing the Hyannis Marathon later in the month, noticed that his
Garmin indicated the course was 9.47 miles instead of the official 9.3. “Not only did I run faster than I thought,” he said.
“But I got to add .17 to my log. I calculate my weekly mileage out to the hundredths place. This really helps. I’m
thrilled.”
Newly matriculated member Kristen Pepp (191st overall, 48/71, 1:27:30) sought out the Stew Chase after having
grown tired of namby-pamby 5K and 10Ks that seem to abound these days. At the summit of The Hill, she had her first
out-of-body experience. “I died and came back to life,” she explained later as she broke for the stew line. “Honestly, I
thought I was done for. But apparently it just wasn’t my time. I saw the bright light they talk about and learned the true
meaning of life—to go out there and put up more miles.”
Brett Rickenbach finished 80th over, 7th in his age group in 1:04:55. As someone who also specializes in triathlons, he
was grateful he didn’t have to pedal up The Hill. “I would have snapped a chain,” he observed. “I’d much rather take it
out on myself than a $15,000 bike. I own a half dozen of them. They’re my babies. Each one has his or her name
stenciled on the crossbar.”
Overall, it was a productive day for those who partook in the timehonored tradition of the Great Stew Chase. Circle members
contributed to the race’s storied history and in return came away a
might bit stronger and faster for their efforts.
-DD
Stalker found WCRC at the Great Stew Chase:
22
37
80
191
Dennis Donoghue
Peter Heslam
Brett Rickenbach
Kristin Pepp
1:01:33
1:04:55
1:13:06
1:27:20
6:37*
6:59
7:53
9:25
*Double D took top honors in the 55-59 age group
Page 10
RUNNERS RAG
Road to the Ironrunner Jacket
th
38 Jones Group Realtors 10 Miler
Sunday February 26, 2012
By Dennis Donoghue
USATF New England Grand Prix Race #1
Early on a Sunday morning in late February, two unmarked vans headed west, one packed with women, the other men. Were they
off to some tent revival, a survivalist training seminar, a venomous reptile auction? None of the above--but something requiring
even more stamina and guile. Their mission, as it turned out, had been imprinted on their brains by WCRC team coordinators
Laurie Gaudreau and John Webber: to fight like honey badgers in the USATF Grand Prix’s first road race of the 2012 season and
live to tell about it.
The lollipop ten miler through the cow town of Amherst was listed as ‘challenging’. It rambled over hill and dale, pavement and
dirt, a beauty of a course you were lucky to survive. Despite the cold and wind, the Circle brothers and sisters thrived like, well,
honey badgers, leaving no doubt in the minds of New England clubs that they are as vicious and cutthroat as any predators in the
region.
How about our first ever age group champion in Ellie Tucker? With pluck and attitude, she fought her way through the 50-59 age
group, placing herself at the top of the leader board heading into March 18’s New Bedford Half Marathon, the series’ next road
show. While Tucker’s feat was remarkable, given the talent pool, she was only happy to share her secret. “I’m a country gal at
heart,” downplayed Tucker. “Once I smell cow manure, forget it. It’s like jet fuel in my system. I’m unstoppable.”
The rest of the gals, fortified by country air and pastoral surroundings, muscled their way to strong
finishes also. Anne Kucharski, 60, sixth in her age group, credited her success to the relaxation
techniques the women practiced on the trip out. “We took turns guessing what the guys were
talking about in their van,” she admitted. “We were howling. But then when we passed them
along Route 2 it turned out only one guy was talking. The rest appeared to be asleep, including the
driver.”
For Sue Talon, who’d never travelled as far as the banks of the Connecticut River, running through
the hamlet of Amherst offered a few surprises. “They have water stops here just like at home,”
she observed. “They even have Gatorade, which I thought until today was an East Coast thing.”
Ellie Tucker, USATF-NE
Senior Women’s Champ at
Amherst, hoists her award.
Photo credits: Brett Nelson
Louise Valois was one competitor who used the gusty conditions to her advantage.
“Some people are hill runners,” she said. “I’m a wind runner. I studied aerodynamics at MIT. My
favorite song is Run Like the Wind. I met Christopher
Cross in an airport once. He was standing at the
baggage claim waiting for his piano.”
Then there was Emily Block, who covered the terrain
in a quick 1:08:39. “It was so bright and clear,” she said. “You could see for miles,
which isn’t necessarily a good thing for a runner. Anyway, my nickname is Sun.
Whenever that big ball is shining I know it’s my day.”
Team Coordinator Laurie Gaudreau looked at her squad’s overall results and came
away impressed—and, well, a bit frightened. “To anyone, they’re as quirky and
loveable as honey badgers,” she said. “But don’t for a second turn your back on any
of them. You’ll regret it.”
As for the men, who eventually found their way to Amherst, how about a third place
finish by the seniors as well as a strong showing by the younger men whose primary
job was to assist those seniors to the starting line?
The first Circle male to find the chute was Mike Lacombe. Before the start, Lacombe,
a stickler for detail, dug a postage scale out of his gym bag and (continued next page)
The Honey Badgers: the nickname
bestowed on the WCRC USATF
Women’s Team. Why? Because our
gals are notoriously fearless, tireless in
combat, and they just don’t care. Oh,
and they also beat the men to the venue,
garnered more points, and arrived first
to the post-race beer.
