October 14, 2005

Runners Brave Glowering Skies and Howling Wind in Coffee-O Five

For the prior week or more it had rained and rained and rained. Coffee-O veteran, Bob Richards had begun constructing an ark in his back yard. Throughout the afternoon preceeding the race, the rain came down in buckets. But then at 5:00 pm, the rain stopped. But now it was the wind's turn. By the start of the race, gale force winds were howling out of the east. Despite all this impending unpleasantness, 21 intrepid runners lined up for the start.

For the first three plus miles, the runners had it relatively easy. The wind was, for the most part, at their backs, or they were protected by the trees on the Mill Road and Elm Road parts of the course. But when the runners turned back onto Surf Drive, they ran straight into the howling head wind that at times sandbasted them with sand from the beach.

Despite all the nastiness, Steve Faluotico of Falmouth managed to run a very good time of 29:30 to finish first overall. He was followed by North Falmouth's P.J. Petrone (32:05), Kevin Leach, Falmouth (32:49), Chris Tholke, West Falmouth (33:43), and Jim Barry, North Falmouth (35:29).

In the women's race, Stace Beaulieu of Falmouth topped the field with a respectable 37:05. Second place went to Hannah Longworth of Southampton, England (42:35). Kris Tholke, West Falmouth, Lucy Young, East Falmouth and Joanne Corsano, Pocasset, rounded out the top five.

The "Coffee O" Five, staged by the Falmouth Track Club, is held every Friday Night at 5:30, from Town Hall Square in Falmouth. There is no charge for this self-timed event, and all runners are welcome to participate.