Mt. Kearsarge by Dunham 1998

Mike Casner (Keene NH) won a close battle to take the victory in the fourth annual Mt. Kearsarge hill climb. Mt. Kearsarge served as the opening event in the third annual USATF New England Mountain running circuit
This was Mike's second attempt at Kearsarge, his first being a third in 1996. The race commenced in Warner NH under threatening skies. Rich Bolt (Lunenburg MA) took it out in the first gradual uphill mile. He was followed closely by a tight pack of seven which included: Mike Casner a top mountain runner who has made the US team the last three year and spends months at a time living and racing in Europe. Fergus Cullen who finished in the top 15 at Mount Washington last year. Dave Beauley the top New Hampshire runner at this years Boston Marathon. George Adams in his first "mountain" race looking to make the US team. Tommy Murdoch who can always be counted on to be among the leaders.	This was Mike's second attempt at Kearsarge.
Eventually the lead pack broke into two with Murdoch and Beauley and Bolt forming a second pack. At 2.5 miles Adams was dropped from the leaders. "I was hurting at 1 and a half miles, and thought 'I want to get into Mount Washington?'" quipped Adams. Once again a runner was fooled into thinking that 6 minute miles wouldn't be tough! At 4 miles, Adams passed Bolt, who was feeling the affects of a long ski season, and settled into third. He held onto that position never seeing the leaders due to the winding road and foggy conditions.	I was hurting at 1.5 miles, and thought 'I want to get into Mount Washington?'
Meanwhile up in the front Casner, who wasn't sure who Cullen was, was running the downhills well but having trouble on the uphills. Cullen, who was on his way to a 3 minute PR, caught Casner as he walked one of the steeper sections. Casner passed back on a slight downhill, and pulled away for good just past the 7 mile mark.
"I felt good once I gained a little space" noted Casner. I had the unusual opportunity to of see the entire race field at the start with most of the action playing out in front of me. I had injured my ankle the previous Thursday whilst running the beloved Merrimack river trail. The ankle had swollen up pretty bad, and I didn't run at all on Friday. An easy mile warmup, with the ankle thickly taped, gave clear indication that I could at least run on it. I started in the back and went "easy" to the mile. I could see the lead pack separate, I saw a lot of people I'd met in the last two years of the circuit. I caught the lead women already in an early battle. I was surprised to see Amber Duncan (the top female finisher) with a "Dipsea survivor" t-shirt, they are a rarity out here in New England. In my travel from back to front (almost) I saw things I'd never seen before. I was very surprised by the banter, having never done so in a race (I'm too winded to say anything!). It was neat to see the way people grouped together, seeking out others in their age group or sex. Around 3 miles I moved into the top 20, and could still see the front 2 packs way up ahead. I caught Ed Parrot who was hoping to go through 5 in around 6 minute pace. We ran together for a bit, with Ed pulling away on the downs and the reverse on the ups. At the toll station (5m) I could no longer see the leaders, but John Blouin and Richard Bolt were both within range and feeling the effects of the early quick pace. Next up was Beauley, he was running strong, it seemed to take forever to reel him in. Dave offered up some words of encouragement (once again "what's up with all the talking?"). At the 6 mile mark the fog had become thick, no chance to see the leaders. As Casner was finishing up, I was looking at my watch every two minutes. Time sure can drag when you're hurting! In the last mile I could see Adams ahead, but didn't really gain that much. A large group got together for the run down to the bus at the 7 mile mark. Now the banter hit in full force. Once the pressure of racing is gone the true personalities emerge. Running down also afforded the opportunity to see everyone finishing up. We were able to see the first two women come in with only 27 seconds separating them.	I was surprised to see Amber Duncan* with a "Dipsea survivor" t-shirt*
The awards ceremony included prizes for the top finishers, and the age group winners. There was also a raffle for 5 much saught Mount Washington spots. Post race food included a large assortment of home baked goods. Most excellent.
Top times- Casner's winning time was the 6th fastest time ever run in the race, it was however the slowest winning time. Duncan's time was 39 seconds shy of the CR, and also the second fastest womens time. In the Men's 00-39 four of the top 12 times ever run were run this year. In the Men's 40-49 the third and fourth fastest times ever were run, and five of the top 11 times. In the Men's 50-59 a new CR was set by Charles Kellogg, the second and third finishers were also under the old CR. In the Men's 60-99 the second fastest time ever was run. On the womens side in the 40-49 age group four of the top 8 times ever run were done, with Deborah Sheedy coming up 19 seconds short of the CR. In the 50-59 age group the 5th fastest time was run. In the 60-99 Barbara Robinson took almost 11 minutes off of the old CR. Numbers- The race had a record 151 finishers up 23% over last year, and up 67% from 1996. Male masters had the biggest jump, with an increase of 9%, male open was down 3% as was the total number of women. The over 50-59 crowd showed the biggest decline, down 6% Draw your own conclusions!	Additional notes on Mt. Kearsarge