McLain Leads Local Runners at Berlin Pond
Ricky McLain of Cabot won the M30-39 age group at the Berlin Pond Five-Miler on August 18. McLain was the fastest finisher from towns covered by the Hardwick Gazette. He placed seventh overall in 32:22.
BERLIN — Fifty-five runners competed in the 42nd annual race around Berlin Pond on August 18. Light clouds, temperatures in the high 60s, and shady dirt roads led to fast finishes for the evening racers.
Avery Smart, a rising Montpelier High School senior, wasted no time getting out in front of the pack. Smart held off Alex Gottlieb, 27:08 to 27:23, for the victory. Smart’s time was 31 seconds shy of the course record set in 2014 by Daniel Grosvenor of Cabot.
Dylan Broderick, 31, was the top female finisher. She cruised the rolling course in 34:45. In mid-July, the Montpelier ultramarathoner placed third in the women’s division of the Vermont 100 Endurance Race. Broderick covered the 100-mile distance in 20 hours, 45 minutes, and 56 seconds.
Ricky McLain, 36, of Cabot, was the fastest of seven runners from towns covered by the Hardwick Gazette. He placed seventh overall and first in the M30-39 age group.
Tim Hogeboom, from Walden, won the M70-79 age group at Berlin Pond. His time was 42:58.
McLain is improving with age and experience. His finish in 32:22 knocked almost two minutes off his time last year of 34:20.
“This was the fourth time I’ve done the race since 2017,” said McLain. “I’ve steadily worked my way down from 39:36 in that first race. The first mile is always faster than you’d want it to be. The second mile has some ups and downs so just hold on! Mile three is downhill so I tried to make up a little time. Mile four and five I was just aiming for steady and strong. Once you can see I-89 in that last mile you know you’re close!”
Mack Gardner-Morse, 61, from Calais, averaged just under seven minutes per mile to finish in 34:56. Gardner-Morse won the M60-69 age group and placed 14th overall. Running on a cooler day, he took more than two minutes off last year’s 37:19 effort.
Kim Caldwell, 33, from North Calais, placed third in the women’s division. Caldwell crossed the finish line in 36:10. Adamant triathlete Donna Smyers, 64, won the F60-69 age group. Her time was 40:54.
Mack Gardner-Morse of Calais was the fastest runner over age 60 at the Berlin Pond Five-Miler. He completed the hilly course in 34:56.
Kristine Chartrand, 33, from East Calais, finished in 42:45. She placed just ahead of Tim Hogeboom, 71, of Walden. Hogeboom won the M70-79 age group in 42:58. Elizabeth McCarthy, 69, of Walden, rounded out the local finishers with a time of 48:34.
Beer Run Supports Center for an Agricultural Economy
CRAFTSBURY/GREENSBORO ̶ Seventy thirsty runners ran from the Craftsbury Outdoor Center to the Highland Center for the Arts on August 20. Upon arrival, a picnic lunch with local foods and libations awaited the hearty throng.
Coordinated by the Craftsbury Outdoor Center, the Craftsbury Beer Run raised funds to support Hardwick’s Center for an Agricultural Economy. The 13.7-mile uphill course followed scenic back roads that highlighted the beauty of the local food landscape.
Chris Chichester, of Lyndonville, and Kasie Enman, of Huntington, were the top male and female runners among 70 finishers. Their respective times were 1:29:15 and 1:36:43. Maxfield English of Wolcott paced in between the two division winners, finishing in 1:35:39. Eli Enman placed fourth in 1:43:37. Benjanim Skrelunas (1:44:34) rounded out the top five.
“The race was hot, but the shade-dominant course made it much less than the suffer-fest it could have been on an open course,” said English.
“Chris Chichester and took off fast from the gun. I paced with “Team Enman” for the first few kilometers. I picked up the pace around 3k and distanced them. I caught Benjamin around 5k, and we ran together until 6k, at the base of Ketchum Hill. He folded there and I ran alone for the rest of the race. Chris was nowhere in sight, and I caught a few fleeting glimpses of Kasie behind me from time to time. The aid stations were well placed and the course, while challenging, was beautiful and just right.”
Other local finishers from towns covered by the Hardwick Gazette included Emma Podolin (1:59:34), Eloise Girard (2:04:50), Cydney Terrone (2:08:09), and Riva Reynolds (2:25:08)
English Wins Inaugural Tomato Trot
PLAINFIELD ̶ Maxfield English, from Wolcott, led a cohort of local runners to the finish line at the Cate Farm Tomato Trot 5k on August 13. Blue skies and comfortable temperatures prevailed for the scenic trail run through farm fields and on woods roads. Younger participants brought home a pound of fresh tomatoes, while seniors, age 65 and up, garnered two pounds for their efforts.
English ran the course in 20:33 for the win. Livia Chase was the runner-up and fastest female finisher, in 23:53. Rose Modry, of Greensboro, placed third in 25:05.
Richard Wiswall, of Plainfield, owner of Cate Farm, finished in 29:03. Walden seniors Tim Hogeboom and Elizabeth McCarthy finished in 31:11 and 34:02, respectively. Kari Bradley and daughter Ella Bradley, from Calais, completed the course together in 32:51.
Tuesday Night Trails Race Series Winds Down
ALBANY ̶ Hosmer Point Camp hosted Tuesday Night Trails on August 9. Competing on the fastest course of the series, race series leaders Ollie Burruss and Susan Dunklee got back into action after taking a running break on August 2. Burruss won the men’s division in 19:59. Dunklee led the women’s field in 22:41.
The division winners of the August 2 race, Kaitlynn Miller and Maxfield English, notched runner-up honors on August 9. Their respective times were 21:30 and 23:31. Hallie Grossman (23:46) and Matt Moody (23:49) had third-place finishes for the women and men.
In a tight race, Iona Browning edged out Scarlett Podolin to win the 3k trail run. Their times were 20:52.1 and 20:52.7. Meg Voisin won the 5k mountain bike race in 20:52. Felix Nester captured the 10k mountain bike race in 39:36.
Kim Caldwell, from North Calais, placed third in the women’s division at Berlin Pond. Her time was 36:10.
Tuesday Night Trails Race Series Winds Down Some More
CRAFTSBURY ̶ Tuesday Night Trails returned to the Outdoor Center on August 16. In the 5k run, Luke Tilton captured a narrow victory over Maxfield English, 21:43 to 21:46. George Lawton placed third for the men, in 22:08.
In the women’s division, Kaitlynn Miller won a close contest with Hallie Grossman. Their times were 24:38 and 24:50. Meena Baher placed third for the women, in 25:22.
Reagan Weneck (21:04) and Eve Gordon (21:59) placed first and second in the 3k trail race. David Moody won the 5k mountain bike race in 34:03. Gordon Young was the 10k bike race winner, in 44:57.
The final races of the 2022 Tuesday Night Trail Series were held on August 23. Results will be reported in next week’s Hardwick Gazette.
All Ages Compete for Socks on September 3
NORTHFIELD ̶ Online registration is open for the Northfield 5k and one-mile kids run. Coordinated by Central Vermont Runners, the event also serves as the Vermont Senior Games 5K state championship road race and power walk. Held on Saturday, September 3, the 5k run/walk begins at 9:30 a.m. in downtown Northfield. The kids’ run (ages 5 to 13) follows at 10:30 a.m.
Runners and walkers age 50 and up will compete in five-year age groups for Vermont Senior Games gold, silver, and bronze medals. Age group winners across three divisions will receive Darn Tough Socks as prizes. Race information and early registration discounts are available online at cvrunners.org.
