In 2006 mountain & trail running legend Dave Dunham published “Only One Hill! A History of the Mt. Washington Road Race”. Each Friday for the next several weeks Dave will be publishing a chapter of his book on this website and on his blog. To purchase a hard copy of this book visit the Infinity Publishing website.
20th Mt Washington Road Race
June 15, 1980
Sunday Noon
471 Finishers
Bob Hodge continued his streak with a record fifth consecutive victory. Durham’s Gary Crossan pressed him in the early going. The field was again the largest to date with over 500 starters and 471 finishers were recorded. It was 78 degrees at the base and 35 degrees with wind and drizzle at the finish. Hodge was again just over 28 minutes at the halfway house, but was unable to improve on his 1:02:08 course record of the previous year. He now held the four fastest times ever as he led a record 12 runners under 1:10. Hodge was in excellent form as displayed earlier in the year when he set an American Record for 15 Kilometers in Stanford CA. He ran 44:00.2 to beat Gary Tuttle’s record by 53 seconds.
Cathy Hodgdon of Franklin NH and a member of the UNH track team took the women’s race in 1:26:50. Liz Cunningham and Leslie Thompson followed close behind as the top three broke 1:30. Thompson’s time remains (as of 2005) the third fastest for a junior runner (under the age of 20). Her time would hold up as the record for another 19 years.
Team scoring was not listed however, if the combined times of the top five runners was used, BAA would have edged GBTC 5:50:41 to 5:51:52. This remains one of the closest team finishes ever, and as one of only four times when two teams broke six hours (1979, 1999, 2005).
Bill McNulty writing in Frontrunner said, “You’ve got to like hill work for this one. You’ll also need good concentration. It would help if you are in your best marathon shape, if you plan on running all the way and to finish well.” He also noted, “The year you run hard all the way, you will win the race over Mt Washington no matter what time or place you finish.”
Jock Semple directed the race and complete results were printed in New England Running courtesy of Fred Brown Sr., the NEAC Long Distance running chairman. Fred Ross made a deal with a sports printer to produce numbers for the race. He borrowed a bumper sticker from Doug Philbrick (the Auto road manager) to get “Mt Washington” on the numbers.
Top 25 Finishers
Place Name Team Time
1 Robert Hodge GBTC 1:04:29
2 Gary Crossan CTAC 1:05:27 FW
3 Brian Reinhold 1:06:02
4 David Ezersky GBTC 1:06:08
5 Mark Berman BAA 1:06:29
6 Hank Pfeifle TTAC 1:07:11
7 Keith Woodward GMAC 1:07:52 FW
8 Tom Dowling BAA 1:08:17
9 Duncan McLena 1:08:36
Place Name Team Time
10 Gary Johnson 1:08:40 FW
11 Steve Lavorgna BAA 1:09:26
12 John Cederholm BAA 1:09:50 FW
13 J Smith 1:10:19
14 Steven Bratt CSU 1:11:10
15 Martin Kittell ORC 1:11:16
16 Jim Fredericks CRC 1:11:19
17 Kirk Siegel DOC 1:12:56
18 Chuck Riley GBTC 1:13:04
19 Andy Halpin UH 1:13:33
20 John Darsinos GBTC 1:13:41
21 Ray Nelson JWAC 1:14:11
22 Donald Powers GCS 1:14:18
23 Dana Poole 1:14:23
24 Brad Hurst GBTC 1:14:30
25 Charles Moeser GRC 1:14:33
198 Angus Wooten 1:35:41 FW
Top Women
Place Name Team Time Age
1 Catherine Hodgdon TTAC 1:26:44 21
2 Liz Cunningham BAA 1:29:41
3 Leslie Thompson CRC 1:29:57 16
4 D Hochschartner ? 1:31:23
5 Pat Robinson 1:33:18 27
6 P Papadopoulos ? 1:33:39
7 Roberta Abeyta 1:36:12
8 C Anderson ? 1:36:16
9 Dale Norton ? 1:37:17
10 Carol Bickford 1:37:27
11 Abby Spring 1:37:30
12 Cary Grinold 1:37:59
13 Chris Cherella ? 1:39:27
14 R McCready ? 1:39:45
15 Aean Donovan ? 1:40:47
16 J Cunningham ? 1:40:48
17 Misha Kirk ? 1:41:00
18 Marcia Dowling 1:42:45
21st Mt Washington Road Race
June 14, 1981
Sunday
500 Finishers
Not much information was available from the 1981 race. Almost 700 registered for the 21st running. Second place finisher from 1980, Gary Crossan, took the victory and became only the second runner under 1:03. Crossan led a record tying 12 runners under 1:10. Three of the top five (Crossan, Ezersky, and Capezzuto) were former UNH runners, all represented the BAA.
Ezersky took the early lead in 80-degree temperatures. Crossan overtook him in the early miles and led for most of the race. Crossan noted in the Union Leader that the hardest part for him was the early going. “You just have to get your mind used to the fact that you’re going to be running uphill for the next hour.”
Cathy Hodgdon of Franklin, NH took the win in 1:22:57 over Marge Podgajny of Pittsburgh PA. Hodgdon took three minutes off her winning time from 1980 and said, “It’s painful every time, especially the first 7¾ miles.” She led from the start to the finish where it was 40 degrees. In John Lorway’s article on the race she said, “I’m glad I didn’t know (how close Podgajny was)”. She continued, “I knew what to expect. I figured I’d just take the pain.”
Crossan noted in the same article, “I think maybe someone can run under 60 minutes in the next few years.” and “Maybe Hodge has been taking it easy.” Lorway longed for the days when Mt Washington wasn’t the “in thing to do” saying “Everybody and his mother runs it now…when I ran it there were 50 of us”.
The Podgajny’s (Steve 11th place and Marjorie second place) became the fastest recorded husband/wife team with a combined time of 2:33:35. Ronald Johnston (112th place) began his streak at Mt Washington (25 as of 2005). He started running in 1981 and Mt Washington was his first race! Johnston told New England Runner, “John (Jock) Semple was the director, Douglas A. Philbrook was the Race Chairman, and Rose B. Cordanelli was the Judge. I still have my finisher’s certificate in mint condition. It was my very first race of any kind. I was running about five miles per week, downhill skiing like a nut including Tuckerman’s Ravine, and doing some serious hiking. Always looking for a challenge, someone at the Pinkham Lodge mentioned after a day of skiing Tuck’s, “You need to run up the mountain. They have a race in June.” So I made up a fake AAU number and registered for the race. I was worried sick because Bob Brown of the Rochester Runners’ Club told me some horror stories about the intense incline and weather. I had on a fanny pack, gloves, jacket, etc. Now 25 years later, I just run up the mountain in the bare minimum…and turn immediately to run back down the mountain (broke 60 minutes for the downhill run 2 years ago). I will say this however…”Running Mt. Washington is tougher than racing a marathon. It hurts from the fourth minute until you stop at the top. Furthermore, racing the mountain does not get any easier with each year!”
Although team results were not printed, the BAA placed four in the top ten to take the team title. All of the top four finishers had been in the top five in the previous year. The BAA’s combined time of 5:31:07 would remain the team record for another 12 years.
For the first time (in print), the event was called the “Race to the Clouds.” The race was listed in a New England race schedule as an 8 mile run with a 1 PM start time. The entry fee was $3, with a post entry fee of $6 after June 7. John D. Semple was listed as the race contact.
All Available results
Place Name Team Time Age
1 Gary Crossan BAA 1:02:51 23
2 Mark Berman BAA 1:03:49 23
3 David Ezersky GBTC 1:04:27 24
4 Brian Reinhold 1:05:12 27
5 Jim Capezzuto BAA 1:06:20 27 FW
6 Keith Woodward NCAC 1:06:45 32 FW
7 Tom Derderian GBTC 1:07:52 34
8 Brian Taylor 1:08:02 24
9 Jay Smith BAA 1:08:44 24
10 Jose Solurzano 1:08:47
11 Steve Podgajny 1:08:52
12 Pete Foley 1:09:12
13 Unknown 1:09:??
14 Len Hall NCAC 1:09:52 28
Women
Place Name Team Time Age
1 Cathy Hodgdon 1:22:57 22
2 Marjorie Podgajny 1:23:43 28
3 Karen Dunn 1:25:38
22nd Mt Washington Road Race
June 13, 1982
Sunday, 11:00 AM
552 Finishers
The big news in 1982 was a new course record and the race management changing hands. Bob Teschek took over as the race director and also finished a respectable 32nd place. Gary Crossan ran 1:01:40 to become the first to break 62 minutes. J Smith followed four minutes behind and led five more runners under 1:10 despite 29-degree temperatures and 30 mph winds at the summit. The men’s average finishing time crept to 1:40:28, the first time it was over 1:40. The average age for a male finisher was 33.08 years.
