Record Field for Pub Stop Deux – Evan’s Run 5K

Fairly humid but dry conditions prevailed for Pub Stop Deux ‰ÛÓ the 10th anniversary Evan’s Run 5K/10K with the 5K the Publican mandate. There’s now some clarity in the men’s and women’s Series with things sure to reveal themselves more accurately when NER non-subscribers and runners who’ve missed two races after the next stop ‰ÛÓ The Corrib Pub 5K in W. Roxbury on June 6 ‰ÛÓ drop like chaff from the golden Pub Series stalks of wheat (See Pub Participants). Congrats to Matt Henry, RD Paul Vincent Clark and everyone who had a hand accommodating a record field while moving through a rapid 5K/10K award ceremony to expedite the exodus to McGreal’s Tavern down the road.

One interesting caveat: A fairly challenging 5K on a sunny, humid day obviously wasn’t enough for much of the gathered assemblage. Many had run the USATF-NE 12K Championship the day before in NH; others like 10K winner Paul Morris and followers of the Hockomock Swamp Rat GPS had done the Northfield Mtn. trail race. Women’s Pub Series leader Kristin Murphy had run the 1500m at 7 pm the night before at the Twilight Meet.

Unger’s Got A Hunger (& a thirst!)

Hurtin’ For Certain’s TJ Unger hotfooted out of Norwell HS like a laser beam headed to McGreal’s Tavern (but that would come later). The 1st mile was fassst ‰ÛÓ 10K winner Paul Morris hit the mile in 5:03 with the recent Columbia grad surrounded by revved up Pubsters.

Unger looked like he had this one nailed, holding a lead right into the final turn and long straightaway to the finish, but‰Û¢former Penn State harrier Scott Munro (14th at 800m and 6th at the mile in 5:10) held steady and really pushed the final 800m to take a 2-second victory in 16:07.

Munro is certainly a dark horse in the Series, having placed 43rd at Doyle’s to carry 7-points into Evan’s Run. The early lead (96 points) is a tie between Unger and top Master Greg Picklesimer (4th, 16:12). Right below the leaders is another tie (94 points) between former Pub Series champ Jason Cakouros (5th, 16:18) and 2009 silver medalist Lee Danforth (3rd, 16:11).

Good to see a lot of familiar faces and especially returning rehabs like 3x champion Paul Hammond, ‘Wingman’ Chris Spinney and Jimmy Fallon ‰ÛÓ all finally healthy and 1-2-3 in the Senior division.  Men’s Standings

Murphy Movin’ On Out

Doyle’s runner-up Jacquelyn Cilley was in Italy on race day but runner-up Megan Sowa ran a solid 6:07 pace to post up second. Combined with her third place showing at Doyle’s the Virginia native is just 3-points in arrears of Ms. Murphy.

Can you believe “our Meaghan Shaw” is now married, living in Wakefield and brought her mom along to the site of one of her worst high school races (state meet). Now Meaghan Scearbo, the HFC ace arrived fourth in 19:37, one place ahead of Boston’s Sue McLeod and two ahead of Warren, RI’s Marge Bellisle.

The aforementioned trio sit 3-4-5 in the standings.

Framingham’s Andrea Leonard (12th overall at Evan’s Run) holds the top Master’s slot with 19 points to Julie Vona’s 10 and CSUer Cathy Cagle’s 8. Also kudos to Dave Vona, who wholeheartedly supports his wife’s Pub pursuits while caring for the couple’s two progenies, Padraig and Katie.

It’s a hornet’s nest in the women’s Vets division as only 1-point separates defending champion Catherine Farrell and Cape Cod AC ‘Hall of Famer’ Janet Kelly.