Cumberland's Chris Magill, a six-time winner, is among the top runners at Monday's Arnold Mills Road Race. Just a few weeks ago, he was second in the masters' mile at the adidas Boost Boston Games.
With perfect weather conditions predicted and a slew of top runners expected to toe the line, the potential is there for some fast times at Monday's 48th annual Arnold Mills Road Race.
(MileSplit RI will provide complete coverage of the race with photos and video.)
This year's event has nearly 300 pre-registered entries, the most ever for the popular four-miler. According to race director Tom Kenwood, the field will include a handful of returning champions and several past and present high school stars.
Six-time winner and one of New England's best master runners, Chris Magill, will be at the start. The former St. Raphael Academy and Iona star appears to be in prime shape for a strong finish. Just a few weeks ago, Magill finished second in the masters' mile at the adidas Boost Boston Games.
Two-time champion Brian Doyle, who excelled at Bishop Hendricken and Providence College, has given a verbal commitment that he'll be at Arnold Mills. Doyle last won in 2013 when he beat another Hawk alum, Colin Tierney, who copped the individual title the following year. Tierney is also among the entries for the Fourth of July event.
The 4M race has traditionally attracted a host of past and present runners from Cumberland High and this year is no different. Perhaps the most noticeable among the pre-entries is 2013 grad Trevor Crawley., who should be listed as one of the favorites for individual glory. Crawley just completed his junior year at Providence College where ran a best of 14:09 for 5,000m at the Big East Championships in May and qualified for the NCAA Championships. Recent CHS graduate Sean Laverty is also schedule to compete. Just a few weeks ago, he placed ninth in the mile at the New Balance Nationals where he clocked a school record of 4:13.92.
No word yet on whether or not two-time winner and defending champion Bobby Harnett will be racing. In 2015, the former Cumberland and Cornell standout clocked a quick time of 20:06 to beat East Greenwich's Ben Fazio by 32 seconds.
Monday's race is set to begin at 9 a.m. on Nate Whipple Highway. Registration and number pick-up is at the North Cumberland Fire Station on Arnold Mills Road. For additional information, contact Kenwood at 401-658-0831 or email at kenwood2@cox.net.