Chris Magill doesn’t like to lose and at the “Yo” Raymond Memorial 5K it hasn’t happened yet.
Magill captured his fourth title in as many tries Saturday morning with a winning time of 16 minutes, 34.19 seconds for the 3.1-mile course, held at Cumberland’s Camp Ker Anna. The 41-year-old former St. Raphael Academy star outdistanced second-place Joe Murphy of Classical High, who was timed in 17:11.34.
Magill was unfamiliar with Murphy, a standout distance ace for the Purple. He trailed the Classical junior-to-be until reaching the halfway mark on the out-and-back course.
“I didn’t know him but you never underestimate anybody,” he said. “He definitely pushed it. I was able to catch him and maintain to the finish.”
Magill, who was second overall among masters at last week’s prestigious Falmouth Road Race, hit his opening mile on scenic Reservoir Road in 5:26. With Murphy clearly in his view, he sizzled the second mile at 5:10.
“I wanted to get another good tempo run but I certainly don’t like to lose,” said Magill, who runs for the Boston Athletic Association (BAA). “He took it out quick, which was great. I was able to hunt him down and keep a good pace going. I was able to catch him about halfway and was able to separate from him.”
Magill won his second straight crown. His other two wins came the initial two years of the race, which donates all its proceeds to assist campers at Camp Ker Anna.
“I like to come back to it,” he said. “It’s literally about three and a half miles from my house. I have run this reservoir about three or four times a week. It’s in Cumberland. As you get older you want to support the local community…You do what you can and hopefully you perform well.”
In the women’s race, Lindsay Amherst of Pawtucket earned her second consecutive title, finishing eighth overall with a time of 19:26.94. Tascha Cicerone of North Providence was second and 21st overall at 21:12.9.
“It was beautiful weather. It wasn’t humid at all,” she said. “It was perfect conditions.”
Amherst, a 2001 graduate of St. Ray’s, was never challenged. She improved considerably on her winning effort from last year.
“I took a good two minutes off my time,” she said. “I am really happy with the time. That’s about average for me, the mid 19s. With (the quarter mile hill at the finish) I am really happy with that.”
The race attracted more than 130 participants. Chris Lawrence, 50, of Lincoln and the BAA was third overall and first senior with a time of 18:17.79. Glenn Millar, 52, of Uxbridge was fourth and second among seniors with an 18:41.77 clocking.
(Woonsocket High track and cross-country coach Barbara Daluz was 66th overall in 28:55.45)