RACHEL LAMARCHE, pictured here with her husband Matt LaMarche, was the top Melrose runner at the Lynnfield 4th of July 5K with a time of 30:29. (Courtesy Photo)

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

MELROSE — Ten runners from Melrose participated in the annual Lynnfield Athletic Association July 4th 5K (3.1 miles) Road Race. The event took place on a hot, partly cloudy day with 341 runners competing. This was the 57th edition of the event that was canceled due to Covid back in 2020 and 2021.

The first Melrose resident to cross the finish line was Rachel LaMarche as she came in 177th place with a time of 30:29. The 25-year old came in 12th place in the women’s 20-29 age division.

“This was my first time doing this race,” said LaMarche. “My husband’s family is from Lynnfield and they have run in the past.”

LaMarche’s husband, Matt, and Matt’s sister, Olivia, both ran the race as well.

LaMarche enjoyed her first experience.

“I had a really good time and like the tee-shirt I got,” she said. “The race was steep with a lot of hills and that made it a challenge.”

The biggest race that LaMarche has competed in is the New York City Marathon back in 2022. She also did the Brooklyn half-marathon back in April.

To prepare for this race, she was averaging one or two miles a day. Someday, she would love to run the Boston Marathon and she does intend to return to Lynnfield for next year’s race.

LaMarche, a Boston College graduate, has lived in Melrose for four years and she is a travel agent at Education First in Cambridge.

Matt LaMarche came in 253rd with a time of 33:43.

Colette McGonagle was the second Melrose resident to finish as the 61-year old had a time of 30:37 to place 181st. McGonagle received a medal as she was first in her age division (60 to 69) as the top three in each age division took home a medal.

Jillian Stone captured 219th place as the 23-year old had a time of 32:15. .

The Sandburg family ran together and took 264 though 267th place. Sabrina (43) had a time of 34:38. Seven-year old Stella was one second behind while Christian (46) and Oscar (7) each finished at 34:40.

Donald Stone (61) came in 299th place with a time of 40:39 as he came in ninth place in the 60 to 69 age division.

Kevin McGonagle came in 329th place at 57:26 as he was 11th in the 60 to 69 age division.