July 28, 2010
Swamped with spectators and runners alike, last night's Yankee Homecoming 5K served as a defining moment in the dual race's 50th year.
Eclipsing all comers in record-breaking fashion was men's overall winner, Jeffrey Veiga of Lowell, with a time of 15:01 and a blistering pace of 4:50.
"It's my first overall race that I've won, so that feels pretty good," Veiga said.
A soon-to-be junior at UMass Lowell, Veiga's first Yankee Homecoming venture was one for the ages, as he crushed the course record of 15:16 set by Andover's Matt Ely in 2000 and then tied by Lowell's Dave Hinga in 2002.
Spent from three miles of sprinting, Veiga doused himself with water until he raised his head and extended his hand to congratulate second-place finisher Eric Malnati of Walpole, some 56 seconds later.
Veiga believes he ran the first third of the race in 4:30 — a pace even he was surprised with.
"I went out too hard and I was just by myself up front," he said.
While not the criminal type, the flashing blues of a cruiser had Veiga booking, but it was the introduction of a surprise sports car that helped keep the corporate finance student in high gear.
"It was kind of tough trying to chase that cop car, but at one point this Corvette pulled up beside me," said Veiga, who trailed off in a tired laugh as he spied his training partner and long-time friend Christopher Estrella strolling in his direction.
The two instantly spouted their times, each one seemingly a bit underwhelmed with their performances.
"I was going for sub-15," said Veiga. "I was that close."
Estrella, a mechanical engineering major at UMass Lowell and a running partner of Veiga's since their days at Lowell High, mirrored Veiga's out-of-the-gate sentiments in his Yankee Homecoming debut.
"It was harder than I thought it was going to be," said Estrella, placing third with a time of 16:22 and a pace of 5:16. "I went out too fast, but I was just trying to stay with Jeff."
Post-race, Veiga said he felt good, in spite of pushing himself for 103 training miles the week prior.
"My legs are a little tired, but still not that bad. It's the usual college training," said Veiga, who seemed unfazed by the humidity. "It was humid but still a little cooler than it has been the rest of the summer."
Despite winning, Veiga made particular mention to the throngs of supporters lining every inch of the race.
"The best one I've done so far," he said. "They were there throughout the whole course. Usually there will be an empty spot, but the entire race people were out — the hoses were my favorite part."
UMass Lowell sophomore Adam Gilman of Hampstead placed fifth in 16:37 while former standout Kevin Alliette ('03) placed ninth in 16:58.
