Pub Series Grand Finale Opens Uncharted Territory

It’s calamity time at NER World HQ as we’re in the last two days of deadline (going to the printer with Nov/Dec issue this Tuesday afternoon) so some quick notes this a.m. and once the mag is off, the final Pub Series standings are priority No. 1.

 

Paddy’s had 1,987 entrants and about 1700 finishers. Everything went swimmingly but a cap is now being given consideration.    

 

20 year-old Dublin native Dave Fitzmaurice took the race out at 4:44 pace and everyone else engaged in a tactical play for Pub Points was content to watch the young lad fly solo…which is what he did on the certified 3-Mile course, all the way to the finish line at the end of Border St. in 14:34 – just 10 seconds off the course record set by John Mortimer in 2004.

 

Just  a bit of excitement in the air for the gathered crowd at the finish line as Lee Danforth and TJ Unger once again set up in a finish line duel the length of Border St. that had Danforth crossing first with both timed in 15:15. Considering Danforth was a solitary point behind after “Trail to Ale” this puts them in a tie (and we’ve run out of races).

 

Terry McNatt got the best of Jason Cakouros in another finish line duel for the 3-4 positions at Paddy’s but Jason is solidly in third overall with Terry fourth and Macdara Nash managing to stay ahead of Jim Quadros for 5th.

 

Cutting through the Series like a hot knife through butter, Kristin Murphy ran 16:53 (5:38 pace) to seal the deal at Paddy’s and in the Series. If pushed, Murphy is capable of low 17s, but like Fitzmaurice, she had clear sailing. Pub Silver medalist Megan Sowa captured second with the BAA’s Jacqui Cilley making a return visit to the Series for third at Paddy’s but fourth placer Meaghan Scearbo has clinched Series bronze.

 

(Lee Danforth (L) & TJ Unger. Photo by FitzFoto)

 

All-World Kathrine Martin, 59 (Northport, NY – 18:42) was top Senior but RI’s Marge Bellisle (our hero) retains fourth in the Series. After engaging in the female version of the Danforth-Unger duels, CSU’s Annalisa Pawlosky was in San Fran running the marathon, so Heartbreak Hill Strider Amy Pace (2-pts in arrears of Anna) showed up and vaulted into the final money position.

 

Another shake-up in the Senior division, with Ginny Carlin not showing at Trail to Ale, Kayleen Rosato moved 1-pt. ahead for the silver position and then bested Ms. Carlin at Paddy’s to move permanently into the silver position. Janet Kelly and Catherine Farrell remained 1-2 in the Vets division.

 

Congrats to Paul Hammond and Jimmy Fallon. Both were able to remain upright at Paddy’s and retain the 2-3 Senior positions behind Chris Spinney (who ran Bay State). In a titantic Veterans duel, Duke Hutchinson and Mainer Kevin McDonald were tied entering Paddy’s. The Dukester was able to close to within 3-seconds of his rival in 20:21. National talent Bob Giambalvo, 61, returned this year to post an extraordinary time of 17:23.

 

Cape Ironman Bill Riley limped across the finish line in 22:37 but Bob Hillman retained his spot atop the 70+ throne. (Check back Hump Day for official standings)