More Than 400 Compete in Steel Rail Races

iBerkshires.com Sports03:28PM / Sunday, May 21, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- Williamstown's Alex White was the first runner across the finish line at Sunday's MountainOne Steel Rail Marathon on the Ashuwilticook Trail.

White maintained a 6 minute, 26 second per mile pace over the 26.2 mile course from Pittsfield to Adams and back.

He reached the finish line in 2:48.42.41 to finish 5-1/2 minutes ahead of the rest of the other 72 runners who finished the event's marathon division.

The fastest finisher in the marathon was Stephen Gulley of Billingham, the event's lone hand pedaler, who finished in 2:20:05.36.

The first female runner across the finish line was Assonet's Hailey Desmarais (3:18:17.24).

More than 400 runners competed in the Steel Rail event, which also features a half marathon and an 8-kilometer race.

The top half-marathoner was Alex White, who finished in 1:12.58.22, a 5:33 pace for the 13.1-mile course. Mark Rabasco was second in 1:15:47.53.

The third-place finisher overall and female division winner was Stephoute Rose in 1:16:05.55.

Stefan Ogle won the 8K with a time of 28:51.72 (5:48 mile pace). He was followed by Lennox Silvestro Diaz Jr. in 31:25.56.

Jackie Varney won the 8K female division in 32:17.98.

Photos from this event here.

Marathon

1. Stephen Gulley (hand pedal), 2:20:05.36; 2. Alex White, 2:48:42.41; 3. Brendan Celii, 3:04:15.39; 4. Lewis McCulloch, 3:13:12.57; 5. Ray Rey, 3:18:14.08; 6. Hailey Desmarais, 3:18:17.24; 7. Jason Waterman, 3:19:53.57; 8. Mark DiNicola, 3:20:01.02; 9. David Grout, 3:21:05.66; 10. Derek Grout, 3:21:06.58; 11. Catherine Mills, 3:24:12.64; 12. Jon Bakija, 3:24:40.33; 13. Eric Rice, 3:25:30.86; 14. Stephen Gerry, 3:28:11.19; 15. Amanda Lawrence, 3:28:31.34; 16. Alex Gilgorri, 3:28:56.17; 17. Scott Lincoln, 3:29:08.94; 18. Chris Young, 3:30:02.61; 19. Regine Orazio, 3:31:06.80; 20. Bernie Gee, 3:31:24.24.

Half Marathon

1. Alex White, 1:12:58.22; 2. Mark Rabasco, 1:15:47.53; 3. Stephoute Rose, 16:05.55; 4. Brian Metro, 1:20:27.04; 5. Ben Scotto, 1:20:33.36; 6. Cadighan Gladu, 1:21:28.21; 7. Owen Scannell, 1:22:56.85; 8. Aidan Garcia, 1:23:14.28; 9. Daegan Miller, 1:23:53.64; 10. Vincent Gauthier, 1:24:44.16; 11. Carl Nist-Lund, 1:25:07.40; 12. Thomas Sarles, 1:26:18.79; 13. Dan Brooks, 1:28:19.54; 14. Mike Spitzer, 1:28:22.91; 15. Morgan Windram-Geddes, 1:28:34.68; 16. April Pitroff Varellas, 1:28:44.19; 17. Stephen Foley, 1:29:16.01; 18. Maguire Roosa, 1:29:41.97; 19. Daniel Fogarty, 1:29:57.44; 20. Brad Woodger, 1:30:11.31.

8-Kilometer

1. Stefan Ogle, 28:51.72; 2. Lennox Silvestro Diaz Jr., 31:25.56; 3. Ian Nesbitt, 31:44.05; 4. Antonio Polson, 31:55.54; 5. Quinn Ives, 32:06.71; 6. Jackie Varney, 32:17.98; 7. Brady MacDonald, 32:56.48; 8. Michael St. Pierre, 33:34.15; 9. Stephen Call, 34:21.95; 10. Asa Chard, 34:58.94; 11. Kelly Baker, 35:23.75; 12. Nandu Ugale, 35:51.32; 13. Amanda King, 35:59.90; 14. Ace Curtis, 36:43.13; 15. Cameron Loehr, 36:50.57; 16. Nicholas Miller, 39:34.63; 17. Jillian Taylor, 39:35.01; 18. Matthew Nazor, 39:53.52; 19. Karl Meakin, 40:01.41; 20. Blaine Freadman, 40:23.04.

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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction.

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.

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