- Details
- Category: Past Issues
O’Putnam
celebrates
St. Paddy’s
Day in style
By Ron P. Coderre
PUTNAM — The wave of humanity snaking its way down Bundy Street toward the starting line on Kennedy Drive for the O’Putnam 5k was a signal that the race was a success even before it started. The runners and walkers estimated at 750 participants, for the initial O’Putnam 5K sponsored by The Courthouse Bar & Grille, was a sight to behold, and certainly making organizers James and Sheila Frost proud they had cooked up the idea.
They came down Bundy Street in all sizes and ages, men and women, some attired in their best St. Paddy’s Day outfits and others just ready to run. The mass of humanity coming out of the starting gate was impressive but quickly thinned out becoming a two-man event between eventual winner David Lusignan of Woodstock and second-place finisher Chris Messier of Plainfield. In the end Lusignan with a winning time of 17:11 bested Messier who was 30 seconds behind in a time of 17:41.
“We were running together until we hit the School Street. portion of the race, that’s where I put some distance between us,” said Lusignan. “I’m a serious runner but today was special as I was part of Team Hoyt, supporting a father who’s pushed his quadriplegic son in more than 70 races.”
Lusignan, a Bartlett High School graduate, has run in marathons previously and is currently preparing for an Iron-Man event in Lake Placid this summer. He was very complimentary of the logistics and safety of the first-ever race of its type in downtown Putnam.
“This is a learning experience for all of us. We’re prepared but we’ll only know how it goes when we asses our effort following the race,” said Rick L. Hayes, Putnam police chief prior to the start of the race.
Following the race he said, “I’m very comfortable and satisfied with how everything went. The men in the Department came through with flying colors once again.”
Greeting the winner at the end of the race was Putnam Mayor Pete Place and his wife Audrey who were holding the finish line tape.
“This is another banner day for Putnam. We needed this to bring an end to winter. My hat is off to James and Sheila Frost for not only coming up with the idea but seeing it through with everyone involved,” said Mayor Place.
The first female to finish was Sturbridge resident Linda Spooner, who originally hailed from Danielson. She posted a winning time of 20:12. A pharmacist and teacher at Mass College of Pharmacy, Spooner who runs in races and marathons couldn’t say enough good things about the event.
“This was a well-organized race. The course was well marked and all the logistics seemed to go well,” said Spooner, whose daughter ran in the Wee Mile prior to the main event.
The second-place female finisher was Pauline Frascone of Plainfield and Embellish Hair Salon in Putnam with a time of 20:41. She was followed by Putnam resident Denise Scott who crossed the finish line in 21:37.
As expected, a huge number of local runners came out in support of The Courthouse and to be part of the festivities. Father David Choquette, pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Putnam, who finished 198 in a time of 25:48, put his blessing on the race.
“I run five to six times per week so this fit right into my schedule. My time was very satisfying. Now I can prepare for the Hartford and Disney half marathons in October and November,” said Choquette wiping the perspiration from his brow.
The race wasn’t quite as satisfying for one of Putnam’s more serious runners Alan Rondeau. Shortly into the race, on Kennedy Drive, Rondeau made a move to pass another runner and came too close to the curb causing him to fall and incur some serious knee scrapes. However, it didn’t prevent him from finishing as he came in 9th overall in a time of 18:46.
“The electricity of the crowd was uplifting,” said Killingly High School teacher Bill Guillot.
“The hills on South Main Street and School Street were brutal,” said recreational runner Justin Dumas, who is familiar with The Courthouse where he tends bar a couple nights a week. His time was 33:35.
The runners and spectators came from near and far away. The comments about the race and the community were all positive. Putnam, one of New England’s Top 15 small towns, was the place to be for the O’Putnam 5K on Sunday.
Sean Bennett, a 13 year old Thompson Middle School student, said it best before the race where he readied for the run with his stepfather Earl Rosebrooks and his dad’s friend Jeff Rawson, “I’m running because everyone is running.”
Putnam rolled out the “green carpet” for those who came for the O’Putnam 5K. It appears that everyone is a winner. Another success for Putnam, one that seems destined to be around for years.