Little late, I know, but here’s a look back from the lead men’s press truck at last Sunday’s 46th New Balance Falmouth Road Race.
The calm before the storm in Woods HoleA gray summer’s day for those heading to Martha’s Vineyard. 64F at the start.Thus it beginsGreat Britain’s Chris Thompson leads the way coming off 11th in the 10,000 & 9th in the 5000 at the European Championships in Berlin.Chris Thompson, leads 2x Falmouth runner up Leonard Korir, Northern Arizona Elite’s Scott Fauble and US Army WCAP’s Haron Lagat in a strong early push.Scotland’s Callum Hawkins (white over red) shows early interest, coming off 7th place at the TD Beach to Beacon 10k two weeks ago in Maine. Took 9th at the 2016 Olympic Marathon, 4th last year at the World Champs in London.No damage to the pack after a 4:34 opening mile. But 4x defender Stephen Sambu in black enters the picture.Sambu is the only 4x men’s winner in Falmouth history, and came in off a second place finish at the TD B2B 10k two weeks before. WCAP’s Haron Lagat in white and ZAP Fitness man Andrew Colley in blue on the left both have shown good form this summer.Cheering fans help the runners through the first three miles of rolling hills.As the course rolls down out of the tree cover, Sambu presses, passing three miles in 13:58 (4:40 3rd mile, off a 4:44 2nd). University of Michigan star Ben Flanagan falls in with WCAP’s Korir and Lagat, Colley and Fauble.12 strong hit the flats as the boys roam the coast along Vineyard Sound. Callum Hawkins leaking off the back. Chris Thompson and GBR’s Ross Millington (yellow #9) still holding.Four miles fall in 18:36 (4:37) as a steady headwind negates the clement 66F temperature. 10 still remain.A well defined lead pack now separates, led by defending champ Stephen Sambu. Today’s splits right in line with the last three years when the winning time ranged from 32:10 to 32:17.Chris Thompson (far left) finally gives way between 4-5 miles. This is the traditional place on the course when the finalists are determined. Philadelphia Med school student Martin Hehir (yellow on left) well positioned coming off 8th place at July 4ths AJC Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta. Colley in blue on the right took 6th there. Still 10 strong turning off the water and heading through the neighborhood section of the course.Sambu still in front at 5 miles – 23:14 (4:38) – as the men begin picking through remnants of the pro women’s field.The final six take a left and head toward Falmouth Harbor, Left to right: Martin Hehir, Ben Flanagan, Stephen Sambu, Haron Lagat, Leonard Korir, Scott Fauble. Toughest part of the course, too far out to smell the barn, but five-plus miles in and hurting.Sambu had established a good lead by the time he reached Falmouth Marine in each of the last four years, but he’s a little under-raced this summer as he heads toward the Chicago Marathon in October.With Falmouth Harbor off their right shoulder, the final six take one another’s measure. NCAA 10,000m champion Ben Flanagan took 2nd at the Bix 7 in Iowa after placing third at the Canadian Nationals at 5000m and winning a road mile in Ann Arbor. He’s the man with the speed.Six miles in 27:52, 10k in 28:49, no records today, but we’ve never seen six men still together this late in the race. And the crowd drives them even harder toward home.And it’s the rookie, The Wolverine, Ben Flanagan, flashing his heels and romping to the tape with a giant smile creasing his face. NAE’s Scott Fauble a breakthrough in second. Leonard Korir on the podium for the fourth straight year in third. Sambu relegated to fourth.Happiest champion EVER!Go Blue! Michigan Hugs all around.Falmouth Road Race board member Scott Ghelfi and family hosted Ben during his stay in Falmouth. He just about lost his voice shouting out Ben’s win over the PA.Saluting Canada’s first ever Falmouth champ.And in they come, neatly 12,000 in all.Just behind the finish line the Crow’s Nesters take in the action.After his win, Ben heads to the Crow’s Nest to celebrate, while receiving a well-earned standing O.Brad Hurst awards Ben his Crow’s Nest tee shirt, which, according to no less a source than Malmo himself, is Falmouth’s equivalent of the Masters green jacket.2x Boston Marathon champion Geoff Smith hails a Commonwealth man’s win at Falmouth, a first since Dave Murphy’s double in 1984-‘85.Kickin’ back, reliving the day. Many of the Crow’s Nest crowd raced against University of Michigan women’s coach Mike McGuire back in the day. Mac texted Ben the address and said go up and say hi.Overlooking Falmouth Heights, a place Ben will long remember.
Thanks for coming along for the ride. See you next year.
We always enjoyed the Falmouth Road Race and it was great time sharing with friends and getting to see you. It was always a great weekend and had a lot of fun. Miss going to it and leaving so far away.
Vicki Reavis Gibbons
Tony, great summary as always…Got some pics from the press conference at the expo which youlead with Desi, and the elites …let me know if you need a photo…
WANDERING IN A RUNNING WORLD 
Great recap Toni…! I’ve been always a great fan of this awsome race..! Greetings from Mexico…!
We always enjoyed the Falmouth Road Race and it was great time sharing with friends and getting to see you. It was always a great weekend and had a lot of fun. Miss going to it and leaving so far away.
Vicki Reavis Gibbons
Loved your photos and recap!! Thank you for being an iconic part of Falmouth!
Tony, great summary as always…Got some pics from the press conference at the expo which youlead with Desi, and the elites …let me know if you need a photo…
Cheers !
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Awesome photos and essay, Toni. Thanks from a guy who has now raced 280 miles on this course.