Sterling, MA
January 1st, 1998

It was the "old" and the "new" in terms of overall winners at this year's edition of the aptly named New Year's Day "Freezer Five." Karen McGahie (Boylston), a CMS member for well over a decade, won the women's division for the fourth time. Karen had previously finished first in 1987, 1988 and 1991. First-place overall went to Mike Smith (Princeton), a CMS senior at Wachusett High School. Mike became the first junior to ever place first in the Freezer Five. It was also Mike's second road win in less than 24 hours as he also won the First Night Worcester-Main Street Mile the day previous.

Jim Garcia (Westford), taking a break from his incredible string of September through December 100-milers, 100K's, 50-milers. 50K's and marathons, finished second. Three masters, including CMS members Rich Ovian (Worcester) and Bill Gaudere (Hudson), placed 3-4-5. Bob Girouard (Fitchburg), Joe Drugan (Hopedale) and Peter Orni (Fitchburg) were 1-2-3 among seniors, Otto Lies (Holden) and Paul McDermott (Fitchburg) were 1-2 in the veteran's division, while Steve Brooks (Gardner) topped the age 70+ division.

Deb Willard Spencer (Fitchburg) and Barbara McManus (Worcester) were 2-3 in the women's competition. Joanne Lachapelle (Worcester), fourth overall, and Carol Hurley (Spencer) were 1-2 among masters, as were Laura Beckwith (Holden) and Dolores Drewniak (Princeton) in the seniors' division. Phyllis Brooks (Gardner), Marjorie Rosiello (Shrewsbury) and Marion Connors (Baldwinville) were 1-2-3 among veterans.

For the second consecutive year, Ed Sato (Worcester), who finished 1997 with 171 completed races, ran the three races inside 24 hours: First Night Worcester - Main Street Mile, which began at 4:30PM on the 31st, the Run into the New Year First Night Keene, which began at 11:45PM and spilled over into the new year, and the Freezer Five. Ed, incidentally, is closing in on his 70th birthday.

A combination of temperatures in the low teens and several icy spots made for relatively slow times by the 229 finishers. Note: the race was NOT held up and down an icy  mountain, it only felt that way.

1. Mike Smith -1j- 26:56

2. Jim Garcia 27:08

3. Rich Ovian -1m- 27:45

4. Tim Blouin (GLRR) -2m- 27:52

5. Bill Gaudere -3m- 27:59

7. Andy Gallivan -2j- 28:50

8. Brad Fors 29:06

9. Dave Mingori 29:39

12. Paul Hargreaves 30:17

15. Bob Girouard -1s- 30:52

16. Roger Nasatka 30:54

17. Patrick McCormick 31:12

18. Tobe Barksdale 31:15

19. Karen McGahie -1f- 31:17

21. Hal Moore 31:29

22. Michael Brisbois 31:47

23. Jonathan Rossetti 31:51

25. Joe Drugan -2s- 32:03

26. Jamie Aubuchon 32:10

27. Peter Orni -3s- 32:19

28. Bill Burke 32:25

29. John Carey 32:42

32. Dan Gullage 33:37

33. Ken Lemerise 33:41

34. Deb Willard Spencer -2f- 33:47

35. Bob Brady 33:52

38. Glenn Richards 34:15

39. Roger Steele 34:16

40. Kent Rissmiller 34:19

42. John Loiselle 34:20

45. Barbara Mcmanus -2f- 34:27

46. Jonathan Fitt 34:30

48. John Grenier 34:52

49. Joanne Lachapelle -1fm- 34:54

50. Matt McGuiness 34:56

54. Stu Kravitz 35:08

55. Jim Conley 35:09

57. Neil LeBlanc 35:15

58. Dan LaCroix 35:21

59. Kevin Cox 35:23

60. John Kleczka 35:33

65. Michael Steinberg 35:50

68. Larry Morris 35:58

69. Lisa Mentzer 35:59

70. Ray Boutotte 36:03

72. Laurie Fromm 36:07

74. Otto Lies -1v- 36:10

79. Carol Hurley -2fm- 36:29

83. Mel Shemluck 36:39

84. Kurt Bierig 36:41

85. Paul McDermott -2v- 36:42

87. John Bakstran 36:47

92. Dick Hunt 37:04

93. Eddie Gallivan 37:05

97. Steve McGuiness 37:19

102. Dick Karvonen 37:56

103. Kevin Dunn 37:58

105. Laura Beckwith -1fs- 38:06

106. James Butterfield 38:12

107. Stu Thurston 38:15

111. Kurt Hultgren 38:23

113. Larry Gentile 38:32

117. Laura Petsching 38:56

119. Gordon Sapiera 39:00

120. Kathleen McCaffrey 39:01

123. Andy Creen 39:19

125. Allen Hoffman 39:47

126. Patricia Smith 40:06

132. Artie Gazal 40:17

133. Gary Armstrong 40:22

134. Karl Tumivaara 40:26

137. Ken Robichaud 40:44

139. Bill Krauss 40:59

146. Paul O'Connor 41:24

148. Kathie DiLillo 41:31

156. John Bogdasarian 41:56

159. Pam Rossetti 42:14

165. Ed Sato 42:45

167. Steve Brooks -1sv- 43:00

168. Lauren Starr* 43:02

169. Frank Rozanski 43:02

173. John Matheson 43:15

175. Al Tautkas 43:17

180. Jim Wicka 43:47

181. Sam Fitzwater 43:52

182. John George 43:55

183. Jeff Fiske 44:05

184. Janice Frampton 44:13

188. Dolores Drewniak -2fs- 44:26

190. Joan Murzycki 44:36

191. Carol Goodrow 44:45

194. Nelson Mather 45:05

195. Avery Austin 45:18

197. Kris Conley 45:25

204. Ralph Stevens 46:16

208. Liza Bliss 47:32

209. Robert Brodeur 48:12

212. Alice Eriksen 48:32

215. Andy Labreuque 48:46

218. Jim DeZutter 49:50

219. Edward Lubin 50:04

220. Jim Shope 50:06

221. Joe Dora 50:14

222. Karen Lemerise 50:49

223. Joseph Drummond 50:52

224. Patricia Gallant 51:15

226. Phyllis Brooks -1fv- 53:18

227. Marjorie Rosiello -2fv- 53:49

229. Marion Connors -3fv- 54:59

Organized by CMS: Peg Buxton (Sterling); Ric Buxton (Sterling); Paul Chamberlin (Worcester); Joe DeCoff (Spencer); Dolores Drewniak (Princeton); Don Drewniak (Princeton); Dave Dunham (Bradford); Bill Ferrara (Milford); Bill Haskell (Sterling); Eha Karvonen (Winchendon); Dan Ludwig (Sterling); Dennis MacCallum (Lancaster); Jan McNamara (Princeton); Tom Paradis (Worcester); Matt Rossetti (Worcester); Stu Thurston (Boylston).

revd January 12,1998, barry