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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Dalton Association Purchasing Ladder Truck for Fire Department

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. —The Fire Department may once again have a ladder truck thanks to a donation from the Dalton Fireman's Association. 
 
During the Board of Water Commissioners meeting on Monday, the donation was presented to the board by interim Chief Chris Cachat. 
 
The department has been without a ladder truck for two years. It's had two ladder trucks since its establishment and both were obtained from other departments. 
 
"We brought them to town, we made them our own, and a lot of people put a lot of hard work into it, and it became part of us … It really took the hit of morale when we didn't have our ladder truck anymore, and it kind of lingered for a year or so," Cachat said. 
 
"We understand the financial responsibilities we have towards the district and the taxpayers of Dalton. We had a meeting with our Dalton Firemen's Association, and we discussed possibilities of what we could possibly do to help out the district, the town of Dalton, and the Fire Department." 
 
The association decided to donate the funds generated by its fundraising efforts, including the carnival, and use it to purchase a ladder truck, he said.  
 
"We would be very proud to accept that truck. We know how much the association means to the Dalton Fire Department and the citizens of Dalton. You guys have always stepped up," board Chair James Driscoll said.
 
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