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Cape Cod Marathon Relay (10/25/2009) | |
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Cape Cod Marathon Relay Falmouth, MA October 25, 2009 
Last Sunday 15 CRC runners invaded Falmouth to challenge each other and the field in the Cape Cod Marathon relay. This was the third time we've participated in the relay and it's becoming a tradition that the day before the race does not provide a nice welcome to the runners. This year was no exception as windy, rainy weather deluged the area. But, also according to tradition, race day turned out to be exceptional with sunny skies, mild temps, and just a little breeze out of the west. Those who spent the night in Falmouth enjoyed dinner together at Liam Maguire's Irish Pub and lodging at the Green Pond Motel on a quiet estuary of Vineyard Sound not far away. Everyone was present on time for instructions and general camaraderie prior to the 8:30 start. Participation in the marathon was slightly off from previous years at around 900. But the relay participation was again at it's limit of 200 teams. It's always a bit of a logistical challenge for the teams to organize their movement between exchange points in order to have runners in place to receive the baton from the preceding runners. This year it was made more complicated by a requirement that transport to the last exchange point be made via shuttle buses. This prevented the last leg runners from accompanying their teammates around the course and necessitated separate arrangements to get them to the shuttle bus area. But, as always, somehow it all worked for the teams. Our 3 teams were composed in a way that tended to equalize the potential finishing times of all teams. Given the diversity of paces of everyone participating, this allowed for everyone to do their best and help their team come out best of the CRC bunch. The relay got off to a good start following singing of "America the Beautiful" reportedly by Kathy Lee Bates. The quality of the singing however gave rise to questions regarding the singer. It was later discovered that Kathy Lee Bates was simply mentioned contemporaneously as being from Falmouth ...... for some reason. Team C soon encountered what would be the only logistical misstep of the day. Having mistakenly crossed the marathon course in search of the second exchange point, they suddenly found themselves blocked by runners from re-crossing the course to get back on track. Stranded in their vehicle, Melissa Chan, the next runner, amazingly noticed her teammate Erin Richman in the pack of passing runners. Having no idea how far away the next exchange was located, but also having no idea if the team would get their by car, she opted to jump into the flow and run with Erin. She added two miles to her run earning the clear "effort" award for the day! The lead team changed several times during the relay. Leg 4 is the most challenging topographically, with virtually no level ground. Leg 5 runners encountered numerous huge flooded areas of the course which in this area traverses low-lying terrain along the shore of Vineyard Sound. These required some careful foot placement to circumvent. Aside from that all runners were able to do their best on a challenging and very beautiful course. David McGill PR'd on his perennial first leg performance. Team B suffered from a last minute runner substitute that could potentially have otherwise nudged them into second place among CRC teams. But, as you can see from the results, all teams finished in the same relative relation to one another as projected ..... only a bit faster. It was a great team effort by all! Apres-race provisions included bottomless bowls of chowda and pasta. A relaxed and showered remnant of CRCers reconvened for some celebratory liquids at the very local McGann's Pub just down the street from our motel. A great club event!
Report entered by Peter Klinefelter |