LYNN– Almost 250 runners turned out on a beautiful night at Lynn Woods for the weekly cross country races.
In the 2.3-mile Middle Road Steel Tower race, Lynn’s Abrar Jalal sped to a first-place finish in 14 minutes and 58 seconds. Swampscott’s Patrick Burke was right behind, finishing in 15:35. Lynn’s Adnan Jalal (16:29), Saugus’ Steven Bennett (16:41) and Peabody’s Patrick Hosman (16:55) rounded out the top five male finishers.
For the women, Wakefield’s Emily Curran led the way, finishing in 16:40. Peabody’s Andrea Saccardo (18:06), Salem, New Hampshire’s Erica James (18:15), Chelsea’s Yarid Mazon-Deras (19:01) and Winthrop’s April Ferguson (19:58) also finished in the top five.
It was a tight race between Swampscott’s Liam Powell (12:20) and Lynn’s Cierra Johnson (12:23) for the top spot in the 1.59-mile kids race, with Powell gaining the late edge. Johnson turned on the jets to finish second, just ahead of Lynn’s Will Bochnak (12:26). Swampscott’s Aidan Burke (13:00), Saugus’ Adyson Duval (13:37), Lynnfield’s Iain McCarthy (13:52), Lynn’s Kaylei Johnson (15:05), Winthrop’s Colton Ferguson (15:34), Lynn’s Olivia Horton (16:24) and Lynn’s Ava Shultz (16:26) also finished in the top 10.
North Andover’s Jacob Johns flew through the 5.6-mile Tour de Lynn Woods Part IV course, finishing in 34:41. Behind him was Melrose’s Adam Cook (35:10), Chelsea’s Jose LeClerc (36:59), Lynn’s Nakri Dao (37:38) and Salem’s William Jackson (38:15).
Peabody’s Arianna Maida was the top female runner on the long course, coming in at 42:28. Behind her were Lynn’s Amy Damon (42:30), Salem’s Deirdre Lowe (42:34), Malden’s Erike Boeckeler (44:50) and Marblehead’s Emma McGuirk (45:16).
The races resume next Wednesday at 6:30. The week after that will be the Lynn Woods relays, beginning at 6 p.m. on August 23. Runners must be part of a four-person team, and the cost to register is $60 per team.Visit lwrun.org for more information.