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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Halloween-Themed Travel Softball Tournament Set for This Weekend

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Fastpitch softball returns to the Berkshires this weekend as Pittsfield Girls Softball hosts the “Nightmare on the Dirt” tournament on Saturday and Sunday.
 
The two-day, Halloween-themed competition will take place at Gerald S. Doyle Memorial Park, located at 561 Benedict Road in Pittsfield. The event features 15 youth travel softball teams from across New England competing in the 10-and-under and 12-and-under divisions, bringing more than 200 fastpitch players and over 300 total attendees -- including coaches, families, and supporters -- into the Berkshires.
 
Action begins Saturday morning with competitive pool play matchups to determine division seeding, followed by single-elimination championship rounds on Sunday. In the spirit of the season, players and teams will also take part in Halloween festivities and costume celebrations alongside the games on the dirt.
 
“We are thrilled to welcome 15 outstanding programs from all over New England to Pittsfield,” Tournament Director David Demary said in a news release. “Nightmare on the Dirt combines high-energy fastpitch competition with a fun, festive atmosphere for the kids. Doyle Field is ready to roll, and we’re looking forward to hosting great games for all of our visiting athletes and families.”
 
Full tournament game schedules, pool play results, and live championship brackets will be hosted through Fastpitch Nation. Spectators and members of the local community are welcome and encouraged to attend.
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