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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Site 9 has Another Interested Buyer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Economic Development Authority held its shortest meeting on Thursday.

In June, Pittsfield's Business Development Manager Michael Coakley said there was an interested buyer for a couple of acres on Site 9, a pharmaceutical research and development company.

Coakley said they have received a purchase and sale agreement but before signing, there have to be assurances that the company has the financial requirements to construct the building.

He was to have another meeting with the company to go over questions on the purchase and sale agreement, as well as environmental and legal questions. Coakley said the company is still very interested and is trying to raise funds for its project. 

Coakley also brought the board up to date on the street names suggested in June 2025 of Mill Town Way, Morningside Way and Innovation Place.

He said Milltown Way and Innovation Place are in the process of being accepted, and the city will take over those streets. They are working with Milltown to make sure they are OK with the process and if it has any questions.

In other news, an electric energy company is interested in leasing Site 7 for six months. This entity hopes to use it for storage of shipping containers, staging, and parking for crews installing smart meters throughout the city. The lease would be $3,100 monthly, but the board could not vote on Thursday as it did not have a quorum.

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