Smuttynose Rockfest Half Marathon- The largest half marathon in New Hampshire road race history took place on October 5 in Hampton at the Smuttynose Rockfest Half Marathon. When the numbers were totaled up 3,885 runners and walkers were credited with finishing breaking the record set at the 2013 Smuttynose Half. At the front of the pack Thomas Gennaro of Boston, Massachusetts ran with a pack of three runners until the final couple of miles. Gennaro pulled away and won in a time of 1:41:41.

The women’s winner traveled a shorter distance to the race and Saeger Fischer from nearby Portsmouth took top honors in 1:26:53.

Results: http://www.coolrunning.com/results/14/nh/Oct5_Smutty_set1.shtml

Footrace for the Fallen 5K- Close to 800 runners and walkers took part in this Manchester event that honors the memories of fallen police officers. Joseph Dewitt, the 2012 winner, took top honors on the men’s side for the second time in a row. Goffstown’s Stephanie Burnham continued her strong 2014 by being top female.

Results:  http://www.millenniumrunning.com/results-footrace-for-the-fallen/13373

Apple Harvest Day 5K- The largest 5K that took place in New Hampshire during the first weekend of October was Dover’s Apple Harvest Day 5K. The race, the latest in the 2013 Dover Race Series, drew 893 finishers and was won by two Dover runners. Colin Lee was the men’s winner in 16:33 and Lucy Garfield was the women’s winner in 18:53

Results: http://www.coolrunning.com/results/14/nh/Oct4_AppleH_set1.shtml

Elsewhere Around The State

New Hampshire Marathon/Half Marathon/10K- Dover’s Casey Carroll and Rina Ito of Dorchester, Massachusetts won the marathon, Bristol’s David Chroney and Rachel Hyland of Andover, Massachusetts won the half marathon and Sean Hyland of Andover, Massachusetts and Plymouth’s Erica Labella won the 10K

Results: http://www.coolrunning.com/results/14/nh/Oct4_NewHam_set1.shtml

Luke Capistran 5K- Anthony Pizzutillo was top male and  Keegan Pepin was top female.

Results: http://www.coolrunning.com/results/14/nh/Oct4_LukeCa_set1.shtml

Jason Hussey 5K- Rochester’s Joshua Willobee and Rye’s Geri Clifford were top finishers

Results: http://www.coolrunning.com/results/14/nh/Oct4_LukeCa_set1.shtml

Gunstock Mountain 5K- Laconia’s Sam Wood and Kayla Angier took top honors.

Results: http://www.coolrunning.com/results/14/nh/Oct4_Gunsto_set1.shtml

Girls Inc. Personal Best 5K- Nate Jenkins traveled up from North Andover, Massachusetts to be top male while  Sydney Stockwell was top female

Results: http://www.coolrunning.com/results/14/nh/Oct4_GirlsI_1_set1.shtml

Tanger Outlets Fit For A Cure 5K- New Hampton’s Justin Freeman and Laconia’s Abby Wood were the winners.

Results: http://www.millenniumrunning.com/results-tanger-outlets-fit-for-a-cure-5k/13368

Looking ahead

UNH Homecoming 5K, Durham, October 11

Jeannes Journey, Somersworth, October 11

Warner Fall Foliage 5 Mile Race, Warner, October 11

Milford Pumpkin Festival 5K, Milford, October 11

Hills and Hops 5K Trail Run, Bartlett, October 11

Great Island 5K, New Castle, October 12

Trivia Question of the Week

Post your guesses in the comments below.

Who holds the New Hampshire women’s state marathon record?

Last week’s question: Since this is known as “Fall Marathon/Half Marathon season”, what is the largest marathon in New Hampshire road race history?

The 2013 Smuttynose Rockfest Marathon in Hampton had 948 finishers. Due to pressure from Hampton residents the marathon was discontinued and only the half marathon was held in 2014.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Male: Laconia’s Sam Wood has had a great 2014 with numerous wins at New Hampshire races. This past weekend he continued his strong ways with a win on Saturday, October 4 at the Gunstock Mountain 5K. One day later Wood finished second at the Tanger Outlets Fit For A Cure 5K in Tilton. A first place and a second place finish at two races in two days is enough for Wood to get the nod for Athlete Of The Week.

Female: For year’s Rye’s Geri Clifford has been a steady runner in the Seacoast Region of New Hampshire. On Saturday she won the Jason Hussey 5K in Greenland. It was a small race so what is the big deal? Clifford is 61 years old, making her one of the oldest females to ever win a New Hampshire race. That’s a big deal.

About Andy Schachat:
Andy has been involved in the New Hampshire road race/triathlon community for well over 20 years. As a runner Andy has three Boston Marathons to his credit. Behind the scenes Andy has reported on New Hampshire road races and triathlons for various publications and has covered races for radio stations and newspapers. Perhaps he is best known as the “voice” of New Hampshire races having been the announcer at hundreds of Granite State events. Andy is also the found of the New Hampshire Road Race Hall of Fame.