In 1971, just fifteen runners registered at Shipyard Park for the first annual Mattapoisett Road Race. Now, 43 years later, this race has become a Fourth of July tradition with more than 1,000 participants from all over the country. Despite the impending tropical storm of last Friday, this year was no exception.
With rain clouds overhead, 1,024 runners and their supporters gathered in Mattapoisett’s Shipyard Park to participate in this year’s race. Race director Bill Tilden was originally worried about the weather’s effect on the race’s turnout, but clearly these runners didn’t mind a little rain. “I wouldn’t say I was surprised – I was hopeful,” said Tilden after seeing the high registration numbers.
The Mattapoisett Road Race’s five mile run passes through Mattapoisett Village, along the waterfront, around Ned’s Point Lighthouse, and back to Shipyard Park. Rain drizzled in the beginning, but overall the weather held out, leaving runners with the burden of high humidity.
Still, the race was a success. With a time of 26:49, first place runner Jay Mcmahon, 18, of Swansea crossed the finish line. Not only was this Mcmahon’s first time running the Mattapoisett Road Race, but it was his first time running a five mile race. Unsure about the pacing, Mcmahon’s strategy was simple: keep pace with the first place runner, then pass him at the end. The strategy was simple, but successful. Mcmahon intends to continue his running career in college next year.
The top female runner was Megan O’Brien, 19, who took ninth place overall with a finishing time of 29:51. O’Brien is originally from Palos Heights, Illinois. She attends college in Chicago, but is here in Tri-Town for the summer for an internship with the Wareham Gatemen, a Cape Cod baseball league. “I love running road races,” said O’Brien, an experienced runner back home.
Mcmahon and O’Brien were each awarded $150 for their first place positions, but neither could accept the award due to college eligibilities. Mcmahon chose to donate his winnings to Friends of Cardinals, the Case High School athletic booster club, while O’Brien chose to donate her winnings to the Wareham Gatemen.
The second and third place male top finishers were Tony Fierimonte, 21, of Sutton, and Taylor Days-Merrill, 20, of Fairhaven. For the female top finishers, Lindsay Willard, 35, of Somerville took second, while Melissa Henry, 27, took third.
The Mattapoisett Road Race also recognizes male and female top finishers for several different age groups.
For females ages 13 and under, Meg Hughes, 12, of Rochester won, with an overall place of 31. For the males, Jack Audett, 13, won with an overall place of 122.
In the 14-18 age group, Meredith Reynolds, 18, of Medway won for the females with an overall place of 59. Michael Kassabian, 17, of Mattapoisett won for the males with an overall place of 20.
For runners with ages 19-29, Alice Binns, 24, of Dorchester won for the females with an overall place of 58. Seamus Mcevoy, 21, of Wilbraham won for the males with an overall place of fourth.
In the 30-39 age group, Jennifer Almeida, 38, of Norwood won for the females with an overall place of 25. For the males, Jason Baer, 36, of South Burlington, Vermont won with an overall place of fifth.
In the 40-49 age group, Tarley Sumner, 42, of Acushnet won for the females with an overall place of 40. Patrick Callahan, 41, of Needham won for the males with an overall place of sixth.
For runners with ages 50-59, Nancy Clarke, 52, of Mattapoisett won for the females with an overall place of 85. For the males, Bernie O’Reilly, 51, of Newton won with an overall place of 28.
In the 60-69 age group, Terri Martland, 60, of Newport, Rhode Island won for the females with an overall place of 170. For the males, Bob Ruel, 61, of Whitman won with an overall place of 18.
Lastly, in the 70 and over age group, Theresa Tattersail, 70, of North Attleboro won for the females with an overall place of 638. Jimmy Gray, 72, of North Providence, Rhode Island won for the males with an overall place of 309.
Along with the top finishers and the age group awards, the Mattapoisett Road Race recognizes the top male and female Mattapoisett runners. Julie Craig, 47, was the top female Mattapoisett runner with an overall place of 82. Matthew Petrocci, 29, was the top male Mattapoisett runner with an overall place of seventh.
Since its establishment in 1971 by Old Rochester Regional High School’s assistant principal Bob Gardner and his wife, Doris, the Mattapoisett Road Race’s mission has been to raise money for scholarships for graduating students of ORR. Depending on how much money was raised this year through the registration of roughly 1,150 people, the Mattapoisett Road Race Committee will select a number of 2014 award recipients. Preference is given to students who ran in the road race or participated in the school’s running programs. These scholarships range from $1,500 to $1,800.
“The scholarship awards it provides is an added bonus,” said Tilden, mentioning how the race is also a great way to get the community involved, “I think the town loves it.”
Despite the day’s humidity, the runners loved it too. “It just got hotter and hotter, and the moisture was sticking to you, but I think everyone looks satisfied with their run,” said Lenny Murphy, 18, who’s been running the Mattapoisett Road Race for seven years now.
Most runners seemed appreciative of the light rain at the start of the five miles. “The rain in the beginning was motivating,” said Tina Sylvester, 20, a first time runner at the Mattapoisett Road Race.
The runners were also very appreciative of the many volunteers at the road race passing out water and fresh fruit at the finish line. “We got more water than we did last year,” said Tilden, “Last year we got pretty light on water toward the end because it was so hot.”
Even though this year was cooler, the runners were thankful for the nine water stations with 8,000 cups of water placed throughout the race, as well as the 1,900 water bottles at the finish line.
The Mattapoisett Road Race had another great year, regardless of a little bit of rain and a lot of humidity. As Tilden said, it’s a “good, fun-filled holiday race.”
By Renae Reints
