Owen Wright, Frances Duncan capture victories in annual Sawmill River 10K

Runners at the start of the Annual Sawmill River 10k Run in Montague Center on New Years Day. Despite the dreary, cold weather, 119 runners from across the Pioneer Valley showed up to run in the new year.

Runners at the start of the Annual Sawmill River 10k Run in Montague Center on New Years Day. Despite the dreary, cold weather, 119 runners from across the Pioneer Valley showed up to run in the new year. STAFF PHOTO—ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

Owen Wright of Lakewood, Colorado about to cross the finish line as the winner of the Sawmill River 10k Run in Montague Center on New Years Day. This is the second Sawmill 10k the Amherst native has run, and the second time he's been the male overall winner.

Owen Wright of Lakewood, Colorado about to cross the finish line as the winner of the Sawmill River 10k Run in Montague Center on New Years Day. This is the second Sawmill 10k the Amherst native has run, and the second time he's been the male overall winner. STAFF PHOTO—ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

Jake Barnett of Whately coming in 2nd place at the Sawmill River 10k Run in Montague Center on New Years Day.

Jake Barnett of Whately coming in 2nd place at the Sawmill River 10k Run in Montague Center on New Years Day. STAFF PHOTO—ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

The sign inside the Montague Common Hall greeting runners to the Annual Sawmill 10k Race on New Years Day in Montague Center. The race was hosted by the Montague Parks and Recreation Department.

The sign inside the Montague Common Hall greeting runners to the Annual Sawmill 10k Race on New Years Day in Montague Center. The race was hosted by the Montague Parks and Recreation Department. STAFF PHOTO—ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

 Staff Writer

Published: 01-02-2025 4:08 PM

MONTAGUE – A total of 119 runners rang in the new year on Wednesday, competing in the annual Sawmill River 10K Run hosted by the Montague Parks and Recreation Department. 

Even with the drizzle and cold air, runners from across the Pioneer Valley started the 6.2-mile course at the intersection of Main St. and School St. just after 10 a.m., and made their way through the course with the finish line just outside Montague Common Hall on Main Street.

Owen Wright of Lakewood, Colo. returned to secure his first place spot for a second year in a row in the men’s cohort, and Frances Duncan of Somerville returned this year, improving her time and securing first place among the women's cohort.

Wright finished with a time of 32 minutes, 34 seconds, improving his time by a few seconds compared to his 32:37 time in 2024. Just behind Wright was Jake Barnett of Whately with a time of 33:51, and Michael Keebler of Montague at 34:36. As for Duncan, she crossed in a time of 40:20 – 1 minute, 28 seconds faster than her time of 41:48 time from last year. 

Both Barnett and Keebler said that they enjoy participating in the local races, with Barnett saying it was a nice opportunity to get out and run on a dreary day. Keebler noted he enjoys keeping the tradition alive by participating in races, and running alongside his peers. Keebler won the 2023 and 2024 Montague Mug Races.

“I love races like this with my friends from the community, so why not just kick off the new year doing something you love?” Keebler said about the race.

Wright said he enjoyed the first Sawmill River 10K he participated in last year while visiting family in Amherst for the holidays, and decided to do it again. 

Another Amherst native, Duncan said she is part of a running club in Somerville where she lives now. With an improved time from last year, Duncan said she felt good throughout the race, and pushed to the finish line. 

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“I felt good throughout, it was really fun,” Duncan said. “At the end there someone came up behind, and it was nice to race through the finish.”

One of the first-time participants in the Sawmill River 10k was Hiram Cruz of Springfield, finishing with a time of around 50 minutes.

Cruz runs with his 21 year-old son Angel Robles, who he pushes in a wheelchair designed for running. Robles, who has cerebral palsy, and Cruz have run together in marathons since 2016, and Robles said it was challenging with the rain and having celebrated the new year the night before, but still fun.

Other division winners included Youth (17 & Under) Cairo Harrell of Northampton (60:12), and Philipp Tischloder (64:08), Open Division (Ages 18-39) – Duncan and Wright, Master Division (Ages 40–49) Marcy Cabanas of Greenfield (41:31), and Toby Briggs (43:27), Senior Division (Ages 50-59) Jennifer Schimmel of Deerfield (47:49), and Christopher Gould of Amherst (39:36) Senior + Division (60 & Up) Debra Hevey of Chicopee (51:40), and Steve Power of Bernardston (42:16).

All proceeds from the race will go to the Sponsor-A-Child Sponsorship program, and Montague Parks and Recreation Director Jon Dobocz thanked the community for their help in setting up the race.

“The race would not have been possible without the investment of time, energy, resources and funding from many within our fine community,” Dobocz said. 

 Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.