The gentle downhill that softly calls you away from the start of this terrific South Georgia running treasure is not really your friend. If you are seduced by her delightful whispers of running greatness and the beautiful scenery on either side, you will momentarily find nirvana. But you will also miss completely the scene over your shoulders – a view, as you leave Boston, of what awaits you when you return to the bottom of this hill. Here, on your way back, you will be able to look ahead and watch the runners climb up and around a curve that seems to go on forever. If you miss this backward glance, you can easily fall for the beguiling beauty of this course, especially when the day dawns clear with temperatures in the low 50’s and a dryness in the air that snatches away any hint of sweat the moment it leaves your pores. If you are lucky, you can carry on this courtship with greatness all the way to the turnaround. But make the turn and you will begin to figure out this seduction as you make your way back. Reality can be cruel. The 50 degree temperatures will give way to 60’s and then 70’s and by the time you get back to that curving stairway to Boston your legs will remind you that thirteen miles demand much more endurance than romance.
Art Remillard figured out the right formula for running this race taking an early lead and coasting to a win in 1:15:58. While he was never threatened, the battle for second was intense as Tim Unger pulled away from Tim Simpkins late in the race to claim the masters’ prize and second place overall in a time of 1:19:24. Simpkins took third in 1:19:55. The Tim’s are also battling for the Grand Prix title and this race was important. Simpkins led that battle by 32 points before the race, but Unger’s win will cut the margin to 29 when the points are totaled. Remillard’s win was his first as a grand prix participant and cost Unger a chance to pick up another seven points in the race.
Sarah Docter-Williams ran a strong steady race to capture the women’s race with a 1:23:20 to place 10th overall. Jane Johnson finished second and captured the masters’ title with a 1:24:37. Sarah may have locked up the overall grand prix title with her win, but Jane and Fran McLean are locked in a great battle for second place. Fran ran a very strong race as well, but had her lead cut to less than 10 points.
One hundred and ninety nine runners helped make the 21st running of this event one of the best. Jimmy and Betty Hoskins have done a great with this event!