RUNNERS RAG
Page 11
Your WCRC USATF-NE Grand Prix teams at the first race of the series (left to right): Mike LaCombe, Rick Walsh, Sue Talon,
Ellie Tucker, Dave ‘Kelso’ Kelly, Annie Kucharski, John Webber, Louise Valois, Emily Block, Laurie Gaudreau, Brett Nelson,
Matt Thomas, Nick Paquette, and Dennis Donoghue.
proceeded to weigh two pair of racing flats. He decided to go with the slip-ons. “I know a quarter of an ounce might not seem like
much to most people,” he admitted, “but if you do the math—the weight difference times two feet times the number of steps over
ten miles, you can plainly see that wearing the heavier shoes is akin to carrying a bowling ball.”
Lacombe’s senior teammate David Kelly had an issue simply staying on his feet. Kelly, who trains exclusively on treadmills,
stumbled after the start due to the absence of a conveyor belt beneath him. “I’m not used to the ground staying still,” he
acknowledged. “It’s an odd sensation. In fact, I reached out for a handrail and grabbed somebody’s forearm.”
Nick Paquette, experiencing his first New England Grand Prix event, planned to frame both his bib number and race tee shirt.
“Now I know what all the fuss is about,” he exclaimed. “I took a big chance climbing into that van this morning. This race makes it
all worthwhile.”
Portsmouth firefighter Brett Nelson put in a shift on the eve of the race and was
managing on just three hours sleep. At the eight mile mark, halfway up another
hill, his mind began playing tricks on him. “I saw my air tank standing on the side
of the road,” he recalled. “It had arms, legs, a face. It called to me in a
female voice. I staggered over only to find a vendor blowing up balloons for
kids.”
Rick Walsh, competing on a gimpy knee, still managed to gallop over the course
quick enough to help clinch the seniors’ high finish. His effort brought tears to
the eyes of Captain John Webber. “You’d think a guy with a shredded meniscus
would find something else to do with his Sunday mornings,” said an emotional
Webber. “But that’s Walshie. That’s how we ended up third in our division. His
mindset is indicative of every member of this squad. There’s not an ounce of
common sense among them but somehow they get the job done.”
- DD
WCRC Members At Jones 10 Miler
* indicates competing for another club
60
62
167
183
184
203
210
229
240
250
268
294
296
357
469
472
476
479
512
524
GREGORY PUTNAM
DAVE DUNHAM
MICHAEL E. LACOMBE
DENNIS DONOGHUE
MATT THOMAS
JOHN WEBBER
EMILY BLOCK
DAVID KELLY
LAURIE GAUDREAU
ELLIE TUCKER
NICK PAQUETTE
STEPHEN PECKICONIS
SARAH PRESCOTT
RICK WALSH
SUSAN TALON
BRETT NELSON
LOUISE VALOIS
ANN KUCHARSKI
COURTNEY MARSHALL
JOHN BUTLER
57:11
57:15
1:06:22
1:07:35
1:07:38
1:08:29
1:08:39
1:10:00
1:10:44
1:11:18
1:12:43
1:13:56
1:14:06
1:18:11
1:28:19
1:28:50
1:29:08
1:29:41
1:33:53
1:35:16
5:44
5:44
6:39
6:46
6:46
6:51
6:52
7:00
7:05
7:08
7:17
7:24
7:25
7:50
8:50
8:53
8:55
8:58
9:24
9:32
*
*
*
*
*
*
Page 12
RUNNERS RAG
Hy-Times in Hyannis!
Hyannis Marathon/Half Marathon
Sunday February 26, 2012
The Hyannis Marathon and Half Marathon
is an annual barometer of pre-Boston
fitness, winter training test, or escape-and
- run weekend. It was all 3 for our twenty
WCRCers who opted to stay at the host
hotel the night before and enjoy an
evening of revelry (and maybe even meet
a legend or two). In 2012, Olympic
marathon gold medalist Joan Benoit
Samuelson was the main attraction.
The WCRC gang always carbo-loads over
at ‘The Roadhouse’ restaurant, hoisting a
few before retiring to the host hotel for a WCRC meets Joanie at the Hyannis Expo. From back left: Curt
Lintvedt, Lisa Peters, Tom Miller. Seated: Joan Samuelson, Vicki
solid 40 winks. With a convenient 10AM
start for both races, even a crappy night’s Miller (photo credit: Vicki Miller)
sleep is pretty good! High winds from the
day prior subsided (40mph gusts, the relay-exchange area porta-potties were all tipped over), allowing
runners to get their game on. After the crack of the starters pistol and two 13.1-mile loops were complete WCRC’s own Abby Jackson was the 9th woman overall, 4th in the W30-39 age group, and captured a
personal best with a 3:31:04 marathon time. The indomitable Sin Kounlasa took 2nd in the W50-59 age
group with a superb 4:05:34!
WCRC at Hyannis Marathon 26.2
Pistol-Pete Heslam was the 22nd
marathoner over the line, in a
22 Peter Heslam
3:18:09 7:34
fine 3:18:09. With his 4:06:24,
58 Abby Jackson
3:31:04 8:03
mega-marathoner Curt Lintvedt
201 Sinthy Kounlasa 4:05:34 9:22
204 Curtis Lintvedt 4:06:24 9:24
took home hardware as 3rd
231 Kristin Pepp
4:15:06 9:44
overall in the M60-69 gang,
239 Lisa Peters
4:17:21 9:49
stacking the award on his
marathon finish pile like seasoned
WCRC at Hyannis Half Marathon 13.1
cordwood. WCRC half
34 David Lamoureux
1:20:26 6:09
marathoners were led by Dave
403 Tony Myatt
1:39:26 7:36
Lamoureaux, who really rocked
524 Mike St. Laurent 1:41:58 7:47
the course in 1:20:26, 6:09 pace!