Catherine Hodgdon won with an excellent 1:22:40. Patti Sherry was second just under three minutes back. The average age for a female finisher was 29.5 years. The age gap between men and women would typically be three to four years.
For the first time, ages were listed in the results and teams were scored by used the best times of each club’s top five finishers. BAA was the top team with a very fast 5:40:47 to CSU’s 6:01:26. Teams were required to declare in advance, presenting a list to the race organizers.
Major sponsors for the RRCA-sanctioned event included Kronenburg beer, Fitness Resources, and the Auto Road management. The race entry fee was $4 ($6 post) and the start time was moved to 11:00. The race was limited to 600 and post race included “soft drinks, light snacks, and beer from Europe’s number one bottle of beer.” Bowls were awarded to the top ten, first women, and first 40+, and top two teams. Medals were given for 11-30th place, the second/third woman, and second/third in the 40+ age group. All finishers received a certificate.
Bill Morse of the Highland City Striders began a 22 year streak. He has worn the same Nike Spiridon shoes every year. He uses them for just this one race a year and has had to re-glue the soles in the last few years. He said “these shoes are lighter than air and only have a couple of hundred miles on them.”
Top 25 Finishers
Place Name Team Time Age
1 Gary Crossan BAA 1:01:40 24 Course Record
2 J Smith BAA 1:05:46 23
3 G Montero CSU 1:06:27 28
4 Don Nielsen 1:07:11 30
5 Keith Woodward NCAC 1:07:37 31 FW
6 Brian Taylor 1:07:46 23
7 Mark Berman BAA 1:08:05 24
8 Len Hall NCAC 1:10:10 28
9 Mark Asaro 1:10:48 26
10 Todd Webber CSU 1:11:10 26
11 Tom Derderian GBTC 1:12:11 33
Place Name Team Time Age
12 Robert Wilson BAA 1:12:22 25
13 Mark Bashour 1:12:44 22
14 John Cederholm BAA 1:12:54 39 FW
15 Tim Reever 1:13:03 24
16 Peter Stipe 1:13:13 35
17 Don Tromblay 1:13:32 29
18 Greg Nelson 1:13:39 34
19 Mike Slavin 1:14:08 22
20 Henry Finch CSU 1:14:18 33
21 Bernard Rate CSU 1:14:32 30
22 Thomas Gilligan 1:14:47 32
23 Robert Haydock CSU 1:14:59 29
24 Dale Rogers 1:15:37 34
25 James Doucett CSU 1:16:30 28
Top 10 Women
Place Name Team Time Age
1 Catherine Hodgdon 1:22:40 23
2 Patti Sherry 1:25:39 27
3 Karen Henry DOC 1:33:06 25
4 Diana Shannon 1:34:35 19
5 Sherry Haydock CSU 1:35:16 28
6 Lisa Dollman 1:36:29 26
7 Elizabeth Emmons 1:37:07 25
8 Pat Robinson 1:38:35 29
9 Sharon O’Hagan 1:38:11 34
10 Terry Hersh 1:38:27 29
5 Year age groups
Place Name Club Time Age Category
4 Diana Shannon 1:34:35 19 Under 20
1 Catherine Hodgdon 1:22:40 23 20-24
9 Sharon O’Hagan 1:38:11 34 30-34
27 Priscilla Reinerston 1:50:15 39 35-39
28 Helen Hamilton 1:50:15 51 50+
37 Gary Stanhope 1:19:18 17 Under 20
1 Gary Crossan BAA 1:01:40 24 20-24
3 G Montero CSU 1:06:27 28 25-29
4 Don Nielsen 1:07:11 30 30-34
14 John Cederholm BAA 1:12:54 39 35-39
55 Robert Wright Jr. 1:22:24 42 40-44
Place Name Club Time Age Category
63 Bob Landry 1:24:33 45 45-49
90 Dana Sumner 1:28:03 50 50-54
314 Dick Blackman 1:45:49 58 55-59
193 Carlton Mendell 1:36:19 60 60-64
398 Fred Hackett 1:51:24 65 65+
23rd Mt Washington Road Race
06-19-1983
Sunday
641 Finishers
With past champion Gary Crossan not competing, the pre-race favorites included second place finisher Jay Smith and perennial top finisher Keith Woodward. A few weeks before the Mt Washington race, Smith, Woodward, and Matt Cull dueled at the Equinox Mountain race in Vermont. Smith prevailed with Woodward second and newcomer Cull close behind. On the ladies’ side, Anna Sonnerup looked to be the favorite as she won at Equinox by three minutes over Leslie Thompson.
Boston Running News noted, “Last year it was much too cold, this year it was much too hot, but such are the vagaries of scaling the grandest peak east of the Rockies and north of the Great Smokies”.
Woodward’s persistence finally paid off as he reached the summit first with a 35 second win over Matthew Cull, with Smith in fourth a little over a minute back. Leonard Hall took third 23 seconds up on Smith.
New England Runner, in a later profile of Keith Woodward, called Woodward “Vermont’s true road warrior.” In 1980 he was forced to cut back his mileage due to an Achilles injury. “It really did hurt my mileage, every time I would get it back up there, I would aggravate the injury. I started doing more cross country skiing because it didn’t take such a toll on my body.” Woodward’s personal records ranged from 4:19 for the mile to 30:20 for the 10K and 2:29 for the marathon.
Sonnerup, a cross country skier at Dartmouth College took a three-minute victory over Terry Hersh. Her time was the second fastest, behind only Martha Rockwell’s 1:19:14 course record from 1979. Sonnerup led a record five women under 1:30. The average time for a women finisher was 1:49:31, just ten minutes behind the men’s average.
There were 641 finishers with 69 of whom were women. Temperatures ranged from the 70s at the base to 50s on top. Team scoring of the top five times for men and the top three times for women was done, with women’s teams recorded for the first time. The BAA won in 5:59:28 to CSU (a) 6:07:49 and CSU (b) 6:39:20. The Dartmouth Outing Club won the women’s team category in a record 4:23:00 to CSU’s 4:45:24. The Dartmouth club’s time broke the course record, previously set by CSU in 1978, by over thirty minutes. For the fist time men and women in the 40+ age group were noted. Peter Van Garden and Anne Edwards topped the category.
Dean Rasmussen and Ron Paquette, two “streakers” (those running numerous consecutive races) began traveling to the race together. The two drove from Waterville, Maine, representing the Central Maine Striders. Paquette and Rasmussen have 24 and 23 consecutive finishes respectively as of 2005.
New England Runner’s inaugural year of publication included a “First Ascent” account of the race by Bob Fitzgerald. Fitz admits, “The highlight was being on the shoulder of eventual fifth place finisher (CSU’s Steve Bratt) through two miles before going into oxygen debt.” Fitz went on to finish 42nd in 1:17:02 and offered “two points of advice 1. Don’t run with a 10K stride 2. Take solace in Dostoevsky’s axiom that ‘reason is a slave to passion’.”
