SHARON — This year’s Sharon Classic 5-mile road race, held on Saturday, May 1, was literally one hot event, with temperatures at race time reaching 75 degrees. A bright sun shone overhead and the air was damp and heavy.
The temperature for last year’s race was around 50 degrees, with a gray overcast sky — perfect for running. Race organizer Karen Dignacco said this year’s hot weather was something of a cause for concern.
“For serious runners, the hot weather will impact their running time,� Dignacco said. “The fastest runners will still finish in less than half an hour, but this will slow them down.�
Claudia Nero of Hopewell Junction, N.Y., had the fastest time for a woman in last year’s competition. Before Saturday’s run she said she was very concerned about the weather.
“I don’t like running in hot weather, it feels wrong,� Nero said. “Hopefully it will stay cool. I love running in snow compared to this.�
Marc Robaczynski of New Hartford — who won last year’s Classic — won again this year, finishing with a time of 26:07 (30 seconds slower than the race time record he set in 2001).
“Ow, I felt that one,� Robaczynski said between gasps of air after he completed the course.
Also for the second year in a row, Nero was the first female finisher, with a time of 28:49.
Nero, unfortunately, was too exhausted to comment after she crossed the finish line.
Actor Campbell Scott, a Sharon resident, participated in the race and finished with a time of 44:23. Scott was definitely not acting when he said he was exhausted after the race. His body glowed from a combination of sweat and bottled water that he’d poured over himself.
“I’m just glad I finished this one alive,� Scott said. “Most runners will tell you that in weather like this, it’s just too hot to run.�
Lenore Salmons of Amenia said this was her first road race in 20 years. She came in with a time of 54:23.
“It’s just amazing for me to finish at all,� Salmons said, adding that, “Next year, I’ll be faster.�
According to Dignacco, 132 racers participated in the race but only 118 finished.
Before the main race, more than 50 youngsters took part in two children’s fun run events.
The proceeds from the Sharon Classic help to pay for tuition at Sharon Day Care for local families who need it. Funds also help with maintenance costs at the day care’s facility. At press time, the total funds raised at the race had not been calculated.
