Malt & Hops Merriment at the Irish Clover, NER Pub Series Race #2

Hey, what a difference three years makes. The Irish Clover 5M hard by Owen & Ollie’s Pub and Restaurant in Dracut was the first and last Pub Series race in 2020…because you know what followed.

That’s super sprite Mike Studer, 12, in the lead pack (he’s place 4th). photo by FitzFoto/NERunner

 

 

Same venue but without impending doom this March 12 for the 2nd race in the 2023 Malt & Hops Tour. Three-time defending champ Jacob Wormald didn’t make it, but HFC’s Stephen Curley—just 4-seconds in arrears of Wormald in 2020—made a triumphant return. Curley engaged in a mid-race tussle with Pub leader Patrick Bugbee of CSU before pulling away to win convincingly in 26:33.

HFC’s Stephen Curley. Photo by FitzFoto/NERunner

Bugbee was a solid 2nd in 26:53 followed by top Master TJ Unger of HFC in 27:10. Curley, Bugbee and Unger were 2-3-4 in 2020 with Bugbee and Unger now separated by 2-points atop the 2023 Series.

HFC’s Nicole Nelson is now 2-for-2 in the Series, although this win came with a cast on her right hand to protect two plates and several screws following a “pothole incident.”

The extra plaster ballast wasn’t a hindrance over the hilly course as Nelson won by 2-minutes-plus over Billerica’s Erin Wilson in 31:17.

Women’s champ Nicole Nelson. Photo by MickFoto/NERunner

Past Pub champion Mimi Fallon, 57, pulled in third at 33:58. Clover Masters Champion (and W40 runner-up at the Pre-Game 5K) Elizabeth Lennox of Somerville is 2nd on the Pub totem followed by HFC’s Eileen Cakorous.

Early W60 drama as RI’s Marge Bellisle had an off day and is now in a tie with Clover W60 champ Mary McNulty of HFC. Cassandra Clancy of the Marshfield RR is a solid third just 4-points back.

Long-time Pub Stalwart Dave Wessman of the Thristy Irish Runners tops M60, with Rich Paulson top M70 (at 79!) and super Dave Pember is tops at M80.

No W70 female has run both Pub races but perambulating ace Joan Johnson of RI has and tops W80 over Weymouth’s Anne-Marie McDonald.

Next stop is the uber fast (when it’s not early season high heat & humidity ala last year) Evan’s Run 5K in Norwell, MA on Sunday, May 21. Following its 23rd running, post-race hijinks are at the nearby Tinker’s Son Pub & Restaurant on the upper deck. Evan’s Run

Women’s Standings         Men’s Standings