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The individual winners at the third annual O'Putnam 5K March 9 were, top: Lida Spooner and bottom: Michael Stadolnik. Photos courtesy of Chris Coderre.

By Ron P. Coderre

Awash in a sea of green, the 3rd O’Putnam 5K, sponsored by the Courthouse Bar & Grille and organized by the Hartford Marathon Foundation, continued its success with the largest number of entries in the brief history of the event.  A record number 1127 runners, some serious and others not so serious, gathered at the starting line on Canal Street near Modern Lumber Co.

“The outpouring of people and the welcoming nature of the Putnam community makes this a great kickoff for the Hartford Marathon Foundation racing season.  Looking over the crowd of runners and spectators, this is simply amazing,” said Josh Miller, race technical director for the HMF.

In what seemed like an eternity for the final runner to pass through the starting line, the competitive runners set out on a torrid pace despite the somewhat chilly and breezy conditions.  The temperature at race time was 37 degrees with some gusty winds but that didn’t deter the overall winner, 40-year-old Michael Stadolnik of Plainfield, who led from start to finish and broke the tape in a time of 17:38.  His pace was 27 seconds off the record of David Lusignan who won in 2012 in a time of 17:11.

Stadolnik was pursued the entire race by 18 year old Omar Abdelsame of Plainville but was able to fend off his challenger throughout the 5K route.  Abdelsame finished six seconds behind the winner with a time of 17:44.  Third place went to Todd Bennett, 43 of Columbia in a time of17:58.  Rounding out the Top Five were two Plainfield residents and close friends, 20-year-old Steven Laflamme ((18:13) and 16-year-old Ryan Saros (18:29).

Prior to the race Laflamme, a student at Eastern Connecticut State University, and Saros, a junior at Plainfield High School, said, “We’re hoping to finish near the top.”  Competing not only against the field but also against each other they fulfilled their prerace wish.

Linda Spooner, 39, of Sturbridge, Mass., captured the female division for the second time in three years as she crossed the finish line in a time of 20:15, just shy of the record time of 20:12, which she set in 2012.

“I felt really great today and just ran my own race.  When we turned Arch Street, I saw my closest female challenger but I never saw her again after that,” said Spooner.  “This is a great race, very well organized.  My family helped me win this race as they were along the route encouraging me.  I couldn’t have done it without them,” she added. 

Julia Gilloran, 18, of Pomfret Center, who ran one and two with Spooner the entire race, was second in at time of 21:04.  Coventry, R.I., resident, 34-year-old Michaela Driscoll finished in the show place in a time of 21:09, followed by Sylvia Lawrence of E. Woodstock (21:21) and fifth-place finisher 14-year-old Brooke Brouillard of Brooklyn (21:25).

The first Putnam finisher was a female runner, Jenna Siekierski, 29, who crossed the finish line in a time of 21:38.  Her time was good for a sixth-place finish in the female competition and 33rd overall.

N. Grosvenordale resident and Putnam Business Association executive committee member Dan Goyette expressed his satisfaction with the race saying, “This is what Putnam is all about.  A great crowd and a tremendous spirit.”  The 51-year-old Goyette finished 52nd overall in a respectable time of 23:09.

In addition to the race contestants, it was a day for families, as strollers with young infants were everywhere and grandmothers and grandfathers were caring for grandchildren as the parents ran the 5K layout.  Susan Hibbard of Woodstock, a grandmother, sat in the warn sun near Modern Lumber with her grandchild.  “It’s so great to see all the runners, the variety of costumes and the camaraderie of this event.  It’s truly a family time,” she said.

The more than 1,100 runners along with family members, friends and spectators in Olde Towne Putnam and along the route swelled the crowd to more than 5,000 people.  The runners and volunteers were treated to a corned beef sandwich and Harpoon ale following the race as they milled around the cordoned-off area in the vicinity of the Courthouse Bar & Grille.

“From start to finish everyone was well behaved,” said Putnam Police Chief Rick L. Hayes.  “This is the biggest crowd I’ve seen in the three years of the event.  Everything appears under control.”

Hayes and the members of the Putnam Police Department were on hand along with the Auxiliary Force to assist with the flow of traffic and the safety of the runners and spectators.  Trash disposal and sanitary facilities were available thanks to Putnam’s Department of Public Works and Recreation Department.

“My husband James and I are pleased with the way the entire event went off.  We think this is great for Putnam. And people followed my lead ‘run, walk, jig or jog.’  I saw it all today and we’re looking forward to next year,” said Sheila Frost, owner of the Courthouse Bar & Grille.

As it turned out this was another red or should we refer to it as a green banner day for the community of Putnam.  Regardless of what kudos is attributed to the event it deserves a Gold Medal.

 

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