Wicked Running Club

A Special Report from Stephanie Cooper, a WRC roving correspondent:

The Wicked Runners fanned out State Wide this weekend, showing our North Shore Pride on the Cape and Islands, Western Mass and right here in Salem.

Beautiful race day conditions met the Wicked Runners at the 36^th running of the Falmouth Road Race.  Rick and Dick Hoyt, Bill Rodgers, Joan Benoit Samuelson, our Wicked Crew and 11,000 others ran the 7.3 miles from Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights past scores of cheering fans handing out oranges and spraying hoses.  There was live musical entertainment along the way and hot dogs, popsicles and Cape Cod chips waiting under the giant American flag at the finish line. 

The Falmouth Road Race Wicked contingent was (in no particular order):

Sally Holtzman        1:04:55

Chip Bott                  1:00:20

Doug Bollen              1:02:44

Steph Cooper           1:12:11

Alison Phelan           1:02:35

Tim Clarke                1:00:58

Michele Campbell    1:20:26

Beth O’Grady              58:32

Not far away, on beautiful Martha’s Vineyard, one of Wicked’s famously fast running couples tore up the roads two weekends in a row.   Rachel Hunt and Colin Maclay ran the Vineyard Scoops the first weekend of August finishing the

5K course in 23:38 and 23:06 respectively.  This weekend they again left the locals wondering “who are these Wicked Runners?” with Rachel completing the Chilmark Road race in 23:38 and Colin in 22:59.  Next week the duo will bring their fast legs to the Lynn Woods Relay on Wednesday night, and we will be glad to have them!

Denise & Patrick showing off some well deserved hardware

Meanwhile, closer to home, another crazy couple took home first place hardware at the Witch City Triathlon in Salem!  TEAM Smurphy, otherwise known as Patrick Smith and Denise Murphy won the mixed relay category, finishing in 1:12:54.   Patrick swam and ran, while Denise cruised through the 12 mile bike course in 38:41- that’s almost 20 mph for the entire race!  Are they ready for Timberman or what?    Bill Morse joined the Smurphys for Witch City, his first triathlon ever!

Fred Bollen traveled out to Shelburn Falls for the 30^th Annual Bridge of Flowers Classic 10K and turned in an admirable 57:08!  The race, which typically draws 800 runners, was up to 1,200 this year as the race is part of the USA Track and Field NE Grand Prix series.

Whew, a busy weekend.  No rest for the Wicked!  This week we prepare for the Lynn Woods Relay on August 20, the Witch’s Cup Criterion Race at Salem Common on Wednesday evening and the Timberman Triathlon at Lake Winnie.  Stay tuned for race reports and have a great week!