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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Steel Rail Races Return Sunday, Route 8 Motorists Use Caution

Community submission
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Drivers traveling along Route 8 in Cheshire and Adams should expect delays, lane restrictions, and intermittent closures on Sunday, May 17, due to the MountainOne Steel Rail Races.
 
Local police, race officials, and DPW teams will be coordinating traffic control throughout the morning to ensure runner and driver safety.
 

Race Day Traffic Impacts

• Route 8 Delays — Expect slowed traffic and periodic holds between 6:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. especially near trail access points and designated crossing zones.
 
• Cheshire Center Impacts — Increased pedestrian activity and police?directed traffic near Church St., Farnams Rd., and the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail entrance.
 
• Adams Travel Restrictions — North Adams line through downtown Adams will see rolling closures as runners pass key intersections.
 
• Rail Trail Crossings — Motorists should use caution at all Ashuwillticook Rail Trail crossings; officers will be stationed at high?traffic points.
 

Timing & Areas of Highest Impact

6:30 to 9 a.m.
Marathon and Half Marathon staging creates congestion near Cheshire Elementary School and Rt. 8 trail access.
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