Top 25 Finishers
Place Name Time Age
1 Keith Woodward 1:06:38 32
2 Matthew Cull 1:07:13 22
3 Leonard Hall 1:08:04 30
4 Jay Smith 1:08:27 24
5 Steven Bratt 1:08:42 26
6 Mark Ramsay 1:09:05 23
7 James Emmons 1:09:41 24
8 Shawn Gardner 1:09:52 20
9 Eric Weyman 1:09:54 26
10 James Kent 1:10:02 22
11 Casey Gawlak 1:11:13 26
12 Peter Van Garden 1:11:25 42
13 Mike Casner 1:11:43 21
14 Thomas Gilligan 1:11:58 33
15 Charles Gunn 1:12:05 29
16 Todd Webber 1:12:16 27
17 John Cederholm 1:12:48 40 FW
18 Robert Haydock 1:13:35 30
19 Robert Enright 1:13:35 33
20 Gregory Nelson 1:13:45 35
21 Dale Rodgers 1:13:49 35
22 Bret Cartwright 1:13:50 16
23 John Fiola 1:13:57 20
24 Andrew Kaplan 1:13:58 26
25 Neil Moynihan 1:14:08 24
Top 10 Women
Place Name Time Age
1 Anna Sonnerup 1:22:19 22
2 Terry Hersh 1:25:25 30
3 Karen Henry 1:27:23 26
4 Sharon O’Hagan 1:27:31 33
5 C Jean McNerny 1:29:52 30
6 Bunny Brauns 1:31:09 36
7 Peg Pingitore 1:32:05 28
8 Winifred Pisarz 1:32:43 22
9 Lynn Murray 1:32:45 24
10 Leslie Thompson 1:33:18 19
5-Year Age Groups
Place Name Time Age Category
10 Leslie Thompson 1:33:18 19 Under 20
1 Anna Sonnerup 1:22:19 22 20-24
3 Karen Henry 1:27:23 26 25-29
2 Terry Hersh 1:25:25 30 30-34
6 Bunny Brauns 1:31:09 36 34-39
15 Anne Edwards 1:37:10 41 40-44
32 Sally Goodhue 1:47:28 49 45-49
45 Dorothy Bergen 1:55:51 51 50-54
22 Bret Cartwright 1:13:50 16 Under 20
2 Matthew Cull 1:07:13 22 20 – 24
5 Steven Bratt 1:08:42 26 25 – 29
1 Keith Woodward 1:06:38 32 30-34
20 Gregory Nelson 1:13:45 35 35-39
12 Peter Van Garden 1:11:25 42 40-44
90 Robert Landry 1:24:26 46 45-49
70 Dick Church 1:22:25 51 50-54
271 Donald Tillatson 1:37:09 56 55-59
266 Carlton Mendell 1:36:54 61 60-64
401 Warren Steckmost 1:47:24 68 65-69
572 Rudy Fahl 3:14:35 85 80+ Age Group Record
24th Mt Washington Road Race
June 17, 1984
Sunday
605 Finishers
This marked the first time that the race was called the ‘Run to the clouds’. Race day had 70 degrees at the start and 50 at the summit with 14 mph winds, which boded well for the more than 600 starters. Gary Crossan and Betsey Haydock took advantage of the conditions, leading the way with a course record, and the second fastest time respectively. Crossan had tuned up on May 20 by shattering Keith Woodward’s record at Mt Equinox. A record 162 competed in the race directed by long-time Mt Washington runner Fred Ross. Crossan became the first recorded finisher at Mt Washington to receive money for his victory. He was presented $100 for setting the course record.
The Mt Washington race application noted “the road surface is alternately dirt and paved and covers 7.6 miles (Rolatype measuring Wheel).” This was the first documented time the event was not called 8 miles, despite the course remaining unchanged throughout the years. The field was limited by Race Director Bob Teschek to 800 runners, and it was noted, “Entries have closed well before race day each of the last 2 years.” The race entry fee climbed to $8 or $14 if ordering a t-shirt. Sanctioning was provided by the RRCA and a 3-hour time limit was set using the “electric (chronomix) timing system.” Certificates were given to all finishers and bowls to the top ten, first 40+, and medals were given to the top 50 and the top five women and top ten 40+ men.
Earlier in the year Teschek started his own business, forming the Granite State Race Services, timing 20 races in 1984. Before taking over as Race Director at Mt Washington Teschek said in New England Runner “I heard rumors the race would be discontinued because it was essentially managed just for the day and the facilities were being taxed. I just couldn’t imagine not having the race.” He called Mt Washington his favorite race and “my labor of love.”
The CSU ladies took the team title by three minutes over the Granite State Racing Team, and on the men’s side CSU won by nearly 50 minutes in running a combined 6:00:15. Team Gloucester finished in seventh and are pictured on page 52 – (Kneeling) Mike Gillis, Dave Gallagher, Bob Gillis, John Connors, (Middle Row) Austin Connors, Frank Aiello, (Back Row) Eric Saulnier, Mark Asaro, Gus Saulnier, and Paul Neimi.
Medical staff at the race included Dr Wriss and the Gorham Ambulance service. Doug Philbrook and the Auto Road Crew provided radio contact and official transport. Refreshments provided included, Coke, Busch beer, Eagle snacks, and Colombo yogurt.
Teschek noted after the race that he received 100 requests for entry into the 25th running of the event and “helpers will receive an official race t-shirt and may be eligible for a cash award if your group has sufficient numbers.” The Auto Road staff charged $9 for each car being driven to the summit and an extra $2 per person for passengers.
Top 25 Finishers
Place Name Time Age State
1 Gary Crossan 1:01:13 26 CO Course record
2 Matthew Cull 1:03:41 23 VT
3 Keith Woodward 1:08:06 33 VT FW
4 Mike Casner 1:09:20 22 NH
5 John Fiola 1:09:34 21 MA
6 Bernard Rate 1:10:14 32 MA
7 Charles Gunn 1:10:19 29 NH
8 Kirk Siegel 1:10:40 23 MA
9 Jo Miles 1:10:53 20 NH
10 Peter Van Gardener 1:11:19 43 NY
11 Richard Weinstein 1:11:34 28 MA
12 Sumner Brown 1:11:49 40 MA
13 Henry Finch 1:12:19 35 MA
14 Brendan Sullivan 1:12:26 21 NH
15 Karl Meltzer 1:12:29 16 NH
16 David Roberts 1:13:11 29 ME
17 Thomas Gilligan 1:13:48 34 MA
18 Leonard Hall 1:14:07 30 NH
19 Robert Haydock 1:14:19 31 MA
20 Robert Sullivan 1:14:21 30 MA
21 Stephen Moser 1:14:22 27 ME
22 Jeffrey Walter 1:14:27 29 CT
23 Gordon Pitt 1:14:30 23 NH
24 Mark Asaro 1:14:48 28 MA
25 Robert Enright 1:14:54 34 CT
50 John Cederholm 1:19:11 41 MA FW
220 Angus Wooten 1:35:07 44 CT FW
Top 10 Women
Place Name Time Age State
1 Betsey Haydock 1:20:46 28 MA
2 Peg Pingitore 1:24:11 29 NH
3 Anna Sonnerup 1:25:41 22 NH FW
4 Kimberly Beaulieu 1:25:48 28 ME
5 Leslie Thompson 1:26:49 20 VT
6 Anne McLean 1:30:45 42 NH
7 Jeannie MacDonald 1:32:53 32 NH
8 Lisa Doucett 1:33:02 28 MA
9 Marsha Giglio 1:34:18 40 ME
10 Lynda Dunn 1:34:25 19 ME
5-Year Age Groups
Place Name Time Age State Category
207 Lynda Dunn 1:34:25 19 ME Under 20
94 Anna Sonnerup 1:25:41 22 NH 20-24
60 Betsey Haydock 1:20:46 28 MA 25-29
183 Jeannie MacDonald 1:32:53 32 NH 30-34
212 Bunny Brauns 1:34:34 37 NH 35-39
159 Anne McLean 1:30:45 42 NH 40-44
305 Diana Avery 1:41:19 46 NH 45-49
479 Dorothy Bergman 1:54:53 52 MA 50-54
356 Hildy Fosse 1:45:03 55 NH 55-59
15 Karl Meltzer 1:12:29 16 NH Under 20
2 Matthew Cull 1:03:41 23 VT 20-24
1 Gary Crossan 1:01:13 26 CO 25-29
3 Keith Woodward 1:08:06 33 VT 30-34
13 Henry Finch 1:12:19 35 MA 35-39
10 Peter Van Garderen 1:11:19 43 NY 40-44
46 Daniel Ellison 1:19:00 45 NH 45-49
58 Dick Church 1:20:29 52 NH 50-54 Age group record
199 Bill Brace 1:33:48 57 MA 55-59
243 Carlton Mendell 1:37:10 62 ME 60-64
378 Warren Steckmost 1:46:15 69 NH 65-69
605 Rudy Fahl 3:13:01 86 NH 80+
25th Mt Washington Road Race
June 22, 1985
Saturday
670 Finishers
Great conditions with temperatures in the 70s at the base and clear in the 50s at the summit greeted the racers in the silver anniversary running of the Mt Washington Road Race. Visibility was 70 miles, and it was noted that the following week it snowed on the summit. The race was nearly cut short when a small MG automobile caught on fire at the 5 mile mark and the auto road personnel were still attempting to extinguish it when the racers went by. This was the first year the event was held on Saturday and Race Director Bob Teschek noted, “The change to Saturday was very popular, many stayed in the area and attended the party at the Eagle Mountain House.”
