First of all, congratulations to all those who entered week one of the Lynn Woods summer cross country race series. It may seem hard to believe in the midst of all this cool, rainy weather, but last Wednesday, when the races kicked off, runners got warm temperatures.Race director Bill Mullen, along with race series founder Joe Abelon, kept things flowing smoothly. On the side of Joe’s truck, which doubled as a registration station, people who had previously run the Woods could find their name, bib number and running preference (short vs. long) on a list. Mullen called this “a fairly recent innovation,” about two to three years old. In no time at all, I had found my name, pinned my number to my T-shirt and was ready for the short (2.49 miles) race.Mullen sounded enthusiastic about both the 2.49-mile course and the longer, 5.7-mile run. He said runners on the short course had a chance to go up Steel Tower (272 feet in elevation, I found out later) and view not only the Boston skyline, but also Great Blue Hill. He added that most runners would not catch that particular scenery due to the challenges of the course. In my case, at least, he was right.He also said the terrain has faced “erosion over the decades,” but time did not erode my memory of certain Lynn Woods landmarks. The introductory hill seemed almost as steep as I remembered it from my first Woods run last year ? and the ground looked as rocky as I recalled, too.Mullen did a good job marking the course with white arrows on the ground. My fellow runners were also very helpful. At one point, the course forked and I asked which way to go. Thanks to another runner who showed the way, I made the right move – a left turn for the short race – and did not go straight ahead for the 5.7-miler.My “Heartbreak Hill” moment of the race came on an upward climb, a particularly rocky stretch that I likened to the Scottish Highlands (not that I’ve ever been). Once I was back on level ground, I felt so winded that I had to walk for a few minutes.The sound of people encouraging us to complete the course indicated that the finish line lay near, and I started running again. Soon enough, the double line of traffic cones appeared and I followed it to the finish line.Last week’s race left its imprint on me. For the next few days, my quads felt sore, particularly going downstairs. Yet not even that wear and tear has eroded my enjoyment of the races at Lynn Woods.Congrats to winnersThe top performers of the Woods races from week one are:Steel Tower (2.49 miles via Goat Path): First place, Michael McKie, Nahant (17:09); second place, Mike Toomey, Marblehead (17:25); third place, Matt LaMothe, Salem (17:25). The top female finisher was Hallie Allex, Salem (22:37, 14th).5.72 (Gate to Pennybrook Gate): First place, Steve Dowsett, Newburyport (35:30); second place, Tony Velleco, Marblehead (35:32); third place, William Hathaway, Peabody (36:03). Nancy Hathaway of Peabody was the top female finisher (41:50, 13th).Kids Race (1.59 miles): First place, Ryan McBride, Lynn (15:01); second place, Megan McBride, Lynn (15:03); third place, Jackie Frisoli, Nahant (16:17).This week’s installmentThis Wednesday, in week two of the races, runners have a choice of a 2.8-mile course or the Tour de Lynn Woods #1. There is also a junior high race (1.59 miles). Races start at 6:30 p.m. at the Great Woods Road entrance. Races are free.Rich Tenorio can be reached at [email protected].