Summer Weather at Fallen Leaves
Local runners, walkers, bicyclists, and their canine companions are invited to meet at Greensboro’s Tolman Corner ball field on Thanksgiving morning at 9 a.m. This hardy group turned out for the Eighth Annual Caspian Lake Turkey Trot in 2017. From left to right are Steve Ragno, Grace Ragno (in stroller), Eben Nash, Rose Modry, Vicki Hill, Keilidh McMath, David McMath, Susan McMath, Emma Podolin, and Rowan (dog).
MONTPELIER — Unseasonably warm and humid conditions marked the second Fallen Leaves Series race on November 12. The event drew forty runners to Montpelier High School for the out-and-back contest on the Montpelier Bike Path.
Although the course was muddy in spots, the mild temperatures produced fast times. Sixteen men and three women completed the mostly flat 5k in under 22 minutes.
The women’s division winner, Ellie Churchill, finished in 19:44. Churchill is a senior at the University of Vermont and captain of the women’s cross country team.
Andrew Mongiat won the men’s division for the second consecutive week. His time was 16:52. Dylan Broderick (20:33) and Nick Kidder (17:56) were the respective runner ups for the women and men.
Ethan Parrish, 17, from Adamant, was the fastest runner from towns covered by the Gazette. The Twinfield Union High School senior placed eighth overall in 19:17. Twinfield harriers Hanna Hoelzl (29:22) and Eline Smith (31:12) placed first and second in the F20-29 age group.
Rose Modry, 43, from Greensboro, won the F40-49 age group in 21:50. Adamant’s Donna Smyers, 65, topped the F60-69 age group in 24:38.
Mack Gardener-Morse, 61, from Calais, won the M60-69 age group for the second consecutive week. He placed 16th overall in 21:17.
The Fallen Leaves Race Series concludes on November 19 at Montpelier High School. The race entry fee is $5. Day of Race registration is from 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. Start time is 9 a.m. For more information, visit cvrunners.org.
Thornton-Sherman Brothers Place at Regional Races
SMITHFIELD, R.I. / BRONX, N.Y. – Two talented siblings from Waterford excelled in their respective regional cross country races.
Joel Thornton-Sherman, 13, competed November 13 at the USATF New England Regional Junior Olympic Championships at Deerfield Park in Smithfield, Rhode Island.
Evan Thornton-Sherman, 18, ran November 11 at the NCAA Division I Northeast Regional Championships at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx.
Joel, an eighth grader at the St. Johnsbury School, is a member of the Granite State Flash Team. He placed fifth of 107 runners in the Boys 13-14 age group. He completed the 4k (2.49 miles) course in 13:45. His team finished second of ten squads. Joel and team will move on to the USATF Region 1 Junior Olympic Cross Country Championship race on November 20 in Maine.
Evan, a freshman at the University of Maine, entered his first 10k collegiate race at the NCAA D-I Northeast Regional Championships. This was a step up from the 8k distance for men’s regular season races. The regional field included 227 runners who qualified at conference championships.
Thornton-Sherman finished the 10k course in 31:15. He was the fifth-fastest freshman to cross the finish line. Overall, he placed 77th and was the second finisher for the University of Maine.
Alec Troxell, was the top Maine finisher in 32nd place. The Black Bear senior went the 10k distance in 30:22.
The University of Maine men placed 18th among 33 NCAA D-I teams. Syracuse won the men’s division. The University of Vermont men placed 23rd.
Turkey Trots on the Menu
GREENSBORO – The annual Thanksgiving Day group run/walk/bike around Caspian Lake is November 24, weather permitting. Interested participants of all ages are encouraged to meet at the ball field in Greensboro at 9 a.m.
The Turkey Trot is recreational in purpose and not a race. The 6.8-mile route around Caspian Lake offers rolling terrain and beautiful lake views. The loop begins on pavement and finishes with dirt roads. For questions or more info, contact Victoria Hill at vhillpt@gmail.com or (802) 472-6622.
WESTFORD – The Town of Westford holds its annual Turkey Trot on November 19 at 10 a.m. The community event dates back to the 1990s. A 100-yard Tot Trot is followed by 3k and 10k races. Registration is $15 for the 3k or 10k race. A free raffle with donated prizes is held after the race.
Day of race registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Westford School, 146 Brookside Road. Proceeds benefit community members in need.
BARTON – The 20th annual Barton Turkey Trot takes place on Thanksgiving morning at 9 a.m. The 5k race starts and finishes at the Barton Memorial building. Participants are automatically entered in a gift raffle. Information is available at bartonpubliclibrary.org/turkey-trot/. Registration is $15 for entries received by November 20, or $20 the day of the race.
