I got an email from Marty Schaivone inviting me to come down to the 21st annual Great Pumpkin Classic 4 Mile in Trumbull. Brent was also invited by Marty at the recent USATF CT meeting. Linda drove Brent, me, Larry Regan and Bob Tumiski down this morning. Brent has been coaching me of late and he, Bob and I warmed up on the track at the High School. We ran about a mile and did a few strides as well. It paid off. Larry went sub-7, Will Graustein couldn't be caught, Hawley was unbelievable, Brent and I kinda did what we did at Apple Harvest (but switched roles). The course was long by .15 miles so my pace was actually 7:04.

This might be the last Pumpkin Race. Marty will be retiring after 35 years of teaching at Trumbull High School. Sherry Duff, his partner, is taking a new job in Virginia. So this is the beginning of the end of an era. Marty is a great race director. He seems to know just about everybody who places in his races and gives a nice story about them when they get their awards. There were some pretty touching moments today when he was doing what he always does - a brilliant job. Thanks Marty.

Lee

 38    Lawrence Regan                    Wallingford  CT       331    45   M      10 40-49      27:51    6:58/M
 48    Will Graustein                    Harwinton  CT         498    50   M       7 50-59      28:05    7:01/M
 52    Brian Fidler                      West Haven  CT         18    40   M      16 40-49      28:18    7:05/M
 53    Peter Hawley                      New Hartford  CT        5    61   M       1 60-69      28:19    7:05/M
 54    Bob Tumiski                       Wallingford  CT         6    56   M       8 50-59      28:23    7:06/M
 57    Bob Stephenson                    Milford  CT             7    63   M       2 60-69      28:31    7:08/M
 71    Lee Bradley                       Newington  CT         458    69   M       3 60-69      29:18    7:20/M
 78    Brent Stratton                    Middletown  CT          8    55   M      13 50-59      29:45    7:26/M
 79    Barbara Pearce                    Guilford  CT          182    57   F       2 50-59      29:49    7:27/M
 88    Janis Grant                       Milford  CT            23    55   F       3 50-59      30:10    7:33/M
 92    Emmett Lee                        Monroe  CT            167    48   M      20 40-49      30:28    7:37/M
141    Kathryn Stoker                    Norwalk  CT           283    44   F       9 40-49      32:40    8:10/M
146    Jill Lee                          Monroe  CT            166    48   F      11 40-49      32:48    8:12/M