By STEVE MAZZONE

Sports writer

Their high school seasons may have ended a few months ago, but that doesn’t mean their competitive juices have stopped.
On Saturday morning, recent Woonsocket High graduates Corey Brunelle and Brittany Richer earned individual crowns at the 18th annual Sal Corio Cumberlandfest 5K.
Brunelle, who was a multiple All-Stater for the Villa Novans, had no problem copping the men’s crown, winning by more than a minute over his closest pursuer with a time of 16 minutes, 32 seconds.
Taking the runner-up spot for men was Anders Peterson of Jamaica Plains, Mass., with a 17:49 clocking.
In the women’s field, Richer held off two-time winner Ann Marie Marino with her time of 21:12. The 46-year-old Marino, who earned the master’s title, crossed the line in 21:38.

The dual victories by the Woonsocket runners could be the first time that anyone from the city has claimed the top prize, according to race director Tom Kenwood.
“I really can’t remember off-hand if it’s ever been done,” said Kenwood, who has been with the event since its inception.
The race, which was held under ideal conditions, drew 97 to the starting line. Rounding out the top five male finishers were Boston’s Carson Thorsen (third, 17:51) and Cumberland’s Steve Healey (fourth, 18:07) and past winner David Holgate (fifth, 18:40).
Among the best in the female category were South Attleboro’s Ann Marie McGrail (third, 22:00), Attleboro’s Ann Gagnon (fourth, 22:04) and Warren’s Penny Catalano (fifth, 23:28).
Michaela Crowley, who is the daughter of Cumberland Recreation director Mike Crowley, a former standout from Shea High, was sixth. The soon-to-be freshman at Cumberland High School was timed in 23:48.

WHS grads strong in Wakefield
In keeping with the Woonsocket theme, a pair of ex-Villa Novans cracked the 10 finest at the 7th annual Run 4 Kerri road race on Aug. 3.
Ed Duhamel placed fourth among the 726 finishers, cruising the four-mile layout in Wakefield in 21:22. About 200 meters behind Duhamel was former teammate Erik Russo, who snagged 10th overall in 22:02. Another local runner who fared well was Everett LaMountain of Smithfield. The former Sentinel standout, who graduated this past June, placed 22nd overall with a time of 23:09.
In Johnston this past Sunday, Greenville’s Trish Hillery was ninth overall at the Memorial 5K. The 41-year-old Hillery was second among women and first master runner with her time of 19:04 for the Johnston course. Duxbury’s Julie Spolidoro, 27, easily captured the individual women’s title with her time of 17:29. The overall men’s crown was attained by Eric Lonergan of North Kingstown, who won with a 16:08 clocking. Lonergan made his mark in this neck of woods just a few weeks ago, taking the top prize at the 2nd annual Team Gorman 5K in Cumberland.

AM winner fourth at Fleet
Further proving that his victory at the Arnold Mills Road Race last month was no fluke, North Kingstown’s Bronson Venable finished among the lead pack at the popular and heavily-contested Blessing of the Fleet 10-Mile Road Race on June 25. Venable, who will be attending Iona College this fall, placed fourth in the field of 2,294 participants with a strong time of 53:59.
East Providence’s Nick Barao, the onetime star for the Townies’ track and cross-country teams, was sixth at 55:00 – a 5:30 per mile clip. Woonsocket’s Duhamel was 33rd overall in 1:00:48. The race was won by 2:17 marathoner Matt Pelletier of Warwick. Pelletier, who competed in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in November, finished the Narragansett race in 51:52.

Doyle race this weekend
Certainly a race this Saturday that’s worth the long drive from the Blackstone Valley area is the inaugural Bobby Doyle 5-Mile Summer Classic in Narragansett.
The event was formed to honor the memory of the late Woonsocket High track and cross-country coach and world-class marathoner, who died this past December of a heart attack.
The five-miler, which starts at 5 p.m., will follow a scenic out-and-back route that finishes at Narragansett Pier School on 235 South Pier Road. The race supports high school and youth running in R.I., and will award two graduating high school runners from the class of 2009 the Bobby Doyle Memorial Scholarship. The race will also create the Bobby Doyle Cardiac Awareness Fund.
Online registration can still be done at needtorace.com for $18. Runners and walkers can also register the day of the race, starting at 3 p.m., at Narragansett Pier School. The cost on race day is $20.

One more to go
The last of the four Cumberland road races this summer will be held on Aug. 23 when runners and walkers answer the gun for the 2nd annual “Yo” Raymond Memorial 5K.
The race takes place at Camp Ker Anna on 500 Reservoir Rd., and follows an out-and-back course that offers a panoramic view of the beautiful Cumberland Reservoir. Pre-registration is $18 and $20 the day of the race. The fee includes a T-shirt, post-race refreshments and a free raffle. To register, go to needtorace.com. Any questions, contact race director Steve Raymond at 413-8167.