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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Letter: Re: Healey Gives Municipalities Say on Data Centers, Pittsfield Eyes Moratorium

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

Maura Healey's signing of an executive order which allows municipalities to say no to unwanted and environmentally harmful data centers is a move in the right direction for protecting the environment in Massachusetts. Still, there is more to be done.

With the arrival of fall, the Berkshires will see its peak tourism season. Litter is a huge problem everywhere, but especially in a place that claims to care about our wildlife and beautiful landscape.

There should be stricter enforcement of litter fines and more information about the environmental impact of littering, along with more opportunities for volunteer cleanups. Regions that still provide single-use plastic bags should be encouraged to switch to reusable fabric or paper bags.

We should be following Healey's movement with more action against pollution and waste.

Alexandra Leahey
Pittsfield, Mass. 

 

 

 

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