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September 2, 2003 - Cape Ann Labor Day Race Turns 70 |
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Cape Ann YMCA Labor Day race turns 70.
By STEVE MANIACI, Staff writer
Tuesday, September 2, 2003
In what has become a Labor Day tradition, the Cape Ann YMCA 25K road race will celebrate its 70th year of competition Monday morning at O'Maley Middle School. Sponsored by Honda North, New England Running Company, Saucony, Foster's Promotional Goods, Inc., and the YMCA, the race equivalent to 15.5 miles long will run in Gloucester and Rockport. Proceeds for the event will go to the Cape Ann YMCA.
"Were really looking forward to race day," said YMCA race director Maggie Oveson. "There was a tremendous amount of work done by the people at the YMCA and the community. It is amazing to think that the race is turning seventy. There are so many people including those people who man water stations around the city that made this happen. The whole city should take pride in this race hitting a milestone."
The race which already has more than 500 entrants may have more than 800 runners come Monday. To attract more runners, the race will also feature the 1st annual "Run The Goose" 7K road race which allows runners the opportunity to participate at a smaller scale. The 4.62 mile race will run along Cherry and Gee streets as well as the Goose Cove reservior before ending back at O'Maley School.
"Were excited about the 7K race," said Oveson. "Eight three people have signed up for it which includes a lot of kids. The best part about the race is that it gives those runners whom can't run a 25K the chance to run. There are going to be a lot of families running togheter which is what we like to see."
The 25K road race which attracts runners from all over New England, is one of the toughest road races in New England. Run mostly along the seashore of scenic Gloucester and Rockport, the course is a never-ending collection of rolling hills. The race circumnavigates Cape Ann, passing the New England coastline, fishing villages and beaches. Many people in the field use this race as part of their fall marathon preparation.
Last year, Mike DiGennaro of Essex may have been the first Cape Ann runner to win the event as he finished the race in 1:26:07. For DiGennaro, a former Hamilton-Wenham High School and University of Delaware running standout, it was the second victory in a local road race in less than a week. He won the 2002 Magnolia Five-Mile Road Race for the second
straight year four days previous to the Cape Ann race.
April Wernig of Portland Maine won the women's race in a time of 1:43:14. Wernig defeated Gloucester's Gillian Horovitz who finished third in a time of 1:48:33. Horovitz a part time resident of Gloucester who also resides in New York, had a four race winning streak snapped.
Oveson hopes that good running conditions will make for a great 70th run.
"Were really looking forward to a great day," said Oveson. "The weather should be good for the runners, the fans, and the people working the event."
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