One of NER’s all-time favorite races for numerous reasons. Below is last year’s coverage by Greater Lowell RR ace John Barbour…
UConn All American Travis Landreth to the right.
Path Less Chosen a Constant for Trav’s Trail Devotees
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Of the myriad races that raise funds for good causes and exist to remember a human life, Trav’s Trail Run has special resonance for true-blue New England runners. “Trav” was Newburyport HS star Travis Landreth, who died of an undiagnosed heart defect during a training run in Palo Alto, California in 2001.
An All-American cross country runner for UConn who ran on the US Junior World Cross Country team in 1995, Landreth was known for his beastly training, fearless racing, and as the one who made everyone laugh during practice.
The Landreth family along with Trav’s high school coach Don Hennigar, plus generous volunteers and sponsors, have kept the flame alive for 19 years. The 2.96-mile Maudslay State Park course is challenging (hills, some rough single-track running) but spectacular: if you can hurt and be in awe at the same time it’s here, and how fitting.
Trav’s doesn’t draw big numbers: a few score more would be welcome, hundreds maybe not so much. The cool day and light, steady rain were fine for racing but unsettling for spectators as all huddled under the single tent as soon as the race ended.
Cam Leonard, a Boston Globe All-Scholastic harrier (Central Catholic HS ’18) romped to a 21-second win in 15:44 followed by local star Steve Dowsett (16:05). Third was evergreen Trav’s perennial challenger Greg Putnam (16:23) whose 49 years are just three fewer than Leonard’s and Dowsett’s combined.
Leonard’s run also lowered by 3-seconds the previous 19-under record set by Greg Krathwohl in 2010. Greg’s dad, Eric, was third M60 on the day in 21:17. Familiar names ruled the women’s roost, led by defending champion Kara Haas, 48 (19:23) and past champion and W40 and W50 record holder Mimi Fallon, 52 (19:53), doubling back from the previous day’s Westfield 5K.
Third went to Trav’s very own sister Molly Landreth, 35 (19:54), herself a Newburyport HS standout. Despite the soft conditions, another age group record was set as Whirlaway’s Julie Haynes, 60 (23:31), who also did the Westfield/Trav’s double, nicked two seconds from Alda Cossi’s Veterans mark from 2017. -John Barbour
19th Annual Trav’s Trail 3M, Newburyport, May 19
145 Finishers – Timed by: Joppa Flats RC – Course Records: Dave Hinga, 14:45, 2002; Seana Carmean, 17:03, 2003. 19-under: Cameron Leonard, 15:44, 2019; Lindsay Cullen, 18:26, 2011. Masters: John Barbour, 15:54, 2001; Mimi Fallon, 18:09, 2013. Seniors: 16:30 by John Barbour in 2004 & Spyros Barres in 2014; Mimi Fallon, 19:38, 2018. Veterans: John Barbour, 17:58, 2015; Julie Haynes, 23:31, 2019. 70+: David Ritchie, 22:55, 2017; Mary Harada, 28:41, 2006
Men (Overall): 1. Cameron Leonard, 15:44; 2. Steve Dowsett, 16:05; 3. Greg Putnam, 16:23; 4. Justin Maloney, 16:48; 5. Nick Roosa, 16:54; 6. Paul Larosa, 17:05; 7. Chris Kealey, 17:44; 8. Mark Mayall, 18:03; 9. Matt Villi, 18:32; 10. John Barbour, 18:35; 11. Dave Gangami, 18:42; 12. Chris Thoreson, 18:52. (19-under): 1. Cameron Leonard, 15:44 (CR: old record 15:47, Greg Krathwohl, 2010); 2. Dave Gangami, 18:42; 3. Chris Thoreson, 18:52. Masters: 1. Greg Putnam, 16:23; 2. Justin Maloney, 16:48; 3. Paul Larosa, 17:05. Seniors: 1. Chris Kealey, 17:44; 2. Jon Ellis, 22:51; 3. Michael Axten, 22:57. Veterans: 1. John Barbour, 18:35; 2. Bob Strout, 20:14; 3. Eric Krathwohl, 21:17. (70+): 1. Dave Ritchie, NH, 23:44; 2. Ted Jones, 28:00; 3. Ted Cronin, 33:56.
Women (Overall): 1. Kara Haas, 19:23; 2. Mimi Fallon, 19:53; 3. Molly Landreth, 19:54; 4. Brooke Sheeran, 20:20; 5. Melissa Donais, 20:47; 6. Addie Fuller, ME, 21:25; 7. Kelly Bradbury, 21:46; 8. Hailey Larosa, 22:02; 9. Catlin Lawrence, 22:29; 10. Susanna Landreth, 23:03; 11. Julie Haynes, 23:31; 12. Megan Gottlieb, 23:39. (19-under): 1. Addie Fuller, ME, 21:25; 2. Hailey Larosa, 22:02; 3. Gretel St. Lawrence, 24:46. Masters: 1. Kara Haas, 19:23; 2. Megan Gottlieb, 23:39; 3. Bess St. Lawrence, 25:48. Seniors: 1. Mimi Fallon, 19:53; 2. Kelly Bradbury, 21:46; 3. Susanna Landreth, 23:03. Veterans: 1. Julie Haynes, 23:31 (CR: old record 23:33, Alda Cossi, 2017); 2. Vicki Miller, NH, 27:45; 3. Susan Hines, 31:06. (70+): 1. Nancy Spiro, 34:20.