Marist at the Boilermaker

OK! As promised, here is the first of a few race reports …

At the 15-kilometer Boilermaker in Utica earlier this month, several current and former Marist runners and family members did a nice job in the 9.3-mile summer classic.

This is a race I’ve never done, but from what I have heard, it features, in no particular order: 1. A hilly course; 2. A huge and competitive field, with a lot of cheering spectators; 3. Such a big crowd at the start that warming up properly is virtually impossible; 4. A pretty good post-race celebration that includes, for those of age, beer.

Current team members:

Brittany Burns, who just graduated with the highest of academic honors (rules do not permit me from posting her GPA, but it is quite stellar!) but will be returning for a fifth year of track eligibility (yippee!!), did an amazing job. (Sorry, that was a run-on sentence, huh?) She placed seventh in her age division and ran 1:00:05. Nicely done, Britt!!!!

Joel Moss, entering his sophomore year, improved by more than six minutes over his 2009 time with his 100th place finish in 53:31. He got 10th place in the 15-19 division. Nice job by Joel, who also did a great job of showing up at Saturday’s BBQ with a camouflage “Kum & Go” hat – a fond remembrance of our recent trip to Des Moines. Nicely done, Joel!!!

Alumni and family:

Marist alums Steve Hicks and his wife Christine Hicks had strong races at the Boilermaker. Steve was 57th overall and 18th in the 25-29 in 51:19. Christine was 29th in the 25-29 in 1:06:01.

Marist alum Lisa D’Aniello was 33rd in the 20-24 in 1:07:39, as she continues her excellent progress in preparation for the NYC Marathon this fall.

Steve’s parents and younger brother, who live up the road in nearby Red Hook, also participated in the Boilermaker. Sharon Hicks was 44th in the 55-59 (1:29:21); Bill Hicks was 120th in the 55-59 (1:18:50). Ryan Hicks, now 14! (man, I remember when he was younger than my kids!!!), was 18th in the 14-under (1:20:56).

Nicely done by one and all, young and older …