Taconic Graduate Wins Steel Rail Half Marathon
 Taconic graduate Mark Rabasco won the inaugural Steel Rail Half Marathon on Sunday morning. For more photos, see the slideshow. |
ADAMS, Mass. — Taconic High School graduate Mark Rabasco crossed the finish line at at 1:14.21 to win the first Steel Rail Half Marathon on Sunday morning.
"It was great, it's nice to have everyone out here supporting us," said the 18-year-old Rabasco, who currently attends and runs for the track team at Keene (N.H.) State.
The race began at the Berkshire Mall in Lanesborough and followed the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail to loop around the Adams Visitors Center grounds, where a couple thousand friends and family of the racers celebrated on the runner-friendly drizzly day.
People of all ages ran the race, including 71-year-old Ann Rennie who participated in her first, and what she plans to be last, marathon.
"I just wanted to do one before I'm too old," Rennie said, who ran with her grandchildren.
For the list of results, click here.
At the end of the race, the celebration featured kegs of Berkshire Brewing Company's beer, including the popular Steel Rail that every of-age runner received for free afterwards.
"Steel Rail Half Marathon running on the Rail Trail, you can't beat it," said Noah Bogoff, a sales consultant at BBC. "In terms of doing the races, I think it's a great idea to always be involved in athletic events like that... It's great for the town of Adams and hopefully we can do this every year."
Smithsonian Cafe and Chowder House, Desporados and Bounti-Fare were among the vendors. Tom Corrigan and Friends provided the entertainment before and after the award ceremony.
Berkshire Running Center owner Kent Lemme, who spearheaded the effort, hopes to double the size of the event next year. Although Lemme will need to reapply for all the necessary permits, he doesn't expect there to be any issue.
"The community support has been terrific," Lemme said. "You don't do an event like this without the volunteers and support of the community."
Both Selectman Richard Blanchard and Town Administrator Jonathan Butler agreed the marathon was a great event for the community, which Butler said represented "recreational Adams."
"They're trying to help the town bring more people in, show them what we got," Blanchard said.
Tags: Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, beer, marathon, race,