Five-time winner Bob Hodge set a new personal record of 1:01:32, but came up short on Gary Crossan’s 1:01:13 from last year. Hodge, Crossan and Keith Woodward were the favorites going into the race. Crossan was returning from a knee injury and Hodge was nursing a sore calf muscle. Woodward had recently tuned up with a victory at Mt Equinox, beating Pete Farwell by over two minutes. Hodge told Karen Cummings of the Mountain Ear, “The only way to run this race is to go out determined to win.” He also noted “At halfway I knew I still had a shot at it (the course record).” Crossan and Woodward kept Hodge in sight after he pulled into the lead after the first mile. Hodge kept waving for the press vans to move ahead of him as he was having trouble with the exhaust fumes. Woodward moved into second after the 5-mile mark and ran a personal best 1:03:04. Woodward’s time was the sixth fastest ever run, behind only Crossan and Hodge, it was also the fastest non-winning time. Woodward would go on to break 1:10 an incredible fifteen times. Crossan finished in the thirteenth fastest time despite his injury woes. Mike Casner in sixth place picked up his second sub-1:10 on his way to twelve in his Mt Washington career. A record thirteen runners finished under 1:10. The average age for a male finisher passed 35 with 35.34 being the average.
Christ Maisto won the women’s race in a course record of 1:14:45, taking nearly five minutes off Martha Rockwell’s record from 1979. Maisto was fresh off her victory (2:45:50) at the Maine Coast Marathon in the previous month. Kim Moody, who had come in second at Maine, took second in 1:23:16. Maisto had never been up Mt Washington before and noted in the Mountain Ear, “I haven’t been training on hills and didn’t know what to expect.” Maisto became the first woman to break into the top 50, with her thirty-first place overall finish. She took home $500 for the win and a sub-1:15 time. Other prize money winners were Bob Hodge who was given $50 for winning and another $50 for leading at the half way point, Sumner Brown and Marsha Giglio each received $100 for winning the 40+ age group.
Marathon Tours Racing Team earned top-Team honors in an excellent 5:41:50 followed by CSU, over 20 minutes back. Willimantic AC was the top women’s team in 4:55:15 over CSU’s 5:00:52. Teams were required to submit a team roster prior to the race and women were allowed to run for a women’s team or an open team, but not both.
Bill Teschek video taped the race for the first time and sold the VHS or Beta (!) copies for $20. Sponsors for the race included Puma USA and associate sponsor Numerica Bank which helped to double the prize money. Others included Coke, Hood, Colombo, and Eagle Snacks. Dr. Riss and the Gorham ambulance services provided medical assistance. The total prize purse was $1800 with most of it for sub 60/75 minute performances for men and women respectively. The entry fee was $10 and the entry limit was 800. The race was electronically timed and a Digital clock was added at the exact halfway point. The three hour time limit was in place with an exception for Rudy Fahl. Fahl, the 87-year-old founder and former director of the Pikes Peak marathon said in the Mountain Ear, “running up mountains is part of the secret of a long life.”
Hodge summed up his feelings on the race in the Mountain Ear: “It’s really a personal challenge. You are running against yourself more than anybody else. If someone went by me I wouldn’t give a damn.” Maisto called the race “spacey above the treeline, the second half you feel like you’re running on another planet.” Steve Schlicting called the race “an object lesson in humility” and continued, “There are old men who go flying by you and you say ‘My God how can they do that?’, but they can.”
Added bonuses this year included showers and a whirlpool available for $2 at the Mountain Valley Court Club in North Conway, a post-race party at the Eagle Mountain House featuring a “Boston Dance band” and a viewing of the race video, and a special runner’s rate at the Eagle Mountain House of $20 per person for Bed and Breakfast.
Top 25 Finishers
Place Name Team Time Age City and State
1 Bob Hodge 1:01:31 29 Wellesley, MA
2 Keith Woodward 1:03:06 34 Craftsbury Com., VT FW
3 Gary Crossan 1:04:45 27 Amherst, MA FW
4 Joseph Stanley Jr. 1:05:33 32 Prospect, CT
5 Matthew Cull 1:06:13 24 Middlebury, VT
6 Philip Brock Mara Tours 1:06:28 25 Ithaca, NY
7 Vincent Fleming 1:07:16 31 Brighton, MA
8 Mike Casner 1:07:36 23 Keene, NH
9 Brad Hurst Mara Tours 1:07:52 31 Chelmsford, MA
10 Duncan Scott Mara Tours 1:08:43 28 Cambridge, MA
11 David Ezersky Mara Tours 1:09:19 28 Sandwich, MA
12 Rodney Pearson Mara Tours 1:09:28 31 Brookline, MA
13 Richard Weinstein CSU 1:09:35 29 Brighton, MA
14 Kirk Siegel 1:10:33 24 Bethel, ME
15 Malcolm Page CSU 1:10:39 26 Boston, MA
16 Sumner Brown CSU 1:10:53 41 Belmont, MA
17 Karl Meltzer Jr. 1:11:17 17 Auburn, NH
18 David Roberts 1:11:37 30 Kennebunk, ME
19 Douglas Sweazey 1:11:53 28 Jamaica Plain, MA
Place Name Team Time Age City and State
20 James Kent 1:11:56 25 N Easton, MA
21 Charles Gunn 1:12:11 31 Henniker, NH
22 Gregory Nelson 1:12:12 37 Gardiner, ME
23 Paul Rabenold 1:12:15 32 Bristol, CT
24 John Fiola 1:12:18 22 Bloomington, IN
25 Leonard Hall WMM 1:13:09 32 Monroe, NH
30 John Cederholm 1:14:24 42 Boston, MA FW
Top 25 Women
Place Name Team Time Age City and State
1 Christine Maisto 1:14:44 25 Concord, NH Course Record
2 Kimberly Moody 1:23:16 30 Portland, ME
3 Sally Zimmer 1:24:34 26 Cambridge, MA
4 Marsha Giglio 1:29:48 41 Augusta, ME
5 Patricia Swim 1:29:53 31 Noank, CT
6 Jeannie MacDonald 1:30:03 33 Windham, NH
7 Sharon O’Hagan 1:30:14 37 Cambridge, MA
8 Eliza Deery 1:32:09 24 Hanover, NH
9 Renee DiCicco 1:32:43 24 Hyde Park, MA
10 Frannie Fisher 1:33:02 30 Wellesley, MA
11 Nancy McKenney Willimantic 1:33:07 21 Tolland, CT
12 Donna Dearborn 1:33:55 32 Lyme, NH
13 Dianne Menard 1:35:20 33 Taunton, MA
14 Bette Davis 1:36:59 41 Cambridge, MA
15 Bernadette Brauns 1:37:38 38 Gilford, NH
16 Diana Shannon 1:37:46 22 Hanover, NH
17 Ann Dunham 1:38:39 27 Portsmouth, RI
18 Gayle Richards 1:38:46 23 N Conway, NH
19 Anne McLean 1:39:21 43 Laconia, NH
20 Amy Morse-Leeds Willimantic 1:39:50 28 Willimantic, CT
21 Mary Beth Lawlor 1:42:10 25 N Andover, MA
22 Beth Hudson-Hankins Willimantic 1:42:18 25 Storrs, CT
23 Kersten Sonnerup 1:42:22 26 Hanover, NH
24 Diana Avery 1:43:23 47 Loudon, NH
25 Priscilla Reinerston 1:43:54 42 Concord, NH
5 Year Age group winners
Place Name Time Age City and State Category
178 Eliza Deery 1:32:09 24 Hanover, NH 20-24
31 Christine Maisto 1:14:44 25 Concord, NH 25-29
77 Kimberly Moody 1:23:16 30 Portland, ME 30-34
155 Sharon O’Hagan 1:30:14 37 Cambridge, MA 35-39
146 Marsha Giglio 1:29:48 41 Augusta, ME 40-44
367 Diana Avery 1:43:23 47 Loudon, NH 45-49
445 Linda Bradley 1:48:33 54 Sweden, ME 50-54
478 Hildy Fosse 1:50:38 56 Holderness, NH 55-60
17 Karl Meltzer Jr. 1:11:17 17 Auburn, NH Under 20
5 Matthew Cull 1:06:13 24 Middlebury, VT 20-24
1 Bob Hodge 1:01:31 29 Wellesley, MA 25-29
2 Keith Woodward 1:03:06 34 Craftsbury Com. VT 30-34
22 Gregory Nelson 1:12:12 37 Gardiner, ME 35-39
16 Sumner Brown 1:10:53 41 Belmont, MA 40-44
48 Robert Wright 1:18:25 45 Bradford, NH 45-49
57 Dick Church 1:20:03 53 Plymouth, NH 50-54 Age Group Record
245 Bill Brace 1:35:20 58 Concord, MA 55-59
348 Larry Wilbers 1:42:19 60 Cincinnati, OH 60-64
565 Rufus Reed 1:58:58 66 Gorham, NH 65-69
670 Rudy Fahl 3:09:51 87 Exeter, NH 80+ Age Group Record
26th Mt Washington Road Race
06-28-1986
Saturday
700 Finishers
The race was again referred to as the “Run to the clouds” and in a new move the race named Weeks Dairy as the official dairy of the Mt Washington Road race. The race started at 11 a.m. and had a strong field running at the substantial prize-money pot. Conditions may have slowed everyone down, as it was warm/muggy at the base and 49 degrees with 34 mph winds at the summit. Gary Crossan was the favorite going in, as Bob Hodge was absent; he was getting married on race day. The challengers looked to be newcomers Domingo Tibaduiza and Sheldon Larson. Tibaduiza had finished seventh at the Boston Marathon and run a 44:38 for 15k, while Larson was the holder of many course records for mountain races in Colorado.
