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Reta and Mesganaw think Bridge Classic Twice as Nice
By Chris Miracle
Sport Staff Writer
SHELBURNE FALLS — The history books in the tiny, picturesque town of Shelburne Falls almost had to be rewritten this past weekend, almost as elite runners from abroad as well as local favorites took part in the 29th edition of the Bridge of Flowers 10 K Classic on Saturday morning.
Defending champion Alene Reta, of Ethiopia, made it known early on in the race that the defense of his 2006 crown would come quickly as he had thoughts of going for the course record from the start, setting a blistering pace with sub 4:30 mile splits on the first half of the 6.2 mile course, including the daunting Crittenden Hill portion.
In his inaugural run last August, Reta, now a current New York state of mind resident, thought a run at the course record would be his for the taking, until he made his first steps on Crittenden turf. The hill is the stretch of this paved road race that helped earn the vote by “New England Runner” magazine to name the Bridge of Flowers the best road race in its class in New England for 2007.
Last summer Reta ran and won in 31:08. Handling the hill quicker than last year, Reta set a brisk pace in the first three miles, on his way-while almost catching the media truck in front of him more than once- toward finishing in 30:52. His closest competitor Genna Tufa, also from Ethiopia, came in second at 31:20. The course record still stands at 30:10 set by Daniel Kihara in 1997.
Reta was in command, moving out to a lead of some 200-plus yards in the closing stretch to the finish line.
“I know the hill now. I tried to do my best. I go start and go my pace. I wanted to break the record and I needed strong guys to push the pace,” Reta said. “I don’t see the miles. I come in this race in good condition. The heat can be tough.”
Mohammed Awol from Ethiopia took third in 31:50. Placing fourth was Dan Barry, of Sheffield (32:35), who was the highest placing New England runner. Erik Blake of New Britain, Conn., was next in 32:52.
“I wanted to go out and I knew who the winner was, and the guys who finished second and third were tough as well. Sometimes they go hard, so I figured I would try to go with them and hold on,” Blake said. “I have been training for the marathon and I am in the part of the phase where my legs are fatigued. On the hill I wanted to make a move, but I could feel the miles.”
Shelburne Falls native Mark Miller, who now lives in Keene, N.H., came in sixth place, 11 seconds behind Blake.
As for the rest of the top 10 finishers, Michael Brouillette, of South Hadley, was seventh (33:07); followed by Matt Clark, of Amherst (33:29); Josh Feren, of South Acworth, N.H. (33:43); and Andy McCarron, also of Amherst (33:53).
In the women’s division as Alemtsehay Mesganaw won for the second year in a row, this time finishing in 36:23-good for 23rd overall as she defended her 2006 win.
The race, approaching its 30th anniversary in 2008, had 829 entrants overall with 171 competing in the 2-mile trek held before the 9 a.m. gun sounded for the 10K.
Rich Marion of Templeton won the 2-mile race in 9:39.
Chris Miracle is a sports staff writer for Turley Publications. He can be reached at dforbes@turley.com.
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