Village Soup Citizen

Unity College hosts rain soaked 5K

By Tim Collins Downer
Sports Reporter

UNITY (April 17): Sixty runners, one racewalker and two canines braved the cold and rain Saturday, April 15, to take part in the 24th annual Unity College Spring 5K Road Race.

Unity College cross-country competitor Eric Rudolph had the best time of the day. He ran the 3.1-mile race, which started on the college campus and wound its way through downtown Unity, in 16:57 to win the male division. His time was well off the course record of 14:29 set by Pete Lessard in the mid-‘80s, when Lessard was a nationally known competitive runner.

“That’s a record that will probably never be broken,” said race organizer and Unity College Dean of Students Gary Zane.

Unity College student Jim Lyon and his dog Jessie gallop toward the finish line. David Benn follows close behind the pair of runners. (Photo by Tina Shute)

Cassie Hintz had the second best time of the day, winning the female division in 17:21. Edie Dubord, who at one time had Olympic aspirations as a distance runner, set the female record in the early '90s in 16:03.

Second place in the male division went to Kevin Petrak, who ran the third best time of the day (17:25). Second place in the female division was claimed by Roaslea Kimble (20:13). Sam Powers, 11, won the “Youngest Runner” award. Lisa Benn was the No. 1 racewalker. She was the only person to compete in that division.

Other first-place winners in the male divisions included: Matty Zane, 10-19, 20:07; Joshua Plog, 20-29, 17:34; John Chapin, 40-49, 19:44; Paul Ballaregeon, 50-59, 20:49; and Art Warren, 70 and older, 22:12.

Morey Hayes, right, Rosalea Kimble, No. 68, and Jeff Preble, No. 66, lead a large group of runners during Saturday's Unity College 5K run. (Photo by Tina Shute)

Additional first-place winners in the female divisions included: Amy Flood, 20-29, 22:21; Bonnie Wescott, 30-39, 21:13; Julie Millard, 40-49, 22:43; and Sheila Hodges, 50-59, 22:01.

Tom Mullin and Kya Lisum won the awards given to the fastest male and female Unity College runners. Competitors are eligible for only one award. Since Rudolph was already declared the overall race winner, he was ineligible for the Unity College award.