Millbrook Marathon off to a great start

WASHINGTON — The Eastern Dutchess Road Runners Club sponsored its first ever 26.2 mile marathon through the town of Washington on Sunday, April 11, and all agreed it was a rousing success. Thirty runners originally registered for the race, and 78 showed up the morning of the marathon. 

Three athletes didn’t finish the race: one because of an injury, two because of exhaustion. The first to cross the finish line was 31-year-old Reid McGrath of Pawling, who finished with a time of 3-hours, 3-minutes and 20-seconds. 

Collapsing on the grass with a bottle of water, McGrath said it was a tough run, mainly because of the hills. 

Michael Dolan placed second, with a time of 3-hours, 14-minutes. At the age of 53, Dolan, from Hamden, Conn., remarked, “This was like an ultra-marathon.”  

Andrew Orefice, 43, of New Haven, Conn., finished and then laid flat on the grass for a minute or two.

“I never, in a million years, expected to finish up front like this,” he said.

Caitlin Sorriento, of Millbrook, was the first woman across the finish line, at 3-hours, 52-minutes and 50-seconds.  

In a touching moment, Rachel Hall of Beacon, was watching the race with her dog, Tucker, waiting for her husband, Dave Tedeschi, to finish the race. When Tucker saw his master coming he began to start barking excitingly as Tedeschi started to approach. Tucker got a pet and a hug from the runner before he passed the finish line;  Tedeschi  ended up earning fourth-place for the day.

John Morris, president of the Eastern Dutchess Road Runners Club, said he was very pleased with the outcome of the marathon. He noted that they had close to 40 volunteers, and mentioned in particular help from Town of Washington Recreation Director Chelsea Edson, Washington Town Clerk Mary Alex and Millbrook Fire Chief Ted Bownas. Law enforcement, he said, was also great, and the Road Runners Club looks forward to holding another marathon in Millbrook in the future.

— Judith O’Hara Balfe

The first-place female finisher of the Millbrook Marathon was Caitlin Sorriento, who finished with a time of 3:52:50. Photo by Judith O’Hara Balfe

The first-place male finisher of the Millbrook Marathon was Reid McGrath, who finished with a time of 3:03:23. Photo by Judith O’Hara Balfe

The first-place female finisher of the Millbrook Marathon was Caitlin Sorriento, who finished with a time of 3:52:50. Photo by Judith O’Hara Balfe

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