The 2004 Ravenswood Trail Race
Jim Pawlicki of Beverly, MA, held off a talented men's field to win the 4th Annual Ravenswood Trail race in a course record 24:14. Five men ran under the 26 minute mark, with Salem's Michael Toomey holding off Boston's Scott Lundquist by just a ten second margin. Toomey was second in 24:38; Lundquist was third in 24:48. Bob Collins took fourth in 25:15 while fifth place runner John Gillis finished in 25:50. Dave Dunham, sixth, just missed a sub-26, finishing in 26:06.
On the women's side, overall winner Christina Robeson dominated from start to finish, running 28:43 to reset the women's course record by over a minute. Amy Stubbendick took second in 30:43, and Team Gloucester's Layce Alves was 3rd in 32:48.
It was a perfect day for trail running, with relatively dry trails, near-peak foliage, and sunny, 50 degree weather. Scare-crow mile markers, bright orange flags, and the occasional errant dog characterized the event, which starts at the main entrance of Ravenswood Park and runs through many of the park's trails and carriage roads.
An impressive post-race spread was anchored by bagels from Jim's Bagel and Bake Shop and filled in by donated bake goods; who knew that Dave Geary, supplier of the unbelievably good triple fudge chocolate cake, could be so domestic?
Matt Curran was the Team Gloucester victor, edging out Wes Lassen by 7 seconds (26:53 to 27:00) for bragging rights. Honorary member Brian Hamill was next in 28:15, followed by Rick Ciolino in 28:32. Bob Gillis was 14th in 29:17, T.G. buddy Steve McCaffrey was 16th in 30:03, and Mark Asaro was 17th in 30:08. T.G. Buddy Amy Stubbendick went back and forth with Phil Dunn; Stubbendick won the battle in 30:43 to Dunn's 30:46. Geary was 25th in 31:44, and Steve Whittey was back in action with a 31:50. Layce Alves ran 32:48, George Paganis ran 34:48, and T.G buddies Stacey Lane and Bert Saveriano ran 36:12 and 36:26. Maureen Collins ran 38:13 and Pete Watson ran 39:16 to round out the Team Gloucester lineup.
This year's overall winners received trail shoes donated by the New England Running Company in Beverly, MA. Age group winners received shirts donated by Gloucester's Cape Pond Ice, and third place age group winners received coffee mugs from the Lone Gull Coffee Shop on Main St in Gloucester.
Along with the standard awards, first pre-registrant Chris Brogan received a subscription to Trail Runner Magazine, and dynamo Dan Coffey received the first annual Fountain of Youth Award, donated by Denali Solutions.
Corporate Sponsors for the event were Cape Ann Savings Bank, Vadala Real Estate, and Denali Solutions. Many thanks go out to all of our sponsors and donors for helping to make this our best event yet!
