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Race #20 – The Bobby Doyle Summer Classic in Narragansett, RI

The Bobby Doyle Summer Classic (www.bobbydoylesummerclassic.org) took place in Narragansett, RI (the summer venue for the Doyle family). Bobby Doyle was Rhode Island’s greatest distance runner and this race takes place in his memory. With his family in full attendance, Patrick (Bobby’s oldest son) spoke to me about his Dad’s death due to the family history of heart disease. We shared stories as my Dad died at 56 years old due to colon cancer. I was happy to make Bobby’s race #20 on The SmoothToe New England Marathon…One Mile At A Time. Here is a photo (from left to right): Patrick Doyle, me, Charlie Olbrias, and Brendan Doyle.

I had a difficult time actually getting to the race on time as I sat on 95 South for two hours with very little movement. The reason for the heavy traffic (standstill) I found out later was due the Kenny Chesney concert at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA. I showed up 30 minutes before the race was to begin. Fortunately, Charlie Olbrias from The Last Mile Racing Management Company was there early and measured two different mile courses for me to race. I wanted to run the first mile with everyone else, but since I could not warm up in time, Charlie had the third mile wheeled out in advance. Charlie was the saviour of the day.

Due to the resourcefulness of The Last Mile Racing Management, I was able to jog out to mile 3 and race the third mile. After a 5 hour car ride, I was very stiff, but managed to run a 4:58.58 mile.

Next stop on our New England tour is Hollis, NH for The Bigelow Chiropractic Mile. Race #21 is Monday evening. I will be doing 5 races in 9 days…