Distance, informality make Millennium Mile popular
By MIKE SMITH
Special to the Union Leader
LONDONDERRY There’s no question the big-name runners will give appeal to most races. And the sixth annual Millennium Mile was no exception with the likes of yesterday's winner, John Mortimer, along with Matt and Andy Downin, California's Derick Treadwell, and women's marathon Olympic bronze medalist and American 10K record-holder Deena Kastor.
But it's also a race where the average runner can rub elbows with the big names, even if that elbow-rubbing occurs during the pre- and post-race festivities.
Race organizer John Mortimer, 28, finished first in the event, which drew 704 participants, in 4 minutes, 0.1 seconds. Kathy Fleming, 38, of Natick, Mass., was first among the women, running 4:39.5
Deena Kastor, the Olympic bronze medalist in the marathon, prepares to fire the starter's gun at the Millennium Mile in Londonderry yesterday. (TOM THIBEAULT/ UNION LEADER)
But it is the rest of the field that helps make the event such an interesting collection of world-class athletes and average Joes and Janes who help cover the pavement.
Ralph Jesseman, 49, wore number 186 and drove nearly that many miles one way from his home in Milan.
"I drove 160 miles to run five minutes and thirty seconds (5:32.7)," said Jesseman, who added the event was more than worth the drive. "I was only hoping to break six minutes. Hitting 5:30 is insane. I haven't run that since I was 19. But I can't drive my car as fast as some of these guys ran."
Richard Provencher, 55, a track coach and guidance counselor at Manchester Memorial High School, took a realistic and humorous view of the race.
"Some of the parents said, 'the kids need you. Take care of yourself,'" said Provencher, who wore number 303. "So I did. I survived. I survived. And I broke 10 minutes (8:54.4).
"I can hit a jump shot," joked Provencher, "I just can't run. But I like this race because it's short. It's short," he said.
Kastor, who made the trip from her home in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., signed autographs and posed for pictures before and after the race. Kastor holds the women's American record in the 10,000 meters, having run 30:50, and she also has a 14:52 personal best in the 5K.
"I don't have anything planned right now," said Kastor. "But I would like to lower the American record in the 10,000 and run a personal best in the 5K.
"This was an awesome event," added Kastor. "To see John (Mortimer) and see as many people of all ages compete was just awesome."
Bob Teschek of Newport, owner of Granite State Race Services, was on hand with three workers to time the event. But a race such as a point-to-point one-mile run presents problems.
A Granite State Race Services worker was at the starting line to start the clock. The worker then had to hop in a van and race to the finish line to synchronize the clocks. The task was completed only about a minute and 45 seconds before Mortimer crossed the line.
"Not all the events are so quick," said Teschek with a smile of relief. "The only other event we have like this is a two-mile point-to-point race. This is fast."
Julie Dutton, a former Londonderry track star who went on to run at Bates College, is now an assistant coach at Timberlane. Dutton entered yesterday's race 21st on the all-time list, having run 5:05 at last year's event.
Dutton ran with her former college roommate and teammate, Beth Pagnotta from Hooksett, and friend George Devine of Newmarket.
"I think I'll be pushed out of the top 25 after today," said Dutton, who ran 5:51.9. "It's a fun race. But my brother Steve (4:58.8) beats me every year."
The Combes family of Londonderry ran as father George finished in 7:44.6, followed by wife Cynthia, who is recovering from foot surgery. Bridget Combes, 14, led the family, running 6:49.2, followed by 11-year-old Mitch.
Norman Gill, 51, coach of the Athletic Alliance running club, ran 7:02.
"I haven't competed since 1990," said Gill, a Hooksett resident. "But we know all the athletes that put on the race and we want to support it. It's a great event, especially for the kids.
Bob Knepp of Londonderry was one of the runners representing "the everyman group."
"I did pretty good for an old fat guy," laughed the 51-year old Knepp, who ran 6:04.7. "It's great what they've done with this race."
Yesterday's event was the first in the Union Leader Open Roads Challenge, which includes the Bedford 12K and the Union Leader 5-miler.
For the second year in a row, the race is part of the New Hampshire Grand Prix series, and the race also provides a scholarship in the name of June Mortimer, John's mother, who this past April, lost a two-year battle with cancer.
Millennium Mile Results
At LONDONDERRY
Men's Results
1. John Mortimer, Goffstown, 4:00.1; 2. Derick Treadwell, Palo Alto, Ca, 4:01.3; 3. Nate Jenkins, Agawam, Mass., 4:02.2; 4. Eric Nedeau, Belchertown, Mass., 4:03.3; 5. Matt Kubiak, Somerville, Mass., 4:07.7; 6. Frank Divittorio, Mendon, Mass., 4:08.2; 7. Brendan Collins, Canterbury, 4:11.1; 8. Phil Mitchell, Glastonbury, Conn., 4:11.4; 9. Ryan Gough, Keene, 4:12.4; 10. Matt Sullivan, North Andover, Mass., 4:13.3; 11. Alan Bernier, Dover, 4:13.9; 12. Mathew Cote, Boone, NC, 4:14.4; 13. Elliott Nott, Henniker, 4:15.1; 14. Timothy Rider, Dover, 4:15.7; 15. Michael Bunker, Bucksport, Maine, 4:15.7; 16. Andrew Kastor, Mammoth Lakes, Calif., 4:16; 17. Zach Emerson, Hillsboro, 4:16.8; 18. Kipchirchir Bitok, Kenya, 4:17.6; 19. Claton Conrad, N. Yarmouth, Maine, 4:18.2; 20. Nathan Huppe, Berwick, Maine, 4:18.4; 21. Rich Marion, Templeton, Mass., 4:19.2; 22. Matthew Croteau, Manchester, 4:19.2; 23. John Friedman, Cambridge, Mass., 4:20.2; 24. Paul Johnson, Kennebunk, Maine, 4:20.6; 25. Tim Wright, Londonderry, 4:21.8
Women's Results
1. Kathy Fleming, Natick, Mass., 4:39.5; 2. Liz Gesel, Manchester, 4:41.7; 3. Kara Hass, Westford, Mass., 4:44.6; 4. Zofia Wieciorkowska, Stratford, Conn., 4:47.3; 5. Christine Reaser, Biddeford, Maine, 5:10.1; 6. Rebecca Mcmahon, Londonderry, 5:11.3; 7. Holly Banaian, Manchester, 5:11.3; 8. Karen Tripp, Deerfield, 5:12.9; 9. Kelsey Hunt, Bedford, 5:16.5; 10. Kelsey Peabody, Merrimack, 5:18; 11. Lauren Shoemaker, Merrimack, 5:18.9; 12. Jayne Tallarico, Wilton, 5:24.6; 13. Kaitlin Dresser, Nashua, 5:28.6; 14. Kim Najem, Derry, 5:29.3; 15. Alexandra Varanka, Amherst, 5:29.4; 16. Julie Hanover, Nashua, 5:29.7; 17. Jenna Marschausen, Manchester, 5:32.7; 18. Meghan Sarbanis, Hampstead, 5:33.6; 19. Kelsey Connors, Bedford, 5:34.3; 20. Diane Quinlan, Merrimack, 5:35.8; 21. Katja Fox, Wolfeboro, 5:37.2; 22. Jacquelyn Dussault, 5:37.2; 23. Khrysta Brenesher, 5:37.2; 24. Patricia Bourgavit, Concord, 5:38; 25. Alex Chmura, Nashua, 5:39.2 |
