RRR Represented at Escarpment Trail Run 2005

By Pat Parietti

The 29th Annual Escarpment Trail Race was held on Sunday July 31. The course stretches along the Eastern Escarpment of the Catskill Mountains and goes from East Windham to Haines Falls. There are three major ascents on the course, including Blackhead Mountain which is close to 4000 feet above sea level. The weather was warm at race time but cooled off during the race in part due to the high elevations along the course.

Leading the Rockland Road Runners was Tom Gannon with a time of 4:11. When asked about being the top finisher from the Rockland Road Runner club for the fifth time, the ever modest Gannon stated "I was only doing my job". Patrick Parietti followed in 4:40. Emerging from the woods covered with leaves and two bloodied knees from the perilous course was Peggy Marzell, the only female RRR representative with a time of 4:48. Winning the race for the sixth consecutive time was Ben Nephew of Massachusetts. The 1968 Boston Marathon winner and current editor of Runner's World Magazine, Amby Burfoot also completed the race, as did race Director Dick Vincent of Palenville New York, keeping his streak of 29 straight Escarpment Trail Runs alive.

From Left to Right, Pat Parietti, Peggy Marzell, and Tom Gannon on the shore of North Lake with the Escarpment Ridge looming in the background.

Pat Parietti breaks for the finish line as he roars down North Mountain and the final descent of the rigorous 18 mile course.

Mr. Wood Frog records a DNF after missing the cutoff time of six hours.

A view of North-South Lake from the North Point ledges.