Crossan took the lead in the early going and had a 65 second lead at halfway (in 29:12). He went on to win in 1:02:10, which ranked fifth on the all time list. Tibaduiza came to the race with a 2:11 personal best for the marathon. Sheldon Larson, a mountain runner from Colorado, caught Tibaduiza just as the duo reached the finish line. Both were given a time of 63:12, Tibaduiza’s time was the fastest run by a first-timer. Al Waquie, the course record holder at Pikes Peak, finished seventh in his first Mt Washington.
The women’s race had a repeat as Chris Maisto again finished in the top 50, with a 1:19:26. Maisto won despite being injured for most of the spring. She won by nearly four minutes over Leslie Thompson. Former champion Martha Rockwell was fourth and top master with a 40+ course record run of 1:28:39.
CSU took the team title in 6:07:53 with Granite State Racing Team first in the ladies team category with a 4:49:16. Age groups were officially expanded to include those under 20, and 10-year categories up to 60+. The winners in each age group received Puma wind suits.
Prize money winners included Crossan who won $250 for the victory and $100 for leading at halfway, and Maisto who earned $250 for topping the ladies field.
Miscellaneous: For the first time it appears that the auto road was at least partially closed to traffic, as the road was closed at the bottom from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Auto Road charges increased to $10 per car and $3 per passenger. Sponsors for the race included Puma USA and Numerica Savings bank. They helped to increase the prize pool to a total of $1000 plus time bonuses of $1000 for a sub-hour run and $100 for a team record and $100 for a master’s record. Free entry for the following year was granted to the top 10 and top 5 women and the first man and woman in the 40+. The 800-runner limit was reached in a record 21 days. Boston Running News named the race the “Race of the Month.” Crossan won the Pickering Wharf 10K two weeks later in 29:59. The official race hotel, the Eagle Mountain House, underwent a $4 million renovation, but still offered rooms to runners at a discounted rate of $47.50 plus $15 for each person. The post race party was held at the Eagle Mountain House with the viewing of the race video, which was also for sale (VHS only). The first video from the previous year showed the start, Hodge leading, and everyone finishing. This year the press truck stopped to get a view of some of the other runners before rushing to the finish to catch everyone crossing the line.
Top 25 Finishers
Place Name Team Time Age City & State
1 Gary Crossan 1:02:10 28 Amherst, MA
2 Domingo Tibaduiza 1:03:12 36 Reno, NV
3 Sheldon Larson 1:03:12 25 Boulder, CO
4 Buck Logan GBTC 1:06:55 26 Charlestown, MA
5 Joseph Stanley 1:07:43 33 Prospect, CT
6 Sean Hanley 1:07:59 25 N Attleboro, MA
7 Al Waquie 1:08:19 35 Jemez Pueblo, NM
8 Mike Casner 1:08:34 24 Bristol, NH
9 John Fitzgerald 1:08:38 22 Lewiston, ME
10 Jay Smith 1:09:34 27 St Louis Park, MN
11 Peter Farwell 1:09:45 35 Williamstown, MA
12 Shawn Gardner 1:10:07 23 Georgetown, MA
13 James Kent 1:11:26 26 N Easton, MA
14 Neil Moynihan 1:11:39 27 Farmington, CT
15 Jeffrey Robie 1:11:57 29 Kingston, NH
16 Richard Weinstein CSU 1:12:06 30 Newton, MA
17 Uriel Rivera 1:12:10 22 Williamstown, MA
18 Art Sorrell BAA 1:12:12 26 Laconia, NH
19 Malcolm Page CSU 1:12:17 28 Allston, MA
20 Sumner Brown CSU 1:12:26 42 Belmont, MA
21 Bruce Ellis 1:13:11 34 Exeter, NH
22 Sam Palistine 1:13:19 35 New Bedford, MA
23 John Fiola BAA 1:13:27 23 Dedham, MA
24 Leonard Hall 1:13:44 33 Monroe, NH
25 Jon Waldron CSU 1:13:59 28 Newton, MA
35 John Cederholm BAA 1:17:48 43 Boston, MA FW
479 Angus Wooten 1:50:21 46 Willimantic FW
Top 25 Women
Place Name Team Time Age City & State
1 Chris Maisto 1:19:26 26 Concord, NH
2 Leslie Thompson 1:23:18 22 Hanover, NH
3 Peg Donovan GSRT 1:25:06 31 Auburn, NH FW
4 Martha Rockwell 1:28:39 42 Strafford, VT FW
5 Bunny Brauns 1:30:31 39 Gilford, NH
6 Jeannie MacDonald GSRT 1:30:50 34 Windham, NH
7 Theresa young 1:31:45 24 Jackson, NH
8 Sharon O’Hagan 1:32:24 38 Charlestown, MA
9 Lisa Doucett 1:32:53 30 Watertown, MA
10 Anne McLean 1:33:29 44 Laconia, NH
11 Patricia Robinson GSRT 1:36:07 33 Waban, MA
12 Jennifer Elberty 1:36:37 24 Wolfeboro, NH
13 Doris Medina 1:36:45 32 Woonsocket, RI
14 Beth Walker-Corkery 1:37:27 26 Jamaica Plain, MA
15 Elaine McGrevey 1:38:01 33 Manchester, NH
16 Marsha Giglio 1:39:12 42 Augusta, ME
17 Joann Ranslow 1:39:22 28 Pepperell, MA
18 Amy Morss-leeds 1:39:23 29 Storrs, CT
19 Beth Hudson-Hankins 1:39:24 26 Willimantic, CT
20 Mary Beth Lawlor 1:39:47 26 N Andover, MA
21 Carol Bickford 1:41:08 31 Somersworth, NH
22 Sharon Crawford 1:41:20 41 Concord, MA
23 Cindy Jacoby 1:41:35 39 Newton Falls, MA
24 Peg Crocker 1:42:35 33 Brighton, MA
25 Patti Hickey 1:44:26 26 Laconia, NH
Team Results:
Women Men
1 GSRT 4:49:16 1 CSU 6:07:53
2 CSU 4:50:20 2 GBTC 6:21:00
3 Willimantic 5:08:18 3 BAA 6:36:18
4 BAA 5:09:50 4 Willimantic 6:39:16
5 WMM 5:20:31 5 MVS 6:42:53
5 Year Age group winners
Place Name Time Age City & State Category
669 Brenda Sweeney 2:17:38 17 Nottingham, NH Under 20
80 Leslie Thompson 1:23:18 22 Hanover, NH 20-24
49 Chris Maisto 1:19:26 26 Concord, NH 25-29
95 Peg Donovan 1:25:06 31 Auburn, NH 30-34
175 Bunny Brauns 1:30:31 39 Gilford, NH 35-39
146 Martha Rockwell 1:28:39 42 Strafford, VT 40-44
496 Sandra Hayes 1:51:10 48 Chelmsford, MA 45-49
560 Joyce Hals 1:57:01 53 Lexington, MA 50-54
532 Hildy Fosse 1:54:23 57 Holderness, NH 55-59
26 Sean Livingston 1:15:43 17 Conway, NH Under 20
8 Mike Casner 1:08:34 24 Bristol, NH 20-24
1 Gary Crossan 1:02:10 28 Amherst, MA 25-29
5 Joseph Stanley 1:07:43 33 Prospect, CT 30-34
2 Domingo Tibaduiza 1:03:12 36 Reno, NV 35-39
20 Sumner Brown 1:12:26 42 Belmont, MA 40-44
33 Peter Van Garderen 1:17:14 45 Hudson Falls, NY 45-49
60 Dick Church 1:20:56 54 Plymouth, NH 50-54
139 Robert Shelton 1:28:00 56 Bradford, VT 55-59
307 Carlton Mendell 1:38:55 64 Portland, ME 60-64
600 Charley Reed 2:01:00 65 Gorham, NH 65-69
682 David Torlon 2:24:27 70 S Hadley, MA 70-74
700 Rudy Fahl 3:18:12 88 Exeter, NH 80+
27th Mt Washington Road Race
06-20-1987
Saturday
732 Finishers
The race was dedicated to the four-time winner and course record holder, Gary Crossan who, while on a training run was struck and killed by a train. Bob Hodge returned and took aim at Crossan’s course record. The weather, although clear, was windy with gusts up to 50 mph above the treeline. As was the case in 1985, Hodge had trouble with the press vans. He almost ran into a van that was parked on the edge of one of the small parking lots. Hodge waved at the vans to move forward and at one time can be heard on the race video yelling “move up!” The commentator on the video also noted that “He has a shot at winning…If he stays ahead.” Hodge stormed through an incredible 28:08 for the first half and went on to defeat 1996 runner-up Domingo Tibaduiza with a 1:01:13. His time tied Crossan’s mark however, when going to tenths of a second Crossan prevailed .3 to .7. Hodge was awarded $250 for winning and another $100 for leading at the half. Tibaduiza ran the fastest non-winning time and set a new record for the 35-39 age group. Only Hodge and Crossan had run faster. A record tying thirteen runners broke 1:10.