840 Michael Gallagher 1:48:11 8:16
1016 Rob Thompson
1:50:34 8:27
Dave was followed by Tony Myatt
1107
Tom
Miller
1:51:45 8:32
(1:39) and Loco Sports founder
1153 Kara Brown
1:52:19 8:35
Mike St. Laurent (1:41).
26.2 Miles and All Grins: 1466 Terri Moyer
1:56:40 8:54
And what of Olympic great Joan Abby Jackson can’t be any 1991 Kevin Callahan
2:04:28 9:30
2127 Jim Ellis
2:06:33 9:40
Samuelson? Joanie duked it out happier after her personal
2361
Tom
Miller
2:11:22 10:02
best at the Hyannis full
with Lisa Motta, and both
2403
Betty
Fisk
2:12:06 10:05
marathon. Well... unless
finished with an identical time
2404 Vicki Miller
2:12:08 10:05
her WCRC pals carry her
2626 Kate Benson
2:16:44 10:26
(1:31:36). Joanie got the nod and back to her room.
the W50-59 age victory. -RR
RUNNERS RAG
Page 13
Valli Rocks Frozen Shamrock!
Stalker finds WCRCers at Frozen Shamrock!
Frozen Shamrock 3 Miler
February 26, 2012
1
9
18
29
81
87
101
121
139
152
203
213
240
263
275
327
358
368
432
580
651
680
699
731
758
767
895
Boom! with a fist pump, Matt Valli crosses first and scores a
personal best. Photo credit: Jason Phillips
MATT VALLI
JACOB JOHNS
BOB STROUT
PAUL BOUCHARD
JAMES BANYAS
PAUL DESROCHE
STEPHANIE SHERIDAN
DAVID LABRODE
KRISTEN BOUCHARD
AMANDA BURNHAM
STEPHEN IOLA
ALBERT MANZI
JOHN UNDERWOOD
PEGGY GORDON
JAY SHORT
LISA JEWETT
DAVE JOHNS
GINGER IOLA
CATHY DUNHAM
SKIP CLEAVER
CAT CARGILL
DENISE UNDERWOOD
ROSE WASHAK
GREG WASHAK
SUSAN LOVERING
ROBERT BROWN
HOLLY MANDIGO-ALY
16:46.8
18:03.5
18:40.0
19:30.3
21:36.9
21:45.7
22:13.5
22:43.6
22:57.5
23:11.4
24:04.8
24:14.1
24:32.9
24:49.9
25:07.7
26:01.0
26:25.0
26:33.5
27:22.3
29:30.4
30:47.2
31:20.9
31:40.5
32:16.8
33:17.8
33:31.9
5:36
6:02
6:14
6:31
7:13
7:16
7:25
7:35
7:40
7:44
8:02
8:05
8:11
8:17
8:23
8:41
8:49
8:52
9:08
9:51
10:16
10:27
10:34
10:46
11:06
11:11
[TIME NOT AVAILABLE]
The first race on the Wild Rover Series brought out the ‘Irish’ in runners, and it wasn’t even March yet. At the Frozen
Shamrock 3 miler, 905 runners took to the streets of Haverhill, donning green shirts, green tights and green afro-wigs
and bounced their way to their destination: The Little River Ale House. While the ‘Thirsty Green Irish Machine’ was
revved up, the Blue and Gold Express was also on the roads, and gave the good people of Circle Nation something to
cheer about in late winter: Matt Valli, the rising young
star on the Merrimack Valley running scene, found his
4-leaf clover at the Frozen Shamrock, and won the race
outright. Matt not only bested the field, he scored a
personal best of 16:46, for a quick 5:36 average pace per
mile. 17-year old wunderkind Jacob Johns wouldn’t be
left out of the action, and scored a 3rd place in the rough
men’s 19-and-under age group. The senior men refused
to be outdone by the
THE VALLI FILES youngsters, and rallied. Bob
Strout took 2nd and Paul
At the Ras na
hEireann USA Bouchard took 3rd in the
men’s 50-59 age category.
5K, Matt Valli
ran a 17:52 (5:45 27 WCRC members were
average) to finish discovered as finishers, on
23rd out of 4,367 their way to earning a
runners! Here,
unique finishers award: a
jimrhoades.com
snagged a partial shamrock award built from
The Frozen Three: Jacob ‘JJ’ Johns took a podium spot, as
‘leaf’ medals from all 3
shot of Matt in
did Bob Strout. For Dave Labrode, it’s a destination [The Ale
the heat of battle. races. -RR
House pub] not a journey. Photo credits: jimrhoades.com
Page 14
Clamor for the Claddagh!
Claddagh Pub 4-Miler
Lawrence, MA, 3/4/2012
WCRCers are attracted to pub
runs like night-insects to
bug-zappers, but the Claddagh
Pub has a special place in WCRC
hearts. It is the final destination
of the Mill Cities Relay. It is also
the home to the annual Claddagh
Pub 4-miler! St. Patrick’s day
was a few weeks away,
nevertheless, the wearin’ o the
green—and the blue and gold—
could be seen on the hard streets
of Lawrence MA .
