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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BRTA Announces Community Shuttle Program

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority starts its Community Shuttle Program on Tuesday, Sept. 8. 
 
The program consists of using non-CDL drivers on smaller neighborhood routes. This will allow the BRTA to shift CDL drivers to cover other services. Especially in the evening when we have experienced driver shortages and cancellations.
 
Routes 1, 2, 3, and 34 with the goal of producing immediate relief for riders in North and South County.
 
Routes 11/15, 5 and 21 will be the first routes for Community Shuttle service. Route 21 will run until 9:30 p.m. to make sure South County riders have a way home. 
 
BRTA says it is committed to making sure all residents have the service they need daily.
 
The agency continues to work through staffing challenges, but believes this will alleviate the CDL driver shortage. It says it is committed to a program of continuous training and recruitment. Contact the BRTA if you have an interest in joining the team.
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