ANDOVER/NORTH ANDOVER — The Friends of Harold Parker’s annual Berry Pond Scramble took place on Sunday, June 8, a rare “dry” weekend day so far this season. More than 100 runners and walkers, some with dogs, pre-registered for the event, and the good weather brought out another couple of dozen hopefuls at the onsite registration table.
Participants came from towns in and around Greater Boston with several traveling from southern New Hampshire, including the youngest entrant, a 2-year-old girl who captured the last place prize—a box of blueberry muffins—in 1:19.34.
The 5.6K trail race/walk started at 9 a.m. and the first-place winning time of 23:40 was captured by North Reading’s own Nalo Benedict, 16.
Another North Reading runner, Adelyn Kelly, 15, placed second in the Female 15 and under age bracket with a time of 28:08. Jacob Ye, 15, also of North Reading, placed second in the Male 15 and under group in 27:16. Tracy Kelly, 47, placed third in the Female 41-plus age group with a time of 30:10 to round out the slate North Reading’s top runners in each category. Well done, North Reading!
The first three male finishers (ages 16–40) were: Nalo Benedict, 16, (23:40), and brothers Luke Surette, 20, (24:11) and Christian Surette, 24, (24:21), a repeat top finisher from 2024, both of North Andover.
The first three female finishers in the 16–40 age category were: Nicole Kroon, 18, (25:46) of North Andover, repeating her first-place finish of 2023; Alyssa Ralston, 38, (28:45) of Woburn, and Joella Roberts, 17, (31:03) of Andover.
Top finishers in the Male 41-plus group were: North Andover’s William Guptill, 51, (25:03), a repeat top finisher from three previous Scrambles, Peter Guza, 44, (25:52) and John Farley, 41,(26:04) of Andover.
In the Female 41-plus age group, Mary Beth Ellis, 47, (24:41) of Andover topped the ticket, followed by Elin Anderson, 44, (28:14) of North Andover, and Tracy Kelly, 47, (30:10) of North Reading.
The top three male finishers (15 and under) were: Nicholas Olier, at just 9 years old (26:46) of Andover, Jacob Ye, 15, (27:16), and Dylan Sullivan, 11, (29:21) of Andover.
The top three female finishers (15 and under) were: Selby Sullivan, 12, (26:35) of Andover, repeating her first-place standing in 2022 and 2023, Adelyn Kelly, 15, (28:08) of North Reading, and Carmel Kojokaro, 14, (33:54) of Andover.
Participants, spectators, and volunteers enjoyed hotdogs, chips, and ice cream — provided by the Friends — after the race and the traditional “tree cookie” awards were then presented to the winners. The annual meeting of the Friends got underway around 10:45 a.m.
Thanks to the participants, volunteers, and donors who made the day a success. The Scramble is the big fundraising event for the Friends of Harold Parker. Spanning four towns — Andover, North Andover, North Reading and Middleton — Harold Parker State Forest preserves 3,300 acres of forested land, ponds and the Lorraine Campground. To learn more about this non-profit organization formed to promote, support and advocate for HPSF visit friendsofharoldparker.org.