In honor of the closest Olympic athlete to Melrose, gymnast Alicia Sacramone of Winchester, MA, this week we’ll run through her hometown. Ok, yeah we were gonna run there anyway regardless of the Olympics, I’m just trying to make things more interesting. So its out to Winchester for 16+ miles for the long runners, 8+ for those training for a half. Take a look at the maps and familiarize yourself with the route.
There will be two water stops needed this week. Walt will take care of the first one and I’ll need a volunteer to pick me up at the second one at the corner of Highland Ave and Main St in Winchester. (I’ll be away from the computer until Saturday so I’ll get back to the first person to volunteer then)
Ok, time for the roll call…. who’s in? Plus name any current or former Olympian from your hometown if you can.
I’m in for the full route… and the most recent Olympian from my hometown of Brookline, MA: Jonathon Riley competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics in the 5K.
Martin (“Marty”) Wayne Nothstein (born February 10, 1971 in Allentown, Pennsylvania) is an American professional road bicycle racer and track cyclist. He won a gold medal at the Sydney games. Does this guarantee my entry in the 16 mile long run?? See you Sunday!
Hi everyone,
Although I am up in Topsfield these days, I am originally from Winthrop. This is the home of Mike Eruzione, captain of the 1980 U.S. Hockey team that won the gold.. Am I right???? I will be there Sunday and hoping to reach the 8 mile loop. See you all then!!
Jen
P.S. Incase you are interested, I wanted to let you know the Topsfield fair is back in town, starting October 4th!!!
Hi All,
Kevin and I will both be there for the 8 mile run this weekend! It goes very close to our house so I have to watch out and not be tempted to turn off and head home once I get tired!
As for the athletes… I live in Stoneham now, home of Nancy Kerrigan I believe! However, I was born in Nashua and went to Nashua High and we do have an athlete that hails from there – Laura Gerraughty – I believe she was shot put and went to Athens.. didn’t place though. Nashua is much better known for our soccer stars if you are a fan – Jay Heaps!
Enjoy the rest of your week and see you on Sunday!
Jocelyn
Kobe Bryant was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Havertown, PA and went to the same high school as my sister, except she is 14 years older than him.
I am in for the 8 miles.
In for 20. Jen Randall is pretty quick so I cannot borrow on Mike Eruzione to qualify… Newton NJ has produced a Nobel Prize winner in Physics 2006-John Mather. Also two Newton NJ graduates work for the NWS- Did i digress?
does that even count??
Jim- I’d be happy to do a water stop Sunday but I’m only on email until 3 p.m. Friday so leave me a message at (781) 665-6761 with instructions if you need me!
And though I’m only doing water duty (so does this count?), I graduated with Marcia Pankratz of Wakefield, Field Hockey Forward in the 1988 and 1996 Summer Olympics and Wakefield is also the current home of Ronda Rousey – Bronze Medalist in the Women’s Middleweight Judo Competition yesterday!
If you’re going to mention Ronda & Wakefield, you should also mention Taraje Williams-Murray and Dan McCormick also from Pedro’s Judo Club in Wakefield. Taraje fought on the 9th, but was beaten in the 2nd round. Dan fights tomorrow (15th), best of luck to him. Also from Pedro’s is Rick Hawn (Athens ’04) and of course the head sensei Jimmy Pedro, 4 time olympian and 2x bronze medal winner.
Hi, I’m in for the long haul and will pay attention to the route! The closest I have is Olympic gymnast Tim Daggett from W. Springfield. I grew up in nearby Longmeadow, where I went to high school with someone most famous for having Tom Brady’s baby. See you Sunday!
Hi Guys!
I have No Olympic connection or story so I will be painting in Olympic fashion on Sunday! Enjoy!
P.S. Isn’t the Women’s Olympic Marathon Sunday?
I’ll be there, doing something in the middle of the full and half…..
I live in Stoneham, home of Nancy Kerrigan, and unless they give medals for famous criminals, I have nothing from my home town of Somerville, please someone enlighten me if I’ve missed an important athlete!
I’ve got no one from my hometown, Orange, MA. I’m in for the full.
Jean, I left you a message, if you want to reply here and let me know you’re coming that would be great. I’ll provide you all you need.
Walt, You’ve got the first stop, right? I’ll leave the bucket out in front for you around 7AM.
Thank you both for making this easier!
And wow, there are a lot of Olympians from our hometowns! I expected a few more hockey players to get mentioned, and less Nobel Prize winners. And Sue, you didn’t know that back in 1956 the greatest Hammer Thrower in the world was from Somerville, MA?
See you all at 8AM, Brueggers!
Leann and Leah are both coming too on Sunday. They asked me to respond for them when I saw them last night! See you in the morning!
I think we had a figure skater from Lexington, maybe in the era of Dorothy Hamil? Her name escapes me, maybe 16 miles will jog my memory.
I swam against Neil Walker in High School, gold or silver in the 4 x 100 free relay in Atlanta I believe, maybe sydney too. I am in for the long run this week.
I am in for the long run and will be bringing a friend. I’ll be running a few miles before, so look for me. I am packing for vacation, so my brain is too full to think of athletes. Jim, don’t you have better things to do than aggrivate us?
I’ll be there for the 8 miles.
Jim,
I’ll be there at Brueggers at 8.
Jean
I’m in for the 16 mile (most likely with shortcuts).
No olympic athletes that I know of from my hometown, Chippewa Falls, WI or from my current town, Clinton, MA.
I’m in for probably 13 or so.
I’m in for 16. Looking forward to running with you guys again!
I’m stumped on any Olympians from Pittsburgh….
I’m in for 8 miles. See you all at Brueggers.
I am in for 8.