Even a hurt Chris Magill can make it look easy.
The former St. Raphael Academy standout won his third title at the Navigant Credit Union “Yo” Raymond Memorial 5K Saturday morning, cruising the scenic, out-and-back course at Camp Ker Anna in a time of 16 minutes, 51 seconds. Greenville’s Paul Prewitt was a distant second at 18:27.
Magill, a strong supporter of the Cumberland event that donates all its proceeds to kids’ programs at the camp, was competing despite a sore calf muscle that developed after a long training run last week. His original goal was to attempt an assault on his 2008 course record of 16:14.
Once he passed the opening mile at 5:02, Magill realized the odds of setting a new mark were slim.
“I went out pretty quick and I was right on at the mile,” he said. “But my calf has been bothering me. I had to actually drop out of my workout early this week. I was nervous about that. I felt it after the mile and I kind of settled down to manage my calf. I was able to manage it enough that I could bring it home for the win. In terms of running 5:10 pace, it probably would have done more damage than good. But I definitely felt good. I wasn’t tired. I kind of just managed my calf.”
The 40-year-old Magill, who also captured the inaugural “Yo” Raymond race in 2007, has been enjoying quite a bit of success since becoming a master runner. Just recently, the Cumberland resident placed second in the 40-plus category at the prestigious Falmouth Road Race where he ran 37:58 for the 7.1-mile course.
“It’s been going well,” he said. “It’s been going real well overall.”
Magill plans to take a few days off to rest his calf and then his focus will shift to the trails.
“I am thinking about running a few cross-country races, at least the Mayor’s Cup at Franklin Park, and the New England (Championships) at Franklin Park,” he said. “If I do well there I would think about doing the nationals in Oregon. It would have to go well for me to do that. I just have to get this calf right.”
Rounding out the top finishers on Saturday was Cumberland’s Chris Marshall (third, 18:37), Uxbridge’s Glenn Miller (fourth, 18:50), Connecticut’s Joseph DiMuccio (fifth, 19:02) and last year’s winner, Lincoln’s Raymond Sikorowicz (sixth, 19:06).
In the women’s division, it was another St. Ray’s grad who took home the hardware as Pawtucket’s Lindsay Anspach broke the tape in 21:57. She finished 16th overall among the 107 finishers and was just five seconds ahead of runner-up Michele Grieves of Attleboro. The 49-year-old Grieves was timed in 22:02, good for 17th overall.
Anspach, who competes for the Rhode Island Road Runners, was hoping to dip under her 5K best of 20:28. The conditions were perfect for fast times with sunny skies and a cool breeze.
The only obstacle was the quarter-mile incline just before the finish line.
“I really wanted to get a personal record but I didn’t know about that hill,” Anspach said. “It’s a mental challenge, but as long as you are prepared for it the whole way through it’s a good tackle. But it’s more fun on the way down than the way up.”
Overall, the 29-year-old victor was pleased with her first visit to the “Yo” Raymond 5K.
“It’s beautiful and there was perfect weather for it – nice breeze and the sun,” she said. “It was a great course.”
Following Anspach and Grieves across the line was Cumberland’s Jackie Hooper (30th, 25:11), Cumberland’s Joyce Bonner (33rd, 25:19), Connecticut’s Emily Sousa (36th, 26:49), East Providence’s Kate McGowan (38th, 27:10), Providence’s Lucy Howland (39th, 27:16) and North Providence’s Jessica Marshall (40th, 27:22).
Classcial High sophomore Joseph Murphy, son of Cumberland girls' outdoor track and field coach Vanessa Molloy, was best among high-schoolers. He was seventh in the field with a time of 19:26.
"I felt really good until that last hill," Murphy said. "I really want to go real fast for that last mile but then that hill really destroyed me."
In the youth race held prior to the 5K event, Cumberland’s Grace Henson, 13, was the first to the finish with a time of 2:45 for the half-mile distance. Cumberland’s C.J. Magill, the 10-year-old son of Chris Magill, was second in 3:02.