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Manikas-Hill, Sessa Win Tommy Cochary High School Mile Titles
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FALMOUTH (August 20, 2016)— Kyle Merber and Katie Mackey both repeated as champions of the Aetna Falmouth Elite Mile on Saturday night, with Merber winning for the second-consecutive time and Mackey becoming the event’s first three-time women’s winner since it began in 1995.
Their victories marked the return of the mile to Falmouth after a one-year hiatus, thanks to Aetna, the new title sponsor. The men’s race couldn’t have been much closer, with Merber edging Colby Alexander at the finish line to win in 3:58.14 on a warm, breezy evening at the James Kalperis Track at Falmouth High School. Third was Ford Palmer (4:00.54), with Johnny Gregorek, who ran for nearby Seekonk High School, fourth in 4:00.60.
For the women, Heather Kampf led through 800 meters, with Stephanie Garcia close behind at the bell. Morgan Uceny, ranked #1 in the world in 2011, came up at the bell, but with about 150 meters remaining it was Mackey who took over for good and drove for home.
Mackey broke the tape in 4:29.73, followed by Uceny in 4:30.97, Kampf in 4:31.29, and Cory McGee in 4:32.76.
Each winner received $3,500 of a total $15,000 prize purse.
In the Tommy Cochary High School Mile, Zachary Manikas-Hill of Lexington High School won in 4:33.14 after finishing second the past two years, while Rachel Sessa of Tewksbury High School took the girls’ race in 5:03.39.
Manickas-Hill is ranked #4 in the state for the mile and is the New Balance Nationals Indoor Emerging Elite Mile Champion;Sessa is the 2016 state mile champion.
Both winners will have a grant of $2,500 awarded to their school in their name to be used in a way that implements change in athletics or wellness, such as new equipment, team uniforms, or after-school wellness activities.
For more information, please visit our website at www.falmouthroadrace.com; our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/falmouthroadrace; our Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/falmouthrr and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/falmouthroadrace.
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About Falmouth Road Race
The New Balance Falmouth Road Race was established in 1973 and has become one of the premier running events of the summer season. Each year the race draws an international field of Olympians, elite and recreational runners out to enjoy the iconic 7-mile seaside course. The non-profit Falmouth Road Race organization is committed to promoting health and fitness through community programs and philanthropic giving.
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