It was breathlessly hot and humid on Saturday, August 13, when an enthusiastic group of over 160 racers gathered on Dexter Lane in Rochester.
After losing their sponsor in 2015, Cape Cod Five Cent Savings Bank stepped forward as corporate sponsor of the Rochester Road Race. Unfortunately, it was a bit too late for race organizers at that point, but the banking institution committed to a long-range partnership as evidenced by their staff being out in full force for the 2016 race. Net proceeds from the race benefit The Family Pantry – Damien’s Place located in Wareham.
By 9:00 am, the temperature was already hovering in the 80s and the occasional whisper of moving air did nothing to refresh the sweating crowd. Undaunted, off they went proving to themselves “Yes, I can!”
There was Team Regal House, an eleven-member group headed by Debra Holden of Rochester. Holden said, “We do it to encourage exercise and help the food pantry.”
Tim Watterson, Mattapoisett, who does several local races each season, said, “I love this race!”
A family combination of mother, son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren were excited to give it a go. Karen Smith, Rochester, the matriarch of the group, along with son Jason Smith and his children Keira, 8, and Kaelyn, 10, and daughter-in-law Kami Medeiros, didn’t stay together once the race got started, but Kami had a good excuse for being a bit slower – her new baby is due in late September.
Three sisters, all of a certain age, were thrilled to be running together. Teresa Heintzelman, Boston, Loretta Sherman, Rochester, and Jane Greene of Brewster beamed before and after the race. Heintzelman is a seasoned marathon runner and was there to support Sherman who was racing for the first time.
And then there was Jeff Carreiro wearing a superhero mask. Carriero, when asked why he was wearing a mask in such stifling weather, replied, “It’s inspiring to have a superhero running.”
Coming in first place overall was Jason Eddy, East Bridgewater, with a time of 16:33 minutes, setting a course pace of 5:20 miles.
Meg Hughes, age 14 of Rochester, who in spite of her young age is now a veteran of road races, won as the first female over the finish line with a time of 19:27 minutes and a pace of 6:17 minutes per mile.
Walkers were also out in force as Gene Perry, 69 of Acushnet, won that category with a time of 40:42 minutes.
With participants aged 8 to 80, the event raised over $26,000 for Damien’s Place.
By Marilou Newell
