Minty, Battle Road TC lead locals at USATF Masters 10km

Taking individual and team titles, Jess Minty and Battle Road Track Club women led the New England contingent at the USATF Masters National 10km Road Race Championship held on April 26 in conjunction with the James Joyce Ramble.   It was the twelveth time the Ramble has hosted the masters title event. 
Minty was the overall women's winner and Age 40-44 champion, clocking 37:17 for the course through Dedham MA. Teaming with Jenn Lutz (2nd overall) and  ( overall), Battle Road Track Club women won the 40+ team title with the fastest cumulative time of any trio. Making for an overall women's podium sweep, Brett Ely (Notch Runners) placed third and first 45-49. 

The men's and overall race winner was Nicholas Kipruto from Colorado and representing the US Army, timed in 31:26.   Mario Vazquez was top New England member in second place (31:51), as well as taking the M45 title, and Ryan Irwin (Tracksmith Boston Hares) took the bronze position. 

Nat Larson (Greater Springfield Harriers), several times a USATF Masters Runner of the Year, won the M60 gold as well as having the highest age graded score, men or women, 91.72.  With Scott Grandfield and Mark Hixson 2-3 in the same division, the Harriers were easy Men's 60+ team winners.

New England clubs went 1-2-3 in the M40 division - Tracksmith Boston Hares, HFC Striders, and the B.A.A. - and Central Mass Striders averaged 36:24 to top the M50+ clubs. Liberty AC took medals in four divisions - W60+ 1st and 2nd, and W50+ 2nd, W70+ 3rd.  Other local clubs running to team medal places were Greater Lowell RR (M70+, 2nd, W50+ 3rd, W70+, 3rd), Sugarloaf Mountain AC (W40+, 2nd), and HFC Striders (W40+, 3rd).

Other Individual age division winners included Perry Shoemaker (Whirlaway RT, W55), Margery Bellisle (Liberty AC, W70), Jessica Wheeler (Liberty AC, W75), Barbara Belanger (Liberty AC, W85), Dave Dechellis (Whirlaway RT, M50), Gregory Putnam (CMS, M55), John Barbour (Greater Lowell RR, M70), and George Gilder (M85).
Placers in the top 3 age graded scoring were Vazquez (2nd Male) and Shoemaker (3rd Female)

The masters race start preceeded the open James Joyce Ramble by 5 minutes, giving the nearly 300 USATF runners age 40+ from over 15 USATF associations around the country a chance to race their competition head to head and break the finish tapes before open runners. 

Full results - iresultslive.com/results/?eid=6747