Wakefield residents take part in LAA Fourth of July Road Race

48th annual event was run in neighboring Lynnfield

Published in the July 7, 2015 edition

LYNNFIELD — Even though there was no road race held in Wakefield on the Fourth of July, Wakefield residents didn’t have to venture very far to find one as the 48th annual Lynnfield Athletic Association Fourth of July Road Race was held in neighboring Lynnfield.

There were 11 runners from Wakefield that were among the 276 who were entered and completed the race on Saturday. While none were among the top place winners, they all finished the 5K race under cloudy but humid conditions.

The top finisher among the Wakefield residents was Steve Grassa, 24, who came in 22nd place at 20:04.

The top finisher among the women was Jackie Cardillo, 22, who posted a time of 26:23. Cardillo was 125th overall among both the men and women running.

The rest of the Wakefield runners who ran and completed the race included Chuck Connell (22:06), Paul Carangelo (22:21), Rafael McDonald (23:34), Chrissy Franceshelli (26:38), Ross Ickes (26:59), Kristine Collins (27:16), Dan Cardillo (29:24), Caroline Curran (29:54) and Sherry Morrison (38:52).

Danvers’ James Bailey, 19, was the overall and men’s winner with a time of 16:07. Taking second was Lynnfield’s Tom O’Shea, 20, as he clocked in at 16:42.

Brighton’s Caroline King, 26, was the female winner as she set a women’s record with a time of 17:18. She beat out Melrose’s Laura Buchanan, 31, who ran a second place time of 19:04.

The rest of the men’s top 10 included New York’s Matt Deangelis (17:27), Lynnfield’s Mark Hudson (17:42), Lynnfield’s Jonathan Luders (18:01), Medford’s Benjamin Spaulding (18:01), Arlington’s Brian Hutter (18:38), Boston’s Forrest Tobie (18:52), Lynnfield’s Alex Dalelio (19:00), and Danvers’ Andrew Moriarity (19:08).

The rest of the women’s top 10 included Beverly’s Julia Hincman-Francavilla (19:05), Melrose’s Emily McDivitt (20:31), Cambridge’s Audrey Zaferos (20:44), Amherst’s Alex Testa (21:02), Beverly’s Kelly McLay (21:07), Boston’s Joy Will (21:47), Lynnfield’s Olivia Larmache (21:50), and Malden’s Jennifer Cloherty (22:04).

The race started and finished at the Lynnfield Town Hall, 55 Summer St. The route took runners down Summer Street, right on to Walnut Street, left on to Thomas Road, left onto Summer Street and back to Town Hall.

All proceeds benefit athletic programs and provide scholarships for Lynnfield High School students.

In addition to awarding several athletic scholarships to graduating seniors each year, the LAA provides other financial support by providing things such as uniforms, athletic equipment, pins and trophies given out during the year to student athletes.