La Sportiva USATF NE Moutnain Running Circuit

Windsor, VT, July 16, 2008

La Sportiva Mountain running circuit

Goats!

La Sportiva USATF NE mountain circuit

The circuit wrapped up for 2008, as it has since 2006, at Ascutney Mountain in Windsor VT. A near record crowd of 131 runners (two shy of the biggest field) toed the line with overall, age group, and Goat status in the New England Mountain Circuit to be determined. For the fourth consecutive year the circuit had six races, with the best five finishes counting. For the second year, runners who ran all six races (and thus were named “Mountain Goats”) would receive a lottery by-pass for next years Mt Washington road race, and for the second year La Sportiva was the major sponsor. This year also saw the addition of Hammer Nutrition as a product sponsor.

A near record 59 runners finished all six races and logged over 27 miles and over 11,000’ of climbing and about 5,000’ of descending between May 24 and July 12. The average field size (204.83) trailed only 2007 (213.17).

At the Ascutney race, six-time New England circuit champion Eric Morse (CMS) took the overall win running the 8th fastest time for the course. He also broke his 40+ age group record by 3 seconds running 29:47. Morse still holds the open course records at Wachusett, Pack, and Ascutney. Teammates Kevin Tilton and Dave Dunham took the next two spots with Chris Schmidt and newcomer Jim Johnson (MVS) in close order taking the top five spots. Justin Fyffe (GCS) and teammate Todd Callaghan took 6th and 7th place which help them hold on to their top spots in the overall circuit.

On the Women’s side Dorcas Wonsavage (CSU) had an impressive run at Ascutney. Her winning time (37:56) was the 5th best time ever, and the 2nd fastest ever for 40+. Laurie Greenberg was close behind, running the 8th fastest time at Ascutney. Abby Woods (CMS) rounded out the top three in 38:51. Nancy Cook finished in 4th place running the 6th best 40+ times, and Donna Smyth (CSU) was 5th running the 10th best 40+ time.

In the overall Mountain Circuit standings, Fyffe took home the top spot and $250 with 486.72 points. He had a strong series, taking the win at Cranmore, 2nd at Pack, 3rd at both Loon and Northfield, and 5th at Wachusett. Callaghan finished with 467.16 points earning $150, taking 4th at both Loon and Cranmore, 5th at Pack, 7th at Northfield and 13th at Wachusett. Series founder and current score-keeper, Dave Dunham, took third place ($100) with 462.20 points.

For the women, first time series participant Nancy Cook took home top honors and $250 winning the series with 461.17 points. She finished 2nd at Loon, 4th at Cranmore, 7th at both Northfield and Pack, and 10th at Wachusett. Donna Smyth ($150) was second with 442.68 points. She placed 5th at Cranmore, 6th at Loon, 13th at Pack and 15th at Wachusett. Kathy Hurst won $100 for third place with 439.89 points, she was the overall series champion in 2005.

In the best five of six race format, most of the age groups were up for grabs leading into the final race. Dave Dunham (M40-49) narrowly edged teammate Tim Van Orden. This was the fourth consecutive year that he won the masters division. Oddly, he did not win the 40+ category at any of the races, finishing 2nd to Van Orden at Cranmore and Northfield, 2nd to Morse at Loon and Ascutney, and 3rd to Fram (Whirlaway) & Verrington (CMS) at Wachusett. USATF NE Mountain chair Paul Kirsch noted “We’ll be double-checking his calculations.” Nancy Cook, the overall circuit champion, was also the women’s 40-49 winner. She was top 40+ at Loon and Northfield, and 2nd at Cranmore. She also placed 4th at Wachusett and 5th at Pack.

Max Thomas (WMM) was the under 20 champion at Ascutney, running the 6th best time. He was the circuit champion as well, taking the win at Pack, Northfield, and Ascutney, along with a 4th place finish at Cranmore and 5th at Loon. Felicia Lombardi was the women’s under 20 champion at Ascutney and the series champion. Her time at Ascutney was the 4th best. She also had victories at Cranmore, Northfield, Pack, and Wachusett along with a 2nd place finish at Loon.

Lisa Doucett (CSU) set a W50 course record at Ascutney, breaking her old CR by nearly two minutes, running 46:20. Doucett has been the 40+ circuit champion three times and with her victory this year is now a three time 50+ circuit champion. She was the top 50+ finisher in each of the circuit races.

The men’s 50+ was a close fight and Ascutney proved to be a great finale with many fast times run. Martin Tighe (TNT) took top honors at Ascutney running the 3rd fastest 50+ time. Paul Bazanchuk (GSH), Rob Higley (CCC), and Len Hall (GCS) all ran excellent times, respectively running the 5th, 6th, and 7th fastest 50+ times ever run at Ascutney. Tighe was the circuit champion with 433.33 points to Bazanchuk’s 415.94. He was the top 50+ finisher at all of the races with the exception of Cranmore where he placed second (to Bazanchuk).

The women’s 60-69 category was not contested at Ascutney, however Barbara Robinson (GCS) took the 70+ age group with the 3rd fastest 60+ time and the 2nd fastest 70+ (behind her CR). Robinson was the circuit champion in the 70+ with 254.24 points. She has four 60+ titles and this was her second 70+ title. She was the top 70+ finisher at Wachusett, Pack, and Cranmore. The 60+ category was won by Elizabeth Gonnerman (HHH) with 70.43 points.

Karl Furstenberg was the 60+ winner at Ascutney, running the 5th best time ever. Vin Rivard (NMC) and Alex Silverman took 2nd and 3rd respectively. Silverman was the circuit champion with 335.74 points with Rivard a scant 2 points back with 333.25.

Frank Hurt (WMM) was the 70+ winner at Ascutney with the 3rd best time. He also took home the 70+ circuit title with 173.22 points.

After the Ascutney race was finished, the Mountain Goats assembled for their annual picture with the Mountain Goat Shirts on. They traded war stories about the various races, making comments about coming back next year, proud of the accomplishment they had achieved and the fun they had along the way. As one runner remarked after Ascutney, “The series is a throwback to days gone by, smaller crowds than typical, runners you seem to get to know, and no unnecessary frills. Just good honest races. And all six entry fees added up to less than $100.”