I would like to thank the volunteers who gave their time to make the race a success this year. There were 216 registered runners! 196 people ran the race and 187 crossed the finish line. We hope those who signed up but couldn't come due to injury and / or other circumstances will be able to make it next year. Taking care of the needs of this many people is a complex exercise and you all did great! Thanks so much!
It was muggy and warm (again!) but it didn't rain and there were a few moments when the sun peeked out and the sky was blue!
Let's face facts; my wife Linda Bradley really co-directed this race! She did most of the database work, made countless calls to volunteers, stuffed goodie and race shirt bags and worked the registration table. She also hand painted the 48 ceramic tiles which were given as awards.
Lea Crown was our media person. She contacted running clubs, businesses and news outlets, printed and distributed applications and ran the race! She and fellow "Brickyarders" Mari Pattavina and Beth Frugale tacked on an extra 7 just for good measure (they are running the Hartford Marathon on October 15th). The picture you see above is a good example of how good she is at marketing our race.
Tracy Vroeginday found cute little "Hoggie" the pig on the internet and got our Facebook page up and running. She was at the race site at 7 AM and worked the registration table with my wife and Mary Almy (who also brought water and other supplies to the race).
HTC President Peter Hawley marked the course, worked closely with Greystone Racing at the finish line and announced the start of the race and the awards. Peter asked me to direct the race in February and made me aware of all the things you need to do (insurance certificates, highway use permits, approval by the towns).
HTC Race Director David Hall helped put out the mile markers, was the "clicker guy" at the finish line and picked up cones and cups after the race was over.
The five water stops were ably manned by Judi Argazzi, Linda Kulinski, Paulette and Joe Janucik, Lee Bradley and several people who were there waiting for their runner to pass by, Brent Stratton, Jennifer Spirito and her young son Frankie. It was Jen's birthday and she was signed up to run the race but decided to volunteer instead due to an injury. She and Frankie also helped set up the tents before the race.
Rose Famiglietti baked bread and cake, picked up all 200+ bagels (with Judi), helped set up tables and ran the race!
Judi transported tables and five gallon jugs and picked them up when the race was over. When a lid blew off one of the jugs en route, Judi decided to drive all the way back the next day and found it in the woods!
HTC Treasurer Kelly Burns Gallagher hooked us up with the three companies that made the awesome shirts, medals and "Hoggie" cookies, gave me ideas on what to order, showed me how to use active.com and in general provided suggestions on how to direct a race. At several times she said things that inspired me immensely. Kelly's husband and HTC webmaster Shaun Gallagher created the Hogsback page on our site.
David D'Amore, Brad Bremer and other members of the Colebrook Lions Club positioned themselves at keys spots on the course and guided traffic and the runners.
We need to fix a few things for next year's race. Water was not distributed properly, especially at the finish line. We thought we ordered 200 medals but only 150 medals arrived. 40 additional medals have been ordered and will be sent directly to the finishers. The sports drink needed to be mixed better. The awards were delayed a bit due to a miscommunication.
Thanks so much everybody! You did an awesome job!
Lee Bradley