Peg Donovan took an amazing nine minutes off of her personal record to run the second fastest time for a female with a 1:15:05. Donovan also cracked the top 50 with a thirty-seventh place finish and led the Granite State Racing Team to a team record. She noted in New England Runner that she was a triathlete until two years prior. She recently placed first at the New England Athletic Congress (NEAC) 10K in 34:36 and was victorious at the NEAC 10 mile in 56:42. Donovan won $250 for the victory and another $100 for being the top female New Hampshire finisher. A record nine female runners broke 1:30, which nearly doubled the previous best; in addition for the first time two women broke 1:20.
Granite State Racing Team took the women’s team title running 4:00:33, defeating CSU by 35 minutes. The GSRT smashed the Dartmouth Outing Club’s course record by nearly 23 minutes. The US Biathlon team led by Keith Woodward edged the GLRR team 5:57:33 to 6:00:07.
Jack Coakley, a wheelchair athlete and friend of Gary Crossan, pushed himself to the top in 2:48.
Primary sponsors were the Numerica Savings Bank and Homebank. The Crossan cup was awarded to the top male and female finishers from New Hampshire. Roger and Sandra Smith donated a cash prize to the Crossan Cup recipients, Peg Donovan and Mike Casner. The entry fee rose to $12 and the number of prizes was increased to cover the top ten women, ten male and two female masters’ three open teams, and the top women’s team. The total prize purse was $1,300 plus time incentives. Prize money was given to both the men and women for finishing in the top three, the top 40+, and the top New Hampshire runner.
Top 25 Finishers
Place Name Team Time Age City and State
1 Bob Hodge GLRR 1:01:14 31 Clinton, MA
2 Domingo Tibaduiza 1:02:52 37 Reno, NV
3 Matt Ebiner 1:05:03 26 W Covina, CA
4 Sheldon Larson 1:05:36 26 Boulder, CO
5 Mike Casner 1:06:10 25 Bristol, NH
6 Sean Hanley 1:06:41 26 Sharon, MA
7 Matthew Cull 1:07:29 26 Bristol, VT
8 Keith Woodward US BI 1:07:48 36 Craftsbury Com., VT FW
9 Richard Surace 1:07:55 21 Syracuse, NY
10 Jay Smith 1:08:36 28 Grand Rapids, MI
11 Peter Farwell 1:08:53 36 Williamstown, MA
12 John Fiola 1:09:00 24 Dedham, MA
13 Sean Livingston 1:09:14 18 Conway, NH
14 Mark Will-Weber 1:10:21 32 Bethlehem, PA
15 Rick Oliver US BI 1:10:46 26 Essex Junction, VT
16 Duncan Douglas US BI 1:10:46 22 Essex Junction, VT
17 Christopher Moulton 1:11:00 21 Keene, NH
18 Lyle Nelson US BI 1:11:24 38 Essex Jct., VT
19 Sumner Brown 1:11:27 43 Belmont, MA
20 Richard Weinstein 1:11:33 31 Newton, MA
21 Bob Chasen 1:11:46 32 Weymouth, MA
22 Rob Hurlbutt 1:12:00 28 Keene, NH
23 Walter Murphy GLRR 1:12:07 33 Boxboro, MA
24 Leonard Hall 1:12:43 34 Monroe, NH
25 Jeffrey Robie 1:12:45 30 Kingston, NH
30 Jim Capezzuto 1:13:10 33 E Boston, MA FW
44 John Cederholm BAA 1:16:30 44 Boston, MA FW
Top 25 Women
Place Name Club Time Age City and State
1 Peg Donovan GSRT 1:15:05 32 Auburn, NH
2 Christine Maisto GSRT 1:15:38 27 Concord, NH FW
3 Patricia Shiffert 1:24:21 32 Philadelphia, PA
4 Martha Rockwell 1:25:57 43 Strafford, VT FW
5 Susan Marchant 1:26:07 27 Concord, MA
6 Theresa Young 1:27:46 25 Jackson, NH
7 Nanci Carlson 1:27:57 31 W Milford, NJ
8 Melissa Smedley CSU 1:28:42 24 Cambridge, MA
9 Terry Hersh GSRT 1:29:50 34 Laconia, NH
10 Julie Westland-Litus 1:32:02 29 Lakewood, CO
11 Debbie Crow 1:32:41 36 Stowe, CT
12 Anne Kuklinski 1:33:39 28 Niskayuna, NY
Place Name Club Time Age City and State
13 Beth Walker-Corkery 1:35:19 27 Jamaica Plain, MA
14 Melissa Sandifer 1:36:36 25 S Hadley, MA
15 Doris Medina 1:36:53 33 Woonsocket, RI
16 Martha Hatch 1:37:44 30 N Conway, NH
17 Lucia Greenough 1:38:53 31 Ipswich, MA
18 Jennifer Rood 1:38:56 26 Kittery, ME
19 Jeannie MacDonald 1:39:06 35 Windham, NH
20 Lisa Hals 1:39:16 23 Lexington, MA
21 Gail Kinney 1:40:24 35 Conway, NH
22 Patricia Robinson 1:41:08 34 Waban, MA
23 Anne Schmitt 1:41:15 40 Boston, MA
24 Amy Morss 1:41:40 30 Storrs, CT
25 Carol Crafts 1:42:26 42 Providence, RI
Peg Donovan
5-Year Age Groups
Place Name Time Age City and State Category
630 Lucie Hager 2:01:28 15 Concord, NH Under 20
175 Melissa Smedley 1:28:42 24 Cambridge, MA 20-24
40 Christine Maisto 1:15:38 27 Concord, NH 25-29
37 Peg Donovan 1:15:05 32 Auburn, NH 30-34
226 Debbie Crow 1:32:41 36 Stowe, CT 35-39
138 Martha Rockwell 1:25:57 43 Strafford, VT 40-44
476 Judith Davis 1:49:28 47 Hollis Ctr., ME 45-49
499 Hildy Fosse 1:50:59 58 Holderness, NH 50-59
13 Sean Livingston 1:09:14 18 Conway, NH Under 20 AGR
9 Richard Surace 1:07:55 21 Syracuse, NY 20-24
3 Matt Ebiner 1:05:03 26 W Covina, CA 25-29
1 Bob Hodge 1:01:14 31 Clinton, MA 30-34
2 Domingo Tibaduiza 1:02:52 37 Reno, NV 35-39
19 Sumner Brown 1:11:27 43 Belmont, MA 40-44
81 Bob Emerson 1:21:37 47 N Reading, MA 45-49
139 Grant Avery 1:26:01 50 Loudon, NH 50-54
168 Robert Shelton 1:27:58 57 Bradford, VT 55-59
355 Earl Stetson 1:40:34 61 N Conway, NH 60-64
401 Carlton Mendell 1:44:10 65 Portland, ME 65-69
650 Howard Kellogg 2:04:29 71 Holderness, NH 70-74
709 Clarke Gilbert 2:18:50 77 Lake Peekskill, NY 75-79
Teams
Women Men
1 GSRT 4:00:33 1 US BI 5:57:33
2 CSU 4:35:57 2 GLRR 6:00:07
3 CSU 4:45:54 3 WMM – A 6:08:22
4 BAA 5:08:42 4 CSU – A 6:10:52
5 Club NEast 6:18:36
6 BAA 6:38:27
7 Willimantic 6:45:52
8 GNB 6:49:11
9 WCRC 7:17:49
10 GMAA 7:18:56
28th Mt Washington Road Race
June 18, 1988
Saturday
800 Finishers
A record field of 800 runners turned out for the newly dubbed “Race to the Sky” (also called the “Run to the Sky” this year). Temperatures of 70 degrees at the base and 47 at the summit with winds a mild 25 mph made for some fast times. Runners turned out from 17 states, DC, Canada, and Great Britain.
