Eliot Festival Road Race, September 27, 2003

The Eliot Road Race has had a reputation over the past few years for outstanding organization, fast times, and one hell of a post race feast, and this year was no exception.

While the winning times have always been fast, this year the field also had depth, with 11 women dipping under 18, and 8 men eclipsing the 15 minute barrier. The men’s race was won by Cain Williams, of Providence, RI, in a course-record time of 14:28.3. Cain was followed by former Iona College standout Vinny Mulvey, who finished second in 14:40. Olympic Trials hopeful Wilson Perez, of Keene, NH, finished 3rd in 14:32, and former New England Runner of the Year David Hinga came in fourth with a time of 14:48.7. Chris Volante (Nashua, NH), Casey Moulton (Pelham, NH), Carl Mease (Lowell, MA), and Ricardo Santos (Bridgeport, CT) were the other men to run sub-15’s.

On the women’s side, Amy Nedeau of Belchertown, MA won in a blazing time of 16:44.9. Nicole Toye, of Barrington NH, was second in 17:08, and Jenna Richardson, of China, ME, was third in 17:12. Somerville standout Andrea Gillespie placed fourth in 17:24. Rounding out the top-ten were Carly Graytock (17:36.81), Suzanne Hussey (17:37), Emily Bryans (17:37.71), Vanessa Ray (17:41.71), Christine Reaser (17:44.71), and Karen Thistle (17:48.36).

Jenn Lassen lead the team Gloucester contingent, running a personal-best 18:11.4. (And yes, I do regret my sub-18 spanks-wearing promise, now that a sub-18 is actually starting to look doable.) Lassen finished 80th overall and was the 13th woman. Next up was Wes Lassen, running a recent best 18:38.9 for 98th place. Dave Geary also ran a PR, finishing 123rd with a 19:18. There 1066 total finishers.

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