Jenkins, McCabe earn top honors

ANDOVER — In the Feaster Five 5-mile race, the overall winner was Nate Jenkins, 29, of Andover, in a time of 24:44, in his first attempt in the event. Jenkins, a former great at UMass-Lowell, is a native of Templeton, Mass. Jenkins beat last year's winning time by 40 seconds.

Two former champs, Matt Ely of Natick by way of Andover, and Matthew Germain of Haverhill, finished in 25:21 and 25:54 respectively to round out the top three.

"I ran a good, even pace," said Jenkins. "This is a tough course to attack."

In the women's 5-mile, marathon legend Joan Benoit Samuelson, 52, bested local running star Nina Caron, of Andover, by two seconds.

In the men's 5K race, first-timer Eric Narcisi of Charlestown won in a time of 16:31. He edged former Eagle-Tribune cross country MVP Phil Shaw of Andover (he how lives in New York City) and local favorite Doug Martyn, 49, of North Andover, who had times of 16:45 and 16:58, respectively.

Narcisi was in the area to spend Thanksgiving with the Powers family of North Andover.

"It's my last performance before I turn 30," said Narcisi, whose birthday is Dec. 20.

In the women's 5K, Allison McCabe of Cambridge, won her third straight event. The 27-year-old, representing the Greater Boston Track Club, finished in 18:12.

Kim Cilley (20:07), of Manchester, Mass., and Ronnesia Gaskins (20:38), of Pawtucket, R.I., rounded out the top three.

McCabe beat last year's time of 18:34.

"I know a lot of people like these conditions, but I like it sunny and dry," said McCabe. "I got the lead and didn't see anybody chasing me."

Team Hoyt has a ball

Dick and Rick Hoyt made their annual trek to Andover — they've been coming since 1991.

The world renowned father-son wheelchair duo finished the 5K race in 27:20.

"It's a little crowded out there, but it's Thanksgiving. It's no time to complain," said Dick, a North Reading native who resides in Holland, Mass. "We know so many people. It's family for us. Rick and I really enjoy this race."

Dick said the highlight came the night before at the Merrimack Valley YMCA in Andover. He and Rick gave an hour-long presentation, which included a DVD showing and a question-and-answer session.

Rick, who can't speak because of cerebral palsy, communicated with a voice-activated computer.

"Rick stole the show as usual. He cracked everyone up," said Dick, who went to his son's home in Billerica for Thanksgiving dinner yesterday. "A lot of people were there. It was nice to be a part of."

Best in show

Two and half years ago, Tony Dirienzo of North Reading got two yellow Labrador Retriever puppies, which he expected to add energy to the household.

His expectations were met.

Yesterday, the brother-sister duo — Cooper and Bella — ran their first Feaster Five ... the 5-mile course.

There were among the 100-plus dogs who ran or walked their way over the two race courses.

Dirienzo had Bella on a leash and his friend, Katherine Gines, had Cooper.

The plan was for Dirienzo and Gines to stay together. Unfortunately, Cooper would have no part of that.

"Cooper was so excited he just took off and I followed him," said Gines.

Dirienzo and Gines are members of TriFury, an affiliate of the Merrimack Valley Striders, which hosts the race. TriFury focuses on triathlons.

"They're both ironman dogs," said Dirienzo.

Running in memory of Lancers

You couldn't miss Justo Rivera. He ran the 5-mile race with a bright yellow T-shirt with the names of former Lawrence High students and teachers who have passed away over the last decade.

"I just wanted to make sure we don't forget them," said the 29-year-old Rivera. "Some were murdered. One was lost in a drunk driving accident. And a few teachers, like Larry Reusch, were special people. They all were special."

Couldn't 'weight' to run

Justin Cann of Methuen appeared to be praying as he crossed the finish line for the 5-mile race in just over an hour.

The 22-year-old had just completed his first-ever road race, which has been part of a year-long fitness journey that has helped him lose about 100 pounds.

"I weighed about 290 pounds and had some bad medical tests," said Cann, a Merrimack College senior. "I needed to make some big changes in my life. I had never run a race before and I've learned you can do anything you put your mind to."

First the Feaster, then Hawaii

A few weeks ago, Jennifer Traverso of Methuen and Chelsea Paquette of Dracut were part of a group from Indra Salon in Andover who decided to run their first road race.

"We didn't plan on training," said Traverso, 26. "We just decided to do it."

Traverso and Paquette finished together in 1:08:50.

"This has been inspirational for both of us," said Traverso. "We had planned to run the 5K, but then said, 'Let's do the five miles.' But we wanted to push ourselves."

Both women are thinking big after their first-ever race.

"My goal is to pick a marathon, maybe a marathon in Hawaii," said Paquette, 18. "We'll get in great shape. We'll run the marathon. And then we'll have nice bodies to show off at the beach."

Did you know?

It took 14 minutes for the last person to cross the "starting line," which was about the same time the first runner in the 5K race, Eric Narcisi, was making the turn on the York Street before the finish line.

While they did run out of shirts, the entry fee was "lowered" for the 5M and 5K races and kids weren't charged for participating in the Kids K.

Before the race, 9-year-old Joey Grieve of Andover sang God Bless America on the podium before the start of the race. It was the fourth straight year he has sung to the crowd at the starting line.

Race director Dave McGillivray's son, Max, was the official starter of the race.

Boys to watch

Channel 7 reporter Steve Cooper of North Andover (24:14) has been a regular at this event, but his 10-year-old twin sons Jon and Ben outclassed their dad, finishing in 23:56 and 24:13, respectively in the 5K event.

Brooks School football coach Alex Konovalchik (29:26 in the 5K race) has a son, Andrew, who has had some impressive showings here. Andrew, 13, finished the 5-mile race in 33:46, which is 6:48 per mile. And 11-year-old Nick Konovalchik wasn't too shabby either at 27:26 in the 5K.

Kids K grab bag

A record 705 children participated in the annual Kids K event, which occurs 45 minutes before the main event.

For the $5 entry fee, each kid received a medal, a Fuddruckers gift certificate for a shake, a participation certificate, gifts from TD Bank, a T-shirt, pie and refreshments.

By the numbers

1 — People that needed medical attention (a sprained ankle).

9th — Finish in the 5-mile race for Anders Samuelson, Joan Benoit Samuelson's 19-year-old son.

122 — People that entered but didn't participate, a record low.

705 — Children that ran the Kids K event.

9,147 — The official entries for yesterday's race, besting last year's record by more than 1,000.

13,000 — Bagels distributed before and after the race.

$50,000 — Money raised for the two race beneficiaries, the Merrimack Valley Hospice and Merrimack Valley YMCA.

Sports

Search Results

Discussion

Former champs Ely, Germain take second, third in men's 5-miler

Site Map

Contact Us