Boilermaker 5K F55-59: Candella Dominates, Deep Field Battles Behind

• Paula Candella (Whitesboro, NY) wins in 25:28 at an 8:12/mi pace — more than a minute clear of the field.
• Roxanne Hollen (2nd, 26:36) and Jennifer Madden (3rd, 26:49) separated by just 13 seconds for the final podium spots.
• Places 8 through 14 — Marie Constantino through Lucy Burke — span just 32 seconds across seven finishers.
• 130 women completed the race in Utica's humid July morning (87% humidity, 64°F).

Paula Candella made the F55-59 race look straightforward. The 55-year-old from Whitesboro crossed in 25:28 — an 8:12/mi clip — putting 1:08 between herself and second place. That's not a close race at the front; that's a statement. In a field of 130 women, Candella's margin was decisive and her pace was a cut above anyone else on the course.

Behind her, Roxanne Hollen and Jennifer Madden waged the real battle for the podium. Hollen, a 59-year-old from Palmyra, PA, finished 2nd in 26:36, while Madden (Sauquoit, NY) came home 3rd in 26:49 — 13 seconds the difference between silver and bronze. Lisa Kuhns Cammisa (Vestal, NY) rounded out the top four in 27:37, running 8:53/mi to finish 48 seconds behind Madden.

The most congested stretch of the race unfolded from 5th through 14th place, where Melinda Rugari (28:36) through Lucy Burke (30:10) were packed into less than two minutes of racing. Marie Constantino (8th, 29:38), Peggy Igoe (9th, 29:41), and Kimberly Smith (10th, 29:48) were essentially racing shoulder to shoulder — seven seconds separating three finishers. Margaret Andre, Michele Benton, Maria Gregg, and Burke (11th through 14th) were similarly bunched, all landing within 16 seconds of each other.

Krissy Tukman (17th, 30:51) made the longest journey to Utica, coming in from Greenbrae, CA, while hometown runners Lauren Mattia (6th, 28:52), Shannon Nelson (19th, 31:11), Maria Gregg (13th, 30:09), and Kimberly Powers (15th, 30:13) gave Utica plenty to cheer about across the board.