[Cha-cha-cha-changes] The Merrimack River Trail Run course changed
a bit this year. There included changes at 3.8 miles where the course
approached the power lines with a longer but less steep incline. The course
would continue with a horseshoe loop along a new trail and slowly migrate over
to the edge of the river. Then the course would head back to the power line. The
course would get back to the oncoming race around 5.7 miles. I liked the
changes which pretty much retained the same distance as before (9.4 to 9.6 via
GPS).
I got right on the start line, getting the pre-race “rules
of the rivah” from race director Steve Peterson, long time CMS card carrying
member since his days at UMass Lowell (home of the Chiefs back then). After the
“ready, start, cayugah” I bolted out into the mud 25 ft onto the single track
course. I settled in behind Patrick Rich in the field about a half mile away. I
was comfortable with the pace. Colin Carroll passed me before we reached 2
miles. I would keep that place for miles
with Mike Luebeck from GLRR right on my heels through the powerlines and
through the new trail loop.
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| Half mile in behind Patrick Rich and next to Dave Dunham Photo by Rose Dunham Washak |
I closed the gap that Colin had on me while I was now
heading along the river and to and through the powerlines. I got on his heels
for the closing miles only for him to open up a 17 second gap on me over the
last mile or so. I caught up to and passed Michael Payson with a little more
than a mile to go. Bob Jackman came into view but couldn’t find any energy to
close the gap at the end. He finished 13 seconds ahead of me. CMS won with the
top five runners (Patrick Rich 3rd, Tim Van Orden 4th, Colin Carroll
5th, Robert Jackman 6th, and I in 7th) combining
with 5:21:52 over Team Gloucester with 6:22:23 for their top 5 runners.
You will note that I and 3 out of 10 runners (Colin and Mike
for example) that I see on the Strava Flyby missed a turn with a few miles to
go. We got back on the course shortly after the turn (we were actually on the
old course) but we all covered the same distance but a few feet less of
elevation? At any rate, I was pretty happy with the effort, decent finishing
place of 7th overall, 5th master, and I broke 65 minutes
(1:04:57) which seems decent within my history on the course. The race was rare
for me to be chasing someone down and having company in the 2nd half
of the race.
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| 7th place at the end Photo by Rose Dunham Washak |
Looking back, the course was pretty dry with the exception of a
few hops over drainage basins.
Brett and I hung out after the race for the famous raffle
prizes picked out of a hat and a call for the name if present. I did not score
anything but enjoyed the laughs had by all as “Petey” gave out funny prizes
bought at Market Basket that related to the letter of the Alphabet.
2018 Merrimack River Trail Race 27th annual 10 mile race results (new course this year)
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