[../../../../top/bottom.htm]WESTMINSTER-- One mile from the Mount Wachusett start, Arthur “Kidd” Gilkes sped into the lead.
By the finish at the Wachusett Brewing Co. in Westminster, Gilkes was first in line for refreshments.
With a winning time of 24 minutes, 20 seconds, Gilkes, a Somerville resident, captured the second Wachusett-to-Wachusett Five-Mile Race, a popular summer event that drew more than 1,000 runners yesterday.
Gilkes, 25, withstood the upper 90-degree heat and high humidity and bested Maurits Van Der Veen's 1998 winning time of 25:02.
Meanwhile, Debbie Barry of Ashby captured the women's division with a winning time of 29:32.
Placing second in the men's race, 21 seconds behind Gilkes, was 26-year-old Dan Johnson from Providence. In third at 24:43 was 41-year-old Scott Mason. Van Der Veen, also a Somerville resident, was fourth in 24:47.
“It was incredibly hot, so I thought, 'Why not run a race to a brewery,' ” joked Gilkes, a native of Pittsburgh and a former Penn State runner.
“The heat did make it more difficult,” Gilkes added. “There were points where I was really struggling, but I just went through a little thought process and picked it up. I tried to drive as far as I could and then regroup.”
Gilkes, who is taking some pre-law classes at Harvard while working at Buck-a-Book Bookstore in Harvard Square, earned his nickname, “Kidd,” early in his athletic career.
“I was always the smallest person on my teams, so that's how I got the name,” he said.
Yesterday, Gilkes was the fastest over the course, a relatively speedy route with three major downhill sections and only a few minor hills between the first three miles.
Johnson, a 1995 Brown University grad, couldn't close the gap down the stretch. He was, however, pleased with his runner-up finish.
“I've been running 1,500s all year,” Johnson said. “This is my first road race.”
Mason, 41, is one of the premier masters runners in New England. “I've been running for about 20 years,” Mason said. “I never ran in school, and maybe that's benefited me. A lot of people run in school and when they get out, they're sick of it.”
Former Wachusett Regional High star Mike Smith, now a runner at James Madison, placed fifth at 24:55, a victim of the oppressive heat over the final 300 yards, where he dropped from second place.
Richard Bolt (25:00) of Pepperell, was sixth followed by former Narragansett Regional star and UMass-Lowell bound Nate Jenkins (25:21).
Frequent area road race winner Tim Blouin, 42, of Templeton placed ninth (26:49).
Last year, Barry was the runner-up in the women's division by three seconds as Yolanda Flamino of Ellington, Conn., edged ahead down the final stretch.
Yesterday, Barry, running at a 5:55-mile, finished 45 seconds in front of Lisa Wiita of Fitchburg.
“I don't often run well in this kind of heat, but I guess I'm getting used to it over the years,” said Barry, 33.
Barry, a former St. Bernard's and Westfield State runner, even beat her husband, Chris, in yesterday's muggy conditions.
“We're usually within 30 seconds of each other,” said Barry, who has completed 15 marathons, including eight in Boston.
Wiita, 35, who trains daily with Barry, notched her personal best time for a 5-miler. “I could see her (Barry)” Wiita said, “and that's doing well. Debbie's usually a rabbit for me.”
Jessica Babin, 27, (32:00) of Fitchburg placed third in the women's division, making it a 1-2-3 women's sweep for the North Medford Club.
Caitlyn Ramsey (32:10) of Worcester was fourth. Peggy Holdash, also of Worcester, placed eighth at 33:31.
The Wachusett-to-Wachusett Race also marked the final event for Central Mass. Striders official Don Drewniak, who is stepping down after 20 years with the organization.
“We have some great people stepping forward,” said Drewniak, who is moving to Texas in September. “Over the years, I've been everything from chief cook to bottle washer. It's been quite a ride, but like that George Harrison song, everything in life, all things must pass.”
Drewniak will still be active on the racing scene, however. He is one of the principals of coolrunning.com, the Web site for running enthusiasts.
“It's not total goodbye,” Drewniak said.©1999 Worcester Telegram & Gazette