It seemed only fitting that on the very week that J.R.R Tolkien's epic made its appearance on the big screens for the holiday season, the giant, flaming eye of Sauron should gaze down upon 59 runners just past the mid-way point of the Winter Grand Prix series and the middle of series race number 3. And as we dropped down into the lands of the cranberry bogs and forests of Marstons Mills, we could feel the brief warmth from the fires of Mordor and hear the heavy breaths of the orcs and trolls at our backs.
As the feathery traceries and crystalline structures of chilly water finally made an appearance in various puddles across the Cape, sweatpants, tights, and sweatshirts were in abundance as runners gathered for the start. With early morning temperatures in the 20's, a moderate northerly wind, and a clear, blue sky, no one was eager to take the early lead. Mike Herlihy led the opening pack along with George Gomes, Matt Theodore, Jon Piers, and Geof Newton. After a quick dodging of cars across Newtown road, George and Geof picked up the pace down the long hills and into the cranberry bogs. Starting to recover his legs after a successful Ironman in Florida, George was eager to pick up some much needed Grand Prix points and continued to mark the pace until the hills of Olde Homestead. Unable to make his legs move any faster up the hills, George surrendered the lead and Geof continued in in a time of 25:10. Meanwhile, Sean Doherty, recovering from a cold, some injuries, and with nothing to push was slowly reeling in the age group competition from behind. Hanging right with Sean and surrounded by M&M (Mike Parker and Mike Sellars), Christine Pratt-Gorrill led Cathy Klim, Susan Lowry, and the rest of the women's field in a time of 27:47. Cathy once again dominated her age group leading her nearest competition by over 5 minutes. We welcomed several newcomers to the Grand Prix series including Steve Rothdiener and Jeff Duggan, who led their woefully thin fields in the 15-19 and 0-14 age groups respectively. We also welcomed local runners Lora Ziemba and Peter Lyons to their Grand Prix initiation.
In the quest for Grand Prix points, Cathy Klim and Bill Riley have taken firm control of their age groups. Jonathan Piers and George Gomes have started mixing it up in the men's 35-39 division while Michael Parker took advantage of Mike Naughton's absence to take over the lead in the fiercely contested 45-49 division. Bob Eckerson was able to edge Jack Klim by six seconds to maintain a slim lead in the 50-54 age group. Trying to make up for lost time, Brian Kelly took 9 points and is closing the gap to Rob Kadunc and leader Tom Warren. For the women, Susan Lowry made up some points on Kathleen Thomas and Mary Peabody began closing in on F45-49 leader Judy Stacy-Johnson. Off the previous week, Martha Edwards took over the lead in the women's 60-64 age group and Joanne Creel took an easy 10 points unchallenged for the Filly title. Connie Worgan and Shelley Whitehead also took advantage of the bright, clear weather and walked their first races of the season.
The Grand Prix series continues every weekend (except 6 January) until the end of January at various locations
across the Cape. Cost is $5 for club members and $10 for non-members. All are invited to attend but only club
members are eligible for points and awards to be presented at the annual club banquet in February. For more
information, visit the CCAC at http://www.capecodathleticclub.org/.