Patriotism high at July 4 Road Race
Carrying 70 pounds on his back and dressed in camouflage, Marine Sgt. Billy Simpson got a hero’s welcome Saturday morning as he ran across the finish line at the Mattapoisett Road Race.
The Mattapoisett native, just in from San Diego, ran the five-mile race in honor of the seven Marines who lost their lives in a helicopter crash off the coast of Florida on March 10. The incident hit close to home for Simpson. Like him, the fallen soldiers were Special Operations Marines.
Simpson also ran last year with a pack on his back. Then he carried the 45-pound weight customary for his training. He wanted to do something different this time around.
“I should make it harder this year, but how?” said the Marine. “I decided this year to run it with ten pounds for each of the fallen.”
Simpson said he had never run with hat much weight before and was up until three in the morning to boot. He admitted it may have been poor planning on his part, but he had no doubts about finishing the race.
When he did cross the finish line, a little over an hour after the start of the race, Simpson was met with cheers from the crowd.
Stephen O’Hara also showed his patriotism at the race by carrying a pack and large American flag. The Connecticut resident often comes to town to spend the 4th of July with his parents and likes to run in the race. This year was the first time he carried a flag.
Although not in the service, O’Hara wanted to show his thankfulness for those who are.
“I’m doing it in honor of those people giving us that blanket of freedom we sleep under ever night, who aren’t lucky enough to be spending this great holiday with their families,” said O’Hara.
The Mattapoisett Road Race turned 45 Saturday morning and saw hundreds fill Water Street to run. After the Harpoon Harmonizers started off the event by singing the National Anthem, runners lined up for the run through the village, up to Point Connett and back into town.
Race organizers also announced this year was the first one where women outnumbered men.
Jay McMahon came in first place with a time of 26:21 followed closely by Charles Berg with 26:29. Jason Eddy took third place with 27:20. Megan O'Brien was the first woman finisher with 30:20 (14 overall), followed by Erin Scott, 31:13, and Meg Hughes, 31:33.
The full results are on www.racewire.com.
