Off-and-on drizzle failed to dampen the spirits of the more than 200 runners who turned out Tuesday morning to compete in this year’s Great Harvard Fourth of July Road Race and Fun Run.
Both races had to be rerouted at the last minute after the organizers were told Thursday that the traditional Bromfield starting line would be unavailable because construction at the school had exposed asbestos. Altering the route had been a bit of a scramble, organizer Mike Thornton told the Press. Registration was moved to the entrance of Hildreth Elementary School, and the starting line for both races to the entrance of the HES parking lot.
Overall race winner Nick Rindenello wins by 6 seconds. (Photo by Jen Manell)
In addition, course planners replaced the 5-mile race’s grueling quarter-mile climb up West Bare Hill Road with a more gradual three-quarter mile stretch of Woodside Road to make up for the distance lost by moving the starting line closer to Pond Road.
Nick Rindenello of Harvard was the overall winner with a time of 29 minutes, 6 seconds. The Bromfield graduate finished first in last year’s race. This was his 15th year as a participant.
The top women’s finisher was Carolina Karlowicz of Worcester who was 15th with a time of 33:58.
Timing was provided by Dave Breeden of New England Timing, which has posted race results at its website.
The Great Road Race got underway shortly after 8:30 a.m. Runners chased a white Dodge Ram pickup driven by Jen Schoenberg. Announcement of the altered course had been greeted by a groan of disappointment from a few of the 185 runners, but opinions at the finish differed. The most common word uttered was “brutal.” But Harvard resident Jon Schoenberg, winner of the men’s 60-69 age category and veteran of many Fourth of July races, said the new route “is a keeper,” a sentiment shared by others with whom the Press spoke.
The 1-mile Fun Run began at 9:30 a.m. and was led by Craig Kilmer of CK Bikes on a two-wheeler. Padraig O’Leary of Harvard was the fastest boy with a time of 6:16, while Stella Carrerra of Hudson was the fastest girl, placing third overall with a time of 6:23. The race drew 53 runners, including a few adult parents.
The Great Harvard Fourth of July Race is organized each year by the Harvard Road Race Association. It was canceled in 2020 because of COVID restrictions, but returned in 2021. The organization donates race proceeds to Bromfield sports teams, the Council on Aging, and local charities such as Loaves & Fishes. “Whoever needs it,” said Thornton.
Volunteers at Tuesday’s event included members of the Harvard Conservation Trust, the Lions Club, the Girl Scouts, and the Bromfield cross-country team. Also on hand were the Harvard Police Department and the Harvard Ambulance Service. The event is supported by a host of local sponsors listed on the event website. Winners took home gallons and half-gallons of cider donated by Carlson Orchards.
