Results of The Groton Town Forest Trail Race

What a beautiful day for the 16th annual Town Forest Trail Race! 87 signed on to tackle the 9.5 mile trail- 78 actually ran.For the 3.4 race- 79 registered, 73 showed up and 71 crossed the finish line. Unfortunately, a twisted ankle thwarted the finish for one runner and one very loyal friend.

Total participation; 151 runners, a little less than last year due to a conflict with a big trail run in western Mass.

The 9.5 mile race was won by Steve O'Brien of Clinton with a time of 55:56, which is not his best on this course but gave him first prize of an apple and a bottle of wine crafted especially for GTFTR. Top female on the 9.5 course was Robin Schulman of Maynard with a time 1:19:07, also earning a pie and bottle of wine. Despite great running weather no records were set. At age 67, Walter Perkins of Webster was the oldest 9.5 runner this year coming in at an impressive 1:35:20. Emma Ordemann of Groton, 18 years old was youngest runner of the 9.5 coming in at 1:31:33.

The 3.4 race was won by Kris Depew from Acton with a time of 21:47. The first female was Jessica McGarty of Brighton with a time of 27:19. We had one record set on the 3.4 mile course this year with nine year old Malcolm Thornton beating his brother Nicolas Thornton's record for the five-nine year old with a time of 28:51. Youngest runners were seven year olds Jorden Strauss of West Groton and Jack Whiteman of Westford. Oldest finisher this year was lovely Rita LeBella at age 62 coming in at 36:20. Rita has rarely missed the Groton Town Forest Trail Race and took home a bottle of wine as her reward.

Proceeds from Groton Town Forest Trail Races go to Groton Trails Committee which maintains and maps 100 trails in Groton. Registration and post race reception held at Groton Senior Center which generously allows use of their facility. The race is held in October every year in first or second week.