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WESTPORT, Conn. Duncan Harris ran the first Westport Road Runners Summer Series run in 1963. On Saturday, he joined the first run of the 2012 season, completing the 2.3-mile race in 28:40.
Ive run in races about 30 of the years, said Harris, 69, who lives in Fairfield. Its a tradition, but if I had any sense I wouldnt run them anymore.
Saturdays run, starting at Staples High School, was the first of 10 planned for the 50th year of the series.
Luke McCambley, 22, of Westport, a recent graduate of the School of Visual Arts, won the race handily in 11:57. Caroline Murray, 19, of New Canaan, was the top female finisher in 13:00, which was the fifth-fastest time overall. Shes a rising sophomore at Ohio State, where she plays soccer and runs indoor track.
The series will continue Saturday, July 7, at Longshore Country Club. Races will be held every Saturday through Sept. 5, with distances increasing from 3.1 miles July 7 to the annual Labor Day 10-miler Sept. 5. Some races will be held at Compo Beach and Burying Hill Beach.
Runners can enter races individually at $5 for Westport residents and $8 for others, or pay for the entire series, $30 for residents and $50 for others.
Laddie Lawrence, the Staples track and cross country coach and Westport Parks and Recreation coordinator, supervised Saturdays race. A scholarship in his name contributes $10,000 a year to Staples athletes.
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