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Stephen Hook outdueled Scott LaMorte to win an exciting SIAC Run for Fun at Clove Lakes Park. Hook covered the three mile course in 17:45, with LaMorte a fraction of a second behind in an official 17:46. Richie Orazem was third in 17:53, while Ernie Beach (18:09) and Frank Connelly (18:11) rounded out the top five.

Gail Marino coasted to victory in the women's race in 20:58, with Jill Goodacre a distant second in 23:33. Barbara Reno (24:56), Donna Johnson (25:20) and Kathy Roppolo-O'Hara (26:33) rounded out the top five women.

The men's race was one of the most exciting of the year, with Steve Hook and Scott LaMorte exchanging leads several times in a classic tactical duel. Steve grabbed the final lead on the last uphill, but Scott made a final surge in the last 20 yards as though shot out of a cannon. My instincts as an eyewitness at the finish line was to cry out to Steve to watch out, but thankfully I resisted the urge in order to be fair to Scott and his fine effort. Steve insisted he heard Scott coming, but boy, what a close finish!!

The weather was ideal for running, and many fine times were posted. Riche Orazem ran a relaxed first loop, and made up about 20 seconds on the leaders in the second loop, but fell short. Ernie Beach collapsed onto his back after outlasting Frank Connelly for fourth place. (I've certainly done that before, it's not a pretty sight!)

Gail Marino is happy to be breaking 21:00 again, and is rounding into fine form.

Place	Name			Time	Pace	
1	Stephen	Hook		0:17:45	0:05:55
2	Scott	LaMorte		0:17:46	0:05:55
3	Richie	Orazem		0:17:53	0:05:58
4	Ernie	Beach		0:18:09	0:06:03
5	Frank	Connelly	0:18:11	0:06:04
6	A-Born	Etchison	0:18:17	0:06:06
7	Gene	Galasso		0:19:11	0:06:24
8	Steve	Woitkowski	0:19:38	0:06:33
9	Michael	Ricciardone	0:19:58	0:06:39
10	Gail	Marino		0:20:58	0:06:59
11	Al	Nilles		0:21:35	0:07:12
12	Jim	Hepworth	0:22:07	0:07:22
13	Phil	Jonas		0:22:14	0:07:25
14	Mike	Carullo		0:22:19	0:07:26
15	Ron	Cohen		0:22:47	0:07:36
16	Ray	Butler		0:22:54	0:07:38
17	Mark	Long		0:23:08	0:07:43
18	Mark	Vogt		0:23:13	0:07:44
19	Andy	Burek		0:23:13	0:07:44
20	Charlie	Marchese	0:23:13	0:07:44
21	Tommy	Lapp		0:23:26	0:07:49
22	Jill	Goodacre	0:23:33	0:07:51
23	Larry	Araneo		0:23:45	0:07:55
24	Fred	Rigolini	0:24:41	0:08:14
25	Barbara	Reno		0:24:56	0:08:19
26	Jim	Duffy		0:25:17	0:08:26
27	Donna	Johnson		0:25:20	0:08:27
28	Tony	Celentano	0:25:21	0:08:27
29	Bill	Rivers		0:26:16	0:08:45
30	John	Ladley		0:26:29	0:08:50
31	Kathy	Roppolo-O'Hara	0:26:33	0:08:51
32	Harry	Mercil		0:26:34	0:08:51
33	Matt	Moore		0:26:45	0:08:55
34	Lisa	Rigolini	0:27:04	0:09:01
35	Phil	Gabriel		0:27:07	0:09:02
36	Matthew	Mercil		0:27:16	0:09:05
37	Ruth	Fairbrother	0:27:38	0:09:13
38	Mike	Garone		0:27:52	0:09:17
39	Victor	Browne		0:30:21	0:10:07
40	Edythe	Browne		0:30:21	0:10:07
41	Benjamin Navarrete	0:32:08	0:10:43
42	France	Navarrete	0:32:08	0:10:43
43	Denise	Jones		0:34:37	0:11:32
44	Jim	McCauley	0:37:40	0:12:33