Wiener 4.5 mile Asbury Grove

This traditionally 10K Monday evening run put on by Roger Perham (race director of the Great Stew Chase 15K in Lynn) changed to a 4.5 mile distance this year. About 30 runners lined up at 6:30 on a humid and cloudy evening. The course is basically a lollipop loop entering into Bradley Palmer via next to Pingree. The big change was to take a left around 2.5 miles onto a trail that will exit Bradley Palmer beyond 3 miles. 

AJ Migonis had the lead into Bradley Palmer and took the correct left hand turn onto the trail to take the race back to the finish. However, Dave Corbett, Adam Cook and Dan Verrington missed the turn (which was not marked) and ran to the opposing entrance of Bradely Palmer, essentially doing the former course. 

I had the left hand turn onto the trail in my mind before the race started so was comfortable about knowing the full course. As I approached the turn, I was surprised to not see an arrow, marker, sign or even a volunteer (heard that one showed up after I ran by). I took the turn and yelled back to Heather Rich if this was the correct trail and she agreed. I had 2.5 miles on the GPS and made sense that we would be half way through the course in which Roger was guessing to be 5+ miles. So as I ran back to the finish and saw only 4.5 miles measured on my watch, I had doubts we fulfilled said course but we did. Heather was a few seconds behind me, keeping my average of 7:13's honest all night. 2nd place overall but nothing to jump about with three guys in front of me missing a turn and were on pace for 6 flat pace all the way. 

Krissy and had hung around until the last finisher came in. A few others missed a turn or two so some ran 4.75 and the guys ahead of me ran 6 miles. Had to skip out on the post race Hot Dogs and hit the road.