Race news: Spencer crushes Litchfield Hills

Wow. It was a good week for Spencer Johnson, who desperately needs a Marist Alumni Racing Team singlet! At Sunday’s 42^nd annual Litchfield Hills Road Race, a 7.1-mile race that attracts a world-class field, Spencer placed ninth overall (third American) in 36:12 (5:06 pace); there were 1,102 finishers in this race, which is notorious for being a challenging course. His splits are below. Below are course descriptions that Spencer shared with me from the race’s web site, along with his comments afterwards. Spencer earned a $100 cash prize for his top finish; combine that with the $500 he won for having the fastest Big Run time among all Fleet Feet races in the country, and it certainly was a great week for our most recent alum. Next up: the New Paltz Challenge Half Marathon on Sunday.

Course descriptions

GALLOW'S HILL: We aren't going to sugar coat it, Gallow's is an intensely steep hill right at the beginning of the last mile of the race, almost like a cruel joke. It's been rated #8 by Runner’s World Magazine in their list of the greatest, most daunting hills in U.S. races. It's the hill that made Olympian Bill Rodgers shift to ninth gear!

MICROWAVE MILE: Very appropriately named for the fact that by the time most runners reach this stretch, the sun is at its peak intensity. But don't worry, there is plenty of water available and if you are feeling especially courageous (insane? stupid?), some of the sideliners may offer our adult runners an ice-cold beer.”

Spencer’s comments and splits: I would say these descriptions are pretty accurate!  Overall the race was a great experience especially being able to see some world class runners race, such as the first place finisher from Kenya running 33:17!  Along the way there were bands playing music at every mile marker and the crowds were great.  Here are my splits from my watch:

Mile 1: 4:41.45 (Down Gallow’s Hill)

Mile 2: 5:04.73

Mile 3: 5:11.82

Mile 4: 5:10.45

Mile 5: 5:05.59

Mile 6: 5:01.59

Mile 7: 5:37.05 (Up Gallows Hill)

0.1: 0:18.65

Official time from the results: 36:12 (5:06 pace)