Before the mirth and amusement
of the post-race party could
The Flash versus Kid-Flash:
begin, some running-business
Young Jacob ‘JJ’ Johns
needed tending-to. 17 year old
catches Matt Valli in the final
Jacob ‘JJ’ Johns and Matt Valli strides.
did battle to the line, finishing
with identical times! ‘JJ’ got the nod in placement. On the
podium, Jacob took top honors in the 19-and-under age group, and
Matt Valli took 3rd in the killer men’s 20-29 age group.
Annmarie McCormick took an impressive 2nd place in the
women’s masters (40-49) - and was the 6th WCRCer to the line.
Bob ‘Strouty’ Strout hates being left off the podium, so much he
built his own at home just in case. No worries at the Claddagh,
Bob stood in 1st for the senior men (50-59) age group. Marshall
McCloskey took top honors in the men’s 70-79 age group, besting
his nearest rival by just over 3 minutes. Naturally WCRCers found
their way into the pub, and… well, you know. -RR
RUNNERS RAG
Stalker Detects WCRC at the Claddagh!
9
10
20
52
56
72
73
91
129
149
156
172
192
209
218
219
243
251
257
335
362
380
391
418
505
524
653
722
723
725
726
782
786
920
JACOB JOHNS
MATT VALLI
BOB STROUT
ROB LORING
DAVID CARROLL
ANNMARIE MCCORMICK
JAMES BANYAS
PAUL DESROCHE
DAVID LABRODE
STEPHANIE SHERIDAN
AMANDA BURNHAM
KRISTEN BOUCHARD
STEPHEN IOLA
JOHN UNDERWOOD
KURT BUNTING
ALBERT MANZI
PEGGY GORDON
DAVE JOHNS
COURTNEY MARSHALL
JAY SHORT
LISA JEWETT
STAN KLEM
CATHY DUNHAM
GINGER IOLA
KEN SKIER
SKIP CLEAVER
MARSHALL MCCLOSKEY
DAVE MCGUIGAN
CAT CARGILL
DENISE UNDERWOOD
ROSE WASHAK
JOHN PARKER
GREG WASHAK
HOLLY MANDIGO-ALY
24:04.3
24:04.3
25:45.4
28:48.5
29:00.2
29:47.8
29:49.0
30:21.8
31:42.0
32:25.2
32:33.1
32:49.8
33:24.7
33:40.6
33:51.4
33:51.9
34:10.2
34:20.3
34:24.8
35:54.6
36:25.8
36:42.9
36:53.5
37:27.1
38:47.6
39:11.1
41:56.3
43:50.6
43:51.6
43:52.5
43:53.8
45:54.1
45:59.5
1:01:07.3
6:02
6:02
6:27
7:13
7:16
7:27
7:28
7:36
7:56
8:07
8:09
8:13
8:22
8:26
8:28
8:28
8:33
8:36
8:37
8:59
9:07
9:11
9:14
9:22
9:42
9:48
10:30
10:58
10:58
10:59
10:59
11:29
11:30
15:17
Feeling The Burn (from left): Stephanie Sheridan used her Irish-sounding name to obtain a better seat in the pub. Bob ’Strouty’
Strout flexes his arms when he knows the camera is on him. Dave Carroll didn’t want anyone to think he jogged this thing.
Jimmy Banyas can’t unzip his vest any further. Paul Desroche makes it ‘hurt so good’. Ex-Prez of WCRC Kristen Bouchard is
not looking at the clock, she’s checking the line into the pub. Photo Credits: jimrhoades.com
RUNNERS RAG
Page 15
USATF New England Grand Prix Race #2
Blue-and-Gold Sun… Rising
th
35 New Bedford Half
Marathon
Sunday March 18, 2012
by Dennis Donoghue
Minutes before the start of the 35th New
Bedford Half Marathon, Circle kinfolk
contorted themselves through the bars
of iron police gates, gathered in clumps
of blue and gold, snapped salutes during
the singing of the national anthem, then
as one: let out the honey badger war-cry
at the crack of the starter’s pistol.
The USATF-NE Honey Badgers and Wolf-pack hang out on the sunny
Winners Circle decks after the New Bedford half. Back row: Steve Smith,
Annie Kucharski, Brett Nelson, Abby Jackson, Laurie Gaudreau, Sue Talon,
Louise Valois, Bruce Lander, John Webber, Ellie Tucker (obscured by PistolPete’s shoulder). Front row: Matt Thomas, Rick Walsh, Dave ‘Kelso’ Kelly, Pete
Heslam, and Nick Paquette
Though four or five car-fulls do not a
busload make, numbers are increasing,
as are the strange looks from opponents.
It’s that crowd from the north again, come to do damage with smiles on their faces, like their beloved honey badgers.
Of all the races of the 2012 New England Grand Prix series, this one is the best attended and most competitive.
Everyone wants to run New Bedford though not necessarily for the fried fish sandwiches and chowder post race. The
course ambles along boulevards, neighborhoods streets, the waterfront. Residents of this historic city treat the event
as if it’s the Boston Marathon. There are bells and whistles, cheers and orange slices. Traffic management is
phenomenal. It’s a must event for the serious runner.
“Swimming
during a road
race is perfectly
legal…”
- Bruce Lander
The blue and gold did what they’d come to do—collecting PB’s as well as
climbing both team and individual standings. Some members, however,
had to change strategy unexpectedly mid-race.
