Road Race Grand Prix back on the run

Erika Kemp (B.A.A.) broke the course record at the Bobby Doyle Summer Classic 5 Mile in Narragansett, Rhode Island, first stop on the 2021 USATF New England (USATF-NE) Road Race Grand Prix.  The 2020 Grand Prix came to an abrupt halt after February's 5 Mile Championship, and 18 months later, the 2021 series began at the same distance on Sunday.

Most participants were racing the competition and not the watch as temperatures approached 80 and humidity was uncomfortable. However, cloud cover kept conditions reasonable for an August race.  

First to the finish in the first GP race of the season was Matt McDonald of the B.A.A., clocking a 23:29 just ahead of teammate Paul Hogan who had done the early frontrunning. The pair led 3 other B.A.A. runners to top 10 placings, good enough to secure the team win over Tracksmith Hare TC led by Louis Serafini's third.

Kemp, fresh off competing in the recent US Olympic Trials and just returning to structured training, broke the race and course record that dated back to 2008. Recording 26:10, she and her Unicorn teammates matched the men's victory with Tracksmith Hare also second.
Check out interviews with the winners at nerunner.com 

Top age-graded times turned in by masters were topped by Jan Holmquist (Whirlaway) who scored 97.03 and just missed the 75-79 US record with a 40:50.  Karolyn Bowley (BAA) ran 29:33 to score 94.37 at age 52.
Race results were closed out by championship series regular, 87 year old Larry Cole (NE 65+ RC). 

Among the 571 racers completing the fast and scenic course were 232 USATF-NE members, while an accompanying 5km drew 183 finishers. 

The quality "welcome back" competitition to begin the 2021 Grand Prix was directed by Bishop Hendricken HS coach Jim Doyle and his support crew who represent many aspects of the Rhode Island running community.
The event runs in memory of one of the state's finest ever distance runners, Bobby Doyle. (Check his bio).

Results 
Final team scoring and full age grading grading will be posted this week.