North Adams State College Road Race 9.25 Miler 1978

Race Information:

Date of Race: Oct. 15, 1978
Location: North Adams, MA
Race Type: Road Run
Promoter: North Adams State College, Student Government Association
Sponsor: Sprague Electric Co.
Scoring By: Unknown (but we're thankful!)
Weather: We don't remember...
Recurring Race: Sam Gomez Classic - Long Race
Results: Partial (Source)

Race Description:

The North Adams State College Student Association held their first benefit road race (later renamed the "Sam Gomez Classic") on October 15, 1978. The race proceeds benefitted the North Adams Ambulance Fund drive. 58 entrants took to the line, with the student association having hoped for about 300. None the less, the race was successful enough to establish a new North Adams tradition. The course was reported by the Transcript as being 9.25 miles - it is no clear how this was measured, and it was neither a standard distance nor quite a 15k. The course reportedly ran south on Church Street, under the bridge and onto South Church Street. It then went up (!) West Shaft Road all the way to Route 2, following it down to Walker Street. Up Walker Street into Clarksburg on Daniels Road, then onto East Street to Route 8. Route 8 took runners back into Norht Adams, up Miner Street, down East Main Street, and then back to the start/finish line on Church Street. An extremely challenge course, to say the least. Several different age categories had awards on offer, plus special awards for First North Adams Resident and First NASC Student. There was also a team category, which the Berkshire Hill Runners won for fastest 3-man team. Sam Gomez himself - future namesake of the race, and then cross-country coach at the college -won the senior division. Sprague Electric Co. donated T-Shirts to each participant. The race was won by Greenfield native Dennis Tetreault in a time of 51:05. His margin of victory was nearly two minutes over Williamstown resident Pete Farwell. The first woman was Sally Donovan, 37th overall, with a time of 1:08:39.