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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Preview: First Pittsfield City Council Meeting of the Term

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council will handle grants, subcommittee assignments, and a local historic district effort during its first meeting of the new term on Tuesday. 

On the agenda is a $50,000 donation from the Feigenbaum Foundation Inc. for the Wahconah Park ice rink, a $66,826.52 Violence Against Women's Act STOP state grant for the Police Department, and a petition to establish a Local Historic District Study Committee for the Park Square area. 

New and returning City Council and School Committee members were inaugurated on Jan. 5 at City Hall. Councilor at Large Earl Persip III was elected president, and Councilor at Large Peter White vice president. 

White previously served as the president, and Persip as vice president. 

"I know firsthand the complexities of opposition and how important it is to work together to provide the best and most efficient services to residents, businesses, and our community. I look forward to working with you in this new capacity," Mayor Peter Marchetti said to Persip during the swearing-in ceremony. 

"Vice President White, you have a vital role on the council, and your previous work will be helpful. I know when you served as my vice president, you were the best parliamentarian that anyone could ask for, and I’m sure you will continue that work." 

The $50,000 grant from the Feigenbaum Foundation will go toward Pittsfield’s effort to bring outdoor public ice skating back with a portable rink in front of Wahconah Park. The city is working on its plan for the historic baseball park after the deteriorated grandstand is demolished, and wants to bring life to the property in the meantime. 

The funds will be directed at programming activities on the ice rink, preferably for a skate rental and community access program. 

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