Lusignan pg 9 6-7-12
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- Category: Past Issues
By Ron P. Coderre
The Woodstock Memorial Day 10K, held on May 28, resembled its smaller O’Putnam 3.1K of March 11 in one major respect. Although the Woodstock event was much longer and tougher than the Putnam race, the top finishers in the men’s and women’s categories were the same.
Dave Lusignan, who’s quickly and quietly becoming a first-place finisher, broke the tape in Woodstock in a time of 37:19, a solid 40 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Todd Bennett. In the women’s division, Sturbridge resident Linda Spooner finished in 14th place overall well ahead of her nearest competitor. There were 187 runners competing for the titles in this arduous race.
Lusignan was using the race in preparation for the Ironman Lake Placid, which he plans to attack on July 22. Spooner, who hadn’t run in a 10K in more than four years, was pleased with her first-place finish since she had just returned home the previous day following a long flight from Utah.
The top five runners behind Lusignan and Bennett were Jack Houlker (38:16), Greg Rossolimo (39:18) and Jon Dipippo (39:35). The second place finisher behind Spooner (43:40) in the women’s competition was Sandra Garney in 22nd place overall with a time of 45:26, while local entrant Pauline Frascone of Embellish Hair Salon in Putnam was third, finishing 28th overall with a time of 47:23.
Among the local finishers in the Top 50 were: Andre Bessette (7th-40:34); Wayne Jolley (11th-42:23); Glenn Bates (15th-43:43); Adam Shaw (16th-43:54); Jimi Gothreau (17th-43:55); Gene Deary, Jr. (19th-44:32); Liam Adams (23rd-45:46); Gene Deary, Sr. (33rd-48:34); Aaron Ahola (35th-48:50); Glenn Converse (45th-49:57); and Cary Bentley (48th-50:39).
This was the 32nd edition of the race and was under the direction of Woodstock Recreation Director Karen Fitzpatrick.
Stonington Race Has Local Touch
The Memorial Day Bearathon 5K held in Stonington enjoyed a touch of Putnam as a pair of runners crossed the finish line with respectable times. Well known long distance runner Scott Deslongchamps was third overall in a time of 19:14.6. He was 2:25.1 behind the winner Steve Pretak of New London.
Carissa Ekholm finished 20th overall in an even 22 minutes, only 55.7 seconds behind the top female runner.