Invited runners included the 1987 World Mountain trophy champion Jay Johnson of Boulder, Colorado, Sheldon Larson, and Janine Aiello. Johnson had also recently won the Big Sur Marathon. Sheldon Larson was returning to Mt Washington for a third time, and he had captured the 1987 Pikes Peak race. Janine Aiello of San Rafael, California, looked to be the women’s favorite. She was a three-time winner and the course record holder of the Empire State Building run-up.
Johnson and Dave Dunham stayed together for the first two miles before Dunham pulled away. Just before three miles Dunham was nearly hit by a car coming down the mountain. Dunham was unfazed as he set a course record of 1:00:50, becoming the first person to break 1:01. Johnson followed a little over two minutes back with Larson taking third. Eleven runners broke 1:10 in the favorable conditions. Johnson noted in the Union Leader, “The race was harder than I expected. I’m just pleased to get second.” Aiello, who led from start to finish took the women’s race. Aiello noted in the Union Leader, “It’s really hard. I’ve never experience anything like it in my life. It’s and incredible race.” Dunham was quoted in the Mountain Ear, “after the half, it just seemed to go on and on.” He earned $500 for winning the race, and an additional $500 for setting a course record, along with $100 for leading at the half. Aiello earned $500 for the win.
The team victory went to the GLRR in 5:48:56, which was the fifth fastest time. The women’s champion team was the WMM over the BAA 4:36:47 to 4:56:56.
Numerica Savings Bank sponsored the race and increased the prize purse. The total prize purse was $2550 plus time incentives. Entry fees remained at $12, and the fee was now waived for former winners along with the top ten men and top five women and the top 40+ man/woman. Awards were expanded to the top finishers in the under 20, and all 10 year age groups starting at 40-49. Women were no longer allowed to score on an “open” team. Entries for the race closed in 10 days. Plans for 1988 included restricting traffic at the start to allow up to one thousand competitors to run.
Top 25 Finishers
Place Name Team Time Age City and State
1 Dave Dunham GLRR 1:00:50 24 Lowell, MA Course Record
2 Jay Johnson 1:03:09 28 Boulder, CO
3 Sheldon Larson 1:04:25 27 Boulder, CO
Place Name Team Time Age City and State
4 Martin Kryska 1:06:11 23 Hanover, NH
5 Keith Woodward 1:06:40 37 E Corinth, VT FW
6 John Fiola 1:07:53 25 Arlington, MA
7 Sean Hanley 1:08:46 27 Sharon, MA
8 Mike Casner CNE 1:09:00 26 Bristol, NH
9 Joseph Stanley Jr. 1:09:08 35 Prospect, CT
10 Steve Peterson GLRR 1:09:11 22 Lowell, MA
11 Tom Carroll GLRR 1:09:53 37 Lowell, MA
12 James McAvoy 1:10:05 28 Goffstown, NH
13 Art Sorrell CNE 1:10:10 28 Laconia, NH
14 Bill O’Mara 1:10:18 30 Acushnet, MA
15 Michael Beeman 1:10:43 32 Derry, NH
16 Sean Livingston WMM 1:10:54 19 Conway, NH
17 Sumner Brown 1:11:10 44 Belmont, MA
18 David Byrnes 1:11:32 37 Chapel Essex
19 Paul Merrill 1:11:56 34 Portland, ME
20 Len Hall WMM 1:12:00 34 Monroe, NH
21 Richard Surace WMM 1:12:32 22 Syracuse, NY
22 Walter Murphy GLRR 1:12:38 34 Boxboro, MA
23 James Kent 1:12:57 27 Norton, MA
24 George Frost CNE 1:13:05 34 Laconia, NH
25 Chris Moulton CNE 1:13:05 22 Keene, NH
29 John Cederholm 1:15:05 45 Boston, MA FW
Top 25 Women
Place Name Team Time Age City and State
1 Janine Aiello 1:20:48 28 San Rafael, CA
2 Ruth Hall 1:21:09 30 Gorham, NH
3 Lynn Achee WMM 1:30:37 32 Manchester Ctr., NH
4 Beth Walker-Corkery 1:30:48 28 Jamaica Plain, MA
5 Terry Young WMM 1:32:06 26 Intervale, NH
6 Janet Perkins 1:32:12 26 Merrimac
7 Carol Bickford 1:32:30 33 Somersworth
8 Gretchen Walthers 1:32:47 17 Northfield
9 Sharon Gilligan 1:33:19 40 Charlestown
10 Gayle Richards WMM 1:34:04 26 Jackson, NH
11 Gail Turner 1:34:45 28 Newtonville, NH
12 Barbara Scott 1:34:50 32 N Conway, NH
13 Leslie Brown 1:35:14 30 Prospect, CT
14 Debbie Crow 1:36:52 37 Stowe, CT
15 Bette Davis 1:37:02 44 Cambridge, MA
16 Marsha Giglio 1:38:07 44 Hallowell, ME
17 Martina Quinn 1:39:23 38 Exeter, NH
Place Name Team Time Age City and State
18 Dotty Fine 1:41:04 43 Boston, MA
19 Lynne Smith 1:41:58 28 Hillsboro, NH
20 Melissa Sandifer 1:42:08 26 S Hadley, MA
21 Anne Schmitt 1:42:28 41 Boston, MA
22 Gail Kinney 1:42:39 36 Conway, NH
23 Sharon Crawford 1:43:02 43 Concord
24 Vickie Sears 1:43:13 30 Nashua, NH
25 Connie Gilman 1:43:18 41 Meredith, NH
5-Year Age Groups
Place Name Time Age City and State Category
254 Gretchen Walthers 1:32:47 17 Northfield Under 20
460 Pam Moore 1:46:03 24 Hillsborough 20-24
88 Janine Aiello 1:20:48 28 San Rafael, CA 25-29
92 Ruth Hall 1:21:09 30 Gorham, NH 30-34
325 Debbie Crow 1:36:52 37 Stowe, CT 35-39
263 Sharon Gilligan 1:33:19 40 Charlestown 40-44
609 Suzanne Lemieux 1:55:24 47 Springfield, MA 45-49
517 Sandy Hayes 1:49:21 50 Chelmsford, MA 50-54
587 Hildy Fosse 1:54:03 59 Holderness, NH 55+
16 Sean Livingston 1:10:54 19 Conway, NH Under 20
1 Dave Dunham 1:00:50 24 Lowell, MA 20-24 Age Group Record
2 Jay Johnson 1:03:09 28 Boulder, CO 25-29
14 Bill O’Mara 1:10:18 30 Acushnet, MA 30-34
5 Keith Woodward 1:06:40 37 E Corinth, VT 35-39
17 Sumner Brown 1:11:10 44 Belmont, MA 40-44
29 John Cederholm 1:15:05 45 Boston, MA 45-49
149 Henry Golet 1:25:16 51 Old Lyme, CT 50-54
178 Robert Shelton 1:27:15 58 Bradford, VT 55-59
395 Earl Stetson 1:42:11 62 N Conway, NH 60-64
424 Carlton Mendell 1:44:11 66 Portland, ME 65-69
658 Howard Kellogg 1:59:29 72 Philadelphia, PA 70+ Age Group Record
Dave Dunham setting a new course record
29th Mt Washington Road Race
June 17, 1989
Saturday
820 Finishers
Numerica savings Bank, Bridgton Academy and the radio station WZPK, sponsored the race. WZPK had recently placed a tower on the summit. The weather was 50 degrees at the base and rain and fog for the last two miles. The record field of 820 finishers from 19 states and Canada were greeted by 40 mph winds and visibility of 40 feet in places.
