2016 Race recap

The Merrimack River trail race celebrated the 25^th running with a perfect sunny and cool day.  The field was arguably the deepest ever as the race was part of the USATF NE All-terrain series and named the USATF NE trail running championships.  It also remains as the first event of the year in the WMAC “Grand Tree” Trail series.

 On the men’s side 23 runners dipped under 1:05 (the old record was 14) and 8 ran under 1 hour (the old record was 4).  On the women’s side 15 came in under 1:20 (old record was 12) and 5 broke 1:10 (old record was 3).

The women broke a number of records with Kim Nedeau (Acidotic Racing) leading the way with a new course record by 24 seconds (1:05:08).  Kim also set a sub-masters record (age 35-39).  Kath Hardcastle ran the third fastest time ever as the top four women ran times ranking in the top 11 all-time.  Regina Loicano (CMS) broke her own masters age group record by 20 seconds (1:09:52).  Marcy Schwam (aR) set a new 60+ AGR by 50 seconds (1:38:41).

On the men’s side Brandon Newbould (WRT) became only the fifth repeat winner (he also won in 2014).  His 6 second victory (57:39) was the 3^rd closest finish.  The two closer finishes are the two times I got 2^nd place.  Ben Nephew beat me by 3 seconds in 2000 and Craig Fram got me by 1 second in 1995.  Newbould’s time was the 11st fastest and the next four across the line all scored top 25 all-time times (14, 18, 20, and 23 respectively).  Although no men’s age group records were set there were some fast times.  Patrick Caron ran the 3^rd fastest in the 19&Under (64:01).  Mike Galoob (BAA) became only the 2^nd master to run under 1 hour (59:48) trailing only Tim Van Orden’s CR of 59:29.  The top three masters all had times that rank in the top 10 all-time.  Dan Verrington (CMS) ran the 2^nd fastest 50+ (1:07:30) and the first three seniors times all ranked in the top 7 all-time.  Jeff Saeger (TARC) and Bob Gillis (TG) finished within one second (1:19:35 & 1:19:36) running the 9^th and 10^th fastest Veterans times.  George Gilder ran the 2^nd fastest 70+ time (1:34:37) trailing only his AGR by 26 seconds.

Jenn Brooks (CMS), Gary Jewett (TG), David Sorrells, Stephen Whittey (TG), and Kevin Yetman (MVS) joined the exclusive “100 mile club” with their 10^th Merrimack River trail race finish.  Paul Comeau became the third member of the “200 mile club” with his 20^th finish.

 Tom Speidel is the top active streakers (consecutive finishes), he has finished all 25 of the races.  Dave Geary (TG) has 14 consecutive finishes. Scott Spence (Grey Wolves), Chris Harrison (L-street), and Richard Georato have 11 consecutive finishes.

In addition the following single age records were set:

Age	Time	Pl	Name		Year		City	St	Notes
34	0:57:39	1	Brandon	Newbould	2016	WRT	Nottingham	NH
37	0:58:52	5	TJ	Unger	2016	HFC Striders	Westwood	MA
40	1:02:12	14	Jonathan	Hammett	2016	Wildendover	Charlestown	MA
42	0:59:48	8	Mike	Galoob	2016	BAA	PeaceDale	RI
47	1:01:44	11	Tim	VanOrden	2016	CMS	Bennimgton	VT
52	1:09:12	37	John	Gillis	2016	CMS	Manchester	MA
53	1:07:30	29	Dan	Verrington	2016	CMS	Bradford	MA
59	1:13:56	54	Stephen	Whittey	2016	Team Gloucester	Gloucester	MA
76	1:34:37	139	George	Gilder	2016	WMAC	Tyringham	MA
77	1:50:44	184	Gary	Reuter	2016	aR	Kittery	ME
22	1:17:23	13	Carolyn	Gigot	2016		Cambridge	MA
34	1:06:39	2	Kath	Hardcastle	2016	SRR	Watertown	MA
36	1:05:08	1	Kim	Nedeau	2016	aR	Leverett	MA	AGR/CR
42	1:09:52	5	Regina	Loiacano	2016	CMS	Gloucester	MA	AGR
50	1:26:25	18	Erica	Khan	2016	Team Gloucester	Gloucester	MA
63	1:38:41	31	Marcy	Schwam	2016	aR	Marblehead	MA	AGR