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01/16/2012 11:00 PMUnder sunny skies and moderate temperatures in the low 50's, over 900 runners and walkers competed in the Guilford Rotary Club's Annual Frosty 5k Road Race on New Year's Day. The race drew a record number of runners and walkers from 71 towns in Connecticut and 10 other states, including some from as far away as Arizona, Colorado and Georgia. A record number of families also entered.
The runners and walkers were sent off after a stirring rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner by Guilford resident, Horace Little, and at the halfway point at the Town Marina, runners were greeted by bagpiper, Bill Seward III.
As the top two runners dashed up South Union Street, well ahead of the rest of the field, race organizers new it would be a close finish. In the final 200 yards, Justin Torrellas from Colorado (formerly of Clinton) pulled away and won in 16:36. In an amazing finish, second place went to Marie Davenport from Guilford-a former Olympian from Ireland-in 16:39. The male and female winners received $100 gift certificates to Sound Runner. Tim Kenefick, a 15-year old from Guilford, finished third in 17:27. He and Davenport also received three months free membership to Planet Fitness for being the first Guilford male and female finishers. All division winners received plaques.
After Torrellas and Kenefick, the top 10 male finishers were Luis Juela of Branford in third (17:47), Juan Tolberto of Branford in fourth (17:49), Starbuck MacDougall of Guilford in fifth (18:09), Andrew Gibas of Old Saybrook in sixth (18:22), Jonathan Ingalls of Clinton in seventh (18:32), Christopher Burkle of Guilford in eighth (18:36), Greg Sherman of Pennsylvania in ninth (18:41), and Ian Connell of Guilford in 10th (18:48).
Following Davenport, the top 10 female finishers were Janelle Nadeau of Madison in second (18:55), Kerry Arsenault of Guilford in third (19:09), Corinne Sejourne of Guilford in fourth (19:58), Mandella Fellenz of Guilford in fifth (20:03), Stephanie Hodge of Guilford in sixth (20:04), Fiona Doolan of Guilford in seventh (20:37), Katie Phillips of Madison in eighth (20:38), Dawn Parker of Guilford in ninth (20:49), and Marcy Withington of Old Lyme in 10th (21:08).
Age-group winners in the male competition were Brendan O'Callahan of Guilford in the 12-under division (21:29), Tim Kenefick of Guilford in the 13-19 division (17:27), Torrellas in the 20-29 division, David Ross of New Haven in the 30-39 division (19:40), MacDougall in the 40-49 division, Tolberto in the 50-59 division, David Leake of Guilford in the 60-69 division (22:41), Jim Quinn of Old Lyme in the 70-79 division (22:16), and Geoff Bye of Guilford in the 80-89 division (42:04).
Age-group winners on the female side were Leah Vichas of Lebanon in the 12-under division (25:05), Sejourne in the 13-19 division, Holly Bannon of Southington in the 20-29 division (23:12), Davenport in the 30-39 division, Arsenault in the 40-49 division, Allison Clark of Guilford in the 50-59 division (22:19), Cynthia Gardner of Massachusetts in the 60-69 division (23:10), and Romaine Gussenhoven of Killingworth in the 70-79 division (24:34).
For a complete list of results, visit the Rotary Club's website at www.guilfordctrotary.org, or www.plattsys.com.
Information courtesy of Rick Maynard