Lemme wins Reebok masters mile big in Boston
Kent Lemme, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts cross country coach, won the masters mile at the Reebok indoor games this afternoon in Boston, taking the exhibition event in 4:25.04 — with a nonconservative margin of 6 seconds over the runner-up. A year ago, he took second to Mark Coogan at this meet, clocking 4:28.76.
Now about 41, Kent becomes a favorite at Boston indoor nationals. He was second in M40 last year at nationals, just behind John Hinton, now 45.
Kent also improved on his third-place time at the Hartshorne elite M40 mile last week, when he finished in 4:31.33.
Here are complete Reebok results:
Masters’ Mile
# Name Team/Club Finals
1 Kent Lemme Greater Springfield Harriersb 4:25.04
2 Dan Franek Dirigo Running Club 4:31.37
3 Armando Oliveira Central Park TC 4:31.58
4 Steve Sergeant Unattached 4:32.64
5 Jason Cakouros HFC Striders 4:33.48
6 Chris Kealey Winners Circle RC 4:35.79
7 Norm Bouthillier Whirlaway Racing Team 4:38.32
8 Pete Bottomley Dirigo Running Club 4:40.81
9 Mike Platt Whirlaway Racing Team 4:41.16
10 Terry McNatt Cambridge Sports Union 4:41.62
11 Mark Reeder Unattached 4:42.15
12 Bob Collins Boston AA 4:49.3
A few days ago, the masters mile organizer at Reebok, Steve Vaitones, replied to a note I sent him asking about how the event is organized.
He wrote:
It’s primarily local people, looking for 4:40 or better. Just ask them during the season. Runners from elsewhere are welcome. No expenses, no subsidies. Some haven’t come because of it. Anyone who has come in past is on their own dime. That won’t change. Been involved since year 1 (2000).
I also had asked Steve who the favorite was in the Reebok masters mile.
Steve answered: “Lemme is probably favorite.”
Got that one right. Congrats to all.
4 Responses
Amazing time Kent. . .6 seconds faster in one week. Keep this up and you’ll be under 4:00 for the Indoor Nationals. Always nice to see a cross country guy come in out of the cold and put a hurt on the track specialists (although looking at the names I recognize – most these runners do quite well in either theatre).
Kent, there will be great competition at the Drake Masters Mile in Des Moines Iowa with John Hinton, Rod De Haven who ran 4:19 by himself last year to win and former Olympic trails qualifier Dan Held. I hope you will submit an entry for this great event–it is held on the last Saturday in April around 1:00pm in front of a packed stadium–please put this one on your schedule–Thanks–Mark Cleary
Kent, Congrats on your mile win in the Reebok Masters Mile. It appears that your 4:31 at Hartshorne was nothing more than a warm up for the masters miles in the months ahead. There’s some great Masters talent in the mile field this year and you are now one of them. Keep up the good work!
Thanks everyone!!! It’s always nice to be setting lifetime PR’s at 41. I still feel like I have a ways to go and judging by the competition out there…I do.
Actually I am more of a track and road guy that does OK at X-C from time to time.
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