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NORWALK, Conn. – Nick Sykes, of New Canaan, edged Jake Cooper, of Brooklyn, in the Norwalk Lightfoot 11-mile road race Saturday morning with a time of 1:05:59.
A sudden morning downpour didn't seem to faze runners a bit, as almost 150 people competed in the penultimate leg of the 2012 Norwalk Lightfoot Summer Series.
Sykes said he participates in a lot of area races, but he had ever competed in a Norwalk Lightfoot Series race.
"It was hilly and wet. I was hoping the rain would hold off, but I got into a rhythm around the second lap," he said. "[Eleven miles] is a distance I've certainly never run before and I think most of the other people don't usually do that. I like it because it's not quite a half-marathon."
Sykes and Cooper were neck-and-neck for most of the race, before Sykes finally pulled away in the final 3 miles. Sykes beat Cooper by 17 seconds.
"We were together for about the first eight miles and chatting quite a bit," Sykes said. "On the first lap I realized I was slightly better on the steeper downhills and uphills, so I took off on the biggest hill on the second lap and opened up a slight lead."
The race is the final tune-up before the Lightfoot Series' annual half-marathon, which will be Sept. 15 at Fox Run School.
For full race results, visit the Norwalk Lightfoot Runners website.
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