ANDOVER – Every few years the Feaster Five Road Race introduces us to a new, budding star.
We got another on Thanksgiving Day in downtown Andover, Methuen’s Liam Doherty.
The 20-year-old junior at Franklin Pierce University took the lead from the starting line and never looked back.
A year ago, he finished third at 16:49. The year before it was a 12th place finish at 17:39.
Doherty finished at 16:39, setting himself up nicely for the upcoming indoor college racing season.
“I obviously love this event, with so many people running and watching,” said Doherty. “This is different than cross country where you run in the woods, on paths, etc. This is on the street with so many people supporting you. It really motivated me today.”
Doherty bested another budding star in Kyle Tarpy, 21, of Haverhill, who finished at 16:43. Chelmsford’s Matthew Monnes, only 19, was third at 16:54.
“Every year I’m improving, really every month. I’ve been running (Personal Records) a lot and improved my 8K (five miles) best by a minute,” said Doherty, whose family has big connections to local golf with his uncle Peter Doherty the head pro at Atkinson Country Club.
“I’m excited for the indoor season and nationals,” said Doherty. “I have some work to do, but I’ve never felt better.”
Lynnfield native Kate Mitchell returned to the winner’s circle again easily taking the women’s 5K top spot at 18:18. A year ago she rocked the field with a run of 17:38.
Mitchell, 26, resides in Newton, but works in Andover at Tiger Iron Capitol.
“My boss got me to run this race,” said Mitchell, of Becky Connolly. “I’m not really a long distance runner. I ran the 800 (meters) at Boston College. This was part of my fall training. It was a lot of fun. I enjoy this atmosphere a lot.”
Tewkbury’s Rachel Eatherington, 29, finished at 20:12, just ahead of Caroline Wilcox, 34, of Andover at 20:17.
In the men’s 5-mile, Whirlaway Racing star Tim Poitras, 29, needed a late kick to beat Yale University grad student Varun Oberari, 22.
Poitras, a Dracut native and alum of UMass Lowell, finished in 25:42, ahead of Oberari’s 25:46.
“I’ve been on a good run of consistency,” said Poitras. “I ran a half-marathon in October, tying a PR. I’ve been feeling really good.
“This was a tough race and really wasn’t decided until the last hill (near the finish line),” said Poitras. “It’s nice to PR here and help the team. This is a fun race.”
Xavier Ray of Chelmsford, 18, finished third at 26:35.
In the women’s 5-mile there was a familiar name, North Andover native Deirdre Martyn, 31, now living in New York City.
She finished in 29:59, besting Diana Calumby, 41, of Wilmington at 30:22 and Mari Nakamura, 29, of Andover at 30:56.
The Whirlaway Racing member made the jump from 5K, her usual distance, to the 5 mile event.
“I’m running the Ted Corbett 15K on Central Park in a week and a half and this distance sets me up for that,” said Martyn, who works as a health tech for Parachute Health in Manhattan, N.Y.
“The New York running scene is a lot of fun, like New England,” she said.
Martyn noted the weather was a little warmer than it’s been the last few years, and she was fine with that.
Her sister Katrina Martyn, a usual top competitor in the Feaster Five had to miss the event due to a recent injury. Her dad, Doug Martyn, 65, won top honors in the 60 to 70 year old division at 19:59 in the 5K.
“This race and day means a lot to our family. I think we’ve got a million races between us,” said Martyn. “My mom (Elisa) was watching with my sister. And my brother in law Alex ran it and did well. We will always be here.”