Three hundred and sixty-nine runners massed at the start

Three hundred and sixty-nine runners massed at the start in Flint Hill last Saturday morning. Thirtytwo minutes and twenty seconds later, SteVe Pinard of Hart wood broke the tape in Washington, setting a new record for the 10 kilometer Fodderstack Classic.

The overall mark wasn’t the only one to fall under Saturday’s overcast sky and moderate temperatures which combined with no wind to produce ideal racing conditions. Kimberlee D. Belgea crossed the line in 36:46, establishing a new record for women and shattering the previous record by a full seven minutes and seven seconds. Second and third place women runners Windi Runion and Pam Heinze also beat the old record of 43:53.

Frank Reynolds of Washington claimed his fourth Eva L. Smith Memorial presented to the first Rappahannock man to finish and Betty Settle captured her third Smith Memorial for the first county woman. Their performances prompted race organizer Diane Bruce to announce, “I challenge anyone to beat these two!”, as she handed out the original trophies, crafted this year by Rappahannock potter June Jordan.

Reynolds finished 13th overall and third in the men’s 40-49 age 'division. Previously, he has placed as high as second overall and first in his age division. However, his time of 35:56 on Saturday was his best performance ever over the demanding Fodderstack course. “I’m more than satisfied!” remarked the exhila-' rated Washington resident after he’d caught his breath’.

Betty Settle’s Memorial winning time of 46:55 was also good enough to take first place in the women’s 30-34 age division.

Grace Sims was the only other first place finisher from Rappahannock, winning the women’s 60 and over age division. Merrill Strange from Castleton and Mary O’Meara from Slate Mills, both former winners of the Eva L. Smith Memo