By Marc Thaler
Staff Writer

Attempting to win any road race normally requires an athlete to stay ahead of the competition. In this instance, however, victory wasn't defined by finishing first. It was simply defined by completing the 5.2- mile course.

Goffstown 16-year-old Rebecca Norklun (front), closes in on the finish line in her first-ever Goffstown Gallop. The 26th annual local road race was marked by extremely humid conditions. Still, Norklun took first place among females in the race's 16-andunder women's division. The teen finished 74th overall in the 5.2-mile run, posting a time of 44:54.80. (Marc Thaler Photo)

Under the sizzling sun on Saturday, June 25, the primary focus of every entrant in the 26th annual Goffstown Gallop was simple: Beat the heat.

"For the last 12 years, we've been starting this race at 8:30 (a.m.)," Goffstown Parks and Recreation director David French said prior to sending runners on their way. "Before that, we used to start it at 10. It'd be too hot today. We'd have to peel them off the asphalt."

The temperature would eventually rise well into the 90s later in the day. Still, the heat was a definite factor just 30 minutes before the 120 runners left the starting line.

And those humid outdoor conditions forced runners to stick to the same philosophy.

"The last mile was tough because their was a lot of heat. Anybody in this situation is just trying to run smart," said Hooksett's Ed Ithier, who finished 13th overall with a time of 34:31.08. "You don't try to over-exert yourself right away. You just try to get yourself into a good rhythm, just be consistent. And whenever you can, get some fluids in you."

Goffstown's Rebecca Norklun, 16, was a first-time Gallop participant. Like a true race veteran, however, she made certain not to stray far from the side of the road.

"It was really nice, all the people on the side with sprinklers and hoses," Norklun said.

But proper hydration alone wasn't enough to keep those feet moving forward. For Norklun and every other runner, preventing the weather from allowing the focus on finishing to waiver was an equally tough test.

"The toughest part was the middle (of the race), because (the course) just seemed really, really long," said Norklun, who'd eventually take first place in the women's 16-and-under category of the residents' division. "(It's most challenging) when you reach the two-mile mark and you go 'Oh, it's only two miles.' And it's hard when you see people stop and you think that must feel nice. But you keep on going."

Eventually, every runner experienced the ultimate delight. It came the moment the finish line was in sight.

"We strategically placed the lake behind the rec center, so they can run right into the lake," French joked. "We did that as part of our pre-race planning."

Eric Couture was the first to finish, breaking the tape in less than 30 minutes with a time of 29:36.43.

Christia Daneski was the first female to complete the course, placing second overall with a run of 30:52.79.

Among the men, Paul Camire was the first resident to finish, taking eighth place and clocking out at 32:47.62.

Katie Landry was the first female resident to finish at 36:21.48, good for 21st overall.

For French of course, watching every athlete finish the run comes second to offering a handshake or hug to those who participate.

"In this computer age, I hate e-mails because you never talk to anybody," French said. "All you do is punch a key. I'd rather talk to people. Here, you're getting real interaction. And that's what it's all about."

Thinking back on 26 years of local races, the event's director has certainly seen a number of familiar faces.

"I'll venture to say out of the (120) people here, I know 90 of them," French said. "That tells me they must be enjoying it ... A lot of them just come back because it's fun. I've tried to keep it low key. I haven't tried to make this thing into some monster event. I really want it to be like a family deal. So, that's what we do."