More than 600 Participate in Steel Rail Races

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- Matthew Ferraro was the first runner across the finish line at the MountainOne Steel Rail Marathon.
 
Ferraro clocked a time of 2 hours, 41 minutes flat on the Ashuwilticook Rail Trail course.
 
He finished a little more than five minutes ahead of runner-up Nick Reid (2:46:15).
 
Simone Veale won the race's women's division in a time of 3:18:42. She beat out Jill Hussain, who covered the course in 3:27:23.
 
The fastest marathoner on Sunday was Stephen Gulley, a hand cyclist, who clocked a time of 2:15:03.
 
The 26.2-mile circuit was covered by 150 finishers ranging in age from 18 (William Hanley in 14th place) to 72 (Ric Nudell, who finished in 6:04:47).
 
The day also featured a half-marathon and an 8-kilometer race.
 
Mark Rabasco won the half-marathon in 1:18:41, edging Vincent Gauthier (1:22:38).
 
Kat Morrissey placed third overall in 1:23:43 and first among women in the half-marathon, which had 213 finishers.
 
Abigail Chaloux was the fastest woman in the 8K, crossing the finish line in 35:52, six seconds ahead of Caroline Kessler; the two women were ninth and 10th, respectively, overall in a field of 171 finishers.
 
Peter Hale had the fastest 8K time, 27:42. Erik Kessler was second in 30:32.
 
More than 600 people registered for Sunday's races, a record for the Berkshire Running Foundation event. Runners from 24 different states signed up to run.
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Pittsfield 'Targeted' Shooting Leaves One Dead, One Injured

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A 29-year-old Pittsfield man is dead and another is injured following what authorities believe was a targeted shooting Thursday night near the intersection of Pleasure Avenue and Tyler Street.
 
According to police, on Thursday at approximately 8:09 p.m., multiple officers responded to an area at the intersection of Pleasure Avenue and Tyler Street for a reported shooting. 
 
Dispatch was alerted by both a multiple-round ShotSpotter activation as well as 911 callers. Responding officers located two men who had sustained gunshot wounds and both were transported to Berkshire Medical Center by ambulance.
 
One victim, a 38-year-old Pittsfield resident, was treated for a non-life-threatening injury and was later released. The second shooting victim, the 29-year-old, died from his injuries at BMC despite the efforts of first responders and hospital staff.
 
This incident is currently under investigation by members of the Pittsfield Police Department in conjunction with personnel from the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and other assisting agencies. 
 
At this time investigators believe that the shooting was a targeted act. 
 
Anyone who wishes to report information is asked to contact the Pittsfield Police Department at 413-448-9700. Information can also be provided anonymously by texting PITTIP and your message to TIP411 (847411.)
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