NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Brandon Rousseau won the 18th annual Jocelyn E. LeClair Memorial Scholarship Race on Sunday at Windsor Lake.

 

Rousseau covered the 5-kilometer course in 21 minutes, 4 seconds, nearly a minute ahead of the field.

 

The runner up — and first woman across the line — was April Varellas, who finished in 22:00.

 

A small but hearty contingent of runners participated in the event, and though the skies threatened rain, the weather held off for the event, which raises scholarship money for students at Drury High School and Hoosac Valley Regional High School plus the YMCA’s summer camps and the ROPES camp.

 

The JEL was started nearly two decades ago by friends of Jocelyn, a Drury student who died at age 15 from spinal meningitis in 2001.

 

A few years ago, the race's governance was assumed by the Berkshire Family YMCA. It also moved from its original site at Clarksburg State Forest to Windsor Lake and a more runner-friendly course.

 

The event includes a 1-mile fun walk for non-runners.

 

Photos from this event here.

 

Results: 1. Brandon Rousseau 21:04; 2. April Varellas 22:00; 3. Denis Veazie 23:24; 4. Sara Moulton 24:52; 5. Casey Cooke 25:35; 6. Ashleigh Thomas 26:23; 7. Omar Ameen 28:13; 8. Laura Thomas 29:50; 9. John Krol 29:50; 10. Carrie Murphy 30:04; 11. Colleen Murphy 33:18; 12. Lauren Hunt 35:05; 13. Jane Swift 35:21.