Teenage Phenom Eliza Webber Snaps Male Domination Streak (123!) At Sizzler Races

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later,wasn't it? After 123 Summer Sizzler events and now in its twelfth season,all won by gentlemen, Stoddard's Eliza Webber became the first woman to break the gender barrier, crossing the line in first place to claim the laurels after a thrilling duel with five -time champion Mike Casner.

The Keene High School Senior ran a savvy race, negotiating the brutal out-and -back five mile course in 34:34, utilizing a timely kick to outpace legend Mike Casner,Peterborough,who was just three ticks behind Eliza.

Casner had the lead at the turn around,which is on an incline, but Webber chipped away. With about a third ofa mile left, her leg turnover increased rapidly, and the 45 year-old Casner could only watch the young speedster accelerate to the finish line.

The good news is that Casner's top placing among males earned him ten points, which in the absence of the top three men in the standings(McGovern,Glidden and French), was enough to vault him to the number one position overall.If he holds on, it would be Casner's sixth overall title.

It was great night for the female gender, as third place overall also went to a woman. Jennifer Ocampo ,visiting from Colombia, notched the bronze in 36:45. Third lady in was Antrim's Shauna Burt, who maintained her overall lead with a 41:19 performance.

Second among the males was Keene's Jim Kyle,in 37:06,who remarked afterwards that the Nuby course was the toughest he has ever experienced.Overlooked was New Ipswich's stealth Nate Earley, who with his 39:54 (fourth overall for the guys) has quietly moved into second overall.Con-Val's Andy Briggs ran a gutsy 38:42(for fifth overall and third for men).

Lovely weather accompanied by not-so-welcome mosquitoes greeted the harriers at The Nubanusitt Boat Landing for the fourth in a series of a dozen runs as part of the Summer Sizzler Foot Races,which originated in 1997. Trivia questions, raffles, drinkables,and prizes to all finishers were all part of the mix.

Thanks to volunteers Bob Fogg and Ruth Glidden for their help.

Next week,June 24th,Tuesday, the series begins Round Two, as the venue moves back to Norway Hill.Tyeme for the evening is ' Race For The Strawberries' and kick-off is 6:35 pm.Cost is only $5.00.

Please call 525-9357 or email sizzzlermani@hotmail.com for more information about the sizzlers.

Summer Sizzler Race  #4 @ Lake Nubanusitt Hancock NH
 
 5 miles  Summer Splash &  Dash...  Tuesday June 17th, 2008 
 
     Overall (Official) 
1.Eliza Webber    Stoddard     34:34
2.Mike Casner  P-borough     34:37
3.Jennifer Ocampol Colombia   36:45
4.Jim Kyle   Keene                37:06
5.Andy Briggs   P-borough     38:42
6.Nate Earley New Ipswich    39:54 
7.Bill Earley New Ipswich       40:40
8.Shauna Burt    Antrim         41:19
9.Andrew Hunt    Hancock      41:40
10.Sterling Abram  Dublin        44:27
11.Shannon Glidden Greenfield  45:52
12. Bill  Springer     Keene        45:58
13.Jeff Richardson  Westyland   46:38
14.Newt Tolman     Surry         47:03
15.Kim Vecchione  Greenfield     47:38
16.Art McGrath Francestown     50:47
17.Kathy Engle   Dublin             53:53
18.Mary Reilly   Antrim              55:13
19.Bill Engle      Dublin              1:04:21