FALMOUTH FOTOS 2014

Falmouth, MA. — 42nd New Balance Falmouth Road Race from the announcer’s vantage point

Water Street start early before the field collects

Loyal blog reader Brian Baker before 45 and chagne effort in 50-59 division — Loyal blog reader Brian Baker of Walden, N.Y. before 45:41 effort in 50-59 division

"The Beast", Tatyana McFadden who crushed the women's wheelchair record which had stood since 1991 — “The Beast”, Tatyana McFadden who crushed the women’s wheelchair record which had stood since 1991

Falmouth's Alexa Panepinto with the national anthem — Falmouth’s Alexa Panepinto with the national anthem

Race director Dave McGillivray ensuring no announcer screw ups before running the route himself

Pro women start 10 minutes ahead of the men and field

Eventual 4th placer and top American, Ben Bruce of Flagstaff, Az. leads the way out of Woods Hole

New dad Ben (son Riley just two months old) at the point

The race settles into a Kenyan fight with eventual champion Stephen Sambu (31:46) controlling from 800m over Emmanuel Bett (3rd, 33:01), Kennedy Kithuka (DNF), and defending champion Micah Kogo (2nd, 32:31)

Ben Bruce and 2014 NC State All-American Andrew Colley (5th, 33:27) press to stay close to the leaders through 4:38 opening mile

2000 volunteers helping make the race safe

Kithuka dispatched with 4:36 second mile (9:14). Sambu, Bett and Kogo remain.

It was Kithuka's first pro road race after stellar career at Texas Tech — It was Kithuka’s first pro road race after stellar career at Texas Tech

3 miles in 14:39 (4:33) with Sambu finding his rhythm of the flat stretch of Surf Drive. Kogo and Bett suffering.

Kogo deep in the well of pain as mile four approaches

Sambu dispatches two-time Falmouth champ Kogo (2007 & 2013) with a 4:28 4th mile (18:17)

Falmouth Milers Heidi Gregson, Stephanie Garcia & Kimarra McDonald feel the draft as Sambu flies by

Sambu almost placid as he nails a 4:24 5th mile heading off the water (22:41), each mile faster than the previous one.

BAA master Mimi Fallon getting checked out from the sidelines.

Sambu cruises past the Island Queen lot, a 4:30 6th mile, no reason to continue driving (27:12...28:09 at 10K — Sambu cruises past the Island Queen lot, hitting a 4:30 6th mile (27:12), no reason to continue driving (28:09 at 10K)

Crowds along Water Street await the champion

Sambu was so fast, 31:46, sixth best time in Falmouth history, that I missed his finish while doing the announcing. So I got Kogo in second some 45-seconds in arears, the largest margin of victory since BIll Rodgers beat Marty Liquori by 69-seconds in 1974. Not a record an event looks to break.

The party in the Crow's Nest where George "Malmo" Malley, Bob Hodge and Brad Hurst host an annual watch party. The Hawk from Litchfield, Ct. and Bill Harblas of Holyoke take in the festivities — The party in the Crow’s Nest where George “Malmo” Malley, Bob Hodge and Brad Hurst host an annual watch party high above the ballfield finish. “The Hawk”, Brent Hawkins (red cap), wife Mary from Litchfield, Ct. and Bill Harblas of Holyoke (green cap) take in the festivities

Road race 6th placer, miler Jordan McNamara (33:47), with host family Rick & Melissa Rizzitano of North Falmouth.

Since I was on the men’s lead truck, I didn’t get to photograph any of the women’s race. But theirs was the race of the day with Kenya’s Betsy Saina taking Great Britain’s Gemma Steel in the final stretch, with Bix 7 champion Molly Huddle besting Burundi’s leggy Diane Nukuri-Johnson for 3rd.

Another weekend of memories on the Cape at Falmouth #42. Happy birthday Tommy Leonard.

END

4 thoughts on “FALMOUTH FOTOS 2014”

Loved looking through your day, Toni. Thanks for sharing. It was wonderful to see you – thank you for all your hard work over the weekend. You were fantastic, as always!

Great to see my grandson, All American, Andrew Colley, in the Road Race! Thanks New Balance for this fantastic event and support. God bless America and God bless you!