I don't really remember too much about the Falmouth Road Race in 1981, of course, that may have something to do with having a bit too much wine the night before. I was cruising around Hyannis the night before with Betsey Roundsville and Diane Field and a bottle or two of Reunite(not on ice, but nice), so the next day may have been a little foggy.
Anyway, Alberto Salazar easily won the race in a then course record of 31.55, out running defending champ Rod Dixon by 20 seconds. Dixon ran 32.15, followed by Mike McCloud, Craig Virgin and Kirk Pfieffer. In the womens race, Joan Benoit(not yet Samuelson) took an easy victory over Judy St.Hillaire, 38.15 to 38.38. This was #3 out of six wins here for Joan. Below right, you have Tommy Ratcliffe showing the proper way to run through a puddle when it is at the apex of a turn. Fast runners really don't get their feet too wet because their feet aren't on the ground that long :) Tom was one of the best to come out of Rhode Island.
One thing to mention about Falmouth is the parties after the race. Everyone seems to be hosting a cookout or going to the Brothers 4 Bar, where you could always find Tommy Leonard hanging out. I forget the name of the bar next to Brothers4, but that was another great place to hang. This year we partied around town and then headed back to the house we had in Marsden Mills for a cookout and winding down time. This was the last time i ever had red meat, not that i am a vegetarian, but close. I will get some of my black and white photos from 1980 up sometime soon, there is some good stuff there. Later.
4 comments:
Scotty, these photos are fantastic.... I remember those Reunite ads on tv as a kid...
As a kid? Damn, i remember sitting around bonfires, drinking out of the 1.5 liter bottles(who needed glasses).
Post-race parties? We were at Courtney & Caroline Bird's place in 2007... kegs of beer, people camped out all over the lawn, a band, hanging out with Frank Shorter & Steve Jones!
We need more races like that :)
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