Matt Thomas, for example, experienced lower-deck distress at ten miles
but still managed to shuffle home in a respectable time: “Last week I read
an article about the carbohydrate-to-protein ratio of pork rinds,” he
acknowledged. “So I substituted them in place of my gel packets. Big
mistake.”
Bruce Lander joined the senior roster and ended up finishing third for the men. A triathlete by trade, he’s won enough
art work in competition to open a museum. During the three mile stretch along open water, he plunged into the surf
to duck out of the strong headwind. “Swimming during a road race is perfectly legal,” he noted. “There just aren’t a
whole lot of guys like me who can swim faster than they can run.”
(continued next page)
Page 16
For other members, it was business as usual, at least
during the race. For the second time in a row, Ellie
Tucker captured her age group. Then she was
subsequently arrested by New Bedford police. “I
found out later that there’s some statue in this town
about fast women,” she explained. “I may be fast but
I’m not loose, at least I don’t think so. ‘Course the
jury’s still out.”
RUNNERS RAG
- Stalker Discovered 32 WCRCers at NB 13.1 -
81
222
239
264
285
294
320
340
351
For Abby Jackson, a descendent of former President
413
and Indian fighter Andrew Jackson, summoning the
422
458
warrior spirit of her ancestor garnered her enough
459
precious seconds to result in a PB. “In his day, no one
503
ran unless they had to,” she said. “That is, unless
505
someone was trying to kill you. If you managed to get
514
away you had a personal best every time. That type of 517
motivation you just can’t teach.”
529
538
542
Young Emily Block also raced to a PB. “It was that
568
ungodly screeching at the start that fired me up,” she
891
said. “At first I thought it was a pack of coyotes getting 1037
disemboweled until I turned around and saw all my
1176
1198
teammates. My throat is still killing me.”
1435
1471
Like their stealthy honey badgers idols, all Circle
1680
squads snuck up in the overall USATF-NE rankings after 1826
this event, with the senior men finishing as high as
2215
2452
second.
2652
Team coordinator Laurie Gaudreau had her squad on
site four hours before the 11 a.m. start, necessitating a
three a.m. wake-up call. “I insist my girls look put
together no matter where we happen to be racing,”
she said. “I demand perfection in both looks and
performance. My role model is Abby on Dance
Moms.”
Taking a different approach was men’s coordinator
John Webber: “Hell, they haven’t invented a cosmetic
that will improve the looks of my squad,” he said.
“Half of them have one foot in Assisted Living anyway.
But somehow they manage to perform every time, at
least on the roads.”
- DD
DAVE DUNHAM
MICHAEL LACOMBE
DENNIS DONOGHUE
EMILY BLOCK
MATT THOMAS
BRUCE LANDER
STEPHEN SMITH
DAVID KELLY
JOHN WEBBER
ELLIE TUCKER *
KEVIN CALLAHAN
LAURIE GAUDREAU
NICK PAQUETTE
PETER HESLAM
ADAM NISSON
ABBY JACKSON
STEPHEN PECKICONIS
STEPHEN SMITH
LAWSON NOYES *
SARAH PRESCOTT
RICK WALSH
LAURIE GAGNON
SINTHY KOUNLASA
SUSAN TALON
LOUISE VALOIS
BRETT NELSON
ANN KUCHARSKI
MIKE STANWYCK
JAY SHORT
BETTY FISK
SKIP CLEAVER
JUDY GRAHAM-GARCIA
1:16:48
1:25:30
1:26:28
1:27:27
1:28:05
1:28:21
1:28:54
1:29:54
1:30:13
1:32:26
1:32:50
1:34:07
1:34:02
1:36:11
1:35:59
1:36:12
1:36:19
1:36:28
1:36:54
1:37:02
1:37:08
1:45:21
1:48:10
1:51:54
1:52:29
1:56:57
1:57:38
2:01:40
2:02:51
2:14:28
2:22:11
2:43:42
5:52
6:33
6:37
6:41
6:45
6:46
6:49
6:52
6:54
7:04
7:06
7:12
7:12
7:21
7:21
7:22
7:23
7:24
7:25
7:25
7:29
8:06
8:19
8:34
8:37
8:58
9:01
9:20
9:35
10:25
11:03
12:39
* Both Ellie Tucker (F50-59) and Lawson Noyes (M70-79)
were individual champions in their age divisions at NB 13.1!
WCRC USATF-NE Point Getters After 2 Events:
10M 13.1M
Total
WOMEN'S 55-59
#1 ELLIE TUCKER
10
10
20
MEN'S 55-59
#2 DENNIS DONOGHUE
#5 DAVID KELLY
8
4
8
5
16
9
WOMEN'S 60-64
#5 ANN KUCHARSKI
4
4
8
WOMEN'S 40-44
#7 LAURIE GAUDREAU
5
2
7
WOMEN'S 45-49
#11 LOUISE VALOIS
3
1
4
5
5
MEN'S 60-64
#11 STEPHEN SMITH
RUNNERS RAG
Page 17
31st Annual WCRC April Fools 4 Miler
Fools Rush In…(to
the Finish!)
March 31, 2012
Our popular spring classic, the WCRC April Fools 4-Miler, hit a milestone in
2012—with over 1000 registrations and 933 finishers! Thanks in combination
with our partner Loco Sports ‘Will Run for Beer’ series and their jacket
chasing enthusiasts, and the incredible efforts of race directors Dale Eckert
and Laurie Gaudreau and their legion of WCRC volunteers—the race was
a qualified success. Runners raced against a seriously competitive crowd.
