CCAC Grand Prix 2003-2004: Harry’s 5 Mile

Easterly Winderly Slipperly Slopperly

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It was an auspicious beginning to the 2003-2004 Grand Prix as the season’s first big Nor’Easter slammed into New England on Friday night and carried over well through Sunday.  But what could have been a trudge through streets covered with 6-12″ of snow became instead a slog through 4 inches of slush and road eating puddles, the temperature over Saturday night staying well above freezing.  For the 50 runners and walkers who showed up, the “officially sanctioned” race was canceled at 20 minutes prior to the start but the unofficial Grand Prix “fun” run through Hyannisport was still on and points could still be earned.  Although the “wimp out” clause was provided, few took advantage of shorting the course.  Nearly all in attendance huddled in the confines of a dark Harry’s Cajun Bar and Grill prior to the start, the restaurant having lost power just prior to the arrival of most of the racers.  A few souls trod up and down the soggy streets outside the bar in an attempt to warm up but only succeeded in filling their shoes with water a few minutes before they would have otherwise.

At the start, Joe Navas bolted straight to the front and steadily put distance on a field that would be content just to make it to the finish without falling or getting frostbit in unwelcome places.  Dodging the occasional car and its slush spray, stepping gingerly amongst the piles of slush and puddles, the field quickly strung out over the roads of Hyannis.  Not to be a PR day, finishers ranged from 29 to 55 minutes.  With much of the beginning of the course headed to the south and west, a 30-50 mph tailwind assisted over many parts of the course but any gains were lost as the route turned up the hill onto Scudder Avenue and back towards downtown.  Joe led the race from the start, briefly relinquishing the lead as he took a wrong turn, but quickly regained the course and moved back to the front for a finish time of 29:13.  Christine Pratt-Gorrill led in the women in 33:17.  Jumping fallen trees and dodging ice falling from the phone and electrical lines, no serious injuries were reported other than those suffered by finish times.  The occasional stop to clean off or right the course markers permitted the liberal embellishment of finish times, to whit Jane Lovelette and Janet Kelly stopped to move a large tree from the road, prompting them to request a 2-4 minute bonus to their times.  Obviously not steeped in the traditions of steeplechase or cross-country, their requests were ceremoniously declined.

It’s too early to talk about Grand Prix standings but a few people benefited from the competition staying home in front of the fire.  We’ll see some good races between the women as Karen Zunti, Mary Ryan, Patty Germani and Lynda Baron go head to head.  Christine Pratt-Gorrill should hold off any competition in the 40-44 AG if she continues to make it out to the races.  In the men’s points race, we’ll see some serious competition in the 50-54 and 45-49 divisions but it’s too early to make any predictions here.

Next on the agenda, we visit the barn and house of Kurt Martin in Orleans.  Those who remember any of that fateful day can still recall vague tatooed shadows dancing around a roaring fire in the middle of the night.  This is just the sort of pagan ritual which should accompany the shortest days of the year and a run through the ice and snow.

The Grand Prix series continues every weekend (except 4 January) until the end of January at various locations across the Cape. Cost is $5 for all runners and walkers. All are invited to attend but only club members are eligible for points and awards to be presented at the annual club banquet in February. For more information, visit the CCAC at http://www.capecodathleticclub.org/.