Records Broken for Attendance and Time at the 2009 Wayland XC Festival

The Wayland XC Festival, presented by Baldwin Insurance Agency, outpaced its own forecast again this year.   The cross-country running festival continued its growth in popularity among everyone involved.   Registrations topped 330 runners this year, with record numbers participating in the youth 3k races. 

The Wayland XC Festival includes an open 5k race and 3k youth races for athletes aged 14 and under.  The open 5k race is part of the USATF-NE cross-country grand prix.  The courses start and finish on the track and include a combination of open fields and wooded trails, along with some challenging hills.

The fourth annual Wayland XC Festival was held on Sunday, October 11.  In perfect cross-country running weather, male and female course records were broken for the 5k and 3k courses.  In addition to the course records, eight age-group records were broken. 

In the 3k youth race, Phoebe Morss of Wayland shattered the girls’ course record with an impressive time of 10:57.  Arthur Whitehead of Concord improved the boys’ course record, finishing in 10:17.  Both of these athletes are members of the Nitehawks Sports Club. 

Timothy Ritchie of Brighton set the pace in the open 5k, finishing in a course record 15:12 and beating second place finisher, Mike Griffin of Scarborough, ME, by 34 seconds.   Jennifer Lee of Boston topped the women’s division in a record time of 18:48, finishing ahead of two-time winner and previous record holder, Caitlyn Clark of Cambridge. 

Proceeds from this event benefit the Wayland High School cross-country teams.  First year coach Suzanne Williams had the team at the event in force to assist the competitors.  Coach Williams also sang the national anthem and competed in the 5k race.

Sponsors of the event include presenting sponsor Baldwin Insurance Agency, gold sponsors Wayland Kitchens and Middlesex Savings Bank, silver sponsors Mahoney’s Garden Centers and TUTORrific™ Academic Services, and bronze sponsor J.J. McKay’s Restaurant and Pub.  Post-race food was provided by Whole Foods of Wayland.

Race director Eric Bucher commented, “We are overwhelmed with the enthusiasm for this event from the participants, their families and friends and our community…especially our local businesses that continually help support this event.”  He went on to say, “In addition to the financial support provided by these businesses, Dave D’Orlando of Baldwin Insurance and Bob Baker of Wayland Kitchens were there in person to lend a hand.  And, Alexis Avila of TUTORrific Academic showed up to run in the race!”

For full results of the 2009 race or to seek limited sponsorship opportunities for next year, please visit www.waylandxc.com

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