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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Pittsfield High Cross Country Team Opens Series of Summer Races

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- Garrett Ramsey and MaryRose Williams were the winners Wednesday in the first of an eight-week summer series of races hosted by the Pittsfield High School cross country team at Pittsfield State Forest.
 
The team is hosting the competitions as a fund-raiser. The entry fee is $10 per race or $50 for the summer.
 
"It’s a really fun time with a great community of runners," PHS coach Teresa Apple said. "If you’re looking to hit a PR or just run for fun with like-minded people, come on down."
 
On Wednesday night, Ramsey hit the tape with a time of 22 minutes, 19 seconds, just three seconds ahead of runner-up Joe Geurds.
 
Williams was the first woman across the finish line with a time of 27:29. Chloe Potash was the second female runner, clocking a time of 27:48.
 
Thirty-five runners participated in the first race, which is sponsored by the Western MA Running Alliance with all proceeds going to the teams at Pittsfield High.
 
The July 15 race will feature a post-race pizza party for an additional $5 donation.
 
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