Beautiful day for a race in the woods

NORFOLK — The weather was sunny but brisk, with temperatures in the upper 50s, for the fifth annual Norfolk Land Trust 5K and 10K race on Sunday, Sept. 23.

“The land trust is still working on acquiring open space that we feel are important for species and habitat protection,” member Bill Couch said. 

“One of the things we try to encourage is recreation on the properties we protect. We have 25 miles of recreational trails used for hiking and skiing. We want to encourage people to get out and enjoy them.”

This is why the land trust holds its annual race on trails that it protects, he said.

The 5K race is held on the Barbour Woods Trail; the 10K race includes a portion of the Barbour Woods trail and goes over Haystack Mountain.

“The 10K trail gets to be very steep for racers because it goes over a mountain,” land trust member June Peterson said. “But it’s a beautiful trail. While this is a fundraiser, this is also a way to promote the beauty of the trails we have. We want people to appreciate the outdoors.”

More than 70 people took part in the race, including first-time participants Annette Muller and her son, Tobias Tello, 14, who traveled from Cheshire.

In the 10K race, Mark Oliver came in first and set a new course record at 38:28. Samuel Alexander came in second at 43:29 and Ryan Williams came in third at 44:52.

The first female 10K finisher was Oriana Guindon who came in 16th place at 58:23.

In the 5K race, Simon Savoye came in first at 28:35.

Kurt Ogen came in second at 28:38; Liam Heller came in third at 29:23.

Mary Reeve came in fourth and had the fastest time for a female on the 5K course at 30:04.