Race recap written by Linda Desjardins.
The New England weather had been brutal all week what with near-hurricane winds and downpours day after day. Everyone was hoping we could squeeze in this race with at least moderately favorable conditions – please we’ve already paid our wind/rain dues in training. Pre-race, many North Shore Striders (but not all of us were there) gathered near the starting line and had our photo snapped. At 10am on 4/6/24, we felt blessed with a temperature of 40 only overcast skies and a noticeable (13mph) but not overwhelming wind. NO FOOLIN!
Two hundred twenty-two runners scooted out under the inflatable arch, crossed over the mat, ran a short distance to Rabbit Road and ambled down it for seven-tenths of a mile. There was a bit of a headwind, but nothing too busy. We were relegated to the right hand side of the road, marked off with cones we were supposed to stay inside of, but when the terrain has puddles and some small rocks and you’re among the whole starting contingent, you can’t blame a runner for taking some liberties and running outside the cones. NO FOOLIN!
We were then sent right on a side street and still were asked to stay inside the cones. We were more lax on this neighborhood road. The 1.3 miles to the cul-de-sac turnaround and the whole course was steamroller flat. Didn’t hear a single “hill” complaint. NO FOOLIN!
The speedier runners had already rounded the turn and the rest of us were cheering them on as they seemed to stride effortlessly at an incredibly fast pace. For many of us, seeing runners on their way back, well more than halfway through while we were barely past our first mile is both exhilarating and a little embarrassing. Thank goodness there were many Striders to cheer on as they were on their return and they were cheering us on as well. NO FOOLIN!
There were water stops at miles one and three and not a whole lot of takers but it’s always wonderful to have it there and have folks volunteer to hand out the water. It had started raining slightly but not heavy enough to be bothersome. Actually, the only way the rain became obvious was by seeing raindrops hitting puddles and splattering one’s eyeglasses. Rain just wasn’t a factor. The left turn back on to Rabbit Road let the runners dig even more deeply knowing that the inflatable arch is waiting for them once again. People who had already finished were cheering us on as if we were conquering heroes. NO FOOLIN!
In a way, we all are conquering heroes, conquering self-doubt, aches and pains, sticking with a training regimen despite unfavorable conditions, cheering each other on and crossing that blessed finish line. AND THAT’S NO FOOLIN, TOO!
Post race festivities were held at the Winner’s Circle and snacks, fruit and beer were laid out for us to enjoy. The first award announcement revealed that the team with the most runners and therefore earning a $100 gift certificate to the Winner’s Circle, was the NORTH SHORE STRIDERS!
Then, to shorten the ceremony, only the top three men and women were announced and heartily cheered followed by calling up the winner of each age group. The second and third place finishers were invited to pick up their awards at a special table set up for that purpose. This was a nice compromise between calling up first, second and third in all age groups (very time-consuming), and no awards being announced at all. It was a happy medium.
Our hosts, the Winner’s Circle, all the race marshals and volunteers made sure we had a great race. The North Shore Striders had a tremendous presence and many of our runners landed in the top three of their age groups.
| Place | Name | Time | Age Group Place |
| 23rd | Julie Menosky | 29:25 | 1st |
| 26th | Sal Genovese | 29:55 | 2nd |
| 27th | Bill Kobus | 30:04 | 1st |
| 31st | Chris McCarthy | 30:34 | 3rd |
| 44th | Melissa Whitten | 33:31 | 1st |
| 47th | Rosie Keyes | 33:37 | 2nd |
| 69th | Ted Klemm | 35:51 | 11th |
| 81st | Sally Fowler | 37:16 | 5th |
| 85th | Siobhan Stoney | 37:44 | 9th |
| 103rd | Karen Batt | 39:12 | 14th |
| 127th | Ron Imperiali | 41:59 | 5th |
| 134th | Lisa Laverty | 42:37 | 18th |
| 166th | Linda Desjardins | 47:30 | 2nd |
| 186th | Patty Santos | 52:09 | 36th |
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