By John A. Fantino, Free Press staff writer • Monday, May 31, 2010
Justin Fyffe said he’s visualized running in the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon every day since December. Over and over and over,” he admitted.The 30-year-old from East Dummerston, Vt. saw months of daydreaming turn into everything he wanted Sunday with a third-place finish in the 22nd running of the VCM.
Fyffe cruised Burlington’s 26.2-mile course in 2 hours, 22 minutes and 16 seconds, claiming fame as the fastest Vermont resident in a field of more than 3,600 runners.
“This has been my goal race since December and I put everything I had into it,” said an elated Fyffe, who crushed his previous personal record of 2:27:32, set with a fifth-place finish in last year’s VCM.
“I wanted to podium more than anything.”
Fyffe carried out his plan to perfection. When winner John Crews and runner-up Gavin Coombs rocketed to a fast pace in the first half of Sunday’s race, Fyffe stayed within his means. Estimating he was in seventh or eighth place for much of the morning, he made his move in Burlington’s New North End.
“It wasn’t until Mile 20 or 21 where I can taste a podium spot and I’m glad I could hang on for it,” Fyffe said. “(The leaders) broke away early. I knew they were faster than me, so I didn’t get greedy and blow up. I stuck to my plan, stayed very conservative, very steady.”
Chadwick Shepard of Williston was the next fastest Vermonter in 25th place with a time of 2:46:07. Thomas Dunn of Burlington took 31st in 2:50:09.
Buxton, Maine’s, Curtis Wheeler, who like Fyffe is a North Country Union High School graduate, was fourth overall in 2:23:46.
Fyffe, a machinist at Bradford Machine in Brattleboro, had a lot of recent success running competitively, taking ninth place 50-kilometer Gibraltar World Championships in October and second in the 2010 USATF New England 10-Mile Championships.
He intends to compete in the Mount Washington Road Race in July, which includes a 6,288 accent to New Hampshire’s tallest peak. Although it might be tough for him to exceed the excitement he enjoyed Sunday after a three-foot podium climb.
“I grew up in Derby and I love Vermont. It feels like it’s a hometown race even though it’s a couple hours away,” said Fyffe, who vows to return to next year’s VCM. “I want to win this race some day.”Contact John A. Fantino at 651-4851 or jfantino@burlingtonfreepress.com
Fyffe cruised Burlington’s 26.2-mile course in 2 hours, 22 minutes and 16 seconds, claiming fame as the fastest Vermont resident in a field of more than 3,600 runners.
“This has been my goal race since December and I put everything I had into it,” said an elated Fyffe, who crushed his previous personal record of 2:27:32, set with a fifth-place finish in last year’s VCM.
“I wanted to podium more than anything.”
Fyffe carried out his plan to perfection. When winner John Crews and runner-up Gavin Coombs rocketed to a fast pace in the first half of Sunday’s race, Fyffe stayed within his means. Estimating he was in seventh or eighth place for much of the morning, he made his move in Burlington’s New North End.
“It wasn’t until Mile 20 or 21 where I can taste a podium spot and I’m glad I could hang on for it,” Fyffe said. “(The leaders) broke away early. I knew they were faster than me, so I didn’t get greedy and blow up. I stuck to my plan, stayed very conservative, very steady.”
Chadwick Shepard of Williston was the next fastest Vermonter in 25th place with a time of 2:46:07. Thomas Dunn of Burlington took 31st in 2:50:09.
Buxton, Maine’s, Curtis Wheeler, who like Fyffe is a North Country Union High School graduate, was fourth overall in 2:23:46.
Fyffe, a machinist at Bradford Machine in Brattleboro, had a lot of recent success running competitively, taking ninth place 50-kilometer Gibraltar World Championships in October and second in the 2010 USATF New England 10-Mile Championships.
He intends to compete in the Mount Washington Road Race in July, which includes a 6,288 accent to New Hampshire’s tallest peak. Although it might be tough for him to exceed the excitement he enjoyed Sunday after a three-foot podium climb.
“I grew up in Derby and I love Vermont. It feels like it’s a hometown race even though it’s a couple hours away,” said Fyffe, who vows to return to next year’s VCM. “I want to win this race some day.”Contact John A. Fantino at 651-4851 or jfantino@burlingtonfreepress.com
Awesome run Justin!!! And the finish line photo is classic. You can really see how much you wanted it. But, if you run Washington in July, you'll be by yourself. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the great race! The photo is awesome!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome!!! Congratulations.
ReplyDelete