Canton runners lead the way in 50th July 4 road race

Ellie Bohane just edges out Lauren Raffetto to win the fun run. (Mike Berger photo)

It was an all-Canton finish atop the race leaderboard as Louis Raffetto returned to win his third Canton July 4th Road Race in 29:20 while Susan Thompson placed first among women runners and second overall with a time of 33:41.

Raffetto didn’t break any records this year as his 2016 record of 28:42 still stands. Both Raffetto and Thompson are veterans in the local road racing circuit and both have run in the Boston Marathon.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the July 4th Road Race was held under sunny skies with the temperature around 75 degrees at the start of the race at the Canton Town Club.

The most exciting race of the day was the 1.8-mile fun run as Ellie Bohane, 12, a Galvin Middle School student, edged 8-year-old Lauren Raffetto in a photo finish. Ellie is the daughter of CHS head football coach Dave Bohane and Lauren is the daughter of Louis Raffetto. Both runners stayed with each other throughout the race and both sprinted the final 20 yards. Bohane bested Raffetto by one second, crossing the finish line in 11:06.

A total of 117 runners finished this year’s race, including 77 in the five-mile race and 40 in the fun run. Last year’s race had 89 participants, including 52 in the five-mile and 37 in the fun run. Race director Joe DeFelice attributed the increase in participation to greater race promotion and the fact that it was the 50th anniversary. Many families took part in the race together with younger members running in the fun run and their parents participating in the five-mile race.

This was also the first July 4th road race under the professional timekeeping of Spitler Race Systems as well as the first race for new Parks & Recreation Director Liz Francis.

In recognition of his organization efforts over the last 50 years, DeFelice was presented with a special trophy by Selectman Tom Theodore, Recreation Commissioner Richie Eckler, and Joey DeFelice Jr.

Also given a special award was John Bires, who participated in his 47th race and finished with a time of 37:30, good for ninth place overall.

Below are the top finishers in each category as recorded by Spitler Race Systems. A full list of race results can be found at www.coolrunning.com.

Five-Mile Results

Overall Winners