The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Local Runners Amoung The Top Finishers In Run For The Roses At Grafton Lakes State Park

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By Doug La Rocque

Latham’s Eric Youns was the first across the finish line in Sunday’s event at the Grafton Lakes State Park in a time of 18:16, with Grafton’s Ryan Gosse placing second, about a minute behind. The first woman to cross the line was another Grafton resident, Serena Rizzo in a time of 20:42.  [private]This marked the 31st running of the 5k road race, which is held each year to benefit the Grafton Community Library.

The day also saw a 2.5 mile scenic walk and a kid’s one mile fun run.  The runners left the park via the main entrance, traveled eastward along Route 2, around the town park and back up North Long Pond Road where they re-entered the park.

The start of the Run For the Roses. Photo by Doug La Rocque
The start of the Run For the Roses. Photo by Doug La Rocque

The first half of the run is downhill, but has uphill slopes in the second half.  The annual event draws runners of all ages.  Four year old Gabby Sneddon of South Burlington, VT was the youngest runner.  At age 70, Linda Keeley of Petersburgh was one of the oldest.

The race is called a Tom Coughlin Legacy, after the long time Park Manager who started the event.  Coughlin, a staple in the Grafton community, passed away several years ago after a long illness.

The following is a list of the Eastern Rensselaer County participants:

Ryan Gosse – Grafton

Grafton Resident Serena Rizzo, above, was the first female across the finish line.
Grafton Resident Serena Rizzo, above, was the first female across the finish line.

Alex Flowers – Petersburgh

Serena Rizzo – Grafton

Collin Douglas – Petersburgh

Andy Gilchrist – Cropseyville

John Greene – Berlin

Nick Conrad – Cropseyville

Anne Strock – Petersburgh

Haley Jewett – Petersburgh

Brad Bortnick – Cropseyville

Ethan Grandjean – Cropseyville

Tanya Slater – Hoosick Falls

Wyatt Greene – Berlin

Chuck Douglas – Petersburgh

Chris Hungerford – Petersburgh

Cayla Hungerford – Petersburgh

Grafton resident Ryan Gosse, left, finished second.
Grafton resident Ryan Gosse, left, finished second.

Wade Greene – Berlin

Leo DiPierro – Cherry Plain

Melanie DeLaurentis Petersburgh

Jasonnah Bink – Petersburgh

Kaitlyn Snyder – Hoosick Falls

Angela Kanser – Cropseyville

Alexander Bink – Cropseyville

Layne Chaykowski-Jewett –Petersburgh

Emma Wooley – Cherry Plain

Patricia Busch – Cropseyville

Katie Greene – Berlin

Pat DiPierro – Cherry Plain

Kevin Bonesteel – Petersburgh

Linda Keeley – Petersburgh

In all, 147 runners started and finished the event.  The Eastwick Press congratulates all the participants, who each received a rose when they crossed the finish line. [/private]