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Reilly wins RFH... again

BY ROB ROSE / FOR THE SUN CHRONICLE
Sunday, March 23, 2008 1:08 AM EDT

ATTLEBORO - The stretch of Route 118 roadway from Maple St. to the LaSallette Shrine was deserted Saturday morning at 9:20 a.m. with the exception of a solitary figure. With police vehicles stationed at key intersections and a passel of spectators scattered along the edge of the road, it had all the atmosphere of a visiting dignitary passing through the city of Attleboro on the way to a function or summit of great importance.

The 'visiting dignity' was from Whitinsville and he was actually running the Run For Humanity 5K.

The reason it appeared that the road had been shut down was because that solitary figure - Paul Reilly - had such a huge lead on the field of 119 that it looked as if he was running solo. Reilly won by over two minutes, in 15:44, to claim his second consecutive RFH crown. Kristen Kemp of Cranston, RI, took the women's crown in 20:25 on a nostalgic tour of childhood favorite places.

Cold temperatures and sporadic winds were in place as the runners pushed off from Rte. 118 in front of the LaSallette Shrine. Reilly was in third place in the initial ramp up stage with Taunton's Bryan Joseph and Dave Schaad of the Tuesday Night Turtles. Twenty seconds later, Reilly put the death lock on the contest pulling away easily. Thundering though the first mile in a brisk 4:50, the only question was whether he would break the course record of 15:24.

Joseph was fading into the distance but he still harbored hope for a late surge.

"I went out real fast but he flew by me and I couldn't keep up," he said. "For the first two miles, 'I can get him.' (He) came off O'Neil and he was way gone. There was no way I was going to catch him."

Although Reilly's lead was very comfortable at that point, he still shot a glance over his shoulder as he turned onto O'Neil Blvd. shortly after the first mile.

"I wanted to get relaxed and sometimes when you know no one's there you can run a little bit faster," he said. "You can relax and concentrate and run hard as opposed to worrying about the competition."

Reilly slowed to a 5:19 pace during the second mile, following his 2007 script.

"Last year was the same," he said. "The second mile was a bit slower. The first mile is a little downhill. The second mile you go over a little rise. I felt pretty strong. I felt even better the last mile. Started to get warmed up a little bit. I actually felt a little bit cold the first mile. My hands were chilly. The last mile I felt the best with the wind."

The former Providence College track star was concerned that competing in last week's New Bedford Half Marathon would have a detrimental effect on his race but he still shaved 20 seconds off last year's time.

"I think I was in similar shape last year," he said. "Last year I didn't run as hard at this race because I raced on Sunday last year. I won't be racing tomorrow so I can run a little harder today."

In either year, Reilly was never pressed by a strong rival.

"Probably could have went 20-25 seconds faster today if I had someone," he said. "For me this is a good starting point, the first 5K. I got to 15:40's and then into summer get under 15 minutes. Then run a marathon in the fall."

"I'm frozen," were the first words that Kemp uttered as she crossed the finish line, patting her face for warmth. "It was a good day today. It was cold, a great course. I thought there was someone right behind me but I guess not."

Second place Jennifer DelColle of Bristol was not in contention, saying that she was "just trying to survive."

On her third appearance at Run For Humanity, Kemp came up golden but that wasn't her aim.

"Just get through the race; the whole thing running," she said. "See what I can do for a time. I want to have fun. If I can have a good time and have fun ...I am very happy. My first race since October or November ...a good start."

What may really have drawn her back to Attleboro was the opportunity to step back in time.

"My grandparents used to bring my sister and I here to see the lights," she said. "We would come here then go to Bliss's for ice cream. So I love the fact that the race starts here and we go past Bliss's because it brings back some nice memories for me."

Then in a moment of deeper recall she added. "I always appreciated the ice cream a whole lot better than I did the lights."

After the race Reilly was pondering how much further he could have kept up his frenetic closing pace.

"I thought I could have for another mile at least," he said. If that was true, then the 'visiting dignitary' would have had Rte. 118 all to himself to the Rehoboth line.