Greater Lowell Walk for Hunger

The Greater Lowell Road Runners are proud to support the Greater Lowell Walk for Hunger.  Now in its 33rd year, the GLWFH provides funding for several vital charities that battle hunger in the Greater Lowell area. The donations that are raised by the walkers and runners through this single action are distributed to support eight local community organizations: The Alternative House, The House of Hope, The Lowell Transitional Living Center, The Open Pantry of Greater Lowell, The Merrimack Valley Food Bank Mobile Pantry, the food pantries in Westford and Chelmsford and our national outreach program, Sharing, Inc.

Runners are invited to participate as well with 2 additional distance options available for the 1st time this year.  There are be 3 loops available run along a scenic route through Westford and Chelmsford -- 4.2 miles, 8.8 miles, and 13 miles.  Crossing guards are posted at all street intersections, with first aid services, a peanut butter and jelly lunch at West Chelmsford United Methodist Church, and van rides (if needed) back to St. Mark's throughout the day.  Water will be available at a well stop and all three churches.  This could be a great supported training run, situated two weeks before Boston and after the GLRR Boston training runs.  Plus, raising money to help fight hunger in our area would be a great way to build some positive energy going into your race.  Or, if you're not running Boston (like me), do it because it makes you feel warm inside to raise funds for eight important charities with just one running event.  Oh, and did I mention peanut butter and jelly?

The 33rd Annual Greater Lowell Walk & Run for Hunger is Saturday, April, 4th, 2015.  Act locally through participation in this “Race Against Hunger”. Support the local charities that battle hunger in our Merrimack Valley Communities!  Registration starts at 8:00 A.M. at St. Mark's Church, 75 Cold Spring Road in Westford.

Please visit www.glwfh.org for more details and to download a pledge sheet.

Rachel's Run

By John Morrison

Race Day November 29^th
Rachel’s Run

It was Rachel’s goal to have an alumni run at her high school so every year after she graduated from the Academy of Notre Dame in Tyngsboro in 2005, she contacted her cross country coach (Harry Mann) and as many of her classmates as she could to invite them to run on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I was invited to participate and bring the canned goods that Harry donated to a local food pantry. We only had a handful of runners every year but Rachel was not deterred and we always made the trek to run the cross country course at the Academy of Notre Dame. Rachel was also a water stop participant for the Baystate Marathon every year that she attended the Academy. She was a twelve season runner who ran cross country, winter and spring track. She was the class valedictorian and received the scholar athlete award in her senior year. 

We received permission from the Academy of the Notre Dame to use their facilities on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We received a lot of help from Lisa Zappala, the athletic director of the Academy, and a long time runner herself. We also received a lot of help from the Greater Lowell Road Runners in terms of timing (Glenn Stewart), registration and course support. It was a great day even though we were challenged with a few inches of snow that arrived on Thanksgiving and was there for the walk and run on race day. It was not a day for personal records but a day of celebrating Rachel’s life and for that we are thankful for everyone’s support.

Ron Desmaris and Scott Casper following the tracks.

Due to the snow, the original cross country course was altered since the start and the finish were in the snow covered field. In terms of overall results, James Sullivan was the first male finisher followed by Jason Bui and Scott Spence. Kara Haas was the first female finisher followed by Lisa Zappala and Simonetta Piergentili. Jacob Fudge (Ben’s grandson) won the under 19 age group followed by Ben Rossano and Sean Morrison (my nephew). Sean did two loops and is 10 years old. Need to do an under 12 age group next year. James Tyler (Dave’s son) was third in the 20-29 age group. Jeff Maistrosky was second in the 30-39 age group. Dave Neary was first in the 40-49 age group followed by Matt Story and Scott Casper. Marli Piccolo was first in the 40-49 age group followed by Jocelyn Thibeault. E.J. Hrynowski was first in the 50-59 age group followed by Peter Floss and Ken Goodin. Liane Pancoast was first in the 50-59 age group followed by Deb Kirkwood and Colleen Casper. Tom Peters won second in the 60-69 age group. Nancy McCarthy won first in the 60-69 age group followed by Rita Labella and Susan Lamontagne. Jim and Jean Barry won the 70-79 age groups With the golf event we held at Vesper on the last Monday of September and this walk/run we had at the Academy, we have been able to establish a scholarship fund at the Academy in Rachel’s name. We are not done yet as we hope to increase the size of this scholarship fund and hope to see you at the either the golf tournament on Monday, September 28^th or Saturday, November 28^th. Thank you for your support.   

