SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – On Saturday, Sept. 12, the Edgar May Health & Recreation Center’s revamped Springfield Dam Run saw more than 120 participants, spectators, and volunteers. With the event taking place all at the Springfield Dam, runners enjoyed running along the trail through greenery, taking in scenic views of Mount Ascutney. This year, the Dam Run also welcomed members of the Riverside Middle School cross-country team and their coaches, who joined in on the race.
Children under 12 participated in the free Kids’ Half-Mile Fun Run sponsored by HB Energy Solutions, and each received a new Edgar May water bottle and an HB Energy slap bracelet as they crossed the finish line. All children under age 12 who participated in any of the races were entered into a raffle to win a youth mountain bike from Tygart Sports in Ludlow. This year’s winner was Arminta Buck, age 7.
This year’s new race, the Maniac Mile, sponsored by Mascoma Bank, invited runners to sprint across the finish line with $250 cash prizes for the top male and female finisher in the race. All participants received a Mascoma Bank Maniac Mile cooling towel. Elijah Bodanza, age 17, of Walpole, N.H., was the first to cross the finish line and the top male finisher with a time of 5:50.81. The top female finisher was Heidi Westover, of Walpole, N.H., with a time of 5:59.31.
Bodanza and Westover were also the top male and female finishers of the Springfield Dam Run 5K with times of 17:17.61 and 19:44.84 respectively. They each received a package of pork and beef from Vermont Raised Heritage Meats worth $250. All Dam Run 5K participants received an Edgar May collapsible backpack.
Top male and female finishers in their age groups each received a special Dam Run iron-on patch as recognition of their achievement. This year’s top female runners were Eowyn McNaughton for ages 1-9, Nora Waters for ages 10-19, Malia Sinclair for ages 20-29, Stephanie Knockenhauer for ages 30-39, Wendy Doust-McNaughton for ages 40-49, and Susan White for ages 60-69. Top male finishers were Adler Gleeson for ages 10-19, Damir Babic for ages 30-39, Kevin Hollebeek for ages 40-49, Floyd Buck for ages 50-59, and Ken Walker for ages 70-79.
For the second year, the Dam Run event included a family fun zone with concessions by JC’s Market & Deli, bananas and apples donated by Black River Produce, face painting with Mona Frye, and a mobile axe throwing unit provided by Keene Axe House. Participants and spectators were able to enjoy these activities before, during, and after the races. Thank you to our vendors for providing this fun entertainment at our event.
The Springfield Dam Run was a huge success in large part due to its sponsors: Kids’ Fun Run sponsor HB Energy Solutions; Maniac Mile sponsor Mascoma Bank; hydration sponsor Lamb & McNaughton PC; and community sponsors Belmont Septic Design, Claremont Savings Bank, Cota & Cota, Springfield Rotary Club, and VTel.