LYNN — A summer tradition returned this month, as the Lynn Woods Running Series kicked off its 56th season. Thirty-one new runners pushed the total number to above 5,000 participants.
Opening day featured three divisions: a kids’ race, short race, and long race. The kids’ race covered 1.59 miles, the short race 2.2 miles, and long race 5.5 miles through the trails of Lynn Woods.
In the kids’ race, 9-year-old Diego Bertoldi, of Cambridge, crossed the finish line first in 14:53. He was followed closely by Lynnfield’s MacKenzie Beal – just one second behind. Lynn’s Maria Villalba placed third in 14:59, while Lynnfield’s Emma Ferguson clocked fourth in 16:06.
Eleven participants from Lynn took part in the kids’ race.
In the 2.2-mile “Goat Path” race, Peter Swain, of Wakefield, claimed the top spot in 14:08. Lynn Tech’s Awan Awan placed second in 14:20 (6:31 pace), while Lynn’s Gianni Edmundes captured third in 16:07.
Winthrop’s Nina Lopes was the fastest female in the short race, finishing in 17:03. Alexis Cano (19:25) and Mia Tatis (19:26), both of Lynn, placed second and third among females.
Lynn struck gold in the long race when Liban Abdikadir (16 years old) finished the 5.5-mile course in less than 40 minutes (39:59; 7:17 split). Chris Smith, of Woburn, came in second (40:17), followed by South Hamilton’s Charles Rowe (40:51).
Somerville’s Katia Bertoldi was the top female finisher in the long race with a time of 42:06. Salem’s Deirdre Lowe (43:27) and Manchester’s Giulia Bussone (44:50) rounded out the top three females.
The top 10 finishers in the long race hailed from different communities.
Full results and schedules can be found at www.lwrun.org