Runners got accurate chip-times from Yankee Timing. Runners went home
with tech shirts or Loco hats (runners choice), great goody bags, and bellies
full of post-race snacks, cookies and refreshing Smuttynose beer (the Will
Run for Beer sponsor).
The April Fools race was also the first stop on the new WCRC 4-3-2-1 Speed
Series, a series that combines 4 of our existing races in countdown format,
and encourages runners to step it up a notch—for a reasonable price.
The rain threatened but never showed up, but overcast skies stayed and that
was just fine to runners attempting to uncork a good one. Uncork they did:
and WCRCers were awash in awards, cleaning up like a mop & bucket to a
spill on isle 4. Awards went 3-deep at 5 year intervals.
Let’s start with some ‘number ones’: how about 80 year old John Parker,
who took 1st the 80-89 age group? Our next #1 is our 2012 Paula Holm
Award winner Bob Randall, who took 1st in the M75-79 age category.
M70-74’er Philip Pierce battled his way to a strong 2nd in the that same
category.
The WCRC 60-somethings also expressed their dominance in their class. In
the women’s 60-64 department, Jacci Hussey grabbed the #2 spot. (continued)
Cookie-baker and hat-maker: Vicki Miller and RD’s Dale Eckert and
Laurie Gaudreau sport the latest in Jester-wear, created by Vicki herself!
Stalker Discovered 77 WCRCers @ The Fools!
12
13
17
31
33
34
35
37
40
41
42
43
45
50
54
55
57
67
68
72
82
98
115
119
130
140
147
149
153
159
168
172
186
193
197
201
207
208
215
217
252
254
255
259
269
281
284
285
288
311
321
329
342
361
362
379
402
404
419
455
459
461
463
483
546
550
551
631
652
706
765
774
806
826
842
906
913
MATTHEW VALLI
MATT THOMAS
DENNIS DONOGHUE
STUART OLSEN
KELLY BRADBURY
PETER HESLAM
MATTHEW TILBURY
DREW KIEFABER
RICK WALSH
KYLE GAUDREAU
MATTHEW CIRINNA
KEITH LEBLANC
MICHAEL ST. LAURENT
ADAM NISSON
MARISSA LAFLAMME
DAVID GRAZIO
DON DWIGHT
TOM CHASE
DARYL KINCAID
LYNN MCNAMARA
PAUL DESROCHE
LAURIE GAUDREAU
LAURA SEDDON
PATRICIA CROTHERS
JOE KENNEDY
JEFF CROTHERS
KYLE ASMUSSEN
BILL CLARKE
JODI BERTRAND
SHEILA FITZGERALD
GARY ROHR
JULIE BENSON
JOE RAMA VALIANTI
MARY JANE RYAN
JAMIE BEAULIEU
DAVE LABRODE
MAUREEN MOORE
KRISTEN BOUCHARD
SUE TALON
STEPHEN IOLA
COURTNEY MARSHALL
SUE MACKIE
JAMES BAILEY
ALBERT MANZI
JIM BERGER
VICKI MILLER
PHILIP PIERCE
STEPHANIE SUPRIN
LESLIE BEHAN
JAY SHORT
REBECCA BARTCZAK
MICHAEL MENESALE
GINGER IOLA
MEGAN FERGUSON
SCOTT WALSH
JACCI HUSSEY
PHILLIP HUNT
ROBERT RANDALL
HOLLY SULLIVAN
DEB LITTLEFIELD
SANDRA GORDON
ELIZABETH HICKMAN
KATHY CASPERSON
PATTIE CLOCHER
LAURIE CYR
BETSY BERKENBUSH
ALLYN GENEST
DALE GRANGER-ECKERT
GAIL CLARK
SHARON CHASE
JAMES FARREN
LEANNE CORNING
ROBERT BROWN
JOHN PARKER
MIKE SHIELDS
HOLLY MANDIGO-ALY
BOB AUCOIN
23:54.5
23:59.2
24:31.2
25:40.9
25:47.5
25:56.6
26:04.1
26:07.2
26:28.1
26:33.4
26:38.2
26:41.2
26:47.9
27:02.6
27:12.2
27:13.0
27:15.2
27:34.1
27:36.3
27:48.0
28:22.7
28:55.4
29:21.8
29:23.8
29:37.8
30:01.7
30:10.6
30:10.7
30:13.0
30:19.7
30:34.6
30:39.4
31:03.9
31:08.0
31:11.6
31:13.7
31:18.2
31:18.2
31:25.9
31:27.4
32:11.9
32:13.6
32:14.0
32:19.4
32:28.5
32:39.4
32:45.0
32:46.0
32:50.4
33:22.6
33:33.0
33:40.4
33:55.1
34:11.3
34:11.4
34:30.7
34:51.1
34:53.3
35:11.4
35:43.6
35:50.1
35:51.0
35:52.6
36:32.4
37:50.0
37:52.9
37:53.0
39:39.9
40:09.8
41:24.0
43:14.2
43:30.8
44:42.8
46:19.0
47:53.4
55:23.7
57:26.9
5:59
6:00
6:08
6:26
6:27
6:30
6:32
6:32
6:38
6:39
6:40
6:41
6:42
6:46
6:49
6:49
6:49
6:54
6:55
6:57
7:06
7:14
7:21
7:21
7:25
7:31
7:33
7:33
7:34
7:35
7:39
7:40
7:46
7:47
7:48
7:49
7:50
7:50
7:52
7:52
8:03
8:04
8:04
8:05
8:08
8:10
8:12
8:12
8:13
8:21
8:24
8:26
8:29
8:33
8:33
8:38
8:43
8:44
8:48
8:56
8:58
8:58
8:59
9:09
9:28
9:29
9:29
9:55
10:03
10:21
10:49
10:53
11:11
11:35
11:59
13:51
14:22
Page 18
RUNNERS RAG
Sufferin’ Fools: The 1000-strong field of runners prepares to toe the line for the 31st annual WCRC April Fools 4 Miler
(Continued from previous page): In the men’s 60-64 group, Bill Clarke took the #3 position.
