2025 USATF New England Cross Country Championship – Franklin Park

Car pooled into Franklin Park bright and early with Shawn, Eric and Krissy so we could get the team packet and set up the Notch Tent. The masters race was the 1^st of the morning at 10:30 for the Cross Country Championships. I warmed up a half hour before the start to find some mud and standing water around mile 1 on Playstead Field, within view of the start and finish. The 8K course was the same as what I saw for Codfish Bowl on September 20^th, modified due to the stadium construction. It was partly sunny, in the high 40’s but the wind was picking up (more later).

Eleven masters lined up for Notch, four of which had hit the previous four cross country races (Shawn Conway, Brian Davis, Jason Wertz and I) in the USATF NE XC Grand Prix Series that started in August. A few others missed just one race. My expectations were low, just wanted to finish the race, secure the 5^th race in the series and get a winter hat.

I missed a lot of training with back and hamstring issues. Most recently, I have been spelled with a right knee issue. Fueled on Starbucks, Ibuprofen and hope, I reached the mile in 8:17. I was met by fellow Lynn Wood runner, Mark Rosenblum. We traded places at the top of Bear Cage Hill and I opened my stride forcefully down the back side to keep him close. I passed him before the Wilderness loop (into a headwind). I kept that place for the next 3 miles maintaining most miles under 8:30. Mark would finish just 26 seconds after I crossed the finish line. The chip time was 41:26.2, 77^th place out of 86 (8:21 mile pace). GPS measured 4.96 miles.

The Notch guys were kind to wait for me at the finish, all seemed happy with the efforts they raced. The masters team finished 5^th and the 50+ finished 4^th. We walked back to the tent area to find the tent, eh, missing. In fact, several tents were down and out. Only one out of a dozen was still standing. The wind during our race, according to eye witnesses saw a few teams tent blow away and take out the Notch Tent and others. The result was a few broken aluminum posts. RIP.

Meanwhile, Danny Cosgrove found the rest of us and secured his number for the open race. The old guys watched the race with conviction as Danny was in the top six or seven until moving up to 3^rd in the last two miles. He closed the gap on the leader and with a furious kick into the final straight, and a headwind, would close with in .8 seconds at the line for 2^nd place. A thrilling race against a sub 2:10 marathoner residing in Providence, RI!

Mile splits were: 8:17, 8:29, 8:26, 8:41, 8:03

Results: Mens Masters 8K 40+ USATF-NE Cross Country November16, 2025

Great Bay 5K

One of my favorite 5K road races here in Stratham, NH. Point to point, great time of the year (fall foliage) fast course with a great spread at the finish including home baked goods, coffee and Pizza. Great prizes that fill all age groups are a bonus. I felt ok, appeared to have the hamstring issue in the rear view mirror and came off my longest run of the year six days earlier supporting Krissy at Ghost Train. I had the benefit of two days of rest into this one. In the end I almost broke 23 minutes: mile splits were 7:16, 7:26, 7:36. Official time was 23:04 and 129^th place or 8^th out of 20^th in the age group. Donnie Withee got a 5K PR, 18:28! So happy for him. Plenty of good post race baked goods allowed me to focus on cookies and brownies. Top tip for those coming in the future, pack a bag and have it sent to the finish line so you have warm, dry clothes.

Results

2025 Wayland XC Festival

It has been a long time, decade, since I raced the Wayland XC Festival. It was cool to come back. I was cautious with the right hamstring issue but did manage to get on the massage table during the week which responded well. I felt the hamstring issue once during the 5K. I backed off and did not have it come back so just went along. I finished strong, unlike last week in Carlisle. 23:19, 93^rd place. The Notch 40+/50+ took team wins. Glorious individual age group and team awards were given out by host HFC Striders who did a bang-up job pulling from local vendors and sponsors. Some keen beverages were awarded to Notch who hope they share at the team banquet in November.

Results

2025 Greater Boston Track Club XC Invitational

USATF New England Cross Country Grand Prix race # 3 was hosted in Carlisle by the GBTC on October 5. My right hamstring was bugging me for the past week and it really hit me hard on the last loop.  I was in denial and was hoping to sneak through the race. However, 7:30 pace went to 9:00 minute pace for the last mile. I do not know how I was not passed by another runner. The runner I was with at 15 minutes (mile 2) put over a minute on me to the finish. In the end, got to the finish with a smile, 24:49 was the time, 40^th place. Nine Notch guys over 40+ in this one who took the masters team win by just a point over GLRR and 50+ took the win as well. 

Masters Results