Seven-time winner Bob Hodge shared the lead with 1988 winner and course record holder Dave Dunham. Within the first two minutes of the race they broke away from the chase pack. The duo had multiple run-ins with press vans. They were nearly hit by a van in the first mile and at three miles a van was blocking the tangent. Hodge called out to the van driver “You’re just making this whole thing more difficult.” Dunham took the lead on the steep final section to take the win by 1.5 seconds. Hodge, who had run a 2:16 marathon in the Olympic trials the previous year (sixth place), made this the closest finish in race history. Dunham can be heard on the race video saying “Hodgie, sorry” as the teammates made their way through the finish chute. Keith Woodward finished in third, nearly four minutes back. Hodge and Dunham would duke it out two weeks later at the New England Athletic Congress (NEAC) 5K championships. Dunham again edged Hodge in a time of 14:24 to 14:27.
Peg Donovan passed through the halfway in a very fast 34:07 and finished the race sixteenth overall. Her effort was not good enough for the win as 1980 BAA Marathon winner Jacqueline Gareau finished first in a new course record. Gareau was 17 seconds back at the half and overtook Donovan in the last two miles. Julie Peterson ran 1:19:24 in her first attempt, becoming only the fifth woman to break 80 minutes. Gareau noted in the Mountain Ear that when she saw the final steep climb “I said ‘shit’ in English. I thought it was more stronger than French.” This was the first time three women broke 1:20. The average age for a female finisher passed 35 with an average age of 35.99.
The team title was awarded to the Greater Lowell Road Runners over CSU, 5:50:24 to 6:33:50. GLRR also took the ladies’ title in 4:24:17 over the BAA (4:40:08).
Denis Hager stated in the Union Leader “It’s the most fun of any races I’ve run. It’s a great sense of accomplishment.” Karen Cumming’s wrote in the Mountain Ear that “I had been run/walking with a guy named Bill from Taunton MA and he was beginning to falter. In true expedition fashion, with our heads lowered against the wind and rain, Bill touched my arm and said ‘Karen it’s all right, go ahead without me’. I never saw him again.”
The entry fee rose to $15 with a limit of 900 runners, which was reached in seven days. The cost of driving up the road increased to $11 per car and $4 per passenger.
Teams had to provide a list of team members prior to June 1. Ten-year age groups were recognized up to 80+. Prize money (which fell under TAC trust rules) totaled $2,450 plus time incentives. The road was again closed “at the bottom” from 10:45 AM until 1:00 PM. Aid stations provided Poland Springs water.
Top 25
Place Name Team Time Age City and State
1 Dave Dunham GLRR 1:02:59 25 Lowell, MA
2 Bob Hodge GLRR 1:03:01 33 Clinton, MA FW
3 Keith Woodward 1:06:57 38 E Corinth, VT FW
4 Sean Hanley 1:07:05 28 Sharon, MA
5 Sheldon Larson 1:07:56 28 Boulder, CO
6 Chris Cameron 1:09:10 22 Methuen, MA
7 Joel Sumrall 1:09:59 27 W Townsend, MA
8 Jeffrey Robie 1:10:45 32 Kingston, NH
9 John Fiola 1:11:23 26 Arlington, MA
10 Rick Stuart CMeS 1:12:25 31 Phoenix, AZ
11 Paul Shepardson 1:12:41 32 Pittsfield, MA
12 Paul Merrill 1:12:54 35 Portland, ME
13 Sumner Brown CSU 1:13:00 45 Belmont, MA
14 Jacqueline Gareau 1:13:13 36 St Bruno, CAN
15 Joe Stanley 1:13:16 36 Prospect, CT
16 Peg Donovan GLRR 1:13:26 34 Auburn, NH
17 Bern Kohler 1:13:41 25 Cambridge, MA
18 John Swartz 1:13:43 41 Breckenridge, CO
19 Arthur Demers GLRR 1:13:53 28 Pelham, NH
20 Peter Gallenz 1:14:23 24 Hanover, NH
21 David Johnston 1:14:36 35 Brattleboro, VT
22 Bill O’Mara 1:14:40 31 Acushnet, MA
23 Stephen Peterson GLRR 1:14:53 23 Lowell, MA
24 Chuck Moeser 1:15:10 37 Campton, NH
25 Joseph Daly 1:15:27 27 Columbia, MD
26 Neil Moynihan Willimantic 1:15:36 30 Storrs, CT
27 Thomas Carroll GLRR 1:15:38 39 Dunstable, MA
64 John Cederholm 1:21:04 46 Boston, MA FW
Top 25 Women
Place Name Team Time Age City and State
1 Jacqueline Gareau 1:13:13 36 St Bruno, CAN Course Record
2 Peg Donovan GLRR 1:13:26 34 Auburn, NH FW
3 Julie Peterson 1:19:24 29 Beverly, MA
4 Leslie Maerki 1:25:42 32 Southampton, MA
5 Maureen Sullivan GLRR 1:26:13 32 Concord, MA
Place Name Team Time Age City and State
6 Melissa Smedley 1:27:46 26 Cambridge, MA
7 Gail Turner 1:29:12 29 Newtonville, MA
8 Libby Greaney 1:30:49 26 Concord, NH
9 Anne Kuklinski 1:31:18 30 Schenectady, NY
10 Yvonne Swartz 1:31:44 27 Manchester, MA
11 Pam Moore 1:33:24 25 Keene, NH
12 Marcy Schwam BAA 1:34:27 36 Natick, MA
13 Sharon Barbano BAA 1:34:27 35 Newtonville, MA
14 Alana Larrivee 1:34:42 25 Agawam, MA
15 Beth Walker-Corkery BAA 1:35:14 29 Jamaica Plain, MA
16 Jennifer Calder 1:36:18 42 New Canaan, CT
17 Martha Hatch WMM 1:38:27 32 N Conway, NH
18 Barbara Scott WMM 1:38:42 33 N Conway, NH
19 Lynne Achee WMM 1:38:50 33 Middletown Spring, VT
20 Ann McGrath 1:39:08 28 Nyack, NY
21 Mary Beth Lawlor 1:39:20 29 N Andover, MA
22 Cathy Hodgdon 1:39:24 30 Boulder, CO FW
23 Vickie Sears 1:39:39 31 Nashua, NH
24 Leslie Brown 1:39:50 31 Prospect, CT
25 Angela Giampaolo 1:40:53 26 Andover, NH
5-Year Age Groups
Place Name Time Age City and State Category
477 Lori Paelinck 1:47:53 24 Merrimack, NH 20-24
42 Julie Peterson 1:19:24 29 Beverly, MA 25-29
16 Peg Donovan 1:13:26 34 Auburn, NH 30-34
14 Jacqueline Gareau 1:13:13 36 St Bruno, CAN 35-39
275 Jennifer Calder 1:36:18 42 New Canaan, CT 40-44
436 Marsha Giglio 1:45:00 45 Hallowell, ME 45-49
518 Diana Avery 1:50:42 51 Loudon, NH 50-54
684 Hildy Fosse 2:03:21 60 Holderness, NH 60+
820 Frances Kellogg 3:00:50 70 Holderness, NH 70+ Age Group Record
56 Terrence White 1:20:44 19 Chelmsford, MA Under 20
6 Chris Cameron 1:09:10 22 Methuen, MA 20-24
1 Dave Dunham 1:02:59 25 Lowell, MA 25-29
2 Bob Hodge 1:03:01 33 Clinton, MA 30-34
3 Keith Woodward 1:06:57 38 E Corinth, VT 35-39
18 John Swartz 1:13:43 41 Breckenridge, CO 40-44
13 Sumner Brown 1:13:00 45 Belmont, MA 45-49
69 Gil Emery 1:21:20 50 Amesbury, MA 50-54
215 Robert Shelton 1:32:50 59 Bradford, VT 55-59
446 Bill Brace 1:46:15 62 Concord, MA 60-64
472 Carlton Mendell 1:47:35 67 Portland, ME 65-69
765 Howard Kellogg 2:13:18 73 Holderness, NH 70+
Teams
Women Men
1 GLRR 4:24:17 1 GLRR 5:50:24
2 BAA 4:44:08 2 CSU 6:33:54
3 WMM 4:55:59 3 WCRC 6:36:22
4 CSU 4:56:54 4 CMeS 6:41:56
5 Willimantic 5:04:55 5 Willimantic 6:43:56
6 GCS 6:45:17
7 MTC 6:53:50
8 BAA 6:54:42
9 GLRR B 7:15:53
10 WMM 7:33:01
Dunham (left) and Hodge (right)