Lets jump to the fantastic 50-somethings, where WCRC also held sway. If you’ve been tracking the USATF-New England series,
you find out fairly quick that the New England senior running divisions are tough as nails. Dennis ‘Double-D’ Donoghue lives in
that age bracket, but still kept his fantastic Spring-2012 racing season alive, by taking 1st in the M55-59 age group. Patricia
Crothers also does battle in that zone, and fought her way to 2nd place in the F50-54 group. The women’s 55-59 grouping was just
filled with WCRC gangsters: Vicki Miller (1st) and Leslie Behan (2nd) took the top 2 spots. Loco-Man and WCRC member
Mike St. Laurent let us know he wasn’t there just for his good looks: Mike took 2nd in the M55-59 age category. Right behind
Mike was always-racing Adam Nissan, taking 3rd and in M55-59.
Our women’s masters have something to be proud of (per usual): Kelly Bradbury took 2nd in the always-tough women’s 45-49 age
group. Our 30-somethings also have a powerful gun in their own holster: Lynn McNamara took 2nd in the F35-39 gang.
Our final award winners are ’The Fast Matts’: they were the WCRC’s top 2 finishers, and each took home a ‘three’ in their division:
Matt Thomas took 3rd in the 30-34 age bracket, and Matt Valli took 3rd in the M20-24 collective.
The post race bash at the Circle raged on into the afternoon, long after the Smutty kicked. The hard work applied to this race
showed up in the way of success: happy runners. Thank you Dale, Laurie and all the volunteers!! -RR
WCRC/Andover Striders Running Royalty: This April Fools race water stop has been
manned by the same faithful volunteers for years. But these are not just any volunteers:
these were some of the toughest, fastest runners in the Merrimack Valley during the 1980’s
running boom. All were part of the legendary weekly group of runners that met at Jack
Rembis Cleaners in Lawrence MA, and hammered 12 hilly/fast miles. Sitting: Jack
Murphy, Jack Rembis, Andy Sullivan. Back: Marty Cardoza, Dave McGuigan, Brian
‘Gabby’ Hayes. The guys demonstrate how to replace fluids properly, via Red Solo cup.
Fool for Fashion: 2012
Paula Holm Award winner
Bob Randall sports one of
Vicki Miller’s creations
RUNNERS RAG
Keeping
Up With
Curt
Page 19
WCRC’s Road Warrior in New Zealand
The Motatapu Trail Marathon
By Curt Lintvedt
Talk about your long flights... After spending the good part of a day flying to LAX, my flight to
New Zealand took off at 9:00 PM on Tuesday, and arrived in Auckland at 7:00 AM on
Thursday! A short connecting flight got me to Christchurch, on the South Island later that
morning. I was traveling to visit my daughter Carrie and her Kiwi family: husband Scott, and
sons Dylan (2) and Max (4 mos.). However, the trip was planned when I learned that Scott and
some friends were running the Motatapu Trail Marathon. Also, Scott’s brother, father, and
uncle were riding in a 50K mountain bike race on the same course three hours after the runners’
start. The entire extended family group stayed in a rental house near the start in Wanaka, a six
hour drive south from Christchurch.
The Motatapu course follows unpaved roads and double-track trails through environmentally
protected land that is open to the public only one day a year for the marathon and 50K bike
race. Set in the spectacular Southern high country, there are many rivers to cross, hills to climb
and a few steep descents thrown into the mix during the final 10K. The race starts at 1,000 ft.,
climbs to 3,000 ft. at 30K, and then descends to 1,300 ft. at the finish in Arrowtown. The
course runs through narrow river valleys surrounded by 5,000 ft. mountains. There are no
trees, but sheep can survive on the grass and limited vegetation that grow on the steep rocky hill
sides.
Scott and I left in the dark on Saturday morning to catch the shuttle bus that drove us a few
miles on the unpaved road to the marathon start. The sun just crested the mountains to the east Ex-stream-ly tough: Here’s Curt
at 7:00 AM and the marathon gun sounded at 8:00 AM. It was cool at the start and fortunately, crashing through one of many
stream/river crossings!
cloud cover kept the temperature in the mid-60’s as the race progressed. I started with Scott
and two of his friends. We crossed our first stream within the first mile! After a few miles, I
let the young guys go. I caught up with Scott and one friend around the 30K aid station, but they took off while I was filling my
water bottle and taking a gel and electrolyte break. I caught them again at the final aid station around 36K. We took off for the finish together, but after a couple hundred yards I could see they would be waiting for me at the finish! The course became a very
steep downhill at this point. In the last mile or so, we had to cross the fast-moving, knee-high river 5 or 6 times! The cold water
made it hard for me to even run between crossings! The clock read 5:01:30 when I crossed the finish line. Scott and his friend finished together with a time of 4:54:07. It was a great race on a spectacular course. The mountain bikers also had good days, and we
celebrated back at the rental house in Wanaka with some of Scott’s excellent
home-brewed beer!
