What better way to celebrate the 4th than to pull double duty: volunteering at a water stop and providing some media coverage? Maybe pool party/BBQ is slightly better, but hey to each their own. Anyway, the North Andover July 4th road races drew their typical large crowds (about 1,000 combined runners), with Eric McDonald and Maiden Lecorre getting the wins in the “main event” (the 10k).
Racing only few miles away from his team’s home base, Whirlaway’s Eric McDonald had already opened up a gap on the field by two miles an continued to roll.
Early leader Eric McDonald flies by the @BorderlineRC water station at the NA 4th of July 10k. @WhirlawaySports @DMSESports pic.twitter.com/lfxsCZD7vj
— Level Renner (@levelrenner) July 4, 2017
Little did we know at the time, but the podium had already been set. Patrick Barron was chasing McDonald and was the next guy through.
Mystery @BattleRoadTC runner chases McDonald at the NA 4th of July 10k. @BorderlineRC @DMSESports pic.twitter.com/Quf9ZINkAN
— Level Renner (@levelrenner) July 4, 2017
Mark Larosa was third through and worked the crowd into an absolute frenzy. Think ‘Beatles play Shea Stadium’ crazy. Yeah. Mark is a Borderline Running Club member, and this is their event. When the race is on your home turf you gotta come strong.
Here’s @teamlarosa in 3rd, defending the his @BorderlineRC home turf. @DMSESports pic.twitter.com/X934m28MMN
— Level Renner (@levelrenner) July 4, 2017
McDonald would go on to win in 32:43. Barron came through in 33:43, followed by Larosa in 36:11.
The women’s race was a little tighter, with the top 3 coming in within about 90 seconds of each other. Eventual winner Maiwenn Lecorre came through two miles with a lead and looked to be in control.
Top woman had a big lead early on at the @BorderlineRC water stop. Made it look easy! @DMSESports pic.twitter.com/TZblf3ucYT
— Level Renner (@levelrenner) July 4, 2017
3rd & 4th place women casually grab some water. @BorderlineRC @DMSESports pic.twitter.com/ShsbgRrWNP
— Level Renner (@levelrenner) July 4, 2017
Lecorre went on to win in 39:23. Behind her was Rachel Bainbridge (39:57) and Cindy Nicolaou (41:02).
And then there’s this:
Perks of being a @BorderlineRC member: Pete gets his beer at their water stop. ?? ? @DMSESports pic.twitter.com/FdnCb3hzCc
— Level Renner (@levelrenner) July 4, 2017
Pete took that beer in stride, and legend has it that he did it at every mile.
Not to be overlooked, Christopher Dalke won the 5k in 17:09, while Jaclyn Solimine (18:40) got the big W as the top lady.