Full results at: http://www.coolrunning.com/results/14/ma/Nov29_Rachel_set1.shtml

USATF Jr. Olympic Cross Country Nationals

Coach Joe and team.

Coach Joe with the 7-8 year old boys team.

Greater Lowell sent 9 young athletes to Myrtle Beach for the USATF Jr. Olympic Cross Country Nationals.  The boys 8 and under team came in 10th, led by Seamus Tully in 9:21 for 2K.  Cassidy Paige came in 52nd out of 223 8 and under girls in 9:02 for 2K.  Riley Clark finished 205th out of 315 in the 9-10 year old girls.  Makayla Paige finished 129th out of 422 11-12 year old girls, overtaking a whopping 49 places in the last 1K of the 3K race.  Devyn Veits finished 91st out of 384 13-14 year old girls.












Full results at: http://branchsportstech.com/2014_Meets/xc/12-13-USATF/Web/Timetable.php?EID=ae7db743c9fa4a8d82b64307ff0ff1f2.

2014 Mill Cities Relay

GLRR Team Photo by Jimmy Shelton

Greater Lowell fielded 22 teams for the 31st Mill Cities Relay on December 7th.  We landed one first place brick (J.A.C.K.S - Female Sub-Masters), two second place bricks (Team 321 - Male Vets & 210's - Coed Super Vets), and two third place bricks (Magnificent Masters - Female Masters & Blood, Sweat, and Beers! - Coed Sub-Masters).

Magnificent Masters - Bethany, Jill, Sue, Karen, and Jill
Photo courtesy of David Connally

 Unfortunately we missed out on the overall brick by three points to SRR.  Next year we'll get it back!

Total Points for GREATER LOWELL ROAD RUNNERS

Team Name                                          Div Time    W Pts    
================================================== === ======= = === 
SENIOR CHICKS                                      FS  2:11:19 B   6 
LADY AND THE TRAMPS                                CV  2:18:51 B   4 
100% ABV                                           MO  2:37:34 A   7 
GLRR MALE SUB-MASTERS                              MX  2:45:17 A   9 
GLRR MALE SENIORS                                  MS  2:49:07 A  11 
HASTES LIKE CHICKEN                                MM  2:49:36 A   7 
BLOOD, SWEAT, AND BEERS!                           CX  2:52:16 A   8 
GLRR COED OPEN                                     CO  2:54:27 A  12 
210'S                                              CA  2:57:30 B   1 
HELL ON HEELS                                      FO  3:00:32 A   7 
J.A.C.K.S.                                         FX  3:04:15 A  12 
THREE MIKES AND TWO LADIES                         CM  3:07:53 A   9 
TEAM 321                                           MV  3:14:08 A   6 
MAGNIFICENT MASTERS                                FM  3:14:30 A  10 
SMAK'M                                             CS  3:19:20 A   6 
                                                                Total: 115

Full results can be found here:  http://www.coolrunning.com/results/14/ma/Dec7_31stMi_set1.shtml.

USATF Club Cross Country Nationals

Mark Reeder making it look easy.
Photo courtesy of Michael Scott.

The USATF Club Cross Country Nationals were held at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA on December 13th.  Greater Lowell sent down 17 runners.

We had two podium finishes (at a National level!!).  Mark Reeder was second male 55-59 in 35:10 for 10K, as well as 4th overall age graded among the men.  

Trish Bourne was third female 50-54 in 24:36 for 6K.

Trish smiling and crusing.
Photo courtesy of Michael Scott

A special shout-out to Emily Stover -- who showed the open girls what an angry chicken can do.  She took down at least four of them gals in the last 100m.  She was on fire!

Emily kickin' it.  Photo courtesy of Michael Scott.

 Another shout-out to Bob Kearns - who was recruited last minute to complete masters team and ran quite well - despite no real training.

Bob getting it done.  Photo courtesy of Michael Scott.

The Men's Masters (with Bob's help) were 26th and the Male Seniors were 10th (with an injured John Barbour gutting it out for 5th man).  The Lady Seniors were 7th with Trish, Liane, and Mary.

Full results can be found here:  http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2014/USATF-National-Club-Cross-Country-Championships/Final-Results.aspx.