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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Dalton Water Warns Protect Your Pipes

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — With the expected snow and frigid weather this weekend the Water Department wants to remind people to take precautions to prevent frozen or broken water pipes. 
 
A clipper system will bring Arctic temperatures to the Northeast with lows in the teens and single digits over the weekend.
 
Temperatures are expected to drop as low as minus-6 degrees on Friday and remain extremely cold into next week, the department said. 
 
During the freezing weather water inside the pipe freezes and expands, which can cause the pipes to crack or split. At first the damage is not obvious but once the ice thaws, the water flows out causing sudden leaks or, in some cases major flooding, Water Superintendent Robert Benlien said. 
 
To prevent damage to the pipes, Benlien recommended residents follow the following to protect the pipes. 
 
• Keep your heat set at a consistent temperature (even overnight)
• Let faucets drip slightly, especially those on exterior walls
• Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate
• Disconnect outdoor hoses and close inside shutoff valves
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