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Photo Captures the Heart of Runners Across New England

7/4/2023

by Ryan Goebel

Photo by Joe Viger.

Despite the miserable weather at this year's Mount Washington Road race, a moment was captured by the official race photographer that warmed the hearts of many runners across New England. In the days following the race, the photo shown above from Joe Viger seemed to go viral across various social media and traditional media channels.

Although Joe originally didn't know who the runners in the photo were, Laura Chadwick (wife of Chris Chadwick and mother to John McGinty) recognized the photo as being her son helping Ron Paquette up the mountain.

From Joe Viger's Facebook post:

The photo was shared by many media outlets, including this segment on WMUR in Manchester, NH.

Even the Boston Globe ran an article about the photo that included an interview with John and Ron.

Unfortunately, the Boston Globe article is behind a paywall and due to copyright laws, we can't reproduce the story here. However, here's an excerpt:

When McGinty and Paquette saw that Viger had captured the moment on the mountain, they were astounded. The response to the photo has been overwhelming, with many people reaching out in recent days.

“The picture shows that you don’t have to do hard things alone,” McGinty said. “There’s a team around you, and people willing to lend a hand.”

Paquette wonders what would have happened to him had McGinty not run to his aid. The photo, he said, will forever serve as a reminder of how McGinty helped him “accomplish something that made it special for both of us.”
“This means so much to me,” he said.

The Central Maine Striders are proud to have had Ron Paquette representing us in the Mount Washington Road Race for so many years, and for John McGinty to run for us for the last five years. We hope they both make several more trips up the "one hill".

For some bonus content, check out this video interview (recently unearthed by Julie Millard) that Central Maine Strider Erzsie Nagy did with Ron Paquette when they were a Lawrence High School student back in 2012:

Mt. Washington Road Race Report

7/4/2023

by Mark Fisher

It was a great but highly variable weather day on the mountain for this year's edition of the Mount Washington Road Race. A very successful day for the Central Maine Striders and a milestone year for two of our teammates.

Friday started with our team volunteering to support the parking process for Registration. I want to thank Linda Fisher for her leadership on site as I was unable to make it to the mountain on time. The team was well represented and did a stellar job in allowing 5 CMS Team members to get into the field despite not “winning” the lottery. Special thanks to the following for volunteering on behalf of the club:

Linda Fisher
Dawn Gee
Mike Lansing
Sylvia Ryan
Martha Nadeau
Dawn Gee

The Race:

The day started with the new starting configuration around the pond instead of the downhill pitch starting line close to Route 16. The temperature and precipitation for the first 90 minutes or so of the race was cool, misty and pretty comfortable. Those conditions deteriorated rapidly around mile 5 to the finish complete with dense fog, strong winds of ~20-40 MPH and driving rain. The conditions toward the top were challenging to say the least. To finish any year is a massive accomplishment but this year's conditions made it all the more difficult.
Central Maine Striders 2023 Finishers:
Dawn Gee
Mike Lansing
Martha Nadeau
Sylvia Ryan
Peter Leone
Mark Fisher
Dean Rasmussen (1st in Age Group)
Ron Paquette (2nd in Age Group)
Chris Chadwick
Patrick Guerette
John McGinty (5th in Age Group)
Jon Chapin

Full results can be found at:
http://www.iresultslive.com/?op=overall&eid=5660

Race Report: 5k Woof Run

7/4/2023

by Billy Kobin

Photo by Humane Society Waterville Area.

Dozens of dogs and humans made the inaugural 5K Woof Run a doggone success.

The June 10 run kicked off the daylong Woofstock festival held outside the Waterville Area Humane Society, with proceeds benefiting the organization and its vital work with animals.

Central Maine Striders played a key part in organizing the Woof Run, with a big thanks to race director Lindsey Madison, Ron Peck and Emiko Peck for checking in runners and walkers along with their furry companions and ensuring the 5K went off smoothly.

Members Billy Kobin and Heather Cable also were the top two finishers. Other Striders joined in the fun with Stephanie Dodson (running with her pup Sierra) finishing as 3rd place female. Emiko Peck and Gi Reed also ran strong races on the Saturday morning.

Striders News

Photo Captures the Heart of Runners Across New England

Mt. Washington Road Race Report

Race Report: 5k Woof Run

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