2009 Falmouth Mile Race Report
By Chris Lotsbom, letsrun.com correspondent
August 9, 2009

Despite the small size of it’s field, the 2009 CIGNA Falmouth Mile did not disappoint anyone in attendance at Falmouth High‘s track.  Held one day before the 7 mile run from Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights, the mile attracted eleven elite athletes, many of whom traveled from Europe to make the event.  Two men went under the four minute mark, and three of the four women entered recorded personal best marks.  

Women’s Race: Erin Donohue Wins

Lining up on the start line were 2008 US Olympian Erin Donohue, Sara Hall, Ithaca, NY’s own Morgan Uceny, and Nicole Edwards.   The pace was taken out hard by Donahue from the gun, as she came through the quarter in 65.1, just ahead of Uceny and Edwards.  Donahue, a former UNC Tar Heel now coached by Frank Gagliano, took the pack of four through half way in 2:11.6, then split 1K in 2:45.  With a lap to go, Donahue had spread a 5 meter gap on the field, as Uceny remained in second, Edwards in third, and Hall in fourth.  Edwards moved into second with 200 to go, but she did not have enough to catch the kicking Donahue, who broke the tape in 4:27.92, an American soil best for her.  Edwards (4:29.3), Uceny (4:31.7), and Hall (4:32.2) all recorded personal best’s as they crossed the line.  

“I figured I’m fit, I traveled so far (from Europe), that I should win this race” said Donahue, “I’m not a front runner, but I knew I could suck it up and take it with 300 to go.  

Men’s Mile: Teammates Leer and Pifer

Leading the field of eight miler’s onto the track Saturday night was Oregon Track Club’s Will Leer, who was aiming to break the 4 minute mark at Falmouth High for the first time.  Last year, Leer came in fourth, but more importantly missed the mark by .58 of a second.  This time, he made sure he would not have the same fate, as he took the lead from the gun and led for the first 600 meters, ahead of OTC teammate Stephen Pifer and BAA Mile champ Darren Brown.  Passing the quarter in 59.1, Leer gave up the lead to Pifer at 600m, who eventually came through the 800m mark in 1:59.4, and soon both had broken away from the pack.  As Brown began fading (eventually dropping out, as he suffered severe whiplash in Europe after a fall, saying he hasn’t felt the same since, as he “can’t run twenty minutes without hurting.” ), Tommy Schmitz stepped up and tried to gain ground on the front runners.  

With a lap to go and a three meter lead on the gaining Schmitz, Leer and Pifer passed the line in 2:58.5 side-by-side.  Only with 50 meters to go did Leer gain an edge on Pifer, as he went on to break the tape in 3:57.27, one second ahead of Pifer (3:58.59).  “We worked together great, me and Pifer planned to switch the lead after 600, and it worked perfectly.  We said if one of us wins, we would split the money.  Working with a teammate helped a ton,” remarked Leer after the win.  In third came Schmitz, who was happy with the race, despite missing 4 minutes by .80 of a second.  He’s had a tough yet successful year, as he has fallen in Europe, but also gone under 4 minutes.  “A good race after 20 hours of traveling” laughed Schmitz, who had just arrived from Belgium last night at 11p.m.  Behind Schmitz came Sean Brosnan in 4:06.15, and Josephat Keino in 4:11.17.  

Overall a great night of racing.  Now we all can go carbo-load and get ready for the big race tomorrow (myself included)!

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