The whole group was forced to take a rest/recovery day on Sunday when it poured rain all day
in Wanaka. On Monday, we headed back to Christchurch. As a bonus, we stopped to visit
another of Scott’s friends who is the winemaker at the Kurow Winery. We enjoyed a private
tour and wine tasting -- a nice way to wrap up a road trip!
I have added the Motatapu Marathon to my list of favorite marathons. Also, early fall in New
Zealand is a great time to visit this beautiful country. I know I will be back!
Happy Trails!
- CL
Post Race Stoke: Curt and his
son-in-law Scott, post Motatapu
Page 20
RUNNERS RAG
WCRC Wicked Awesome Stuff Dept.
Chris Fitt is The Ultimate Warrior
WCRC athlete and Army Reservist Chris Fitt went up against
soldiers from 5 other Reserve Battalions—and won the regional
‘Expeditionary Sustainment Command 2012 Best Warrior
competition’ on March 29 through April 1, 2012.
The grueling competition
ranged from physical
challenges (a 10-mile hike
conducted at 3 a.m., while
carrying 75 pounds of
gear) to programming
ground-to-air radios (see
photo) to grilling
interviews by military
panels.
As regional champ, Chris
qualified for the ’Soldier
of the Year’ competition
in mid April.
Congrats Mr. Fitt!
Photo and story credit:
fosters.com
DD, Ultra-Bob Snow the Competition
The man who needs no introduction—Dave Dunham- took 2nd
overall at Acidotic's Granite State Snowshoe Championship
10K in 40:38, good for 6:34 average (smokin’!). The trails of
the Great Glen Outdoor Center (near the Mt. Washington Auto
Road), were the media to which the snowshoe championship
played out; Dave only bested by a 34 year old ‘kid’.
Meanwhile, Dave’s WCRC compatriot Ultra-Bob Dunfey
(known for his Boston Marathon streaks and his belt-buckle
winning 100 mile ultra-races) dominated his M60-69 age group
finishing the
10K in 57:59,
good for 9:22
average!
Photo of Bob
blasting off at
the 10K
championship,
stolen off of the
internets
somewhere
The Grand [Stair]Master
26 Myles to Myrtle
‘Firefightin’ Brett Nelson
gets a kick out of donning
his work gear/tanks and
racing in grueling climbs to
the top of buildings. This
time, Brett raced in the
Run Up Boston Place on
February 4th, 2012.
Brett, representing the
Portsmouth Fire
Department, covered 82
flights of stairs/
41 floors/789 stairs in 11
minutes, 17 seconds.
WCRC member and New
England ex-pat Myles
Wilson ran super-fast on
February 18, 2012, at the
Myrtle Beach Marathon at
Myrtle Beach SC. Myles
covered the course in
3:24:21. Was it a PR? We
are uncertain at this juncture.
However, Myles, a scientist
and one of WCRC’s finest
newsletter editors, is a stickler for details and will let us know.
All we know is, Myles nailed a good one in the midst of
winter, having trained in his new home-state of IL.
-Aucoin Watch70 year old Bob Aucoin is known
for his running streaks and his
100K lifetime mile accomplishment. Where is he now?
Find Strouty…
Bob Strout representin’
WCRC lands on the
As of February 1st 2012, Bob hit 42 cover ad for the
Stonyfield Earth Day
years of running/speed walking,
with lifetime miles of 102,211. At
5K, wearing his finest
15,363 days of running, his average dress blues. While you
run per day is 6.65 miles.
notice the guy in the cow
suit, you can just feel
Bob also tabulated 1,011 straight
days at 7.163 miles, where he aver- Bob’s presence... ebbing
aged a run of 7.08 miles/day. His
though the ad.
total lifetime races? 1,043!
RUNNERS RAG
Page 21
Coming in the Next Rag (2nd issue of 4, in
2012):
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
Boston Marathon stories, pictures, and deferrals
WCRC versus Mt. Washington. Who wins?
WCRC shenanigans in Mt. Washington valley on the
eve of the race
Who caught Spring Marathon fever? The Rag will
find out
Great Bay Half Recap
WCRC at the races: late spring to summer
Articles I couldn’t stuff in here
Epic user contributions
Other Stuff…
A special Rag “Thank You” to the people and things
that helped the Rag editor get this issue out, through
content contributions, photography, and other stuff:
HUGE thanks to Dennis Donoghue, who wrote copious articles
for this first edition of 2012. Thanks also to: Brett Nelson, Curt
Lintvedt, Bob Randall, Harpoon Celtic Red Ale, Kristen Broderick, Louise Valois, Vicki Miller, Sam Adams 26.2 Mile ale,
Tom Miller, Newburyport News, Eagle Tribune news, Athlinks.com and of course… coolrunning.com!
Circle Nation—did you not see something you think
should be in this issue? I know you’ve got stories and
fables in those endorphin-filled heads of yours. Get those
10-fingers-a-typin’ and send me a story or an article or a
photo, a suggestion or something for the next Rag!
WCRC - Winter-to-Spring 2012
THE RUNNERS’ RAG
WINNERS CIRCLE RUNNING CLUB
211 ELM STREET (Rte. 110)
SALISBURY, MA 01952
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